Southern Shops, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Southern Shops, South Carolina had a total population of 3,797, the 125th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $37,754, which is 46% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 46% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 3.8% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.0% is notably above the national average.
Southern Shops Quick Facts
How Southern Shops 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 | 3,985 | 3,797 | -4.7% |
| Median household income | $35,016 | $37,754 | +7.8% |
| Median home value | $102,200 | $109,600 | +7.2% |
How Southern Shops 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+)
Southern Shops Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Spartanburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spartanburg | 38,910 | $51,964 | 23.8% | $203,700 |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | 9.9% | $244,400 |
| Valley Falls | 8,239 | $55,661 | 22.2% | $256,600 |
| Lyman | 6,547 | $75,653 | 6.1% | $277,600 |
| Woodruff | 4,538 | $70,959 | 14.2% | $204,800 |
| Duncan | 4,310 | $52,500 | 12.4% | $211,400 |
| Saxon | 4,085 | $32,292 | 45.8% | $90,000 |
| Whitney | 3,685 | $51,275 | 17.6% | $157,400 |
| Wellford | 3,515 | $57,338 | 16.2% | $223,000 |
| Arcadia | 3,426 | $55,218 | 21.3% | $116,800 |
Cities Similar to Southern Shops
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mullins | 3,914 | $34,908 | $95,300 | 19.9% | 38.3% |
| Edgefield | 4,010 | $39,688 | $122,500 | 13.5% | 31.4% |
| Honea Path | 3,739 | $32,900 | $155,400 | 12.0% | 33.6% |
| Walhalla | 4,157 | $36,327 | $171,900 | 11.4% | 45.9% |
| Winnsboro | 3,322 | $37,434 | $132,400 | 16.5% | 12.8% |
Population Overview
Southern Shops is a small community located in South Carolina, within Spartanburg County. The total population is 3,797. It ranks as the 125th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Southern Shops is 35.9 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Southern Shops is $37,754. This is 46% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 53% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 43.3%. This is 208% 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 8.0%. This is 64% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $109,600. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Southern Shops is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 31% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Southern Shops is Hispanic or Latino, making up 45.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 27.9%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (27.9%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (45.1% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
3.8% 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 64.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Southern Shops, 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 Southern Shops, South Carolina?
Southern Shops, South Carolina has a population of 3,797 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Southern Shops, SC?
The median household income in Southern Shops is $37,754, which is 53% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Southern Shops, SC?
The poverty rate in Southern Shops is 43.3%. This means approximately 1,428 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Southern Shops, South Carolina?
Southern Shops's population is 27.9% White, 20.0% Black, 45.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Southern Shops, SC?
The median home value in Southern Shops is $109,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Southern Shops, South Carolina?
3.8% of adults (25+) in Southern Shops hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 1.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.