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CITY · 2020 ACS

Lake City

South Carolina · 5,903 residents · 5.45 sq mi
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The short version

Lake City has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $37,887. Population has declined 9% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $84,800. Households here earn about 31% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 38.9
US median: 38.8
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,903
−9%since 2000
from 6,478 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,083 / sq mi
−9%since 2000
from 1,189 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
38.9
+14%since 2000
from 34.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
6K6K7K7K7K1990201020202024Lake City
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$37,887
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $22,534 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,336
+34%since 2000
from $14,452 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
16.4%
+5.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
19.3%
−12.3 ptssince 2000
from 31.6% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information16.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade11.8%
US avg: 10%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration7.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance5.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical5.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade4.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.5%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction1.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$84,800
+5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $53,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$759
+68%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $301 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
49.4%
−17.1 ptssince 2000
from 66.5% in 2000
50.6% rent
Afford Score
2.2
−6%since 2000
from 2.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic15.8%(933)
Black78.7%(4,647)
Hispanic / Latino2.2%(132)
Asian0.5%(27)
Other5.2%(309)
Diversity Score47.9%(2,825)
Diversity Score
48
−8%since 2000
from 52 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
18.6%
+3.4 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
79.6%
+21.4 ptssince 2000
from 58.2% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
3.3%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 3.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.3 min
+13%since 2000
from 19.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
75.3%
−4.1 ptssince 2009
from 79.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
16.2%
−5.4 ptssince 2009
from 21.6% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.7%
−16.6 ptssince 2011
from 20.4% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
56.0%
+6.1 ptssince 2011
from 49.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
24.0%
−42.3 ptssince 2009
from 66.4% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
39.1%
−3.9 ptssince 2009
from 43.0% in 2009
Female
60.9%
+3.9 ptssince 2009
from 57.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.8%
−77.0 ptssince 2013
from 85.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lake City

Cocoa West
Pop 5,923
Gifford
Pop 4,668
Fort Meade
Pop 5,379
Montura
Pop 4,121
Places similar to Lake City
Head to head

Compare Lake City to nearby cities

LAKE CITY VS
Florence
Income$56,143+48%
Home value$211,400+149%
Population41,231+594%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CITY VS
Sumter
Income$55,592+47%
Home value$199,100+135%
Population43,094+625%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CITY VS
Conway
Income$56,650+50%
Home value$260,900+208%
Population30,627+416%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LAKE CITY VS
Red Hill
Income$68,250+80%
Home value$249,500+194%
Population15,920+168%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lake City, South Carolina?

Lake City, South Carolina has about 5,903 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Lake City, South Carolina earns about $37,887 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 $84,800, and the typical rent is about $759 a month.

How educated are people in Lake City, South Carolina?

About 18.6% 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 19.3% 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 1,250 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

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