Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2024 Population

157,207

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2024 Median Age

43.1

0.937% 1-year increase

2024 Poverty Rate

13.5%

6.54% 1-year decrease

2024 Median Household Income

$68,205

4.23% 1-year growth

2024 Median Property Value

$253,000

11.5% 1-year growth

2023 Employed Population

64,183

11.8% 1-year growth

About

6.99% of the households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

97.4% of the residents in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are University of South Carolina-Lancaster (154 degrees awarded in 2023).

In 2024, the median property value in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was $253,000, and the homeownership rate was 81%.

Most people in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 29.6 minutes. The average car ownership in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 2 cars per household.

Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC borders Mecklenburg County (South)--Matthews Town (South) PUMA, NC, Union (East) & Anson Counties--Monroe City PUMA, NC, Union County (West)--Indian Trail & Stallings Towns PUMA, NC, Union and York (West) Counties--York City PUMA, SC, York County (North & East)--Fort Mill Town PUMA, SC, York County (East & South)--Fort Mill Town PUMA, SC, Laurens, Newberry & Union Counties PUMA, SC, Richland County (Northwest and North Central)--Irmo (East) and Blythewood Cities PUMA, SC, Richland (Northeast and North Central) & Kershaw Counties PUMA, SC, and Chesterfield, Darlington & Marlboro Counties PUMA, SC.

United States North Carolina South Carolina

Population & Diversity

Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC is home to a population of 157k people, from which 97.4% are citizens. As of 2024, 5.11% of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents were born outside of the country (8.03k people).

In 2024, there were 2.28 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (96.8k people) in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 42.4k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.5k Two Races Including Other (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary language in households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are Spanish (6,437 households), Russian (468 households), and Telugu (372 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

78,814

Women

51%

75,612

Men

49%

The resident population of United States in 2023 was 154,426 inhabitants, with 49% men, and 51% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC.

With the upper buttons you can add a filter by race.

Citizenship

97.4%

2024 Citizenship

97.3%

2023 Citizenship

As of 2024, 97.4% of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2023, the percentage of US citizens in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 97.3%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
96.8k ± 295
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
42.4k ± 645
Two Races Including Other (Hispanic)
4.5k ± 763

5.91%

Hispanic Population

9.3k people

5.91% of the people in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are hispanic (9.3k people).

The following chart shows the 8 races represented in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
1,863 ± 1,053 people
India
1,399 ± 914 people
Cuba
439 ± 514 people

In 2023, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Mexico, the natal country of 1,863 Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents, followed by India with 1,399 and Cuba with 439.

Foreign-Born Population

5.11%

2024 Foreign-Born Population

8.03k people

5.31%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

8.18k people

As of 2024, 5.11% of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents (8.03k people) were born outside of the United States, which is approximately the same as the national average of 14%. In 2023, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 5.31%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Non-English Households

Most Common Non-English Languages

Spanish
6,437 households (4.33%)
Russian
468 households (0.315%)
Telugu
372 households (0.25%)

6.99% of the households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language, which is lower than the national average of 22.3%. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

In 2024, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Spanish. 4.33% of the households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC reported speaking Spanish at home as the primary shared language between all members living in the household.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,123 ± 378
Gulf War (2001-)
2,221 ± 464
Gulf War (1990s)
1,365 ± 310

Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.41 times greater than any other conflict.

The chart shows the distribution of veterans by conflict in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC.

Economy

The economy of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC employs 64.2k people. In 2023, the largest industries in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC were Elementary & secondary schools (4,262 people), Construction (4,072 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (3,464 people), and the highest paying industries were Telecommunications, except wired telecommunications carriers ($165,265), Electric lighting & electrical equipment manufacturing, & other electrical component manufacturing, n.e.c. ($142,842), and Agencies, brokerages, and other insurance related activities ($128,192).

Males in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have an average income that is 1.4 times higher than the average income of females, which is $54,038. The income inequality in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.445, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

31,203

Women

48.6%

32,980

Men

51.4%

The workforce of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC in 2023 was 64,183 people, with 48.6% woman, and 51.4% men.

The visualization shows the distribution of the workforce by gender and age in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC.

With the upper buttons you can see the distribution of the average salary and add a filter by race.

