Cheraw, SC

South Carolina

Cheraw is a small city in South Carolina with a population of 5,024. Residents earn $27,275 per year, which is 64% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
5,024 Population 843/sq mi density
$27,275 Median Income $26,499 per capita
$113,400 Home Value $158,324 Zillow
$806 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
720 Violent Crime/100K 6,582 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
D
Economy
1.5 / 5.0
$27,275 median income, 8.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$113,400 home value, $806/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
720 violent crimes/100K (89% above avg)
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $27,275
64% lower than US avg
Home Value $113,400
60% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 720/100K
89% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.0%
38% lower than US avg
Median Rent $806
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 47.7%
49% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.2%
128% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 27.8%
124% higher than US avg

How Cheraw Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,024
Median Age45.1 yrs
Density843/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 42%

Economy

D
Median Income$27,275
Per Capita$26,499
Unemployment8.2%
Poverty27.8%
County GDP$965M
Commute15 min

Housing

A
Home Value$113,400
Rent$806
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$158,324

Crime

F
Violent720/100K
Property6,582/100K
Murder34.3/100K
Assault531/100K
Burglary926/100K

Health

Obesity47.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease6.6%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain48.6 in/yr
Elevation166 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.0%
High School+83.2%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 48% / D 51%
Commute15 min
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Is Cheraw a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Cheraw receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate. Cheraw has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Cheraw is $27,275, 64% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.2%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 27.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Cheraw is $113,400, 60% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $806 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 720 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 6,582 per 100,000, 236% above the national average.

Education

21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Cheraw enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Cheraw has a population of 5,024 with a density of 843 people per square mile. The median age is 45.1 years, 16% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (53.4%), with 42% White, 1.4% Hispanic.

Population

5,024
Total Population
843
People / sq mi
45.1yrs
Median Age
16% above US avg
6.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 51%
Female 49%

Race & Ethnicity

Cheraw vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.3%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.7%
20% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Cheraw vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Cheraw is $27,275, which is 64% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.2% (above the 3.6% US average). 27.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes.

Income: Cheraw vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$27,275
64% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,499
Avg Weekly Wage$1,036
IRS Avg AGI$41,399

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.2%
128% above US avg
Poverty Rate27.8%
124% above US avg
Establishments (County)334
County GDP$965M

Business (County)

Restaurants30
Healthcare40
Retail85
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,280
35% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.01%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time15.4 min
Work from Home1.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Cheraw is $113,400, 60% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $806 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $158,324.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$113,400
60% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$158,324

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$806
31% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$928
1 Bedroom$982
2 Bedrooms$1,155
3 Bedrooms$1,450
4 Bedrooms$1,699

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,280
35% below US avg
Effective Rate2.01%
In Cheraw, 47.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 34.5% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Cheraw vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity47.7%
49% above US avg
Diabetes16.5%
Heart Disease6.6%
High Blood Pressure42.3%
Asthma11.2%
COPD8.7%
Stroke4.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.6%
Physical Inactivity34.5%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress20.1%
Physical Distress16.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate80.9%
Premature Death17,178/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.5/10
Exercise Access39.0%
Healthcare Facilities40
Cheraw has a violent crime rate of 720 per 100,000 residents, 89% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 6,582 per 100,000 (236% above US avg). The murder rate is 34.3 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Cheraw vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent719.9/100K
89% above US avg
Murder34.3/100K
444% above US avg
Rape34.3/100K
Robbery120.0/100K
Assault531.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property6,582.1/100K
236% above US avg
Burglary925.6/100K
Theft5,416.5/100K
Vehicle Theft240.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Cheraw has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.6 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.9°F
15% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.6 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation166 ft (51 m)
Area6.0 sq mi (15.4 km²)
Population Density843/sq mi
Coordinates34.6979°N, 79.9140°W
County FIPS45069
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (38% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 2.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 48.2%
D 50.6%

Winner: Democrat by 2.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.0%
38% below US avg
High School+83.2%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density843/sq mi
Total Area6.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities40
Restaurants30
Retail Stores85

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute15.4 min
Work from Home1.1%

Nearby Cities

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