Spartanburg, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Spartanburg, South Carolina had a total population of 38,910, the 12th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $51,964, which is 25% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.8%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Spartanburg Quick Facts
How Spartanburg 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 | 38,578 | 38,910 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $51,193 | $51,964 | +1.5% |
| Median home value | $185,300 | $203,700 | +9.9% |
How Spartanburg 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+)
Spartanburg Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Spartanburg County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Southern Shops | 3,797 | $37,754 | 43.3% | $109,600 |
| 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 Spartanburg
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 40,408 | $56,143 | $211,400 | 30.4% | 18.9% |
| Myrtle Beach | 38,371 | $60,394 | $388,800 | 33.5% | 19.0% |
| Sumter | 43,053 | $55,592 | $199,100 | 28.7% | 16.7% |
| Greer | 41,536 | $82,626 | $288,700 | 41.4% | 10.1% |
| Anderson | 30,051 | $46,933 | $218,200 | 28.3% | 21.0% |
Population Overview
Spartanburg is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina, within Spartanburg County. The total population is 38,910. It ranks as the 12th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Spartanburg is 36.0 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Spartanburg is $51,964. This is 25% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 36% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 23.8%. This is 69% 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 7.4%. This is 52% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $203,700. Housing costs are 21% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 53.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 25% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Spartanburg is White (non-Hispanic), making up 48.1% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 39.3%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (39.3% vs 24.6%).
Education
32.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 2% higher 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 87.7%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Spartanburg, 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 Spartanburg, South Carolina?
Spartanburg, South Carolina has a population of 38,910 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Spartanburg, SC?
The median household income in Spartanburg is $51,964, which is 36% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Spartanburg, SC?
The poverty rate in Spartanburg is 23.8%. This means approximately 8,652 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Spartanburg, South Carolina?
Spartanburg's population is 48.1% White, 39.3% Black, 6.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Spartanburg, SC?
The median home value in Spartanburg is $203,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Spartanburg, South Carolina?
32.6% of adults (25+) in Spartanburg hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.