Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC

Public Use Microdata Area (PUMA)

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2023 Population

153,823

2.06% 1-year growth

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

2023 Median Age

42.7

0.235% 1-year increase

2023 Poverty Rate

14.4%

0.613% 1-year decrease

2023 Median Household Income

$65,439

4.7% 1-year growth

2023 Median Property Value

$227,000

13.2% 1-year growth

2022 Employed Population

57,413

12.8% 1-year decline

About

In 2023, Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC had a population of 154k people with a median age of 42.7 and a median household income of $65,439. Between 2022 and 2023 the population of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC grew from 150,724 to 153,823, a 2.06% increase and its median household income grew from $62,500 to $65,439, a 4.7% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (62%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (27.6%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.78%), Two+ (Hispanic) (2.45%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.75%).

6.65% 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.

97.3% 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 (182 degrees awarded in 2022).

In 2023, the median property value in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was $227,000, and the homeownership rate was 81.1%.

Most people in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 30.1 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 154k people, from which 97.3% are citizens. As of 2023, 5.31% of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents were born outside of the country (8.18k people).

In 2023, there were 2.24 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (95.4k people) in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 42.5k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 4.28k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

The most common non-English languages spoken as the primary langauge in households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are Spanish (6,326 households), Gujarati (531 households), and German (246 households).

Population & Diversity

Residents by Gender and Age

RACE/ETHNICITY

69,556

Women

50.1%

69,329

Men

49.9%

The resident population of United States in 2022 was 138,885 inhabitants, with 49.9% men, and 50.1% women.

The visualization shows the distribution of the residents by gender and age in the United States.

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

Citizenship

97.3%

2023 Citizenship

97.7%

2022 Citizenship

As of 2023, 97.3% of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2022, the percentage of US citizens in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 97.7%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

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)
95.4k ± 263
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
42.5k ± 593
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
4.28k ± 662

5.48%

Hispanic Population

8.43k people

5.48% of the people in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are hispanic (8.43k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

Most Common Origin

Mexico
1,767 ± 1,025 people
India
848 ± 713 people
Cuba
506 ± 551 people

In 2022, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Mexico, the natal country of 1,767 Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents, followed by India with 848 and Cuba with 506.

Foreign-Born Population

5.31%

2023 Foreign-Born Population

8.18k people

4.3%

2022 Foreign-Born Population

6.49k people

As of 2023, 5.31% of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC residents (8.18k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.8%. In 2022, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 4.3%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

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
6,326 households (4.35%)
Gujarati
531 households (0.365%)
German
246 households (0.169%)

6.65% 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%. 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 2023, the most common non-English language spoken in households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Spanish. 4.35% 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
3,276 ± 377
Gulf War (2001-)
2,061 ± 457
Gulf War (1990s)
1,351 ± 321

Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.59 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC employs 57.4k people. The largest industries in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are Elementary & secondary schools (4,329 people), Restaurants & Food Services (3,476 people), and Construction (3,091 people), and the highest paying industries are Broadcasting (except internet) ($150,841), Computer Systems Design ($128,684), and Accounting, tax preparation, bookkeeping & payroll services ($111,445).

Males in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have an average income that is 1.43 times higher than the average income of females, which is $49,170. The income inequality in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.433, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Workforce Diversity

Measure

RACE/ETHNICITY

31,781

Women

47.9%

34,525

Men

52.1%

The workforce of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC in 2020 was 66,306 people, with 47.9% woman, and 52.1% 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

57.4k

2022 Value

−12.8%

1 Year decline

± −12.8%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC declined at a rate of −12.8%, from 65.8k employees to 57.4k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, are Driver/sales workers & truck drivers (1,703 people), Miscellaneous production workers, including semiconductor processors (1,652 people), and Other managers (1,544 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 false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in South 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.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

57.4k

2022 Value

−12.8%

1 Year decline

± −12.8%

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC declined at a rate of −12.8%, from 65.8k employees to 57.4k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, are Elementary & secondary schools (4,329 people), Restaurants & Food Services (3,476 people), and Construction (3,091 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

$51,587

Median earning men ± $1,672

$36,656

Median earning women ± $1,419

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2023 are Information ($153,795), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($69,846), and Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($59,973).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2023 are Information ($93,293), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($61,521), and Construction ($46,451).

