County · South Carolina
Lancaster County, South Carolina
Lancaster County, South Carolina. Lancaster County had 114,296 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 19.0% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 10 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 22 census tracts. GEOID 45057.
Lancaster County is one of the 11 counties of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
114,296
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 96,016 · ACS 2020-2024: 104,475
Median household income
$78,869
±$5,418 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$329,900
±$12,562 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$959
±$49 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Lancaster County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 96,016 residents in Lancaster County. The Census Bureau estimates 114,296 for July 1, 2025, up 19.0% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 104,475 over 549 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lancaster County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 104,475 | 5,296,225 | +12,167 |
| Households | 40,128±616 | 2,117,989 | +6,229 |
| Average household size | 2.56±0.04 | 2.44 | −0.10 |
| Housing units | 43,832±46 | 2,443,039 | +6,406 |
Lancaster County's population since 2000
From 61,351 in 2000 to 114,296 in 2025: up 86.3%. 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 Lancaster County?
Lancaster County holds 10 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Lancaster with 9,623 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Lancaster | 8,460 | $46,311 |
|---|---|---|
| Springdale, Lancaster County | 2,492 | $41,398 |
| Elgin, Lancaster CountyGEOID 4523290 | 2,357 | $77,994 |
| Kershaw | 1,693 | $68,693 |
| IrwinGEOID 4535980 | 1,321 | $55,885 |
| Van Wyck | 848 | $38,250 |
| Heath Springs | 742 | $52,569 |
| BufordGEOID 4510135 | 398 | $81,583 |
| UnityGEOID 4573240 | 325 | $48,194 |
| TradesvilleGEOID 4572295 | 253 | $59,625 |
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 Lancaster County?
The median resident of Lancaster County is 42.5 years old; 21.6% are under 18 and 21.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 67.2%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 19.3%. 7.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lancaster County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5±0.4 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.6% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.8%±0.2 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.5% | 7.4% | +2.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 67.2%±0.2 pts | 61.9% | −3.0 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 19.3%±0.5 pts | 24.6% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 2.5%±0.5 pts | 1.7% | +1.2 pts |
| 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 | 3.2%±0.7 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.1%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | +2.2 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 9.5%±0.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±0.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 14.8%±1.2 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 7.9%±1.1 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 90.0%±1.4 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 33.6%±1.8 pts | 32.1% | +6.7 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.6%±1.1 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 4.2%±0.9 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 Lancaster County earn?
Half of Lancaster County's 40,128 households earn less than $78,869 a year (±$5,418), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $72,425 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 11.4% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lancaster County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $78,869±$5,418 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $106,641±$5,573 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $43,133±$2,157 | $39,236 | +$5,299 |
| People below the poverty line | 11.4%±1.7 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.7%±3.3 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 9.7%±1.5 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 89.4%±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 Lancaster County?
Owners occupy 83.3% of Lancaster County's occupied homes and renters 16.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $329,900 by its owner (±$12,562). The median renter pays $959 a month including utilities, and 44.9% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lancaster County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $329,900±$12,562 | $259,000 | +$84,007 |
| Median gross rent | $959±$49 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.9%±5.3 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,684±$50 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.3%±1.4 pts | 71.9% | +3.6 pts |
| Housing units | 43,832±46 | 2,443,039 | +6,406 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.7%±0.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 8.6%±3.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 75.5%±2.0 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.2%±1.6 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 6.5%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.9%±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 Lancaster County building?
Builders took permits for 1,110 new housing units across Lancaster County in 2025 (1,110 single-family), 9.7 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 Lancaster County get to work?
71.1% of Lancaster County's workers drive alone and 19.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.8 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.3%.
| Measure | Lancaster County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 58.4%±1.6 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.3%±1.2 pts | 4.9% | −2.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 71.1%±2.4 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.0%±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 19.5%±2.0 pts | 11.5% | +13.4 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.8 min±1.1 | 25.6 min | −1.7 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 Lancaster County's census tracts?
Lancaster County is divided into 22 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $30,682 (Tract 107) to $197,780 (Tract 112.03).
All 22 census tracts of Lancaster County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lancaster County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 16th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 4th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 13th of 46 |
| Median household income | 5th of 46 |
| Median home value | 4th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 19th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 39th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 7th of 46 |
| Median age | 16th 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 Lancaster 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.