Chesnee, SC

South Carolina

Chesnee is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 804. Residents earn $39,375 per year, which is 48% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
804 Population 751/sq mi density
$39,375 Median Income $23,275 per capita
$109,800 Home Value $289,768 Zillow
$839 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
336 Violent Crime/100K 3,251 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$39,375 median income, 2.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$109,800 home value, $839/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
336 violent crimes/100K (11% below avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $39,375
48% lower than US avg
Home Value $109,800
61% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 336/100K
11% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.0%
73% lower than US avg
Median Rent $839
28% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.1%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.8%
22% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.0%
37% higher than US avg

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

People

Population804
Median Age43.3 yrs
Density751/mi²
Male / Female49% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 83%

Economy

B
Median Income$39,375
Per Capita$23,275
Unemployment2.8%
Poverty17.0%
County GDP$2,342M
Commute26 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$109,800
Rent$839
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$289,768

Crime

F
Violent336/100K
Property3,251/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault336/100K
Burglary673/100K

Health

Obesity44.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression28.2%
Heart Disease7.5%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain51.7 in/yr
Elevation889 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.0%
High School+76.9%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute26 min
Libraries3

Is Chesnee a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Chesnee receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Chesnee has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Chesnee is $39,375, 48% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.8%. The poverty rate of 17.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Chesnee is $109,800, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $839 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.8x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Violent crime in Chesnee is below the national average at 336 per 100,000 residents (U.S. avg: 380). Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,251 per 100,000, 66% above the national average.

Education

9.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 76.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Chesnee enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Chesnee has a population of 804 with a density of 751 people per square mile. The median age is 43.3 years, 11% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (82.7%), with 3.4% Hispanic, 11.6% Black.

Population

804
Total Population
751
People / sq mi
43.3yrs
Median Age
11% above US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.5%
Female 51.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Chesnee vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only92.4%
18% above US avg
Spanish7.6%
43% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Chesnee vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Chesnee is $39,375, which is 48% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Chesnee vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$39,375
48% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,275
Avg Weekly Wage$928
IRS Avg AGI$54,729

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.8%
22% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.0%
37% above US avg
Establishments (County)988
County GDP$2,342M

Business (County)

Restaurants86
Healthcare80
Retail197
Manufacturing65

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,948
44% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time26.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Chesnee is $109,800, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $839 (28% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $289,768.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$109,800
61% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$289,768
Median List Price$340,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$340,000
$/Sq Ft$133
Homes Sold3
Sale-to-List Ratio96.4%
Price Drops58.3%
Inventory12

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$839
28% below 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-Occupied53.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,948
44% below US avg
Effective Rate1.77%
In Chesnee, 44.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 28.2% report depression. 35.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.1%
37% above US avg
Diabetes15.9%
Heart Disease7.5%
High Blood Pressure41.0%
Asthma11.3%
COPD10.7%
Stroke4.8%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.9%
Physical Inactivity35.4%
Depression28.2%
Mental Distress21.9%
Physical Distress18.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.4%
Checkup Rate77.7%
Premature Death14,798/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access58.1%
Healthcare Facilities80
Chesnee has a violent crime rate of 336 per 100,000 residents, 11% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,251 per 100,000 (66% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent336.3/100K
11% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault336.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,251.1/100K
66% above US avg
Burglary672.7/100K
Theft2,354.3/100K
Vehicle Theft224.2/100K
Arson112.1/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Chesnee has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.7°F
9% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.7 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall1.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation889 ft (271 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density751/sq mi
Coordinates35.1462°N, 81.8630°W
County FIPS45021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 9.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (73% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.3%
D 23.9%

Winner: Republican by 51.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.0%
73% below US avg
High School+76.9%
School Test Score4.51
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density751/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities80
Restaurants86
Retail Stores197

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute26.1 min
Work from Home4.9%

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