Spartanburg city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Spartanburg city is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina. The total population is 38,578. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Spartanburg city is 35.6 years. This is 11% lower than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Spartanburg city is $51,193. This is 23% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 35% lower. The poverty rate stands at 24.1%. This is 70% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. 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 7.0%. This is 41% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $185,300. Housing costs are 22% lower than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.6x. 53.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Spartanburg city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 46.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 42.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (42.1% vs 25.1%).

Education

33.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 6% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.9%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Spartanburg city, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.