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CITY

Lake City

South Carolina · 5,940 residents (2025 est.) · 5.45 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#110Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-11.6%
The short version

Lake City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $33,600. Population has declined 8% 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 $144,300. The poverty rate of 25.7% is well above the national figure. Households here earn about 52% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 48%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,988
−8%since 2000
from 6,478 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,099 / sq mi
−8%since 2000
from 1,189 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
43.7
+28%since 2000
from 34.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:5,940 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K7K7K7K1990201020202024Lake City
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$33,600
−18%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,534 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$24,091
+67%since 2000
from $14,452 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
20.5%
+9.5 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
25.7%
−5.9 ptssince 2000
from 31.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.509
+3%since 2010
from 0.495 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services5.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing3.3%
US avg: 2.2%
Finance & insurance1.9%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade0.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$144,300
+48%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,600 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$702
+28%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $301 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
43.5%
−23.0 ptssince 2000
from 66.5% in 2000
56.5% rent
Vacancy rate
16.3%
+5.0 ptssince 2009
from 11.3% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.6%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 31.1% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
50.4%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 51.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+81%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lake City on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic26.8%(1,734)
Black71.2%(4,612)
Hispanic / Latino1.1%(71)
Asian0.3%(22)
Other0%
Diversity Score51.8%(3,355)
2024
White, non-Hispanic22.6%(1,354)
Black69.4%(4,155)
Hispanic / Latino0.4%(25)
Asian0%(0)
Other7.6%(454)
Diversity Score57.7%(3,455)
Diversity Score
58
+11%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.6%
+4.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
81.7%
+23.5 ptssince 2000
from 58.2% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
7.2%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
24.9 min
+26%since 2000
from 19.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
68.5%
−10.8 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
22.5%
+14.9 ptssince 2009
from 7.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.7%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
6.8%
+4.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.5%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
17.0%
−4.6 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
9.7%
−10.7 ptssince 2011
from 20.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
53.8%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 49.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
19.1%
+1.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
22.5%
−43.9 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
44.9%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
Female
55.1%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.7%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.2%
−33.3 ptssince 2009
from 41.6% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
27.0%
+2.1 ptssince 2012
from 24.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
13.7%
−72.1 ptssince 2013
from 85.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
77.9%
+26.7 ptssince 2017
from 51.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
+2.9 ptssince 2016
from 95.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−3.0 ptssince 2016
from 3.8% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake City

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Montura
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Places similar to Lake City
Head to head

Compare Lake City to nearby cities

LAKE CITY VS
Florence
Income$56,143+67%
Home value$211,400+47%
Population41,231+594%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CITY VS
Sumter
Income$55,592+65%
Home value$199,100+38%
Population43,094+625%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CITY VS
Conway
Income$56,650+69%
Home value$260,900+81%
Population30,627+416%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CITY VS
Red Hill
Income$68,250+103%
Home value$249,500+73%
Population15,920+168%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake City, South Carolina?

Lake City, South Carolina has about 5,988 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lake City, South Carolina?

The typical household in Lake City, South Carolina earns about $33,600 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lake City, South Carolina expensive?

In Lake City, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $144,300, and the typical rent is about $702 a month.

How educated are people in Lake City, South Carolina?

About 19.6% of adults age 25 and over in Lake City, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lake City, South Carolina?

About 25.7% of people in Lake City, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Lake City, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Lake City, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,165 residents, a change of about -16 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 →

Lake City, South Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy