Gaffney, SC

Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA)

Add Comparison

2020 Population

57,110

0.378% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2020 Median Age

39.3

0% 1-year change

2020 Poverty Rate

17.9%

7.48% 1-year decrease

2020 Median Household Income

$37,787

2.45% 1-year growth

2020 Median Property Value

$98,300

3.15% 1-year decline

2020 Employed Population

23,559

1.9% 1-year growth

About

In 2020, Gaffney, SC had a population of 57.1k people with a median age of 39.3 and a median household income of $37,787. Between 2019 and 2020 the population of Gaffney, SC grew from 56,895 to 57,110, a 0.378% increase and its median household income grew from $36,883 to $37,787, a 2.45% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (72.5%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (20%), White (Hispanic) (2.74%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.13%), and Other (Hispanic) (1.24%).

None of the households in Gaffney, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.3% of the residents in Gaffney, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC are Limestone University (488 degrees awarded in 2020).

In 2020, the median property value in Gaffney, SC was $98,300, and the homeownership rate was 70.9%.

Most people in Gaffney, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 24.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaffney, SC was 2 cars per household.

Gaffney, SC borders Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC, Forest City, NC, Shelby, NC, and Spartanburg, SC.

Population & Diversity

Gaffney, SC is home to a population of 57.1k people, from which 98.3% are citizens. As of 2020, 2.66% of Gaffney, SC residents were born outside of the country (1.52k people).

In 2020, there were 3.62 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (41.4k people) in Gaffney, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 11.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.56k White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.3%

2020 Citizenship

98.4%

2019 Citizenship

As of 2020, 98.3% of Gaffney, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2019, the percentage of US citizens in Gaffney, SC was 98.4%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Gaffney, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
41.4k ± 32
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
11.5k ± 322
White (Hispanic)
1.56k ± 405

4.52%

Hispanic Population

2.58k people

4.52% of the people in Gaffney, SC are hispanic (2.58k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Gaffney, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the MSA level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
62,463 ± 6,098 people
India
16,261 ± 3,126 people
Honduras
12,981 ± 2,794 people

In 2020, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 62,463 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,261 and Honduras with 12,981.

Foreign-Born Population

2.66%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

1.52k people

2.4%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

1.37k people

As of 2020, 2.66% of Gaffney, SC residents (1.52k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.5%. In 2019, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaffney, SC was 2.4%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Gaffney, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,065 ± 210
Gulf War (1990s)
683 ± 222
Gulf War (2001-)
677 ± 249

Gaffney, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.56 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Gaffney, SC employs 23.6k people. The largest industries in Gaffney, SC are Manufacturing (5,658 people), Retail Trade (3,167 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,365 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($53,750), Utilities ($41,726), and Public Administration ($40,614).

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $45,267. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.462, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

23.6k

2020 Value

± 1,348

1.9%

1 Year growth

± 7.59%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Gaffney, SC grew at a rate of 1.9%, from 23.1k employees to 23.6k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaffney, SC, are Production Occupations (3,646 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (3,113 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (1,958 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

View Full Dashboard

Industries

Employment by Industries

23.6k

2020 Value

± 1,348

1.9%

1 Year growth

± 7.59%

From 2019 to 2020, employment in Gaffney, SC grew at a rate of 1.9%, from 23.1k employees to 23.6k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaffney, SC, are Manufacturing (5,658 people), Retail Trade (3,167 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (2,365 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Gaffney, SC, though some of these residents may live in Gaffney, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$33,427

Median earning men ± $2,530

$25,435

Median earning women ± $1,666

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2020 are Information ($83,271), Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($48,077), and Public Administration ($42,218).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2020 are Construction ($50,955), Information ($43,529), and Educational Services, & Health Care & Social Assistance ($34,201).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in South Carolina.

View Full Dashboard

Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

269
Retail Trade
244
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
225
Manufacturing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$942k
Manufacturing
$81.1k
Retail Trade
$68.4k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $38.2B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($32.1B) and Machinery ($26.9B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$285B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

115% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $285B. This is expected to increase 115% to $613B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$30.1B
Georgia
$22.4B
Texas
$13.2B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $30.1B, followed by Georgia with $22.4B and Texas and $13.2B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Senators Elections

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives Elections

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2020, universities in Gaffney, SC awarded 488 degrees. The student population of Gaffney, SC in 2020 is skewed towards women, with 896 male students and 1,047 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaffney, SC are White (254 and 54.9%), followed by Black or African American (184 and 39.7%), Hispanic or Latino (14 and 3.02%), and Asian (5 and 1.08%).

