Ware Shoals, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Ware Shoals, South Carolina had a total population of 2,074, the 193rd largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $36,622, which is 47% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 38.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 47% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (38.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Only 8.3% of adults have a bachelor's degree, well below the national average of 35.7%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.4%.
Ware Shoals Quick Facts
How Ware Shoals 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 | 2,207 | 2,074 | -6.0% |
| Median household income | $35,896 | $36,622 | +2.0% |
| Median home value | $63,600 | $82,000 | +28.9% |
How Ware Shoals 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+)
Ware Shoals Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Greenwood County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greenwood | 22,536 | $41,150 | 21.6% | $136,300 |
| Ninety Six | 2,521 | $55,417 | 22.6% | $121,000 |
| Cokesbury | 267 | N/A | 0.0% | $75,200 |
| Hodges | 193 | $60,750 | 23.3% | $145,800 |
| Troy | 177 | $48,250 | 17.5% | N/A |
| Promised Land | 143 | $44,293 | 15.4% | $87,400 |
| Bradley | 90 | N/A | 33.3% | N/A |
| Coronaca | 37 | N/A | 100.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Ware Shoals
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Graniteville | 2,056 | $38,938 | $112,200 | 10.0% | 37.3% |
| Calhoun Falls | 2,049 | $38,715 | $70,700 | 9.7% | 16.6% |
| Timmonsville | 2,045 | $34,630 | $104,300 | 8.0% | 31.3% |
| Johnston | 2,132 | $34,412 | $106,600 | 14.9% | 32.7% |
| Blacksburg | 2,063 | $32,092 | $157,400 | 13.3% | 31.4% |
Population Overview
Ware Shoals is a small community located in South Carolina, within Greenwood County. The total population is 2,074. It ranks as the 193rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Ware Shoals is 33.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 31.2% of the population under 18, Ware Shoals has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Ware Shoals is $36,622. This is 47% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 55% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 38.2%. This is 171% 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 2.4%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $82,000. Housing costs are 68% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Ware Shoals is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 5% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Ware Shoals is White (non-Hispanic), making up 58.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 20.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (17.2% vs 7.4%).
Education
8.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 74% 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 78.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Ware Shoals, 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 Ware Shoals, South Carolina?
Ware Shoals, South Carolina has a population of 2,074 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Ware Shoals, SC?
The median household income in Ware Shoals is $36,622, which is 55% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Ware Shoals, SC?
The poverty rate in Ware Shoals is 38.2%. This means approximately 792 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Ware Shoals, South Carolina?
Ware Shoals's population is 58.3% White, 20.3% Black, 17.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Ware Shoals, SC?
The median home value in Ware Shoals is $82,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Ware Shoals, South Carolina?
8.3% of adults (25+) in Ware Shoals hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.