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CITY

Cheraw

South Carolina · 4,921 residents (2025 est.) · 5.953 sq mi
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The short version

Cheraw has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $26,689. Population has declined 10% since 2000. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $152,200. With a median age of 44.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It falls in the bottom 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 44.6
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 27%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,960
−10%since 2000
from 5,524 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
833 / sq mi
−10%since 2000
from 928 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
44.6
+16%since 2000
from 38.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,921 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K5K6K6K1990201020202024Cheraw
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$26,689
−33%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $21,897 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$27,463
+99%since 2000
from $13,801 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
20.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
37.0%
+5.0 ptssince 2000
from 32.1% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.565
+4%since 2010
from 0.545 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade32.2%
US avg: 9.9%
Information8.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade3.5%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance2.8%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.8%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services2.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Public administration1.4%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.9%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.9%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$152,200
+27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $65,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$800
+22%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $360 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
47.8%
−8.6 ptssince 2000
from 56.5% in 2000
52.2% rent
Vacancy rate
13.7%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.8%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 29.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
58.1%
+10.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
5.7
+90%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
46
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cheraw on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic45.5%(2,515)
Black51.9%(2,865)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(44)
Asian0.8%(42)
Other0%
Diversity Score64.2%(3,545)
2024
White, non-Hispanic38.9%(1,930)
Black54.5%(2,705)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(109)
Asian1%(52)
Other3.3%(164)
Diversity Score68.7%(3,407)
Diversity Score
69
+7%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.3%
+2.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
86.8%
+17.8 ptssince 2000
from 69.1% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
8.0%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
13.8 min
+20%since 2000
from 11.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
82.2%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.0% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.9%
−4.9 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
2.1%
−5.8 ptssince 2009
from 7.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
4.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 4.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
21.1%
−6.0 ptssince 2009
from 27.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
11.8%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 10.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
54.2%
+9.2 ptssince 2011
from 45.0% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.4%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 14.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
28.1%
−44.7 ptssince 2009
from 72.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2009
from 43.6% in 2009
Female
52.9%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.4% in 2009
Foreign born
5.0%
+3.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
4.6%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 42.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
20.8%
+1.6 ptssince 2012
from 19.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
11.8%
−72.4 ptssince 2013
from 84.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
78.5%
+26.1 ptssince 2017
from 52.4% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
92.7%
−3.1 ptssince 2016
from 95.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
3.9%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 1.9% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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CHERAW VS
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CHERAW VS
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CHERAW VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cheraw, South Carolina?

Cheraw, South Carolina has about 4,960 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Cheraw, South Carolina?

The typical household in Cheraw, South Carolina earns about $26,689 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cheraw, South Carolina expensive?

In Cheraw, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $152,200, and the typical rent is about $800 a month.

How educated are people in Cheraw, South Carolina?

About 20.3% of adults age 25 and over in Cheraw, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cheraw, South Carolina?

About 37.0% of people in Cheraw, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cheraw, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cheraw, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 545 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Cheraw, South Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy