Median Income
$69,837
7% lower than US avg
Home Value
$261,800
7% lower than US avg
Violent Crime
361/100K
5% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+
45.1%
34% higher than US avg
Median Rent
$1,199
3% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate
34.1%
6% higher than US avg
Unemployment
2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate
9.8%
21% lower than US avg
How Aiken Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)
People
Population32,334
Median Age46.5 yrs
Density1,487/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 60%
Economy
A
Median Income$69,837
Per Capita$41,976
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty9.8%
County GDP$10,365M
Commute24 min
Housing
A+
Home Value$261,800
Rent$1,199
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$266,792
Crime
F
Violent361/100K
Property4,981/100K
Murder3.3/100K
Assault230/100K
Burglary798/100K
Health
Obesity34.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.5%
Heart Disease5.0%
Climate
Avg Temp64°F
AQI39 (Good)
Elevation515 ft
Education
A+
Bachelor's+45.1%
High School+93.1%
School Score4.81
Community
2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute24 min
EV Stations7
Libraries7
Is Aiken a Good Place to Live?
Based on current data, Aiken receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, high health insurance coverage. Aiken offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
Economy & Jobs
The median household income in Aiken is $69,837, roughly in line with the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 9.8% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.
Cost of Living & Housing
The median home value in Aiken is $261,800, roughly aligned with the national median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,199 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.
Safety & Crime
Violent crime in Aiken is below the national average at 361 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,981 per 100,000, 154% above the national average.
Education
Educational attainment is solid, with 45.1% holding a bachelor's degree or higher, near the national average. 93.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.8/10.
Climate & Weather
Aiken enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Aiken has a population of 32,334 with a density of 1,487 people per square mile. The median age is 46.5 years, 20% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (60.1%), with 1.1% Hispanic, 32.2% Black.
Population
46.5yrs
Median Age
20% above US avg
Language Spoken at Home
| English Only | 95.1% |
| 21% above US avg |
| Spanish | 4.9% |
| 63% below US avg |
The median household income in Aiken is $69,837, which is 7% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 9.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.
Income
| Median HH Income | $69,837 |
| 7% below US avg |
| Per Capita Income | $41,976 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $1,218 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $70,046 |
Employment & Poverty
| Unemployment | 2.5% |
| 31% below US avg |
| Poverty Rate | 9.8% |
| 21% below US avg |
| Establishments (County) | 3,807 |
| County GDP | $10,365M |
Business (County)
| Restaurants | 302 |
| Healthcare | 381 |
| Retail | 524 |
| Manufacturing | 92 |
Tax & Cost of Living
| Property Tax (IRS) | $2,845 |
| 19% below US avg |
| Effective Tax Rate | 1.09% |
Commute & Transportation
| Commute Time | 23.5 min |
| Work from Home | 9.8% |
The median home value in Aiken is $261,800, 7% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,199 (3% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $266,792.
Home Values
| Census Median | $261,800 |
| 7% below US avg |
| Zillow ZHVI | $266,792 |
| Median List Price | $321,750 |
Real Estate Market (Redfin)
| Median List Price | $321,750 |
| $/Sq Ft | $158 |
| Homes Sold | 39 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 97.0% |
| Price Drops | 58.0% |
| Inventory | 219 |
Rental Costs
| Census Median Rent | $1,199 |
| 3% above US avg |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $1,362 |
HUD Fair Market Rent
| Studio | $939 |
| 1 Bedroom | $1,114 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,261 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,627 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,984 |
Ownership & Property
Property Tax
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $2,845 |
| 19% below US avg |
| Effective Rate | 1.09% |
In Aiken, 34.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.5% report depression. 23.9% are physically inactive.
Health Metrics: Aiken vs U.S. Average (%)
Chronic Conditions
| Obesity | 34.1% |
| 6% above US avg |
| Diabetes | 10.9% |
| Heart Disease | 5.0% |
| High Blood Pressure | 33.1% |
| Asthma | 10.1% |
| COPD | 5.7% |
| Stroke | 3.1% |
Behaviors & Mental Health
| |
| Binge Drinking | 17.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 23.9% |
| Depression | 23.5% |
| Mental Distress | 16.7% |
| Physical Distress | 12.3% |
Healthcare Access
| Insurance Rate | 94.1% |
| |
| Checkup Rate | 80.2% |
| Premature Death | 12,449/100K |
Food & Exercise
| Food Environment | 7.8/10 |
| Exercise Access | 63.4% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 381 |
Aiken has a violent crime rate of 361 per 100,000 residents, 5% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,981 per 100,000 (154% above US avg). The murder rate is 3.3 per 100,000.
Crime Rates: Aiken vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)
Violent Crime
| Total Violent | 361.2/100K |
| 5% below US avg |
| Murder | 3.3/100K |
| 48% below US avg |
| Rape | 46.0/100K |
| Robbery | 82.1/100K |
| Assault | 229.8/100K |
Property Crime
| Total Property | 4,980.6/100K |
| 154% above US avg |
| Burglary | 797.8/100K |
| Theft | 3,995.7/100K |
| Vehicle Theft | 187.1/100K |
| Arson | 9.9/100K |
Traffic Safety
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 28 |
Safety Score
| Safety Grade | F |
| Safety Score | 1.0 / 5.0 |
Aiken has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 39.
Temperature
45°F Jan (7°C)
82°F Jul (28°C)
| Annual Average | 63.9°F |
| 18% above US avg |
| January Average | 45°F (7°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 39.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 89.1% |
| Unhealthy Days | 0 |
Geography
| Elevation | 515 ft (157 m) |
| Area | 21.8 sq mi (56.3 km²) |
| Population Density | 1,487/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.5316°N, 81.7251°W |
| County FIPS | 45003 |