Bethune, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Bethune is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 421. Residents earn $42,656 per year, which is 43% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
421 Population 383/sq mi density
$42,656 Median Income $26,647 per capita
$96,400 Home Value $156,782 Zillow
$1,644 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$42,656 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$96,400 home value, $1,644/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $42,656
43% lower than US avg
Home Value $96,400
66% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.6%
36% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,644
41% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.0%
15% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 38.0%
206% higher than US avg

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

People

Population421
Median Age38.0 yrs
Density383/mi²
Male / Female53% / 47%
Largest GroupWhite 81%

Economy

C+
Median Income$42,656
Per Capita$26,647
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty38.0%
County GDP$3,417M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$96,400
Rent$1,644
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$156,782

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity37.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.9%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.7 in/yr
Elevation279 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.6%
High School+77.3%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 63% / D 35%
Commute32 min
Libraries4

Is Bethune a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Bethune receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Bethune offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Bethune is $42,656, 43% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. The poverty rate of 38.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Bethune is $96,400, 66% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,644 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. At just 2.3x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Bethune enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Bethune has a population of 421 with a density of 383 people per square mile. The median age is 38.0 years, 2% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (80.8%), with 1.4% Hispanic, 5.9% Black.

Population

421
Total Population
383
People / sq mi
38.0yrs
Median Age
2% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 53%
Female 47%

Race & Ethnicity

Bethune vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only85.5%
9% above US avg
Spanish14.5%
8% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Bethune vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Bethune is $42,656, which is 43% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 38.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Bethune vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$42,656
43% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,647
Avg Weekly Wage$944
IRS Avg AGI$62,325

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate38.0%
206% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,568
County GDP$3,417M

Business (County)

Restaurants99
Healthcare110
Retail212
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,797
20% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.1 min
Work from Home3.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Bethune is $96,400, 66% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,644 (41% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $156,782.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$96,400
66% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$156,782

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,644
41% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$928
1 Bedroom$982
2 Bedrooms$1,155
3 Bedrooms$1,450
4 Bedrooms$1,699

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied67.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,797
20% below US avg
Effective Rate2.90%
In Bethune, 37.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.9% report depression. 30.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.0%
15% above US avg
Diabetes12.9%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure35.7%
Asthma10.3%
COPD8.9%
Stroke3.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity30.4%
Depression25.9%
Mental Distress20.4%
Physical Distress16.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.3%
Checkup Rate76.8%
Premature Death12,077/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.5/10
Exercise Access37.0%
Healthcare Facilities110

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Safety Score

Bethune has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.6°F
16% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.7 inches
23% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation279 ft (85 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density383/sq mi
Coordinates34.4142°N, 80.3487°W
County FIPS45055
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 21.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (36% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.5%
D 35.3%

Winner: Republican by 28.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.6%
36% below US avg
High School+77.3%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density383/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities110
Restaurants99
Retail Stores212

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)15

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.1 min
Work from Home3.0%

Nearby Cities

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