Occupations

64.2k

2023 Value

11.8%

1 Year growth

± 11.8%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC grew at a rate of 11.8%, from 57.4k employees to 64.2k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (1,908 people), Miscellaneous production workers, including semiconductor processors (1,733 people), and Other managers (1,652 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in North Carolina (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

Industries

Employment by Industries

64.2k

2023 Value

11.8%

1 Year growth

± 11.8%

From 2022 to 2023, employment in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC grew at a rate of 11.8%, from 57.4k employees to 64.2k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, are Elementary & secondary schools (4,262 people), Construction (4,072 people), and Restaurants & Food Services (3,464 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, though some of these residents may live in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$53,746

Median earning men ± $2,192

$36,767

Median earning women ± $1,764

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($87,889), Information ($76,893), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($75,557).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2024 are Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($61,705), Information ($61,224), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($48,333).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

Y-Axis

3.04%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 4.86M people employed in North Carolina. This represents a 3.04% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

Right after the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, during April 2020, a general dip can be seen across industry sectors, resulting in an overall decline in employment by 10.9%.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in North Carolina.

Education

In 2023, universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC awarded 154 degrees. The student population of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC in 2023 is skewed towards women, with 986 male students and 1,342 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are White (114 and 74%), Black or African American (20 and 13%), Hispanic or Latino (13 and 8.44%), and Two or More Races (5 and 3.25%).

The largest universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Lancaster (154 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (111 and 72.1%), General Business (26 and 16.9%), and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (13 and 8.44%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2023 in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 75.9%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 69.6%. The number of students enrolled in 2023 was 2,328 (42.4% men and 57.6% women).

The line chart shows the evolution of the percentage of applicants admitted, admitted who enrolled or the number of students enrolled according to the option selected in the upper button.

Enrollments by Gender and Races

Universities

In 2023 there were 2,328 students enrolled in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, 42.4% men and 57.6% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,543 records, of which 56.8% were women and 43.2% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
111 degrees awarded
General Business
26 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
13 degrees awarded

In 2023, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 111 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Associates Degree from schools in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

University of South Carolina-Lancaster

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

154 degrees awarded

In 2023, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Lancaster with 154 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2023, 57 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, which is 0.588 times less than the 97 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2023, the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 114 degrees mean that there were 5.7 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 20 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Universities

Public, 2-year ($7,158) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($400) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2023.

Public, 2-year ($1,600) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Measure

In 2023, 1.06% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.633% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC in 2023 were High School or Equivalent (38.9k), Some college (24.5k), and Secondary Education (20.6k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was $253,000 in 2024, which is 0.76 times smaller than the national average of $332,700. Between 2023 and 2024 the median property value increased from $227,000 to $253,000, a 11.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC is 81%, which is higher than the national average of 65.2%.

People in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have an average commute time of 29.6 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property

$253,000

Median Property Value 2024

±$11,006

$50,396

Median Property Taxes

±$1,895

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

81%

Homeownership

2024

67.6%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2024

In 2024, 81% of the housing units in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 81.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$68,205

Median Household Income

± $2,977

62.2k

Number of Households

± 2,132

In 2024, the median household income of the 62.2k households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC grew to $68,205 from the previous year's value of $65,439.

The following chart displays the households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

0.445

2023 Wage GINI in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC

0.433

2022 Wage GINI in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC

In 2023, the income inequality in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 0.445 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 2.65% growth from 2022 to 2023, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was lower than than the national average of 0.476. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2024

Drove Alone (74.9%)
Worked At Home (15%)
Carpooled (7.68%)

In 2024, 74.9% of workers in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (15%) and those who carpooled to work (7.68%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

29.6 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have a longer commute time (29.6 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.4 minutes). Additionally, 2.13% of the workforce in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have 2 cars.

Poverty

Poverty & Diversity

13.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC (20.9k out of 155k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.5%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Females 25 - 34.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC is Black, followed by White and Hispanic.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Health

91.5% of the population of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC has health coverage, with 45.5% on employee plans, 15.1% on Medicaid, 16.4% on Medicare, 13.2% on non-group plans, and 1.22% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see 1,413 patients per year on average, which represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1634 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 299 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for North Carolina.

1,413 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in North Carolina

Primary care physicians in North Carolina see an average of 1,413 patients per year. This represents a 0% change from the previous year (1,413 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in North Carolina in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2024, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.5% under 18 years, 17.3% between 18 and 34 years, 38.7% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.5% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 48.5% were men and 51.5% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.54%

Uninsured

45.5%

Employer Coverage

15.1%

Medicaid

16.4%

Medicare

13.2%

Non-Group

1.22%

Military or VA

Between 2023 and 2024, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC declined by 5.14% from 9.01% to 8.54%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.