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC by number of degrees awarded are Limestone University (488 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Gaffney, SC are Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (125 and 25.6%), Social Work (79 and 16.2%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (37 and 7.58%).

The median tuition cost in Gaffney, SC for private four year colleges is $25,200.

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2020 in Gaffney, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 68.3%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 24.1%. The number of students enrolled in 2020 was 1,943 (46.1% men and 53.9% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2020 there were 1,943 students enrolled in Gaffney, SC, 46.1% men and 53.9% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 728 records, of which 54.1% were women and 45.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations
116 degree-majors awarded
Social Work
79 degree-majors awarded
Liberal Arts & Sciences
26 degree-majors awarded

In 2020, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Gaffney, SC was Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations with 116 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Gaffney, SC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Limestone University

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

488 degrees awarded

In 2020, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Limestone University with 488 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2020, 201 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaffney, SC, which is 0.7 times less than the 287 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2020 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 254 degrees mean that there were 1.38 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 184 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($25,200) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,100) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2020.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($2,304) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Measure

In 2020, 0.763% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.689% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2020 were High School or Equivalent (1.19M), Some college (911k), and Bachelors Degree (677k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaffney, SC was $98,300 in 2020, which is 0.428 times smaller than the national average of $229,800. Between 2019 and 2020 the median property value increased from $101,500 to $98,300, a 3.15% decrease. The homeownership rate in Gaffney, SC is 70.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.4%.

People in Gaffney, SC have an average commute time of 24.3 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Gaffney, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Gaffney, SC is $37,787. In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income in Gaffney, SC was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $71,430, followed by York County, SC and Charleston County, SC, with respective values of $68,555 and $67,182.

Housing

Property

$98,300

Median Property Value 2020

±$5,530

$14,722

Median Property Taxes

±$885

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gaffney, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Gaffney, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

70.9%

Homeownership

2020

68.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2020

In 2020, 70.9% of the housing units in Gaffney, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 68.9%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Gaffney, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2020, the county with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaffney, SC was Beaufort County, SC with a value of $71,430, followed by York County, SC and Charleston County, SC, with respective values of $68,555 and $67,182.

The following map shows all of the counties in Gaffney, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$37,787

Median Household Income

± $3,294

20.8k

Number of Households

± 1,144

In 2020, the median household income of the 20.8k households in Gaffney, SC grew to $37,787 from the previous year's value of $36,883.

The following chart displays the households in Gaffney, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Gaffney, SC is from South Carolina.

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.461

2019 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2020, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.462 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.305% growth from 2019 to 2020, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2020

Drove Alone (83.5%)
Carpooled (11.8%)
Worked At Home (3.36%)

In 2020, 83.5% of workers in Gaffney, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.8%) and those who worked at home (3.36%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

24.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaffney, SC have a shorter commute time (24.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.9 minutes). Additionally, 2.32% of the workforce in Gaffney, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Gaffney, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Gaffney, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Gaffney, SC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

17.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaffney, SC (10.1k out of 56.2k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.8%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 18 - 24 and then Females 55 - 64.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Gaffney, SC is White, followed by Black and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

89% of the population of Gaffney, SC has health coverage, with 39.7% on employee plans, 19.5% on Medicaid, 12.8% on Medicare, 15.3% on non-group plans, and 1.63% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in South Carolina was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see 1494 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.267% decrease from the previous year (1498 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1767 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 546 patients per year.

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for South Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in South Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

View Full Dashboard

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

1,494 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Carolina

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see an average of 1,494 patients per year. This represents a 0.267% decrease from the previous year (1,498 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in South Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of South Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

View Full Dashboard

Coverage

Health Care Diversity

In 2020, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.4% under 18 years, 20.7% between 18 and 34 years, 38.5% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.3% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.7% were men and 52.3% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

11%

Uninsured

39.7%

Employer Coverage

19.5%

Medicaid

12.8%

Medicare

15.3%

Non-Group

1.63%

Military or VA

Between 2019 and 2020, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaffney, SC grew by 4.98% from 10.5% to 11%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Gaffney, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.