CensusEasy
COUNTY · 2020 ACS

Lee County

South Carolina · 16,531 residents · 410.184 sq mi
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The short version

Lee County has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $32,851. Population has fallen 18% since 2000, a loss of 3,588 residents. 15% 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 $79,000. With a median age of 45.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 40% less than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 45.7
US median: 38.8
Less educated
15% 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
16,531
−18%since 2000
from 20,119 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
40 / sq mi
−18%since 2000
from 49 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
45.7
+28%since 2000
from 35.7 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
16K17K18K19K21K1990201020202024Lee County
202416K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$32,851
−19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $26,907 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$19,510
+40%since 2000
from $13,896 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
18.9%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
25.7%
+4.0 ptssince 2000
from 21.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade18.1%
US avg: 10%
Information13.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance6.3%
US avg: 5.5%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing5.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Wholesale trade5.6%
US avg: 6.7%
Construction5.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Professional, scientific, technical4.7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.5%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration2.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services1.6%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
Arts, entertainment, food0.2%
US avg: 2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$79,000
+10%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $47,600 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$709
+43%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $330 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
71.3%
−8.1 ptssince 2000
from 79.4% in 2000
28.7% rent
Afford Score
2.4
+36%since 2000
from 1.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Lee County on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic34.6%(6,961)
Black63.3%(12,736)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(264)
Asian0.2%(36)
Other0%
Diversity Score59.1%(11,896)
Segregation Score0%
2020
White, non-Hispanic34.6%(5,721)
Black60.8%(10,054)
Hispanic / Latino1.8%(295)
Asian0.2%(34)
Other1.3%(217)
Diversity Score62.1%(10,273)
Segregation Score26.6%(4,400)
Diversity Score
62
+5%since 2000
from 59 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Segregation Score
27
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
14.9%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
81.8%
+20.4 ptssince 2000
from 61.4% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
5.7%
+3.0 ptssince 2000
from 2.6% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.1 min
+29%since 2000
from 21.0 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
89.7%
+15.4 ptssince 2009
from 74.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
9.8%
−7.6 ptssince 2009
from 17.4% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
7.3%
−10.0 ptssince 2011
from 17.3% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
44.8%
−6.0 ptssince 2011
from 50.8% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
22.6%
−32.1 ptssince 2009
from 54.7% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.0%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.3% in 2009
Female
49.0%
+0.2 ptssince 2009
from 48.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 2.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−72.4 ptssince 2013
from 82.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Lee County

Lawrence County
Pop 16,273
Jackson County
Pop 16,741
Brooks County
Pop 16,101
Butler County
Pop 18,100
Places similar to Lee County
Head to head

Compare Lee County to nearby counties

LEE COUNTY VS
Sumter County
Income$56,693+73%
Home value$165,300+109%
Population105,067+568%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEE COUNTY VS
Darlington County
Income$48,581+48%
Home value$158,200+100%
Population62,888+300%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEE COUNTY VS
Kershaw County
Income$68,231+108%
Home value$217,100+175%
Population73,166+365%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
LEE COUNTY VS
Florence County
Income$58,305+77%
Home value$177,900+125%
Population138,504+781%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Lee County, South Carolina?

Lee County, South Carolina has about 16,531 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Lee County, South Carolina?

The typical household in Lee County, South Carolina earns about $32,851 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Lee County, South Carolina expensive?

In Lee County, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $79,000, and the typical rent is about $709 a month.

How educated are people in Lee County, South Carolina?

About 14.9% of adults age 25 and over in Lee County, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Lee County, South Carolina?

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

Has Lee County, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Lee County, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 1,906 residents, a change of about -10 percent over that period.

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Explore from here

9 census tracts
Census Tract 9203.02Census Tract 9202.01Census Tract 9204.01Census Tract 9202.02Census Tract 9205Census Tract 9201Census Tract 9206Census Tract 9204.02Census Tract 9203.01
4 ZIP codes
ZIP 29010ZIP 29080ZIP 29104ZIP 29046
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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →