Pelzer, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Pelzer, South Carolina had a total population of 1,722, the 219th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $58,134, which is 16% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 26.9%.
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 (26.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Pelzer Quick Facts
How Pelzer 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 | 1,570 | 1,722 | +9.7% |
| Median household income | $54,886 | $58,134 | +5.9% |
| Median home value | $170,400 | $178,100 | +4.5% |
How Pelzer 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 less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Pelzer Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Anderson County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Anderson | 30,051 | $46,933 | 21.0% | $218,200 |
| Easley | 24,841 | $66,299 | 13.9% | $263,500 |
| Clemson | 18,072 | $49,520 | 36.0% | $398,400 |
| Powdersville | 10,771 | $84,910 | 9.3% | $334,900 |
| Centerville | 7,049 | $64,380 | 8.8% | $229,700 |
| Homeland Park | 6,632 | $40,218 | 36.2% | $103,700 |
| Belton | 4,458 | $49,107 | 19.6% | $133,500 |
| Northlake | 4,390 | $89,635 | 8.8% | $277,700 |
| Williamston | 4,170 | $64,389 | 13.5% | $162,800 |
| Honea Path | 3,739 | $32,900 | 33.6% | $155,400 |
Cities Similar to Pelzer
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridgeville | 1,740 | $55,637 | $181,800 | 4.3% | 7.8% |
| Fairforest | 1,727 | $52,468 | $199,800 | 9.0% | 28.9% |
| Gaston | 1,803 | $60,000 | $120,000 | 11.3% | 18.0% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| St. Matthews | 1,645 | $51,310 | $204,200 | 30.4% | 31.1% |
Population Overview
Pelzer is a small community located in South Carolina, within Anderson County. The total population is 1,722. It ranks as the 219th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Pelzer is 37.1 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Pelzer is $58,134. This is 16% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 28% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 26.9%. This is 91% 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 5.7%. This is 16% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $178,100. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 76.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Pelzer is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.9% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.0%. The Black or African American population (1.6%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
24.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% 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 78.6%. Notably, 19.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Pelzer, 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 Pelzer, South Carolina?
Pelzer, South Carolina has a population of 1,722 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Pelzer, SC?
The median household income in Pelzer is $58,134, which is 28% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Pelzer, SC?
The poverty rate in Pelzer is 26.9%. This means approximately 463 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Pelzer, South Carolina?
Pelzer's population is 84.9% White, 1.6% Black, 8.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Pelzer, SC?
The median home value in Pelzer is $178,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Pelzer, South Carolina?
24.1% of adults (25+) in Pelzer hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.