Clifton, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Clifton is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 861. Residents earn $48,357 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

3.5 /5.0
B+ Good
861 Population 805/sq mi density
$48,357 Median Income $14,094 per capita
$115,000 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.5 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.3 / 5.0
$48,357 median income, 5.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,000 home value
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,357
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,000
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.5%
20% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.3%
47% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 57.9%
367% higher than US avg

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

People

Population861
Median Age31.5 yrs
Density805/mi²
Male / Female74% / 26%
Largest GroupWhite 93%

Economy

C
Median Income$48,357
Per Capita$14,094
Unemployment5.3%
Poverty57.9%
County GDP$22,980M
Commute21 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,000
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.5%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain50.2 in/yr
Elevation664 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+0.0%
High School+52.7%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute21 min
Libraries10

Is Clifton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Clifton receives an overall livability score of 3.5 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Clifton offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Clifton is $48,357, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 57.9% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Clifton is $115,000, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 52.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Clifton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Clifton has a population of 861 with a density of 805 people per square mile. The median age is 31.5 years, 19% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (93.1%), with 6.9% Black.

Population

861
Total Population
805
People / sq mi
31.5yrs
Median Age
19% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 73.8%
Female 26.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Clifton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only52.5%
33% below US avg
Spanish47.5%
254% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Clifton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Clifton is $48,357, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 57.9% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Clifton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,357
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$14,094
Avg Weekly Wage$1,145
IRS Avg AGI$67,958

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.3%
47% above US avg
Poverty Rate57.9%
367% above US avg
Establishments (County)8,388
County GDP$22,980M

Business (County)

Restaurants644
Healthcare647
Retail1,084
Manufacturing421

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,607
3% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate3.14%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Clifton is $115,000, 59% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,000
59% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

HUD Fair Market Rent

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

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied40.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,607
3% above US avg
Effective Rate3.14%
In Clifton, 38.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.5% report depression. 28.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.5%
20% above US avg
Diabetes12.3%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure36.0%
Asthma10.2%
COPD8.4%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.2%
Physical Inactivity28.4%
Depression27.5%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate75.2%
Checkup Rate76.4%
Premature Death11,013/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.2/10
Exercise Access72.4%
Healthcare Facilities647

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Safety Score

Clifton has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average61.2°F
13% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.2 inches
32% above US avg
Snowfall0.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation664 ft (202 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.8 km²)
Population Density805/sq mi
Coordinates34.9861°N, 81.8204°W
County FIPS45083
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 0.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (100% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66.2%
D 32.6%

Winner: Republican by 33.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+0.0%
100% below US avg
High School+52.7%
School Test Score4.51
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density805/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities647
Restaurants644
Retail Stores1,084

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)52

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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