As of the census of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 5,304 households, and 3,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,649.7 people per square mile (637.0/km²). There were 5,765 housing units at an average density of 733.4/sq mi (283.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 53.48% White, 44.19% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.
There were 5,304 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,480, and the median income for a family was $38,449. Males had a median income of $30,145 versus $22,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,755. About 13.3% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.
The Upstate region is served by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (IATA: GSP, ICAO: KGSP), also known as GSP International Airport. GSP is South Carolina's busiest airport.
Recent studies have proved that an airport is strongly needed in the county. Cherokee County is the only county in South Carolina without an airport. Requests are now being made to the federal government to support the construction of the new airport. Studies are also determining where the airport, if built, should be built.
Gaffney is located on the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Charlotte, and Interstate 26, which is in nearby Spartanburg, linking Gaffney to the Mid-Atlantic.
Public transit is available through the Gaffney Cab Company for a relatively low fare.
Travellers know Gaffney from the Peachoid Peach water tower located along Interstate 85. The Peachoid is a water tower shaped like a peach which some think as an erotic scuplture upon first view. It serves both artistic and practical functions.
Gaffney is served by the Cherokee County School District, which is one unified school district.
The Gaffney High School football team is also well-known regionally. The program boasts 16 State Championships and alumni such as the Washington Redskins' Rocky McIntosh and University of South Carolina All-American and Minnesota Vikings' Sidney Rice. In the 2005-2006 school year the school was chosen as Palmetto's Finest, the highest honor for high schools in the state. The school has succeeded greatly in increasing test scores across the board and increasing the graduation rate.
Notable figures who were born in, lived in, or are otherwise associated with Gaffney.