Population
71,848
2025
+6.2% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Laurens County, SC growth snapshot
Laurens County had an estimated 71,848 residents in 2025, up 6.2% (4,222 more people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 46th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+1,567
2025
21.8 per 1,000 residents
+5,035 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
20,405
2025
+2.5% 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
$1,052
2025
+26.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
4.8%
2025
+1.9 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
869
2025
+369.7% since 2021
12.1 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
$57,623
2020–24
+29.9% 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
17,683
2023
−5.7% 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 1,567 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 20,405 jobs in 2025, +2.5% since 2020 (99th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,052.
Unemployment averaged 4.8% in 2025, 1.9 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 869 new homes in 2025, or 12.1 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $57,623 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +29.9% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 470th.
Part of the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metro area.
Laurens County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 71,848 | +1,340 |
| 2024 | 70,508 | +1,300 |
| 2023 | 69,208 | +1,058 |
| 2022 | 68,150 | +286 |
| 2021 | 67,864 | +238 |
| 2020 | 67,626 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Laurens County
Laurens County grew by 4,222 people since 2020; the largest part came from domestic migration (+5,035).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −235 | −1,301 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +24 | +450 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +1,567 | +5,035 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | −16 | +38 | |
| Total change | +1,340 | +4,222 |
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 | 18th of 46 | 470th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 6th of 46 | 99th of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 36th of 46 | 2,539th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 23rd of 46 | 2,269th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 22nd of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 24th of 46 | 2,410th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 4th of 46 | 87th 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, Laurens County's population change (+6.2%) was ahead of 4 of its 7 neighbouring counties and behind 3.
4 of its 7 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Laurens County's $57,623 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Laurens County, SC This county | 71,848 | +6.2% | 21.8 | 12.1 | $57,623 |
| Greenwood County, SC | 70,379 | +1.5% | 3.7 | 4.4 | $52,830 |
| Spartanburg County, SC | 380,857 | +15.6% | 24.2 | 10.5 | $66,234 |
| Union County, SC | 26,799 | −1.4% | 5.9 | 13.9 | $41,621 |
| Newberry County, SC | 39,561 | +4.8% | 5.8 | 4.0 | $61,780 |
| Greenville County, SC | 583,125 | +10.6% | 9.6 | 8.5 | $76,932 |
| Abbeville County, SC | 24,836 | +2.3% | 9.5 | 6.3 | $52,935 |
| Anderson County, SC | 219,930 | +7.7% | 12.2 | 6.8 | $66,651 |
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 Laurens County?
About 71,848 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Laurens County growing?
Yes. Its population grew 6.2% between 2020 and 2025, about 4,222 more people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 46th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Laurens County?
On net, about 1,567 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 Laurens County?
Employers there reported 20,405 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +2.5% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,052 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Laurens County?
It averaged 4.8% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Laurens County?
Building permits authorized 869 new housing units in 2025, 12.1 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Laurens County?
$57,623 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Laurens County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 18th of 46 for population growth; 6th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 36th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 23rd of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 470th 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.