County · South Carolina

Kershaw County, South Carolina

Kershaw County, South Carolina. Kershaw County had 73,166 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 11.9% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 7 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 18 census tracts. GEOID 45055.

Kershaw County is one of the 6 counties of the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).

Residents, July 2025 estimate

73,166

Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 65,403 · ACS 2020-2024: 68,314

Median household income

$68,231

±$3,174 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324

Median home value

$217,100

±$8,128 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000

Median gross rent

$971

±$75 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180

How many people live in Kershaw County, and is it growing?

The 2020 Census counted 65,403 residents in Kershaw County. The Census Bureau estimates 73,166 for July 1, 2025, up 11.9% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 68,314 over 727 square miles of land.

July 2020→2021 +663 (66,253)
2021→2022 +1,736 (67,989)
2022→2023 +2,342 (70,331)
2023→2024 +1,581 (71,912)
2024→2025 +1,254 (73,166)

Kershaw County in South Carolina. Boundaries: Census Bureau 2024.

Counts, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates, with the change from 2015-2019
Measure	Kershaw County	South Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Total population	68,314	5,296,225	+3,202
Households	26,897±357	2,117,989	+1,917
Average household size	2.53±0.03	2.44	−0.06
Housing units	30,134±37	2,443,039	+1,013

Kershaw County's population since 2000

From 52,647 in 2000 to 73,166 in 2025: up 39.0%. 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.

2000 Census 52,647
2005 (estimate) 56,506
2010 Census 61,697
2015 (estimate) 63,677
2020 Census 65,403
2025 (estimate) 73,166

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 Kershaw County?

Kershaw County holds 7 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Lugoff with 9,786 residents (2020-2024). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.

Places in Kershaw County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Ring: estimate with a coefficient of variation over 40%.

Lugoff	CDP	9,990	9,786±705	$69,485	$223,900	8.1%	100%
Camden	city	7,788	8,267±19	$63,576	$265,300	13.2%	100%
East Camden	CDP	3,215	4,194±675	$53,715	$183,100	20.5%	100%
Elgin, Kershaw County	town	1,634	2,080±466	$91,667	$217,400	4.2%	100%
Bethune	town	315	438±186	$44,000	$106,800	34.0%	100%
Abney CrossroadsGEOID 4500165	CDP	101	208±271	not published	not published	0.0%	100%
BoykinGEOID 4508110	CDP	88	122±105	$136,576	not published	0.0%	100%

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 Kershaw County?

The median resident of Kershaw County is 40.4 years old; 23.2% are under 18 and 18.9% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 65.8%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 23.7%. 3.2% of residents were born outside the United States.

Age, origin and education, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates. Race groups are non-Hispanic; Hispanic includes any race.
Measure	Kershaw County	South Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median age	40.4±0.6	40.2	no clear change
Under 18 years	23.2%	21.4%	–
65 years and over	18.9%±0.2 pts	18.9%	–
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	5.9%	7.4%	+1.5 pts
White alone, not Hispanic	65.8%±0.3 pts	61.9%	−3.0 pts
Black or African American alone, not Hispanic	23.7%±0.6 pts	24.6%	no clear change
Asian alone, not Hispanic	0.7%±0.2 pts	1.7%	–
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±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	3.6%±0.7 pts	3.7%	–
Some other race alone, not Hispanic	0.1%±0.1 pts	0.5%	–
Born outside the United States	3.2%±0.6 pts	5.8%	no clear change
Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+)	5.1%±0.8 pts	8.4%	–
Civilian veterans (age 18+)	10.1%±1.0 pts	8.3%	–
With a disability	16.5%±1.2 pts	14.6%	–
No health insurance coverage	8.6%±1.2 pts	9.6%	−1.9 pts
High school graduate or higher (age 25+)	89.1%±1.2 pts	90.1%	–
Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+)	24.0%±1.5 pts	32.1%	+3.7 pts
Graduate or professional degree (age 25+)	8.9%±1.0 pts	12.3%	–
Moved from another state in the past year	2.0%±0.6 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 Kershaw County earn?

Half of Kershaw County's 26,897 households earn less than $68,231 a year (±$3,174), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $63,355 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,876 after inflation. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line.

Income and poverty in 2024 dollars, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Kershaw County	South Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median household income	$68,231±$3,174	$69,324	+$4,876
Mean household income	$90,069±$5,975	$95,567	–
Per capita income	$35,560±$2,527	$39,236	+$4,249
People below the poverty line	13.2%±1.7 pts	14.1%	no clear change
Children under 18 below the poverty line	19.4%±3.7 pts	19.4%	no clear change
Households receiving SNAP	11.8%±1.7 pts	10.5%	–
Households with a broadband subscription	90.1%±1.3 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 Kershaw County?

Owners occupy 82.0% of Kershaw County's occupied homes and renters 18.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $217,100 by its owner (±$8,128). The median renter pays $971 a month including utilities, and 45.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.

