Fort Lawn, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Fort Lawn is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,144. Residents earn $54,141 per year, which is 28% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,144 Population 823/sq mi density
$54,141 Median Income $25,254 per capita
$189,000 Home Value $247,497 Zillow
$1,280 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
689 Violent Crime/100K 2,870 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$54,141 median income, 6.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$189,000 home value, $1,280/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
689 violent crimes/100K (81% above avg)
C
Education
2.4 / 5.0
17.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $54,141
28% lower than US avg
Home Value $189,000
33% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 689/100K
81% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 17.0%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,280
10% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 34.9%
9% higher than US avg
Unemployment 6.9%
92% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.0%
5% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,144
Median Age29.8 yrs
Density823/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 42%

Economy

B
Median Income$54,141
Per Capita$25,254
Unemployment6.9%
Poverty13.0%
County GDP$5,253M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$189,000
Rent$1,280
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$247,497

Crime

F
Violent689/100K
Property2,870/100K
Murder114.8/100K
Assault459/100K
Burglary804/100K

Health

Obesity34.9%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.8 in/yr
Elevation522 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+17.0%
High School+79.2%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute29 min
EV Stations2
Libraries3

Is Fort Lawn a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Fort Lawn receives an overall livability score of 2.8 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, below-average incomes. Fort Lawn has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Fort Lawn is $54,141, 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.9% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. 13.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Fort Lawn is $189,000, 33% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,280 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 689 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 2,870 per 100,000, 46% above the national average.

Education

17.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 79.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Fort Lawn enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 61°F. Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 47.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Fort Lawn has a population of 1,144 with a density of 823 people per square mile. The median age is 29.8 years, 23% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (48.4%), with 41.9% White, 7.4% Hispanic.

Population

1,144
Total Population
823
People / sq mi
29.8yrs
Median Age
23% below US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.2%
Female 51.8%

Race & Ethnicity

Fort Lawn vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.6%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.4%
75% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Fort Lawn vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Fort Lawn is $54,141, which is 28% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Fort Lawn vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$54,141
28% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,254
Avg Weekly Wage$1,241
IRS Avg AGI$84,245

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.9%
92% above US avg
Poverty Rate13.0%
5% above US avg
Establishments (County)2,236
County GDP$5,253M

Business (County)

Restaurants162
Healthcare186
Retail272
Manufacturing55

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,400
3% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.80%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.6 min
Work from Home2.2%

Walkability

The median home value in Fort Lawn is $189,000, 33% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,280 (10% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $247,497.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$189,000
33% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$247,497

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,280
10% 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-Occupied61.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,400
3% below US avg
Effective Rate1.80%
In Fort Lawn, 34.9% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 27.0% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Fort Lawn vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity34.9%
9% above US avg
Diabetes11.9%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure35.7%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.9%
Physical Inactivity27.0%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate86.0%
Checkup Rate78.1%
Premature Death11,214/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access72.7%
Healthcare Facilities186
Fort Lawn has a violent crime rate of 689 per 100,000 residents, 81% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,870 per 100,000 (46% above US avg). The murder rate is 114.8 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent688.9/100K
81% above US avg
Murder114.8/100K
1722% above US avg
Rape114.8/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault459.2/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,870.3/100K
46% above US avg
Burglary803.7/100K
Theft1,951.8/100K
Vehicle Theft114.8/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Fort Lawn has an average annual temperature of 61°F (16°C). Winters average 42°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 47.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

42°F Jan (5°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average60.9°F
13% above US avg
January Average42°F (5°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall47.8 inches
26% above US avg
Snowfall2.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation522 ft (159 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.6 km²)
Population Density823/sq mi
Coordinates34.7002°N, 80.8991°W
County FIPS45057
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 17.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 24.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 61.8%
D 37%

Winner: Republican by 24.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+17.0%
50% below US avg
High School+79.2%
School Test Score4.51
C Education Grade (2.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density823/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities186
Restaurants162
Retail Stores272

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.6 min
Work from Home2.2%

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