County · South Carolina
Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee County, South Carolina. Cherokee County had 58,275 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.6% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 6 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 2 census-designated) and 16 census tracts. GEOID 45021.
Cherokee County is the county of the Gaffney, SC micropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
58,275
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 56,216 · ACS 2020-2024: 56,647
Median household income
$50,288
±$2,291 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$142,000
±$15,173 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$869
±$39 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Cherokee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 56,216 residents in Cherokee County. The Census Bureau estimates 58,275 for July 1, 2025, up 3.6% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 56,647 over 393 square miles of land.
| Measure | Cherokee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 56,647 | 5,296,225 | −248 |
| Households | 22,063±448 | 2,117,989 | +1,364 |
| Average household size | 2.52±0.05 | 2.44 | −0.19 |
| Housing units | 25,150±46 | 2,443,039 | +582 |
Cherokee County's population since 2000
From 52,537 in 2000 to 58,275 in 2025: up 10.9%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Cherokee County?
Cherokee County holds 6 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 2 census-designated places. The largest is Gaffney with 12,583 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Gaffney | 12,764 | $41,089 |
|---|---|---|
| East Gaffney | 2,882 | $25,227 |
| Blacksburg | 1,889 | $32,092 |
| Cherokee FallsGEOID 4513735 | 113 | not published |
| Chesnee | 829 | $37,708 |
| SmyrnaGEOID 4567210 | 55 | $63,750 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Cherokee County?
The median resident of Cherokee County is 40.4 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 17.5% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 69.7%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 18.7%. 3.2% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Cherokee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 40.4±0.5 | 40.2 | +1.1 |
| Under 18 years | 22.7%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 17.5%±0.2 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 5.5% | 7.4% | +1.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 69.7%±0.7 pts | 61.9% | −3.1 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 18.7%±0.6 pts | 24.6% | −1.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 1.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 4.0%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.4%±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.2%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | +0.8 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 5.3%±0.8 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.3%±1.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 17.9%±1.6 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.5%±1.4 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 85.2%±1.6 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 18.4%±1.7 pts | 32.1% | +4.2 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 7.1%±1.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.5%±0.8 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Cherokee County earn?
Half of Cherokee County's 22,063 households earn less than $50,288 a year (±$2,291), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $45,392 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,896 after inflation. 18.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Cherokee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $50,288±$2,291 | $69,324 | +$4,896 |
| Mean household income | $67,479±$3,369 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $27,406±$1,263 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.4%±2.0 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 28.3%±4.4 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 14.1%±1.8 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 80.7%±2.2 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Cherokee County?
Owners occupy 73.8% of Cherokee County's occupied homes and renters 26.2%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $142,000 by its owner (±$15,173). The median renter pays $869 a month including utilities, and 36.8% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Cherokee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $142,000±$15,173 | $259,000 | +$17,085 |
| Median gross rent | $869±$39 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.8%±6.1 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,160±$42 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 73.8%±2.3 pts | 71.9% | +4.9 pts |
| Housing units | 25,150±46 | 2,443,039 | +582 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.6%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 4.8%±2.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.4%±2.3 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 26.4%±2.1 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 3.5%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 4.4%±1.0 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Cherokee County building?
Builders took permits for 286 new housing units across Cherokee County in 2025 (199 single-family), 4.9 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Cherokee County get to work?
84.9% of Cherokee County's workers drive alone and 5.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 25.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.3%.
| Measure | Cherokee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.4%±2.1 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.3%±1.3 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 84.9%±2.3 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.8%±1.5 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.0%±1.9 pts | 11.5% | +3.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 25.1 min±1.7 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Cherokee County's census tracts?
Cherokee County is divided into 16 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $27,838 (Tract 9703.02) to $86,997 (Tract 9702.04).
| Tract 9701.0145021970101 | 3,537±463 | $58,864 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9701.0245021970102 | 4,319±577 | $70,655 |
| Tract 9702.0145021970201 | 4,030±524 | $37,785 |
| Tract 9702.0345021970203 | 3,246±549 | $61,389 |
| Tract 9702.0445021970204 | 4,884±557 | $86,997 |
| Tract 9703.0145021970301 | 3,791±543 | $46,813 |
| Tract 9703.0245021970302 | 4,262±614 | $27,838 |
| Tract 9704.0145021970401 | 3,417±543 | $47,250 |
| Tract 9704.0345021970403 | 3,090±612 | $58,310 |
| Tract 9704.0445021970404 | 3,114±425 | $48,154 |
| Tract 9705.0145021970501 | 2,347±652 | $48,098 |
| Tract 9705.0245021970502 | 4,270±560 | $30,938 |
| Tract 9705.0345021970503 | 1,195±170 | $39,274 |
| Tract 9706.0145021970601 | 5,298±798 | $52,027 |
| Tract 9706.0245021970602 | 2,276±311 | $58,542 |
| Tract 970745021970700 | 3,571±499 | $49,761 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Cherokee County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 24th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 24th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 18th of 46 |
| Median household income | 32nd of 46 |
| Median home value | 34th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 28th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 18th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 30th of 46 |
| Median age | 31st of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Cherokee County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.