Population 104,475 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Lancaster County
Household size in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.50 | 2.60 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.67 | 2.68 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.68 | 2.67 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.62 | 2.62 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.12 | +0.01 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in Lancaster County average 2.62 people, about the same as the country as a whole (2.65). Household size has climbed from 2.50 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. Households are largest in the northeast and smallest in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.7 | 36.7 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 42.2 | 37.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 44.0 | 38.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 43.6 | 38.8 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.9 | +2.0 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
Lancaster County skews older than the country: its median age is 43.6, against 40.1 nationally. The median age has climbed from 40.7 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the northeast, the oldest in the northwest.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.1% | 12.3% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.9% | 12.7% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 11.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.5% | 11.3% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −0.9 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are less common in Lancaster County than nationally: 9.5%, against 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 1.6 points, in line with the national trend. Only four of South Carolina's 46 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Lancaster County
Renters in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 25.7% | 30.9% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 24.2% | 33.4% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 20.3% | 34.3% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 34.1% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −9.0 pts | +3.2 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Lancaster County is largely a place of homeowners: only 16.7% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. Among homeowners, 40.0% have no mortgage at all, about the same as nationally. The renter share has fallen 9.0 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 10.4% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 10.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 9.2% | 8.6% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 8.3% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.4 pts | −2.1 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy in Lancaster County is close to the national rate: 8.8% of homes are empty, against 9.6%. Vacancy is down 1.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Lancaster County has a lower vacancy rate than the great majority of South Carolina counties.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1985 | 1986 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1988 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1991 | 1989 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1994 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +11 | +8 | +7 | +6 |
Lancaster County has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1996, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1985 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northwest, while the southeast has the oldest housing.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $639 | $875 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $870 | $966 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,097 | $1,127 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,153 | $1,552 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$514 | +$678 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Lancaster County runs $1,153 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $514 a month since 2006–10, up 80%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 30.6% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the south; the highest are in the northwest.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Lancaster County
Bachelor's degrees in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.1% | 30.6% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 23.5% | 32.4% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 27.5% | 35.9% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.9% | 40.6% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.8 pts | +10.0 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Lancaster County as nationally: 34.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share is lower than in the wider Charlotte area (40.6%). The share with a degree has risen 14.8 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 80.5% | 85.8% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.6% | 87.3% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.3% | 89.2% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.4% | 90.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +9.9 pts | +4.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Lancaster County is close to the national rate: 90.4% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 9.9 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Lancaster County
| Period | Lancaster County | Charlotte area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.3% | 9.1% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.1% | 10.8% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.4% | 5.2% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.3% | 4.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.9 pts | −4.8 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Lancaster County runs below the national rate: 4.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 6.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. Each figure pools five years of surveys (2020–24), so it describes that whole stretch rather than today's job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Lancaster County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County | 2.62 | 43.6 | 9.5% | 16.7% | 8.8% | 1996 | $1,153 | 34.9% | 90.4% | 4.3% |
| York County | 2.61 | 40.1 | 10.7% | 25.5% | 6.5% | 1998 | $1,419 | 40.5% | 92.9% | 4.0% |
| Chester County | 2.48 | 42.6 | 14.7% | 21.6% | 11.2% | 1979 | $962 | 14.0% | 85.1% | 5.8% |
| Anson County | 2.49 | 42.8 | 13.8% | 31.5% | 13.4% | 1975 | $852 | 10.3% | 83.3% | 5.1% |
| Union County | 2.34 | 44.5 | 17.0% | 28.7% | 15.0% | 1971 | $821 | 14.7% | 82.0% | 7.2% |
| Richmond County | 2.48 | 40.8 | 18.7% | 34.1% | 14.0% | 1977 | $778 | 16.6% | 84.0% | 10.5% |
| Spartanburg County | 2.65 | 38.8 | 12.8% | 27.0% | 9.1% | 1990 | $1,176 | 24.9% | 88.5% | 4.4% |
| Scotland County | 2.50 | 39.5 | 18.3% | 38.2% | 12.2% | 1981 | $829 | 16.5% | 82.4% | 10.8% |
| Greenville County | 2.50 | 39.2 | 10.5% | 31.1% | 8.3% | 1991 | $1,363 | 41.3% | 90.9% | 4.5% |
| Hoke County | 2.79 | 34.4 | 15.6% | 27.0% | 7.4% | 1998 | $1,152 | 23.6% | 89.0% | 6.6% |
| Pickens County | 2.48 | 38.8 | 8.8% | 29.1% | 12.1% | 1986 | $1,017 | 33.9% | 89.0% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Story County, IA · DeKalb County, IL · Dubuque County, IA · Eau Claire County, WI · Etowah County, AL · Lafourche Parish, LA · Lenawee County, MI · Limestone County, AL · Macon County, IL · Madison County, TN
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Lancaster County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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