Gaffney, SC

Census Place

Add Comparison

Population

12,526

1.8% 1-year decline

US Senator

Lindsey Graham

Republican Party

US Senator

Tim Scott

Republican Party

Median Age

35.8

Poverty Rate

26.3%

Median Household Income

$30,114

0.186% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$107,200

0.464% 1-year decline

Number of Employees

4,433

0.694% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Gaffney, SC had a population of 12.5k people with a median age of 35.8 and a median household income of $30,114. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Gaffney, SC declined from 12,756 to 12,526, a -1.8% decrease and its median household income grew from $30,058 to $30,114, a 0.186% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC are White (Non-Hispanic) (53.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (40.5%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.31%), Other (Hispanic) (1.45%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.726%). NaNk% of the people in Gaffney, SC speak a non-English language, and 99.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC are Limestone College (679 degrees awarded in 2017).

The median property value in Gaffney, SC is $107,200, and the homeownership rate is 54.3%. Most people in Gaffney, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 20.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Gaffney, SC is 2 cars per household.

United States South Carolina Cherokee County, SC Gaffney, SC Cherokee, Newberry, Chester & Union Counties PUMA, SC

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for South Carolina. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in South Carolina, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

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

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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Community Mobility

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

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of South Carolina across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Cherokee County, SC went to Donald J. Trump with 69.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (28%), followed by Other (2.3%). The most partisan county was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing the state of South Carolina. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Gaffney, SC. Showing the available data for Cherokee County, SC.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (69.7%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (28%)
Democratic Party
Other (2.3%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in South Carolina went to Donald J. Trump with 69.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (28%), followed by Other (2.3%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in South Carolina for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of South Carolina.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Cherokee County, SC

69.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in South Carolina

Allendale County, SC
76.1% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Pickens County, SC
73.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Oconee County, SC
71.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in South Carolina was Allendale County, SC with 76.1% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in South Carolina colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from South Carolina

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

Lindsey Graham

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2003

Tim Scott

Senator from South Carolina

Assumed office on January 3, 2013
Appointed to the seat following the resignation of Jim DeMint.

Lindsey Graham and Tim Scott are the senators currently representing South Carolina.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in South Carolina over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from South Carolina

South Carolina is currently represented by 7 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for South Carolina have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Gaffney, SC is home to a population of 12.5k people, from which 99.6% are citizens. As of 2018, 0.926% of Gaffney, SC residents were born outside of the country (116 people).

In 2018, there were 1.32 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (6.71k people) in Gaffney, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.08k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 289 Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Gaffney, SC

White (Non-Hispanic)
6.71k ± 572
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.08k ± 507
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
289 ± 180

2.82%

Hispanic Population

353 people

2.82% of the people in Gaffney, SC are hispanic (353 people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Gaffney, SC as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.926%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

116 people

1.05%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

134 people

As of 2018, 0.926% of Gaffney, SC residents (116 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Gaffney, SC was 1.05%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Gaffney, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 1.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 12.1

In 2018, the median age of all people in Gaffney, SC was 35.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally older than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 32. But people in Gaffney, SC are getting getting younger. In 2017, the average age of all Gaffney, SC residents was 37.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
68,828 ± 6,396 people
India
11,778 ± 2,661 people
Philippines
9,880 ± 2,438 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 68,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 11,778 and Philippines with 9,880.

Citizenship

99.6%

2018 Citizenship

99.6%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 99.6% of Gaffney, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Gaffney, SC was 99.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been decreasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Gaffney, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
331 ± 122
Gulf War (2001-)
188 ± 109
Gulf War (1990s)
158 ± 69

Gaffney, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.76 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Gaffney, SC is $30,114. In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Gaffney, SC was Census Tract 9702.02 with a value of $54,143, followed by Census Tract 9706.01 and Census Tract 9705.01, with respective values of $43,047 and $36,190.

Males in South Carolina have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,985. The income inequality in South Carolina (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Gaffney, SC employs 4.43k people. The largest industries in Gaffney, SC are Manufacturing (1,033 people), Retail Trade (631 people), and Educational Services (475 people), and the highest paying industries are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($41,917), Educational Services ($36,701), and Public Administration ($35,278).

Wages

Median Household Income

$30,114

2018 value

± $4,128

0.186%

1 Year Growth

± 20.5%

Households in Gaffney, SC have a median annual income of $30,114, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $30,058 in 2017, which represents a 0.186% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Gaffney, SC compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

$56,080

Average Male Salary in South Carolina

± $1,419

$40,985

Average Female Salary in South Carolina

± $1,018

In 2017, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in South Carolina

Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$49,597 ± $53,271
Asian
$47,877 ± $7,789
White
$47,332 ± $1,044

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in South Carolina.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Gaffney, SC is from South Carolina.

0.46

2017 Wage GINI in South Carolina

0.456

2016 Wage GINI in South Carolina

In 2017, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.695% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9702.02
Census Tract 9706.01
Census Tract 9705.01

In 2018, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Gaffney, SC was Census Tract 9702.02 with a value of $54,143, followed by Census Tract 9706.01 and Census Tract 9705.01, with respective values of $43,047 and $36,190.

The following map shows all of the places in Gaffney, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Males 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

26.3% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Gaffney, SC (3.11k out of 11.8k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Males 18 - 24, followed by Males 45 - 54 and then Females 25 - 34.

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.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

Black
1,438 ± 311
White
1,301 ± 266
Two Or More
178 ± 113

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Gaffney, SC is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

4.43k

2018 Value

± 499

-0.694%

1 Year decline

± 15.6%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Gaffney, SC declined at a rate of -0.694%, from 4.46k employees to 4.43k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Gaffney, SC, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (707 people), Production Occupations (707 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (443 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (707 people), Production Occupations (707 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (443 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Gaffney, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.78 times higher than expected), Installation, Maintenance, & Repair Occupations (2.07 times), and Community & Social Service Occupations (1.43 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Gaffney, SC, by median earnings, are Fire Fighting & Prevention, & Other Protective Service Workers Including Supervisors ($68,148), Protective Service Occupations ($67,731), and Life, Physical, & Social Science Occupations ($54,722).

Industries

Employment by Industries

4.43k

2018 Value

± 499

-0.694%

1 Year decline

± 15.6%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Gaffney, SC declined at a rate of -0.694%, from 4.46k employees to 4.43k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Gaffney, SC, are Manufacturing (1,033 people), Retail Trade (631 people), and Educational Services (475 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Gaffney, SC, though some of these residents may live in Gaffney, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Gaffney, SC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (1,033 people), Retail Trade (631 people), and Educational Services (475 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Gaffney, SC has an unusually high number of Manufacturing (2.31 times higher than expected), Transportation & Warehousing (1.86 times), and Management of Companies & Enterprises (1.6 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Gaffney, SC, by median earnings, are Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services ($41,917), Educational Services ($36,701), and Public Administration ($35,278).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Plastics/rubber with $15.9B, followed by Machinery ($15.2B) and Mixed freight ($11.7B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina.

$163B

2015 Value in South Carolina

$244B

Projected 2045 Value in South Carolina

49.4% growth

In 2015, total outbound South Carolina trade was $163B. This is expected to increase 49.4% to $244B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

North Carolina
$22.2B
Georgia
$13.4B
Tennessee
$5.71B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $22.2B, followed by Georgia with $13.4B and Tennessee and $5.71B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Gaffney, SC awarded 679 degrees. The student population of Gaffney, SC is skewed towards women, with 1,186 male students and 1,475 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Gaffney, SC are Black or African American (319 and 50.2%), followed by White (283 and 44.5%), Hispanic or Latino (19 and 2.99%), and Unknown (9 and 1.42%).

The largest universities in Gaffney, SC by number of degrees awarded are Limestone College (679 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Gaffney, SC are Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations (168 and 24.7%), Social Work (100 and 14.7%), and Liberal Arts & Sciences (60 and 8.84%).

The median tuition costs in Gaffney, SC are $24,900 for private four year colleges, and $N/A and $N/A respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Liberal Arts & Sciences
38 degree-majorss awarded
Other Business Administration, Management, & Operations
168 degree-majorss awarded
Social Work
100 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Gaffney, SC was Liberal Arts & Sciences with 38 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Gaffney, SC according to their major.

Universities

Limestone College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

679 degrees awarded

$N/A

Median In-State Public

$24,900

Median Private

In 2017, the Gaffney, SC institution with the largest number of graduating students was Limestone College with 679 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

284

Degrees Awarded to Men

395

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 284 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Gaffney, SC, which is 0.719 times less than the 395 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Gaffney, SC by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

Black or African American
319 degrees awarded
White
283 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
19 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Gaffney, SC were to Black or African American students. These 319 degrees mean that there were 1.13 times more Black or African American students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, White, with 283 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Gaffney, SC was $107,200 in 2018, which is 0.467 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $107,700 to $107,200, a 0.464% decrease. The homeownership rate in Gaffney, SC is 54.3%, which is lower than the national average of 63.9%. People in Gaffney, SC have an average commute time of 20.9 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Gaffney, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$107,200

2018 Median

± $11,629

$107,700

2017 Median

± $10,578

In 2018, the median property value in Gaffney, SC declined from to $107,200 from the previous year's value of $107,700.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Gaffney, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gaffney, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

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

$30,114

Median Household Income

± $4,128

4.29k

Number of Households

± 406

In 2018, the median household income of the 4.29k households in Gaffney, SC grew to $30,114 from the previous year's value of $30,058.

The following chart displays the households in Gaffney, 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 < $10k range.

Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Gaffney, SC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Gaffney, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

Rent vs Own

54.3%

2018 Homeownership

56%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 54.3% of the housing units in Gaffney, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 56%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Gaffney, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

20.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Gaffney, SC have a shorter commute time (20.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 0.655% of the workforce in Gaffney, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Gaffney, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
80.8%
Carpooled
16.5%
Worked At Home
1.7%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Gaffney, SC was Drove Alone (80.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (16.5%) and those who Worked At Home (1.7%).

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.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Gaffney, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Gaffney, SC have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

87.5% of the population of Gaffney, SC has health coverage, with 33.5% on employee plans, 22.9% on Medicaid, 12.6% on Medicare, 16.4% on non-group plans, and 2.09% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in South Carolina was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, SC see 2341 patients per year on average, which represents a 4.46% increase from the previous year (2241 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4720 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 1888 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.1%). Additionally, Lee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Cherokee County, SC.

2,341 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cherokee County, SC

Primary care physicians in Cherokee County, SC see an average of 2,341 patients per year. This represents a 4.46% increase from the previous year (2,241 patients).

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

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

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

$7,311

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in South Carolina

$4,235

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,491

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,298

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in South Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.15%, from $7,020 to $7,311.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

12.5%

Uninsured

33.5%

Employer Coverage

22.9%

Medicaid

12.6%

Medicare

16.4%

Non-Group

2.09%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Gaffney, SC declined by 7.48% from 13.5% to 12.5%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Gaffney, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.