Bamberg, SC

South Carolina

Bamberg is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 3,036. Residents earn $27,614 per year, which is 63% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
3,036 Population 848/sq mi density
$27,614 Median Income $20,474 per capita
$129,500 Home Value $148,753 Zillow
$779 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
688 Violent Crime/100K 3,439 property/100K
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
F
Economy
1.3 / 5.0
$27,614 median income, 8.7% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.0 / 5.0
$129,500 home value, $779/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
688 violent crimes/100K (81% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $27,614
63% lower than US avg
Home Value $129,500
54% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 688/100K
81% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.1%
23% lower than US avg
Median Rent $779
33% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.1%
34% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.7%
142% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.5%
146% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,036
Median Age44.7 yrs
Density848/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 41%

Economy

F
Median Income$27,614
Per Capita$20,474
Unemployment8.7%
Poverty30.5%
County GDP$510M
Commute23 min

Housing

A
Home Value$129,500
Rent$779
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$148,753

Crime

F
Violent688/100K
Property3,439/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault602/100K
Burglary774/100K

Health

Obesity43.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.0%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain48.5 in/yr
Elevation161 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.1%
High School+76.0%
School Score4.26

Community

2024 VoteR 42% / D 57%
Commute23 min
EV Stations1
Libraries2

Is Bamberg a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bamberg 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. Bamberg has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bamberg is $27,614, 63% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.7%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 30.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bamberg is $129,500, 54% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $779 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.7x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 688 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 3,439 per 100,000, 75% above the national average.

Education

26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.3/10.

Climate & Weather

Bamberg enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bamberg has a population of 3,036 with a density of 848 people per square mile. The median age is 44.7 years, 15% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (57.3%), with 41.1% White.

Population

3,036
Total Population
848
People / sq mi
44.7yrs
Median Age
15% above US avg
3.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.1%
Female 54.9%

Race & Ethnicity

Bamberg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only98.1%
25% above US avg
Spanish1.9%
86% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Bamberg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bamberg is $27,614, which is 63% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 30.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 23 minutes.

Income: Bamberg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$27,614
63% below US avg
Per Capita Income$20,474
Avg Weekly Wage$904
IRS Avg AGI$51,522

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.7%
142% above US avg
Poverty Rate30.5%
146% above US avg
Establishments (County)307
County GDP$510M

Business (County)

Restaurants24
Healthcare42
Retail54
Manufacturing17

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,988
15% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.31%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.2 min
Work from Home4.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Bamberg is $129,500, 54% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $779 (33% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $148,753.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$129,500
54% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$148,753

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$779
33% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$678
1 Bedroom$687
2 Bedrooms$902
3 Bedrooms$1,183
4 Bedrooms$1,194

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied69.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,988
15% below US avg
Effective Rate2.31%
In Bamberg, 43.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.0% report depression. 30.6% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.1%
34% above US avg
Diabetes15.4%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure40.9%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.1%
Stroke4.4%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.3%
Physical Inactivity30.6%
Depression22.0%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.7%
Checkup Rate80.7%
Premature Death15,722/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.6/10
Exercise Access32.6%
Healthcare Facilities42
Bamberg has a violent crime rate of 688 per 100,000 residents, 81% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,439 per 100,000 (75% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent687.9/100K
81% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery86.0/100K
Assault601.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,439.4/100K
75% above US avg
Burglary773.9/100K
Theft2,493.6/100K
Vehicle Theft172.0/100K
Arson28.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Bamberg has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.4°F
19% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall0.3 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation161 ft (49 m)
Area3.6 sq mi (9.3 km²)
Population Density848/sq mi
Coordinates33.3001°N, 81.0312°W
County FIPS45009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural. 26.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (23% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 15.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 41.7%
D 57%

Winner: Democrat by 15.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+26.1%
23% below US avg
High School+76.0%
School Test Score4.26
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 9Nonmetro — Rural
Population Density848/sq mi
Total Area3.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities42
Restaurants24
Retail Stores54

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)2
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.2 min
Work from Home4.7%

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