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CITY

Cowpens

South Carolina · 2,257 residents (2025 est.) · 2.295 sq mi
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The short version

Cowpens has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $39,094. Population has fallen 19% since 2000, a loss of 439 residents. 15% 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 $160,300. With a median age of 54.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. Households here earn about 44% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 54.3
US median: 38.9
Less educated
15% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 25%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,840
−19%since 2000
from 2,279 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
802 / sq mi
−19%since 2000
from 993 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.3
+47%since 2000
from 36.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,257 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
1K2K2K2K2K1990201020202024Cowpens
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$39,094
−30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $30,815 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$32,703
+120%since 2000
from $14,847 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
33.0%
+19.2 ptssince 2009
from 13.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
29.1%
+11.3 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.575
+9%since 2010
from 0.526 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade28.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Information10.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services6.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration6.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing6%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing3.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction3.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade3%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.2%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0.8%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$160,300
+25%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$815
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $382 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
68.9%
+1.2 ptssince 2000
from 67.7% in 2000
31.1% rent
Vacancy rate
14.0%
−11.2 ptssince 2009
from 25.2% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.2%
−10.1 ptssince 2009
from 30.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
56.8%
+15.1 ptssince 2009
from 41.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.1
+80%since 2000
from 2.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Cowpens on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic74.7%(1,702)
Black21.2%(484)
Hispanic / Latino3.2%(74)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score48.2%(1,099)
2024
White, non-Hispanic71%(1,306)
Black12.3%(227)
Hispanic / Latino12.8%(235)
Asian0.3%(5)
Other3.6%(67)
Diversity Score57.9%(1,066)
Diversity Score
58
+20%since 2000
from 48 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
15.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 11.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
91.7%
+25.1 ptssince 2000
from 66.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.7%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 3.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.4 min
+91%since 2000
from 12.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
84.8%
−6.6 ptssince 2009
from 91.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
5.0%
−3.6 ptssince 2009
from 8.6% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
8.1%
+8.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
9.0%
−7.8 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.9%
−13.3 ptssince 2011
from 15.2% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
48.9%
+2.6 ptssince 2011
from 46.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
16.9%
+9.4 ptssince 2009
from 7.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
37.4%
−27.4 ptssince 2009
from 64.8% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.9%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
Female
55.1%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 53.3% in 2009
Foreign born
3.9%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 3.9% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.7%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 41.3% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
26.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2012
from 25.0% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
5.8%
−73.4 ptssince 2013
from 79.2% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
90.6%
+29.6 ptssince 2017
from 61.0% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
86.8%
−6.3 ptssince 2016
from 93.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
11.4%
+7.4 ptssince 2016
from 4.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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COWPENS VS
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COWPENS VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Cowpens, South Carolina?

Cowpens, South Carolina has about 1,840 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Cowpens, South Carolina earns about $39,094 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Cowpens, South Carolina expensive?

In Cowpens, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $160,300, and the typical rent is about $815 a month.

How educated are people in Cowpens, South Carolina?

About 15.1% of adults age 25 and over in Cowpens, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Cowpens, South Carolina?

About 29.1% of people in Cowpens, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Cowpens, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Cowpens, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 373 residents, a change of about -17 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 →