1st Advantage MortgageAbout 73% of Chesterfield County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $49,235. Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Chesterfield County, SC: the basics
- Paychecks and income spread in Chesterfield County
- How Chesterfield County residents earn a living
- Chesterfield County housing compared with South Carolina
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- The communities that make up Chesterfield County
- Budget math at the Chesterfield County median
- What the numbers mean for Chesterfield County borrowers
- Chesterfield County households compared
- Checklist for Chesterfield County applicants
- Lender oversight for Chesterfield County
- More guides for Chesterfield County
- Frequently asked questions
Chesterfield County, SC: the basics
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Chesterfield County's population at 43,784; only 24 of South Carolina's 46 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 799 square miles, that is close to 55 residents for every square mile of land. No metropolitan area includes Chesterfield County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Of the 9 Census places inside Chesterfield County, Cheraw leads by population with about 4,960; 8 of the 9 are incorporated.
Paychecks and income spread in Chesterfield County
At $49,235, the typical Chesterfield County household income is 25% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). Only 32 South Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Chesterfield County | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.6% | +10.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.3% | +1.2 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.3% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.9% | -6.0 pts |
About 36% of households earn under $35,000, while 21% clear $100,000. The poverty rate is 20.3%, 6 points higher than the state's 14.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.484 here. None of these numbers decides a Chesterfield County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
How Chesterfield County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Chesterfield County residents, by industry, is manufacturing at 25% of workers, followed by education and health care (20%). Manufacturing stands out: 25% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Chesterfield County averages 7.5% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 82% drive to work alone and 17% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Where residents work | Chesterfield County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 24.9% | +11.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 20.4% | -1.7 pts |
| Retail trade | 8.8% | -2.4 pts |
| Construction | 8.7% | +1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.1% | -2.0 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.7% | -4.9 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Chesterfield County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Chesterfield County housing compared with South Carolina
A typical Chesterfield County rental runs $762 a month including utilities, which is 35% below South Carolina. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. Home values center on $116,200, or 2.4 years of median income. The ownership rate is 73%.
| Chesterfield County | South Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $762/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $116,200 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 37.5% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 13% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Neighboring counties at a glance
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Chesterfield County's, from 24 to 32 miles away. Union County leads the group on income ($102,900), Marlboro County trails ($34,301), and Chesterfield County out-earns 3 of the six. Some neighbors are in North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Chesterfield County resident follows South Carolina rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chesterfield County | - | $49,235 | $762/mo | 73% |
| Anson County, NC | 24 mi | $47,302 | $814/mo | 69% |
| Darlington County, SC | 24 mi | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
| Marlboro County, SC | 27 mi | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
| Lancaster County, SC | 31 mi | $78,869 | $959/mo | 83% |
| Kershaw County, SC | 32 mi | $68,231 | $971/mo | 82% |
| Union County, NC | 32 mi | $102,900 | $1,496/mo | 82% |
The communities that make up Chesterfield County
9 Census places fall mainly inside Chesterfield County; the 9 biggest are below. They account for 11,968 residents, leaving about 73% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $26,689 in Cheraw to $97,115 in Cash. Rent is cheapest in Jefferson ($314) and steepest in Cheraw ($800). None of the 9 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cheraw | town | 4,960 | $26,689 | $800 | 15 mi |
| Pageland | town | 2,489 | $42,679 | $698 | 16 mi |
| Chesterfield | town | 1,465 | $44,526 | $760 | 8 mi |
| McBee | town | 818 | $63,125 | $746 | 13 mi |
| Cash | CDP | 754 | $97,115 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Jefferson | town | 737 | $40,625 | $314 | 13 mi |
| Patrick | town | 331 | $34,773 | $753 | 8 mi |
| Ruby | town | 244 | $75,313 | $763 | 8 mi |
| Mount Croghan | town | 170 | $68,594 | $760 | 10 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Budget math at the Chesterfield County median
How much room does a median Chesterfield County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Monthly gross at the median, Chesterfield County: $4,103
- Less median rent of $762, which is 19% of it
- With a 36% ceiling, about $715 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,002 left for all other debt payments
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
What the numbers mean for Chesterfield County borrowers
Based on the Chesterfield County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Hospital bills in Chesterfield County. For the 12% of residents without coverage, the provider's charity-care program comes before any loan (details).
- 38% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 20% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
- Tight rental budgets. With 52% of Chesterfield County renters cost-burdened, test a new payment against a lean month.
Chesterfield County households compared
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. About 12% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Chesterfield County | All of South Carolina | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.6% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 17.4% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 11.6% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.0% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.5% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 20.3% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.5% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.1% |
| 15 to 29 min | 28.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 21.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.1% |
| 60+ min | 7.3% |
Checklist for Chesterfield County applicants
Steps that save money for Chesterfield County residents:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Carolina.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Lender oversight for Chesterfield County
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's South Carolina license. Consumer lending in South Carolina is also overseen by the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. More on South Carolina: South Carolina personal loans.
More guides for Chesterfield County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Chesterfield County?
$49,235 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 33rd of 46 in the state.
How much is rent in Chesterfield County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $762 a month; 52% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Chesterfield County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 73% of Chesterfield County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Chesterfield County?
By population: Cheraw, Pageland, Chesterfield, McBee, Cash. The county has 9 Census places in all.
Does living in Chesterfield County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Chesterfield County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.