County · South Carolina
Lee County, South Carolina
Lee County, South Carolina. Lee County had 15,730 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.9% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. It holds 8 places (2 cities, villages and boroughs and 6 census-designated) and 9 census tracts. GEOID 45061.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
15,730
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 16,531 · ACS 2020-2024: 16,166
Median household income
$44,760
±$5,515 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$104,600
±$13,189 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$823
±$45 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Lee County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 16,531 residents in Lee County. The Census Bureau estimates 15,730 for July 1, 2025, down 4.9% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 16,166 over 410 square miles of land.
| Measure | Lee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 16,166 | 5,296,225 | −1,199 |
| Households | 6,351±223 | 2,117,989 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.35±0.08 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,602±24 | 2,443,039 | −171 |
Lee County's population since 2000
From 20,119 in 2000 to 15,730 in 2025: down 21.8%. 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 Lee County?
Lee County holds 8 places: 2 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 6 census-designated places. The largest is Bishopville with 2,829 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bishopville | 3,024 | $39,276 |
|---|---|---|
| ManvilleGEOID 4544395 | 471 | $26,330 |
| ElliottGEOID 4523425 | 370 | $60,167 |
| Lynchburg | 318 | $17,629 |
| BrowntownGEOID 4509782 | 206 | $20,189 |
| WisackyGEOID 4578640 | 185 | $52,333 |
| AshwoodGEOID 4503115 | 116 | $55,714 |
| St. CharlesGEOID 4562485 | 114 | $34,653 |
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 Lee County?
The median resident of Lee County is 42.4 years old; 18.7% are under 18 and 20.8% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 62.2%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 33.2%. 2.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Lee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4±0.5 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 18.7%±0.3 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.8%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.4% | 7.4% | −0.1 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 33.2%±0.1 pts | 61.9% | +0.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 62.2%±0.9 pts | 24.6% | −1.6 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.3 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 1.8%±0.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.4%±1.5 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 3.4%±1.6 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.4%±1.2 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 19.7%±2.1 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 10.3%±2.6 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 80.5%±2.9 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 11.6%±2.2 pts | 32.1% | −4.3 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 4.5%±1.3 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 0.3%±0.3 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 Lee County earn?
Half of Lee County's 6,351 households earn less than $44,760 a year (±$5,515), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $39,839 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Lee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $44,760±$5,515 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $56,408±$4,737 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $23,949±$2,287 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 25.0%±4.7 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 38.7%±11.5 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 27.4%±4.0 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 84.7%±3.5 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 Lee County?
Owners occupy 70.5% of Lee County's occupied homes and renters 29.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $104,600 by its owner (±$13,189). The median renter pays $823 a month including utilities, and 41.4% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Lee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $104,600±$13,189 | $259,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $823±$45 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.4%±8.9 pts | 42.8% | −16.7 pts |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,060±$108 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.5%±3.6 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 7,602±24 | 2,443,039 | −171 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.8 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.6%±3.6 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 61.6%±4.1 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 29.7%±4.1 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.6%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 3.1%±1.2 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 Lee County building?
Builders took permits for 22 new housing units across Lee County in 2025 (22 single-family), 1.4 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 Lee County get to work?
81.6% of Lee County's workers drive alone and 2.9% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 6.7%.
| Measure | Lee County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 46.3%±2.7 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 6.7%±2.1 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 81.6%±3.9 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.8%±3.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.8 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 1.1%±0.8 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 2.9%±1.6 pts | 11.5% | – |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.9 min±2.4 | 25.6 min | +2.9 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 Lee County's census tracts?
Lee County is divided into 9 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,553 (Tract 9206) to $55,807 (Tract 9201).
| Tract 920145061920100 | 1,454±410 | $55,807 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9202.0145061920201 | 2,765±468 | $53,008 |
| Tract 9202.0245061920202 | 2,117±308 | $52,557 |
| Tract 9203.0145061920301 | 469±14 | not published |
| Tract 9203.0245061920302 | 3,351±453 | $28,669 |
| Tract 9204.0145061920401 | 2,286±375 | $45,732 |
| Tract 9204.0245061920402 | 922±177 | $48,750 |
| Tract 920545061920500 | 1,562±340 | $36,452 |
| Tract 920645061920600 | 1,240±282 | $23,553 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Lee County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 42nd of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 45th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 37th of 46 |
| Median household income | 40th of 46 |
| Median home value | 39th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 33rd of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 5th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 45th of 46 |
| Median age | 17th 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 Lee 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.