Housing, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Kershaw County	South Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
Median home value (owner-occupied)	$217,100±$8,128	$259,000	+$55,756
Median gross rent	$971±$75	$1,180	no clear change
Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent	45.5%±8.5 pts	42.8%	no clear change
Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage	$1,421±$58	$1,529	–
Owner-occupied homes	82.0%±1.9 pts	71.9%	no clear change
Housing units	30,134±37	2,443,039	+1,013
Homeowner vacancy rate	0.3%±0.4 pts	0.9%	–
Rental vacancy rate	3.0%±2.5 pts	8.3%	–
Single-family detached homes	74.8%±1.9 pts	64.5%	–
Mobile homes	19.3%±1.7 pts	14.2%	–
Built 2020 or later	4.2%±0.9 pts	3.7%	–
Built 1939 or earlier	2.4%±0.7 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 Kershaw County building?

Builders took permits for 509 new housing units across Kershaw County in 2025 (456 single-family), 7.0 per 1,000 residents.

2019 318 units
2020 494 units
2021 753 units
2022 413 units
2023 661 units
2024 474 units
2025 509 units

Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey

How do people in Kershaw County get to work?

81.1% of Kershaw County's workers drive alone and 9.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 30.0 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.7%.

Work and commuting, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates
Measure	Kershaw County	South Carolina	Change since 2015-2019
In the labor force (age 16+)	59.9%±1.4 pts	60.5%	–
Unemployment rate	4.7%±1.3 pts	4.9%	no clear change
Drove alone to work	81.1%±1.8 pts	76.3%	–
Carpooled	8.7%±1.3 pts	8.5%	–
Public transportation	0.0%±0.1 pts	0.4%	–
Walked	0.2%±0.1 pts	1.6%	–
Worked from home	9.2%±1.2 pts	11.5%	+6.3 pts
Mean travel time to work	30.0 min±1.4	25.6 min	+2.4 min

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 Kershaw County's census tracts?

Kershaw County is divided into 18 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $50,281 (Tract 9702) to $95,221 (Tract 9709.08).

Census tracts of Kershaw County, ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates; sort by any column

Tract 970145055970100	Bethune (22%)	2,634	2,875±482	$56,054	$88,400	$984	16.9%
Tract 970245055970200	Abney Crossroads (3%)	2,928	3,334±396	$50,281	$109,000	$1,109	20.9%
Tract 970345055970300	–	2,330	1,981±436	$77,206	$327,000	$870	7.3%
Tract 9704.0145055970401	–	4,855	4,883±595	$70,417	$255,000	$1,008	8.1%
Tract 9704.0245055970402	Lugoff (97%)	2,988	3,276±374	$60,739	$220,700	$812	14.7%
Tract 9704.0345055970403	Lugoff	2,204	2,035±253	$57,946	$182,200	not published	7.6%
Tract 970545055970500	Camden (59%)	6,087	5,069±638	$74,392	$281,900	$789	11.7%
Tract 9706.0145055970601	East Camden (56%)	4,689	5,064±569	$67,740	$208,000	$1,122	14.9%
Tract 9706.0345055970603	–	3,983	4,347±542	$57,981	$120,800	$812	18.8%
Tract 9706.0445055970604	–	2,730	2,543±457	$65,597	$271,900	$789	7.2%
Tract 970745055970700	Boykin (14%)	1,612	1,687±436	$67,708	$239,600	$1,133	32.6%
Tract 970845055970800	Camden (67%)	6,303	7,020±619	$62,206	$256,100	$973	18.3%
Tract 9709.0245055970902	–	3,060	3,054±499	$56,337	$112,300	$1,048	21.9%
Tract 9709.0545055970905	Lugoff	2,913	2,862±475	$75,000	$259,200	$1,171	5.2%
Tract 9709.0645055970906	Lugoff (26%)	4,025	3,764±585	$81,068	$196,900	$737	4.8%
Tract 9709.0745055970907	Elgin (13%)	4,962	5,080±501	$74,706	$251,100	$1,585	13.0%
Tract 9709.0845055970908	Elgin (29%)	3,419	4,269±411	$95,221	$242,500	$1,489	7.1%
Tract 9709.0945055970909	Elgin (16%)	3,681	5,171±621	$71,799	$266,000	$967	9.6%

Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov

How does Kershaw County compare with South Carolina's other counties?

Kershaw County's rank among South Carolina's counties with a reliable estimate (1 = highest)
Measure	Rank
Population	21st of 46
Growth 2020-2025	7th of 46
Residents per square mile	22nd of 46
Median household income	12th of 46
Median home value	18th of 46
Median gross rent	18th of 46
Poverty rate	36th of 46
Bachelor's degree or higher	21st of 46
Median age	31st of 46

Every county in South Carolina

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 Kershaw 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.