Laurens, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurens, South Carolina had a total population of 9,336, the 66th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $49,246, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.4%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.9%.
Laurens Quick Facts
How Laurens Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 9,307 | 9,336 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $55,207 | $49,246 | -10.8% |
| Median home value | $139,800 | $180,700 | +29.3% |
How Laurens Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurens Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Laurens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clinton | 7,676 | $44,522 | 27.7% | $173,400 |
| Watts Mills | 1,942 | $50,901 | 8.7% | $108,300 |
| Joanna | 1,306 | $49,141 | 20.5% | $88,100 |
| Gray Court | 783 | $57,500 | 19.3% | $185,900 |
| Cross Hill | 514 | $40,556 | 14.0% | $104,500 |
| Waterloo | 212 | N/A | 37.3% | N/A |
| Mountville | 136 | $70,645 | 5.9% | N/A |
| Princeton | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Laurens
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Woodfield | 9,465 | $45,526 | $150,800 | 21.9% | 19.8% |
| Seneca | 8,993 | $52,022 | $240,000 | 29.1% | 22.1% |
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | $239,100 | 21.1% | 21.2% |
| York | 8,969 | $56,176 | $198,600 | 18.6% | 15.9% |
| Georgetown | 8,565 | $56,981 | $168,100 | 22.1% | 21.9% |
Population Overview
Laurens is a small city located in South Carolina, within Laurens County. The total population is 9,336. It ranks as the 66th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurens is 42.1 years. This is 5% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 13.2% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurens is $49,246. This is 29% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 39% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.4%. This is 81% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 1.9%. This is 61% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $180,700. Housing costs are 30% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 46.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 35% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurens is White (non-Hispanic), making up 50.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 37.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (37.6% vs 24.6%). The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
13.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 81.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurens, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Laurens, South Carolina?
Laurens, South Carolina has a population of 9,336 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurens, SC?
The median household income in Laurens is $49,246, which is 39% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurens, SC?
The poverty rate in Laurens is 25.4%. This means approximately 2,282 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurens, South Carolina?
Laurens's population is 50.7% White, 37.6% Black, 8.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurens, SC?
The median home value in Laurens is $180,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Laurens, South Carolina?
13.9% of adults (25+) in Laurens hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.