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CITY

Chester

South Carolina · 5,324 residents (2025 est.) · 3.306 sq mi
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The short version

Chester has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $46,138. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 1,258 residents. 14% 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 $123,000. Households here earn about 33% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Mid-age
median age 38.8
US median: 38.9
Less educated
14% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,218
−19%since 2000
from 6,476 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,578 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 1,959 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
38.8
+15%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,324 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5K6K6K7K7K1990201020202024Chester
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$46,138
−8%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,518 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,647
+69%since 2000
from $13,386 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
24.3%
+13.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
19.4%
Unchangedsince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.426
−15%since 2010
from 0.502 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade24.1%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance13.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical13.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Information12.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade1.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Transportation & warehousing1%
US avg: 2.2%
Other services0.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration0.7%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$123,000
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$902
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $400 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
59.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2000
from 60.4% in 2000
40.9% rent
Vacancy rate
14.1%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
22.7%
−12.0 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
43.2%
−22.1 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
2.7
+25%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Chester on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic36.1%(2,338)
Black61.9%(4,009)
Hispanic / Latino0.8%(54)
Asian0.3%(18)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.6%(3,863)
2024
White, non-Hispanic31.6%(1,649)
Black62.3%(3,253)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(127)
Asian0.9%(49)
Other2.7%(140)
Diversity Score63.8%(3,327)
Diversity Score
64
+7%since 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.0%
+3.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.9%
+15.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
2.2%
−1.6 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.3 min
+54%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
85.3%
+2.7 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
10.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
12.2%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.6%
−14.7 ptssince 2011
from 22.3% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
58.5%
+12.3 ptssince 2011
from 46.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
11.9%
−53.5 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.7%
+2.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
48.3%
−2.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
1.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.0%
−37.6 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.3%
−5.9 ptssince 2012
from 19.2% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
17.5%
−65.2 ptssince 2013
from 82.7% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
82.6%
+44.3 ptssince 2017
from 38.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
−0.7 ptssince 2016
from 99.2% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
Rock Hill
Income$68,771+49%
Home value$295,100+140%
Population75,911+1326%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
York
Income$56,176+22%
Home value$198,600+61%
Population10,620+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Union
Income$31,914−31%
Home value$109,400−11%
Population8,077+52%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Lancaster
Income$46,311same
Home value$239,100+94%
Population9,623+81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, South Carolina?

Chester, South Carolina has about 5,218 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chester, South Carolina earns about $46,138 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Chester, South Carolina expensive?

In Chester, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $123,000, and the typical rent is about $902 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, South Carolina?

About 14.0% of adults age 25 and over in Chester, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Chester, South Carolina?

About 19.4% of people in Chester, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Chester, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Chester, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,822 residents, a change of about -26 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 →