Population 6,067 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Swansea
Household size in Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.61 | 2.51 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.64 | 2.55 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.30 | 2.55 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.46 | 2.46 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.15 | −0.05 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
The average household in Swansea has 2.46 people, under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.61 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the south.
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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 40.3 | 37.1 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 39.3 | 37.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 45.3 | 38.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 45.9 | 39.4 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.6 | +2.3 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
Swansea skews older: half of its residents are older than 45.9, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has climbed from 40.3 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.8% | 13.2% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 13.3% | 13.4% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 11.8% | 12.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.6% | 12.9% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +3.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Swansea (12.6%), close to the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has risen 3.8 points, even as the national share fell.
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 Swansea
Renters in Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.2% | 31.2% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.4% | 32.8% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 22.5% | 32.1% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 15.0% | 30.6% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −8.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 15.0% of households in Swansea rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Nearly six in ten owners (57.9%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Rentals cluster in the south; owners are most common in the northeast. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 8.3 points, 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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.4% | 10.7% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 16.8% | 12.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 15.1% | 11.8% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.0% | 10.3% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.6 pts | −0.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 14.0% of the housing in Swansea, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has risen 2.6 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1986 | 1984 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1989 | 1985 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1986 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1991 | 1990 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Swansea is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1991, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1986 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the south 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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $704 | $831 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $647 | $908 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $724 | $1,021 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,021 | $1,285 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$317 | +$453 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Swansea runs $1,021 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $317 a month from 2006–10, a 45% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 24.7% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the southwest.
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 Swansea
Bachelor's degrees in Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.6% | 31.5% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 11.9% | 31.8% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.9% | 34.1% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 16.7% | 35.9% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +4.1 pts | +4.4 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Swansea: 16.7% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 4.1 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the northeast and least in the southwest.
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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 74.2% | 88.1% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 79.8% | 88.7% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 83.0% | 90.2% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 88.3% | 91.4% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +14.1 pts | +3.3 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Swansea have finished high school as nationally: 88.3%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in the wider Columbia area (91.4%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 14.1 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Swansea
| Period | Swansea | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 7.6% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 14.5% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 6.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.2 pts | −2.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Swansea runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 6.2 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Swansea compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Swansea | 2.46 | 45.9 | 12.6% | 15.0% | 14.0% | 1991 | $1,021 | 16.7% | 88.3% | 4.0% |
| Woodford | 2.36 | 43.2 | 9.6% | 16.9% | 20.6% | 1989 | $866 | 14.4% | 86.0% | 3.6% |
| Gaston | 2.59 | 37.3 | 18.0% | 27.2% | 10.8% | 1992 | $985 | 11.7% | 83.0% | 7.5% |
| North | 2.33 | 46.4 | 7.7% | 26.2% | 20.9% | 1984 | $915 | 11.7% | 83.8% | 4.1% |
| Hammond Crossroads | 2.05 | 51.6 | 9.5% | 8.2% | 13.1% | 1990 | $1,103 | 28.0% | 96.0% | 7.4% |
| Pelion | 2.69 | 38.3 | 18.7% | 19.9% | 10.7% | 1994 | $965 | 12.4% | 80.8% | 2.2% |
| Thor | 2.67 | 42.8 | 13.3% | 13.8% | 20.5% | 1994 | $773 | 11.3% | 86.0% | 2.4% |
| Independents | 2.00 | 52.0 | 5.4% | 17.9% | 13.3% | 1992 | $984 | 16.7% | 96.1% | 6.4% |
| St. Matthews | 2.34 | 43.7 | 12.3% | 19.1% | 10.4% | 1985 | $961 | 24.5% | 85.4% | 6.6% |
| Perry | 2.10 | 52.5 | 20.7% | 26.1% | 9.0% | 1980 | $635 | 12.3% | 90.3% | 3.8% |
| Fairview Crossroads | 2.70 | 36.6 | 15.8% | 8.7% | 13.9% | 1995 | $931 | 13.0% | 86.4% | 4.5% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Mount Arlington, NJ · New Egypt, NJ · New Columbia, PA · New Carlisle, IN · Nevada, TX · Nashville, IN · Mount Pleasant, NC · Mount Healthy, OH · Mount Ephraim, NJ · Mount Carmel, 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 Swansea. 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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