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CITY · 2010 ACS

Chester

South Carolina · 5,607 residents · 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 $28,146. Population has declined 13% since 2000. 13% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $74,700. The poverty rate of 26.0% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 36% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 36.4
US median: 37.2
Less educated
13% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 28%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $225,659
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,607
−13%since 2000
from 6,476 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,696 / sq mi
−13%since 2000
from 1,959 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
36.4
+8%since 2000
from 33.6 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K6K6K7K7K1990201020202024Chester
20245K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$28,146
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $27,518 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$16,674
+25%since 2000
from $13,386 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
12.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
26.0%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 19.4% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.502
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade28.2%
US avg: 10.9%
Information14.9%
US avg: 11.5%
Finance & insurance6%
US avg: 5.1%
Professional, scientific, technical5.4%
US avg: 4.2%
Other services4%
US avg: 7%
Public administration4%
US avg: 4.9%
Wholesale trade3.1%
US avg: 7.2%
Arts, entertainment, food2.7%
US avg: 2.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.9%
US avg: 3.1%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.4%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$74,700
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $58,800 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$499
−1%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $400 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
31.4%
−29.1 ptssince 2000
from 60.4% in 2000
44.7% rent
Vacancy rate
19.4%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 15.0% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
32.2%
−2.5 ptssince 2009
from 34.7% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.7%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 65.3% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
2.7
+24%since 2000
from 2.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2010
White, non-Hispanic31.5%(1,769)
Black65.2%(3,657)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(69)
Asian0.2%(11)
Other1.9%(109)
Diversity Score59.5%(3,337)
Diversity Score
60
Unchangedsince 2000
from 60 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
13.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
73.0%
+6.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.9% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
2.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.8% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.7 min
+12%since 2000
from 18.5 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
80.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 82.7% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
11.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 10.1% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
1.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 0.3% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
1.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
2.3%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
2.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 1.4% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
18.8%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 20.0% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.3%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 14.5% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
18.4%
−47.0 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.1% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 50.9% in 2009
Foreign born
0.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.4% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
9.6%
−36.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.5% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Chester to nearby cities

CHESTER VS
Rock Hill
Income$68,771+144%
Home value$295,100+295%
Population75,911+1326%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
York
Income$56,176+100%
Home value$198,600+166%
Population10,620+99%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
CHESTER VS
Union
Income$31,914+13%
Home value$109,400+46%
Population8,077+52%
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CHESTER VS
Lancaster
Income$46,311+65%
Home value$239,100+220%
Population9,623+81%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Chester, South Carolina?

Chester, South Carolina has about 5,607 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Chester, South Carolina earns about $28,146 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 $74,700, and the typical rent is about $499 a month.

How educated are people in Chester, South Carolina?

About 13.0% 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 26.0% 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 1,433 residents, a change of about -20 percent over that period.

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

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