Living in Lancaster, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Lancaster · Census data 2020–2024
Lancaster has 8,921 residents with a median age of 40.4. The median household income is $46,311 (33% lower than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $239,100, the median rent is $868/month.
Lancaster at a glance
- Population
- 8,921
- Median age
- 40.4State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $46,311State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $239,100State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $868/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 50.5%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 21.1%
- Average commute
- 26 min
Is Lancaster a good place to live?
Pros: Home values 8% lower than the state median.
Cons: Median household income 33% lower than the South Carolina median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 9.6%; a poverty rate of 21.2%.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Lancaster
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Lancaster the median home value is $239,100, 28% lower than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $868 per month, which is 35.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,332 a month in housing costs.
Lancaster median household income
The median household income in Lancaster is $46,311 and the income per person is $27,460. 21.2% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Lancaster: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 4,141
- Owner-occupied
- 50.5%
- Renter-occupied
- 49.5%
- Vacant
- 12%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1972
- Average household size
- 2.42
Lancaster demographics
- Population
- 8,921
- Median age
- 40.4
- Under 18
- 23.1%
- 65 and older
- 20.8%
- Households
- 3,646
- Foreign-born
- 10.1%
- Veterans
- 5.5%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Lancaster ›
Education in Lancaster
21.1% of adults 25 and older in Lancaster have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 9.3% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Lancaster
- Unemployment rate
- 9.6%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 26 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 6.2%
- Drive alone
- 80.7%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0.9%
- Homes with broadband
- 75.3%
Lancaster vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster | 8,921 | $46,311 | $239,100 | $868 |
| Springdale | 2,198 | $41,398 | $114,700 | $943 |
| Irwin | 1,919 | $55,885 | $176,900 | $818 |
| Elgin | 2,360 | $77,994 | $191,700 | $774 |
| Fort Lawn | 1,388 | $60,288 | $185,300 | $1,355 |
| Unity | 244 | $48,194 | $193,100 | — |
| Buford | 346 | $81,583 | $210,700 | — |
| Van Wyck | 951 | $38,250 | $279,200 | $850 |
| JAARS | 715 | $65,777 | $9,999 | — |
More for people moving to Lancaster
Lancaster ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Lancaster: FAQ
What is the median household income in Lancaster, SC?
The median household income in Lancaster is $46,311, 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 Lancaster?
The median home value in Lancaster is $239,100, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Lancaster?
The median gross rent in Lancaster is $868 per month, about 35.2% of household income.
Is Lancaster, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: home values 8% lower than the state median. Minuses: median household income 33% lower than the South Carolina median; an average commute of 26 minutes; unemployment of 9.6%; a poverty rate of 21.2%.
What is the median age in Lancaster?
The median age in Lancaster is 40.4 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Lancaster?
The average commute to work in Lancaster is 26 minutes; 6.2% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Lancaster?
The unemployment rate in Lancaster is 9.6% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Lancaster?
21.1% of adults in Lancaster 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.
Last updated: