City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Cowpens, SC

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

2,031
Residents
$37,168
Median income
$152,700
Median home
$902
Median rent (state)

Cowpens - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Cowpens lands in the 6th percentile for household income and the 36th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

6th
percentile, household income
28th
percentile, home value
4th
percentile, median rent
36th
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: Cowpens, SC

Cowpens is a small town in South Carolina, home to 2,031 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Cowpens brings in $37,168 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 27.2%. Home values in Cowpens run a median of $152,700, and the median resident age is 48.8 years. 18.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 48.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 4 residential building permits were authorized in Cowpens (Rapid Growth), up 33% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1824.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, near the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $902 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 69.7 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

2,031 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$37,168 /yr

Poverty 27.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Cowpens compare to other US cities?

Cowpens measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 6% higher than other cities
Home value 28% pricier than other cities
Median rent 4% pricier than other cities
Safety 36% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Carolina, Cowpens ranks #36 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Cowpens 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

Median Gross Rent places Cowpens near the bottom of South Carolina's cities

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Cowpens ranks #349 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Cowpens only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#319 of 403
21st percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#349 of 441
0th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#214 of 404
47th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#74 of 439
83rd percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#214 of 441
51st 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.

6thIncome percentile
36thSafety percentile

6th percentile nationally for median household income · 36th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Cowpens's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Cowpens'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 42 Avg. percentile National median
Cowpens'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 Cowpens's home value compares nationally

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

$152,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 72% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Cowpens $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 - Cowpens, SC Cowpens, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Cowpens, 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 Cowpens, SC median $37,168/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%
Cowpens, 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 Cowpens, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 18.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 27.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.0%

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

Population
2,031
Median Income
$37,168
Median Home Value
$152,700
Median Age
48.8
Poverty Rate
27.2%
Labor force participation
48.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
18.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1824.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
356.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1468.6
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.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,000 residents2,100 residents2,200 residents2,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,030 residents 2,257 residents ▲ +11.2%
Cowpens's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
4
housing units authorized
Single-Family
4
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2023 3
2024 4

Permit volume increased 33% from 2023 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
86.2%
Carpool
3.3%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.2%
Work from Home
8.5%
Other
0.8%

Based on 826 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 Cowpens sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$902/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
69.7 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Gaston
2,026 people
Fairfax
2,037 people
Arial
2,024 people
Shell Point
2,005 people
Mayo
1,963 people
Hopkins
1,962 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Cowpens's 2,031 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Krebs, OK
2,031 people
Summitview, WA
2,031 people
Towamensing Trails, PA
2,032 people
Buna, TX
2,030 people
Kapaau, HI
2,029 people
Ely, IA
2,033 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Cowpens's $37,168 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Otisco, IN
$37,167 median income
Waller, TX
$37,163 median income
Egypt, AL
$37,153 median income
Bath, IL
$37,188 median income
Oscoda, MI
$37,188 median income
Ridgeway, MO
$37,188 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Cowpens, 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 Cowpens, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 75.8% 10.0% 14.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 11.6% White 75.8% Black or African American 10.0% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 14.2% 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 Cowpens 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
Cowpens (this city) 2,031 $37,168
Gaston 2,026 $59,500
Fairfax 2,037 $41,328
Arial 2,024 $50,132
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Cowpens, SC?

What is the population of Cowpens, SC? +

Cowpens, SC has a population of 2,031 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Cowpens runs $37,168, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Cowpens? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Cowpens; 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 Cowpens, SC safe? +

Cowpens has a total crime rate of 1824.6 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Cowpens, SC? +

Homes in Cowpens carry a median value of $152,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, 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.