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 2022, universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC awarded 182 degrees. The student population of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC in 2022 is skewed towards women, with 717 male students and 1,055 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are White (124 and 68.9%), followed by Black or African American (34 and 18.9%), Hispanic or Latino (8 and 4.44%), and Two or More Races (8 and 4.44%).

The largest universities in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC by number of degrees awarded are University of South Carolina-Lancaster (182 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC are Liberal Arts & Sciences (125 and 68.7%), General Business (27 and 14.8%), and Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration (15 and 8.24%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Applicants, Admissions & Enrolled

University

Measure

In 2022 in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, the percentage of applicants admitted was 76.2%, while the percentage of admitted who enrolled was 61.2%. The number of students enrolled in 2022 was 1,772 (40.5% men and 59.5% 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 2022 there were 1,772 students enrolled in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, 40.5% men and 59.5% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,142 records, of which 60.2% were women and 39.8% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
125 degrees awarded
General Business
27 degrees awarded
Criminal Justice - Law Enforcement Administration
15 degrees awarded

In 2022, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 125 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

182 degrees awarded

In 2022, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of South Carolina-Lancaster with 182 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

University

In 2022, 65 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC, which is 0.556 times less than the 117 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2022 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 124 degrees mean that there were 3.65 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 34 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 2022.

Public, 2-year ($400) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2022.

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 2022, 1.25% 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 2022 were High School or Equivalent (37.2k), Some college (22.8k), and Secondary Education (17.4k).

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 $227,000 in 2023, which is 0.748 times smaller than the national average of $303,400. Between 2022 and 2023 the median property value increased from $200,600 to $227,000, a 13.2% increase. The homeownership rate in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC is 81.1%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 65%.

People in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have an average commute time of 30.1 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.

Median household income in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC is $65,439. In 2023, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Charleston (Northeast) County--Mount Pleasant Town PUMA, SC with a value of $116,028, followed by York County (North & East)--Fort Mill Town PUMA, SC and Greenville (South & East)--Outside Greenville & Greer (South) Cities PUMA, SC, with respective values of $114,845 and $96,308.

Housing

Property

$227,000

Median Property Value 2023

±$9,750

$49,382

Median Property Taxes

±$1,882

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

81.1%

Homeownership

2023

67.4%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2023

In 2023, 81.1% of the housing units in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 79.7%.

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

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

In 2023, the PUMA with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was Charleston (Northeast) County--Mount Pleasant Town PUMA, SC with a value of $116,028, followed by York County (North & East)--Fort Mill Town PUMA, SC and Greenville (South & East)--Outside Greenville & Greer (South) Cities PUMA, SC, with respective values of $114,845 and $96,308.

The following map shows all of the PUMAs in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

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

$65,439

Median Household Income

± $3,034

60.9k

Number of Households

± 2,233

In 2023, the median household income of the 60.9k households in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC grew to $65,439 from the previous year's value of $62,500.

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

0.433

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

0.44

2021 Wage GINI in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC

In 2022, the income inequality in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was 0.433 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 1.58% decline from 2021 to 2022, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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 2023

Drove Alone (76.9%)
Worked At Home (12.8%)
Carpooled (7.66%)

In 2023, 76.9% of workers in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC drove alone to work, followed by those who worked at home (12.8%) and those who carpooled to work (7.66%).

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

30.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC have a longer commute time (30.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.6 minutes). Additionally, 2.06% 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

14.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC (21.8k out of 151k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.4%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Males 55 - 64.

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% of the population of Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC has health coverage, with 45.9% on employee plans, 15% on Medicaid, 16.3% on Medicare, 12.3% on non-group plans, and 1.44% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see 1481 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.269% decrease from the previous year (1485 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1696 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 488 patients per year.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

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

1,481 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in South Carolina

Primary care physicians in South Carolina see an average of 1,481 patients per year. This represents a 0.269% decrease from the previous year (1,485 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2023, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 22.7% under 18 years, 17.3% between 18 and 34 years, 39% between 35 and 64 years, and 21.1% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

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

Uninsured People

9.01%

Uninsured

45.9%

Employer Coverage

15%

Medicaid

16.3%

Medicare

12.3%

Non-Group

1.44%

Military or VA

Between 2022 and 2023, the percent of uninsured citizens in Chester, Fairfield & Lancaster Counties PUMA, SC grew by 3.95% from 8.66% to 9.01%.

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.