City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Chester, SC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Chester - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

5,241
Residents
$41,231
Median income
$106,400
Median home
$1,056
Median rent (state)

Chester - the verdict

Chester ranks in the 9th percentile for household income and the 4th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

9th
percentile, household income
12th
percentile, home value
25th
percentile, median rent
4th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Chester, SC

South Carolina's Chester is a small town, with 5,241 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $41,231 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 24.6%. Chester's housing stock carries a median value of $106,400, and the median resident age is 37.3 years. Educational attainment runs 13.1% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 48.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Chester's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4835.0 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Chester's yearly average temperature at 60.4°F with 45.9 inches of precipitation per year.

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Carolina at 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,056 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 43.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Low).

Population

5,241 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$41,231 /yr

Poverty 24.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Chester compare to other US cities?

Where Chester sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 12% pricier than other cities
Median rent 25% pricier than other cities
Safety 4% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to South Carolina alone, Chester ranks #97 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Chester against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Carolina-relative analysis

Poverty Rate places Chester toward the top of South Carolina's cities

Among the 439 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Chester ranks #93 - the 79th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Chester only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#285 of 403
29th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#275 of 441
37th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#291 of 404
28th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#93 of 439
79th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#305 of 441
31st percentile in South Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within South Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

9thIncome percentile
4thSafety percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income · 4th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Chester's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Chester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Chester's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Chester's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$106,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 88% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Chester $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Chester, SC Chester, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Chester, SC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Chester, SC median $41,231/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Chester, SC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Chester, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 13.1%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 24.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
5,241
Median Income
$41,231
Median Home Value
$106,400
Median Age
37.3
Poverty Rate
24.6%
Labor force participation
48.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
13.1%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4835.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1554.1
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3280.9
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
60.4°F
Annual Precipitation
45.9"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,150 residents5,200 residents5,250 residents5,300 residents5,350 residents 202020212022202320242025 5,271 residents 5,324 residents ▲ +1.0%
Chester's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.5%
Carpool
12.9%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
2.2%
Other
1.3%

Based on 1,875 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$52
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$224
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Chester sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,056/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
43.2 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Central
5,299 people
Blythewood
5,309 people
Hollywood
5,330 people
Belvedere
5,458 people
Cheraw
5,024 people
Walterboro
5,490 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Chester's 5,241 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gladstone, MI
5,240 people
Highwood, IL
5,243 people
Cresaptown, MD
5,238 people
Chardon, OH
5,246 people
Johnstown, OH
5,247 people
Lewisburg, PA
5,247 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Chester's $41,231 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Walnut Grove, AL
$41,223 median income
Hammond, LA
$41,222 median income
Corinth, MS
$41,243 median income
Bonnetsville, NC
$41,217 median income
Gu-Win, AL
$41,250 median income
Mount Vernon, AL
$41,250 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Chester, SC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Chester, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 31.8% 64.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.3% White 31.8% Black or African American 64.6% Asian 0.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.8% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Chester compares to nearby South Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Chester (this city) 5,241 $41,231
Central 5,299 $58,262
Blythewood 5,309 $105,583
Hollywood 5,330 $77,415
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Chester, SC?

What is the population of Chester, SC? +

Chester, SC counts 5,241 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Chester, SC? +

The median household income in Chester is $41,231 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Chester? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Chester; the closest available measure is the South Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 93.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Chester, SC safe? +

Chester has a total crime rate of 4835.0 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Chester, SC? +

The median home value in Chester is $106,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Chester? +

Climate normals put Chester's yearly average temperature at 60.4°F, 45.9 inches of precipitation. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.