Population
73,166
2025
+11.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Kershaw County, SC growth snapshot
Kershaw County had an estimated 73,166 residents in 2025, up 11.6% (7,576 more people) since 2020. That is faster than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 16th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+1,294
2025
17.7 per 1,000 residents
+7,530 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
Jobs
18,585
2025
+10.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$976
2025
+26.7% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.4%
2025
+1.6 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
509
2025
−32.4% since 2021
7.0 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$68,231
2020–24
+26.4% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
14,923
2023
−8.7% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration added 1,294 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 18,585 jobs in 2025, +10.6% since 2020 (53rd of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $976.
Unemployment averaged 4.4% in 2025, 1.6 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 509 new homes in 2025, or 7.0 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $68,231 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +26.4% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 136th.
Part of the Columbia, SC metro area.
Kershaw County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 73,166 | +1,254 |
| 2024 | 71,912 | +1,581 |
| 2023 | 70,331 | +2,342 |
| 2022 | 67,989 | +1,736 |
| 2021 | 66,253 | +663 |
| 2020 | 65,590 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Kershaw County
Kershaw County grew by 7,576 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+7,530).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −66 | −509 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +39 | +456 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +1,294 | +7,530 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −13 | +99 | |
| Total change | +1,254 | +7,576 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
How it ranks
| Measure | In South Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 7th of 46 | 136th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 8th of 46 | 169th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 39th of 46 | 2,750th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 12th of 46 | 1,304th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 32nd of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 15th of 46 | 2,052nd of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 17th of 46 | 346th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Kershaw County's population change (+11.6%) was ahead of 6 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 1 (Lancaster County).
Only Lancaster County had a higher median household income (2020–24) among its 7 neighbouring counties; Kershaw County's was $68,231.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kershaw County, SC This county | 73,166 | +11.6% | 17.7 | 7.0 | $68,231 |
| Lee County, SC | 15,730 | −5.0% | −5.7 | 1.4 | $44,760 |
| Richland County, SC | 434,956 | +4.6% | 3.8 | 7.8 | $63,784 |
| Lancaster County, SC | 114,296 | +18.3% | 21.0 | 9.7 | $78,869 |
| Sumter County, SC | 105,067 | −0.3% | 2.1 | 3.4 | $56,693 |
| Fairfield County, SC | 20,340 | −2.6% | 1.0 | 3.6 | $47,885 |
| Chesterfield County, SC | 44,740 | +3.4% | 5.9 | 2.6 | $49,235 |
| Darlington County, SC | 62,888 | +0.1% | 5.7 | 3.3 | $48,581 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 46 South Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
Questions
What is the population of Kershaw County?
About 73,166 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Kershaw County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 11.6% between 2020 and 2025, about 7,576 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 16th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Kershaw County?
On net, about 1,294 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Kershaw County?
Employers there reported 18,585 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +10.6% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $976 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Kershaw County?
It averaged 4.4% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Kershaw County?
Building permits authorized 509 new housing units in 2025, 7.0 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Kershaw County?
$68,231 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Kershaw County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 7th of 46 for population growth; 8th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 39th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 12th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 136th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.