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CITY · 2010 ACS

Gaffney

South Carolina · 12,414 residents · 8.97 sq mi
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The short version

Gaffney has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $27,465. Population has declined 4% since 2000. 18% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 28%. Median home value is $86,600. The poverty rate of 23.9% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 37% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $52,703
Mid-age
median age 38.6
US median: 37.2
Less educated
18% 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
12,414
−4%since 2000
from 12,968 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,384 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 1,446 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 261
Median age
38.6
+3%since 2000
from 37.5 in 2000
US average: 37.2
Population, 1990 – 2024
12K13K13K13K13K1990201020202024Gaffney
202413K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$27,465
−26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,480 in 2000
US average: $52,703
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$17,648
−1%since 2000
from $17,755 in 2000
US average: $27,286
Households earning $100K+
12.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 12.9% in 2009
US average: 33.3%
Poverty rate
23.9%
+7.7 ptssince 2000
from 16.2% in 2000
US average: 13.8%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.475
US average: 0.461
Workforce by industry, 2010
Retail trade23.5%
US avg: 10.9%
Information18.3%
US avg: 11.5%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 7.2%
Transportation & warehousing5.7%
US avg: 3.1%
Finance & insurance5.1%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.6%
US avg: 7%
Professional, scientific, technical3.2%
US avg: 4.2%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.9%
Education & health services1.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2.4%
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
$86,600
−3%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $70,400 in 2000
US average: $225,659
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$537
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $380 in 2000
US average: $853
Owner-occupied
31.8%
−29.0 ptssince 2000
from 60.7% in 2000
46.3% rent
Vacancy rate
16.8%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 18.5% in 2009
US average: 12.1%
Owner cost-burdened
24.2%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 25.6% in 2009
US average: 30.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2009
from 38.9% in 2009
US average: 46.8%
Afford Score
3.2
+32%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Gaffney on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic52.9%(6,854)
Black44%(5,703)
Hispanic / Latino2%(257)
Asian0.4%(58)
Other0%
Diversity Score65%(8,425)
2010
White, non-Hispanic48.9%(6,073)
Black45.4%(5,639)
Hispanic / Latino3.1%(381)
Asian0.9%(108)
Other1.9%(233)
Diversity Score69.3%(8,603)
Diversity Score
69
+7%since 2000
from 65 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
17.9%
+0.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.0% in 2000
US average: 27.9%
High school or higher
73.8%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
US average: 84.9%
Graduate degree
5.9%
−0.7 ptssince 2000
from 6.6% in 2000
US average: 10.2%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.3 min
+23%since 2000
from 13.3 min in 2000
US average: 25.2
Drive alone to work
77.0%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 77.0% in 2009
US average: 76.2%
Carpooled to work
18.9%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 18.4% in 2009
US average: 10.4%
Public transit
0.3%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.2% in 2009
US average: 4.7%
Worked from home
0.8%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 4.1%
Walked to work
1.8%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 2.8%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.5%
No vehicle available
17.2%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.8% in 2009
US average: 8.7%
Section 07

Work & employment

Self-employed
12.2%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 12.9%
Management & professional
24.3%
−33.9 ptssince 2009
from 58.2% in 2009
US average: 35.2%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.4%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.0% in 2009
Female
57.6%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 56.0% in 2009
Foreign born
4.3%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.8% in 2009
US average: 12.8%
Veterans
11.6%
−31.5 ptssince 2009
from 43.1% in 2009
US average: 9.9%
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GAFFNEY VS
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GAFFNEY VS
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Gaffney, South Carolina?

Gaffney, South Carolina has about 12,414 residents according to the 2010 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Gaffney, South Carolina earns about $27,465 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Gaffney, South Carolina expensive?

In Gaffney, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $86,600, and the typical rent is about $537 a month.

How educated are people in Gaffney, South Carolina?

About 17.9% of adults age 25 and over in Gaffney, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Gaffney, South Carolina?

About 23.9% of people in Gaffney, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Gaffney, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Gaffney, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 731 residents, a change of about -6 percent over that period.

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

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