Elko, SC

South Carolina

Elko is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 198. Residents earn $41,023 per year, which is 45% below the national average.

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
198 Population 189/sq mi density
$41,023 Median Income $17,849 per capita
$85,700 Home Value
N/A Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.1 / 5.0
$41,023 median income, 37.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$85,700 home value
D
Education
1.6 / 5.0
7.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $41,023
45% lower than US avg
Home Value $85,700
70% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 7.8%
77% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 43.9%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 37.1%
931% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

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

People

Population198
Median Age32.6 yrs
Density189/mi²
Male / Female68% / 32%
Largest GroupWhite 24%

Economy

C
Median Income$41,023
Per Capita$17,849
Unemployment37.1%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$701M
Commute36 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$85,700
RentN/A
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity43.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.5%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation336 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+7.8%
High School+59.8%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute36 min
Broadband67.0%
Libraries3

Is Elko a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Elko receives an overall livability score of 2.9 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, long commute times. Elko has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Elko is $41,023, 45% below the national average of $75,149. At 37.1%, unemployment is notably high. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Elko is $85,700, 70% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 59.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Elko enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Elko has a population of 198 with a density of 189 people per square mile. The median age is 32.6 years, 16% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (75.8%), with 24.2% White.

Population

198
Total Population
189
People / sq mi
32.6yrs
Median Age
16% below US avg
1.1mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 67.7%
Female 32.3%

Race & Ethnicity

Elko vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Elko vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Elko is $41,023, which is 45% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 37.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 36 minutes.

Income: Elko vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$41,023
45% below US avg
Per Capita Income$17,849
Avg Weekly Wage$834
IRS Avg AGI$47,524

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment37.1%
931% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% 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 Rate2.83%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time35.8 min
Work from Home5.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Elko is $85,700, 70% below the national average.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$85,700
70% 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-Occupied79.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,424
31% below US avg
Effective Rate2.83%
In Elko, 43.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.5% report depression. 32.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity43.9%
37% above US avg
Diabetes15.7%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure40.3%
Asthma10.5%
COPD7.8%
Stroke4.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.1%
Physical Inactivity32.2%
Depression20.5%
Mental Distress18.9%
Physical Distress15.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate66.7%
Checkup Rate79.2%
Premature Death17,191/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access59.7%
Healthcare Facilities25

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Elko has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.9°F
18% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation336 ft (102 m)
Area1.1 sq mi (2.7 km²)
Population Density189/sq mi
Coordinates33.3807°N, 81.3805°W
County FIPS45011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 7.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (77% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.5-point margin. 67.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.6%

Winner: Republican by 15.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+7.8%
77% below US avg
High School+59.8%
School Test Score4.51
D Education Grade (1.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density189/sq mi
Total Area1.1 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access67.0%
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants35
Retail Stores72

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute35.8 min
Work from Home5.7%

Nearby Cities

Compare Elko with another city: