City in Cherokee County, South Carolina · 9.6 sq mi · 1,301 people per sq mi
12,538 people live in Gaffney. The typical household earns $41,089, and the median resident is 31.9 years old.
2026 projection
From 12,764 in 2020
Poverty rate 29.07%
Men 29.2 · Women 35.2
1880–2026
12,538
2026 projection
1.8% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
1880–2026
12,538
2026 projection
1.8% since 2020 (decrease)
Source: U.S. Census Bureau decennial counts and annual estimates, including 2010–2020 intercensal estimates. 2026 is a projection. Values between recorded years are interpolated.
Use the left and right arrow keys to inspect population observations.
| 2026 | 12,538 | -45 | 0.36% |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 12,583 | +41 | 0.33% |
| 2024 | 12,542 | +18 | 0.14% |
| 2023 | 12,524 | +64 | 0.51% |
| 2022 | 12,460 | -117 | 0.93% |
| 2021 | 12,577 | -187 | 1.47% |
| 2020 | 12,764 | -55 | 0.43% |
| 2019 | 12,819 | +42 | 0.33% |
| 2018 | 12,777 | +65 | 0.51% |
| 2017 | 12,712 | -103 | 0.80% |
Showing 10 of 30 years.
The 2020 row compares the April 1 Census count with the July 1, 2019 estimate (about nine months). Its Growth and Annual change therefore do not represent a full year.
Gaffney has a population change lower than Cherokee County, South Carolina, and the U.S.
Change from July 1, 2020 to July 1, 2025 population estimates—not annualized growth or site projections.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau. U.S. totals are summed from the 50 states and D.C.; unavailable comparisons are omitted.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S0101
Each square is about 1% of residents (roughly 126 people).
Hispanic or Latino residents can be of any race. All other groups exclude Hispanic residents.
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table B03002
Half of households earn more, half earn less
Typical yearly pay for a worker 25 or older.
About 1 in 3 residents
27% of residents age 15 and older are married.
| Status | Overall | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|---|
| Married | 27% | 29% | 26% |
| Never married | 50% | 52% | 48% |
| Divorced | 11% | 12% | 9% |
| Widowed | 9% | 6% | 12% |
| Separated | 3% | 1% | 5% |
U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS 5-year estimates · Table S1201
14 sources