Population
114,296
2025
+18.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Lancaster County, SC growth snapshot
Lancaster County had an estimated 114,296 residents in 2025, up 18.3% (17,707 more people) since 2020. That is faster than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 7th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+2,405
2025
21.0 per 1,000 residents
+15,669 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
29,090
2025
+15.0% 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
$1,290
2025
+28.4% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.7%
2025
+1.5 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
1,110
2025
−23.2% since 2021
9.7 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
$78,869
2020–24
+20.6% 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
26,805
2023
+27.6% 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 2,405 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 29,090 jobs in 2025, +15.0% since 2020 (29th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,290.
Unemployment averaged 4.7% in 2025, 1.5 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 1,110 new homes in 2025, or 9.7 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $78,869 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +20.6% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 47th.
Part of the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC metro area.
Lancaster County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 114,296 | +2,997 |
| 2024 | 111,299 | +2,844 |
| 2023 | 108,455 | +3,826 |
| 2022 | 104,629 | +4,153 |
| 2021 | 100,476 | +3,887 |
| 2020 | 96,589 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Lancaster County
Lancaster County grew by 17,707 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+15,669).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | +338 | +145 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +267 | +1,833 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +2,405 | +15,669 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −13 | +60 | |
| Total change | +2,997 | +17,707 |
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 | 4th of 46 | 47th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 7th of 46 | 111th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 1st of 46 | 95th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 5th of 46 | 628th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 3rd of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 21st of 46 | 2,327th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 8th of 46 | 157th 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
Lancaster County grew faster than all 7 of its neighbouring counties (+18.3%, 2020–25).
3 of its 7 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Lancaster County's $78,869 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lancaster County, SC This county | 114,296 | +18.3% | 21.0 | 9.7 | $78,869 |
| Union County, NC | 267,674 | +11.7% | 7.9 | 10.1 | $102,900 |
| Kershaw County, SC | 73,166 | +11.6% | 17.7 | 7.0 | $68,231 |
| Chester County, SC | 33,001 | +2.2% | 15.6 | 9.4 | $52,458 |
| Mecklenburg County, NC | 1,233,383 | +10.5% | 4.0 | 6.1 | $87,005 |
| York County, SC | 306,887 | +8.1% | 6.7 | 8.6 | $89,095 |
| 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 |
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 Lancaster County?
About 114,296 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Lancaster County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 18.3% between 2020 and 2025, about 17,707 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 7th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Lancaster County?
On net, about 2,405 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 Lancaster County?
Employers there reported 29,090 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +15.0% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,290 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Lancaster County?
It averaged 4.7% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Lancaster County?
Building permits authorized 1,110 new housing units in 2025, 9.7 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Lancaster County?
$78,869 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Lancaster County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 4th of 46 for population growth; 7th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 1st of 46 for private-sector job growth; 5th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 47th 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.