Luray, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

A note before these figures: with a population of 311, Luray's ACS estimates come from a small number of survey responses and carry wide margins of error. Individual percentages below — particularly rates that round to 0% or 100% — are approximations, not precise measurements. See data.census.gov for the published margins of error.

Population Overview

Luray is a small community located in South Carolina, within Hampton County. The total population is 311. It ranks as the 377th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Luray is 31.7 years. This is 21% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 8.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The poverty rate stands at 23.2%. This is 65% 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 1.8%. This is 64% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $158,600. Housing costs are 39% lower than the state median of $259,000. 87.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 21% higher than the state average of 71.9%.

Race & Ethnicity

Luray is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.6%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (10.9%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.6% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (41.8% vs 7.4%).

Education

4.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 88% 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 58.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Luray, 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.