Scranton, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Scranton, South Carolina had a total population of 733, the 308th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $27,344, which is 61% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 33.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 61% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (33.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 9.9% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.5%.
Scranton Quick Facts
How Scranton 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 | 820 | 733 | -10.6% |
| Median household income | $26,250 | $27,344 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $83,000 | $102,300 | +23.3% |
How Scranton 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Scranton Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Florence County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 40,408 | $56,143 | 18.9% | $211,400 |
| Lake City | 5,988 | $33,600 | 25.7% | $144,300 |
| Timmonsville | 2,045 | $34,630 | 31.3% | $104,300 |
| Johnsonville | 1,251 | $44,830 | 20.9% | $167,100 |
| Pamplico | 1,134 | $34,545 | 31.7% | $142,500 |
| Quinby | 858 | $66,458 | 16.6% | $164,800 |
| Coward | 853 | $35,375 | 34.4% | $154,700 |
| Olanta | 806 | $54,464 | 15.3% | $115,000 |
| Danwood | 392 | $100,278 | 14.5% | $168,200 |
Cities Similar to Scranton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucksport | 747 | N/A | $186,300 | 21.5% | 15.8% |
| La France | 678 | N/A | N/A | 34.6% | 0.0% |
| Startex | 668 | N/A | N/A | 4.9% | 34.3% |
| North | 675 | $26,477 | $92,900 | 7.3% | 42.2% |
| Pinewood | 668 | $27,813 | $104,800 | 25.3% | 32.3% |
A note before these figures: with a population of 733, Scranton'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
Scranton is a small community located in South Carolina, within Florence County. The total population is 733. It ranks as the 308th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Scranton is 47.0 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. 11.3% 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 Scranton is $27,344. This is 61% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 66% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 33.9%. This is 141% 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 1.5%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $102,300. Housing costs are 61% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 35.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Scranton is Black or African American, making up 54.3% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 43.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (54.3% vs 24.6%). The Asian population (0.8%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
9.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 69% 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 73.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Scranton, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Scranton, South Carolina?
Scranton, South Carolina has a population of 733 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Scranton, SC?
The median household income in Scranton is $27,344, which is 66% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Scranton, SC?
The poverty rate in Scranton is 33.9%. This means approximately 216 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Scranton, South Carolina?
Scranton's population is 43.7% White, 54.3% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Scranton, SC?
The median home value in Scranton is $102,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Scranton, South Carolina?
9.9% of adults (25+) in Scranton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 2.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.