Watts Mills, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Watts Mills, South Carolina had a total population of 1,942, the 202nd largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $50,901, which is 27% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Only 2.9% 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 2.1x.
- Unemployment rate of 10.9% is notably above the national average.
Watts Mills Quick Facts
How Watts Mills 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 | 2,250 | 1,942 | -13.7% |
| Median household income | $47,192 | $50,901 | +7.9% |
How Watts Mills 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+)
Watts Mills Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Laurens County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens | 9,336 | $49,246 | 25.4% | $180,700 |
| Clinton | 7,676 | $44,522 | 27.7% | $173,400 |
| Joanna | 1,306 | $49,141 | 20.5% | $88,100 |
| Gray Court | 783 | $57,500 | 19.3% | $185,900 |
| Cross Hill | 514 | $40,556 | 14.0% | $104,500 |
| Waterloo | 212 | N/A | 37.3% | N/A |
| Mountville | 136 | $70,645 | 5.9% | N/A |
| Princeton | 19 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Watts Mills
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hopkins | 1,985 | $50,063 | $99,300 | 15.8% | 25.7% |
| Tigerville | 1,880 | N/A | N/A | 65.3% | 13.4% |
| Arial | 1,919 | $54,286 | $181,300 | 15.3% | 7.9% |
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | $176,900 | 12.4% | 26.1% |
| Wedgefield | 1,968 | $44,410 | $26,500 | 28.0% | 9.6% |
Population Overview
Watts Mills is a small community located in South Carolina, within Laurens County. The total population is 1,942. It ranks as the 202nd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Watts Mills is 30.5 years. This is 24% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Watts Mills is $50,901. This is 27% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 37% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.7%. This is 38% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 10.9%. This is 124% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $108,300. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Watts Mills is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 42.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 41% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Watts Mills is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 38.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (38.5% vs 7.4%).
Education
2.9% 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 91% 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 49.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Watts Mills, 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 Watts Mills, South Carolina?
Watts Mills, South Carolina has a population of 1,942 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Watts Mills, SC?
The median household income in Watts Mills is $50,901, which is 37% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Watts Mills, SC?
The poverty rate in Watts Mills is 8.7%. This means approximately 169 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Watts Mills, South Carolina?
Watts Mills's population is 43.8% White, 16.1% Black, 38.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Watts Mills, SC?
The median home value in Watts Mills is $108,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Watts Mills, South Carolina?
2.9% of adults (25+) in Watts Mills hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 0.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.