Living in Chester, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Chester · Census data 2020–2024
Chester has 5,218 residents with a median age of 38.8. The median household income is $46,138 (33% lower than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $123,000, the median rent is $902/month.
Chester at a glance
- Population
- 5,218
- Median age
- 38.8State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $46,138State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $123,000State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $902/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 59.1%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 14%
- Average commute
- 28 min
Is Chester a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 53% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 33% lower than the South Carolina median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 19.4%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Chester
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Chester the median home value is $123,000, 63% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $902 per month, which is 28.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,162 a month in housing costs.
Chester median household income
The median household income in Chester is $46,138 and the income per person is $22,647. 19.4% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Chester: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,462
- Owner-occupied
- 59.1%
- Renter-occupied
- 40.9%
- Vacant
- 14.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1962
- Average household size
- 2.45
Chester demographics
- Population
- 5,218
- Median age
- 38.8
- Under 18
- 24.7%
- 65 and older
- 15.4%
- Households
- 2,115
- Foreign-born
- 1.1%
- Veterans
- 9%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Chester ›
Education in Chester
14% of adults 25 and older in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 2.2% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Chester
- Unemployment rate
- 7.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 28 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 1.6%
- Drive alone
- 85.3%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 1.7%
- Homes with broadband
- 82.6%
Chester vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chester | 5,218 | $46,138 | $123,000 | $902 |
| Eureka Mill | 1,813 | $36,486 | $180,300 | $542 |
| Gayle Mill | 974 | $41,274 | $31,200 | $645 |
| Lowrys | 303 | $80,781 | $197,500 | $2,143 |
| McConnells | 285 | $85,417 | $258,300 | — |
| Lockhart | 405 | $39,000 | $37,500 | $1,069 |
| Carlisle | 494 | $61,029 | $66,300 | $1,000 |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | $185,300 | $1,355 |
| Lesslie | 3,077 | $100,618 | $258,400 | $780 |
More for people moving to Chester
Chester ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Chester: FAQ
What is the median household income in Chester, SC?
The median household income in Chester is $46,138, 33% lower than the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Chester?
The median home value in Chester is $123,000, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Chester?
The median gross rent in Chester is $902 per month, about 28.2% of household income.
Is Chester, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 53% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 33% lower than the South Carolina median; an average commute of 28 minutes; unemployment of 7.6%; a poverty rate of 19.4%.
What is the median age in Chester?
The median age in Chester is 38.8 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Chester?
The average commute to work in Chester is 28 minutes; 1.6% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Chester?
The unemployment rate in Chester is 7.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Chester?
14% of adults in Chester have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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