Gaffney, SC

Census Place

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2021 Population

12,560

1.36% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

34.7

3.88% 1-year decrease

2021 Poverty Rate

24.2%

14.2% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$33,514

6.89% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$106,200

1.24% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

4,706

8.16% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Gaffney, SC had a population of 12.6k people with a median age of 34.7 and a median household income of $33,514. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Gaffney, SC declined from 12,733 to 12,560, a −1.36% decrease and its median household income grew from $31,355 to $33,514, a 6.89% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (46.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (42.2%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (4.41%), Other (Non-Hispanic) (2.31%), and Two+ (Hispanic) (2.13%).

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.

99.2% of the residents in Gaffney, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC are Limestone University (473 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Gaffney, SC was $106,200, and the homeownership rate was 50.9%.

Most people in Gaffney, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 22.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaffney, SC was 2 cars per household.

United States South Carolina Cherokee County, SC Gaffney, SC Cherokee, Newberry, Chester & Union Counties PUMA, SC

Population & Diversity

Gaffney, SC is home to a population of 12.6k people, from which 99.2% are citizens. As of 2021, 1.89% of Gaffney, SC residents were born outside of the country (238 people).

In 2021, there were 1.1 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (5.81k people) in Gaffney, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.31k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 554 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.2%

2021 Citizenship

99.3%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.2% of Gaffney, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Gaffney, SC was 99.3%, 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)
5.81k ± 538
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.31k ± 565
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
554 ± 254

4.43%

Hispanic Population

556 people

4.43% of the people in Gaffney, SC are hispanic (556 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 Place level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
59,828 ± 5,970 people
India
16,728 ± 3,170 people
Honduras
13,020 ± 2,798 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 59,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 16,728 and Honduras with 13,020.

Foreign-Born Population

1.89%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

238 people

0.872%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

111 people

As of 2021, 1.89% of Gaffney, SC residents (238 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaffney, SC was 0.872%, 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
256 ± 99
Gulf War (1990s)
182 ± 109
Gulf War (2001-)
173 ± 125

Gaffney, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.41 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Gaffney, SC employs 4.71k people. The largest industries in Gaffney, SC are Manufacturing (962 people), Educational Services (603 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (522 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($65,385), Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,241), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($43,625).

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.38 times higher than the average income of females, which is $47,907. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.463, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

4.71k

2021 Value

± 567

−8.16%

1 Year decline

± 18.6%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Gaffney, SC declined at a rate of −8.16%, from 5.12k employees to 4.71k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaffney, SC, are Production Occupations (938 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (587 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (437 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 false.

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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

4.71k

2021 Value

± 567

−8.16%

1 Year decline

± 18.6%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Gaffney, SC declined at a rate of −8.16%, from 5.12k employees to 4.71k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaffney, SC, are Manufacturing (962 people), Educational Services (603 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (522 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

$35,549

Median earning men ± $4,047

$25,940

Median earning women ± $4,712

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($44,417), Retail Trade ($41,917), and Construction ($40,819).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($37,596), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($36,442), and Public Administration ($30,859).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in South Carolina. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

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

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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 $39.9B, followed by Plastics/rubber ($29.5B) 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.

$273B

2020 Value in South Carolina

$613B

Projected 2050 Value in South Carolina

124% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $273B. This is expected to increase 124% 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
$28.9B
Georgia
$21.4B
Texas
$10.9B

In 2020, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $28.9B, followed by Georgia with $21.4B and Texas and $10.9B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

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.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Gaffney, SC. Showing the available data for South Carolina.

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (55.1%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.11%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 55.1% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (43.4%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.11%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator 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 2, 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 Representative 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 2021, universities in Gaffney, SC awarded 473 degrees. The student population of Gaffney, SC in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 856 male students and 984 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaffney, SC are White (235 and 52.9%), followed by Black or African American (183 and 41.2%), Hispanic or Latino (14 and 3.15%), and Unknown (4 and 0.901%).

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC by number of degrees awarded are Limestone University (473 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Gaffney, SC are Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (124 and 26.2%), Social Work (61 and 12.9%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (30 and 6.34%).

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

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2021 in Gaffney, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 87.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 17.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2021 was 1,840 (46.5% men and 53.5% 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 2021 there were 1,840 students enrolled in Gaffney, SC, 46.5% men and 53.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 811 records, of which 52.9% were women and 47.1% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations
94 degree-majors awarded
Social Work
61 degree-majors awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
26 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Gaffney, SC was Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations with 94 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

473 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Limestone University with 473 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2021, 210 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaffney, SC, which is 0.798 times less than the 263 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 235 degrees mean that there were 1.28 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 183 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 2021.

Private not-for-profit, 4-year or above ($1,100) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

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 2021, 0.829% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.722% 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 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.18M), Some college (890k), and Bachelors Degree (688k).

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 $106,200 in 2021, which is 0.434 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $104,900 to $106,200, a 1.24% increase. The homeownership rate in Gaffney, SC is 50.9%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Gaffney, SC have an average commute time of 22.3 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 $33,514. In 2021, the place with the highest median household income in Gaffney, SC was Census Tract 9705.01 with a value of $54,583, followed by Census Tract 9706.01 and Census Tract 9703.01, with respective values of $46,406 and $37,928.

Housing

Property

$106,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$12,007

$2,428

Median Property Taxes

±$365

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

50.9%

Homeownership

2021

64.8%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 50.9% of the housing units in Gaffney, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 52.3%.

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)

Census Tract 9705.01
Census Tract 9706.01
Census Tract 9703.01

In 2021, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaffney, SC was Census Tract 9705.01 with a value of $54,583, followed by Census Tract 9706.01 and Census Tract 9703.01, with respective values of $46,406 and $37,928.

The following map shows all of the places 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.

$33,514

Median Household Income

± $2,503

4.77k

Number of Households

± 501

In 2021, the median household income of the 4.77k households in Gaffney, SC grew to $33,514 from the previous year's value of $31,355.

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.

0.463

2021 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.462

2020 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2021, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.463 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.122% growth from 2020 to 2021, 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 2021

Drove Alone (76%)
Carpooled (16.2%)
Worked At Home (3.52%)

In 2021, 76% of workers in Gaffney, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (16.2%) and those who worked at home (3.52%).

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

22.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaffney, SC have a shorter commute time (22.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.82% 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

24.2% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaffney, SC (2.86k out of 11.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Males 45 - 54 and then Females 6 - 11.

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

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

85.4% of the population of Gaffney, SC has health coverage, with 27.1% on employee plans, 31.2% on Medicaid, 12.5% on Medicare, 13% on non-group plans, and 1.7% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, SC see 2729 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.405% increase from the previous year (2718 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 3821 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1686 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Cherokee County, SC.

2,729 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cherokee County, SC

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, SC see an average of 2,729 patients per year. This represents a 0.405% increase from the previous year (2,718 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 26.5% under 18 years, 24.4% between 18 and 34 years, 33.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 15.7% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 45% were men and 55% were women.

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

Uninsured People

14.6%

Uninsured

27.1%

Employer Coverage

31.2%

Medicaid

12.5%

Medicare

13%

Non-Group

1.7%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaffney, SC grew by 6.73% from 13.7% to 14.6%.

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.