Barnwell, SC

South Carolina

Barnwell is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 4,616. Residents earn $43,239 per year, which is 42% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
4,616 Population 589/sq mi density
$43,239 Median Income $25,229 per capita
$137,300 Home Value $173,229 Zillow
$545 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
1,176 Violent Crime/100K 5,774 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.0 / 5.0
$43,239 median income, 8.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$137,300 home value, $545/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,176 violent crimes/100K (210% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
18.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $43,239
42% lower than US avg
Home Value $137,300
51% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,176/100K
210% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 18.1%
46% lower than US avg
Median Rent $545
53% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.3%
38% higher than US avg
Unemployment 8.3%
131% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.2%
103% higher than US avg

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

People

Population4,616
Median Age33.5 yrs
Density589/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 46%

Economy

C
Median Income$43,239
Per Capita$25,229
Unemployment8.3%
Poverty25.2%
County GDP$701M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$137,300
Rent$545
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$173,229

Crime

F
Violent1,176/100K
Property5,774/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault791/100K
Burglary1,198/100K

Health

Obesity44.3%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.4%
Heart Disease7.0%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain48.7 in/yr
Elevation205 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+18.1%
High School+78.3%
School Score3.86

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute22 min
EV Stations1
Libraries3

Is Barnwell a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Barnwell receives an overall livability score of 2.6 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. Barnwell has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Barnwell is $43,239, 42% below the national average of $75,149. At 8.3%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 25.2% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Barnwell is $137,300, 51% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $545 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 1,176 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 5,774 per 100,000, 195% above the national average.

Education

18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.3% have completed high school. School test scores average 3.9/10, below typical benchmarks.

Climate & Weather

Barnwell enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Barnwell has a population of 4,616 with a density of 589 people per square mile. The median age is 33.5 years, 14% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (47.9%), with 45.8% White, 1.6% Hispanic.

Population

4,616
Total Population
589
People / sq mi
33.5yrs
Median Age
14% below US avg
7.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.2%
Female 53.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Barnwell vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.5%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.5%
66% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Barnwell vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Barnwell is $43,239, which is 42% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 8.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Barnwell vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$43,239
42% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,229
Avg Weekly Wage$834
IRS Avg AGI$47,524

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment8.3%
131% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.2%
103% above US avg
Establishments (County)427
County GDP$701M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare25
Retail72
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,424
31% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time22.3 min
Work from Home1.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Barnwell is $137,300, 51% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $545 (53% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $173,229.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$137,300
51% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$173,229

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$545
53% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$699
1 Bedroom$709
2 Bedrooms$930
3 Bedrooms$1,115
4 Bedrooms$1,231

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied64.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,424
31% below US avg
Effective Rate1.77%
In Barnwell, 44.3% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.4% report depression. 35.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.3%
38% above US avg
Diabetes16.3%
Heart Disease7.0%
High Blood Pressure41.0%
Asthma11.2%
COPD9.5%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.1%
Physical Inactivity35.2%
Depression22.4%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress16.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.7%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death17,191/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access59.7%
Healthcare Facilities25
Barnwell has a violent crime rate of 1,176 per 100,000 residents, 210% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,774 per 100,000 (195% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,176.2/100K
210% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape21.4/100K
Robbery363.6/100K
Assault791.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,774.2/100K
195% above US avg
Burglary1,197.6/100K
Theft4,491.0/100K
Vehicle Theft85.5/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Barnwell has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.7°F
20% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.7 inches
28% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation205 ft (62 m)
Area7.8 sq mi (20.3 km²)
Population Density589/sq mi
Coordinates33.2416°N, 81.3661°W
County FIPS45011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 18.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (46% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.6%

Winner: Republican by 15.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+18.1%
46% below US avg
High School+78.3%
School Test Score3.86
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density589/sq mi
Total Area7.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations1
Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants35
Retail Stores72

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute22.3 min
Work from Home1.2%

Nearby Cities

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