Great Falls, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Great Falls is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,741. Residents earn $30,475 per year, which is 59% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,741 Population 411/sq mi density
$30,475 Median Income $22,710 per capita
$59,400 Home Value $140,811 Zillow
$822 Median Rent
61°F Avg Temperature
462 Violent Crime/100K 5,333 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$30,475 median income, 1.8% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$59,400 home value, $822/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
462 violent crimes/100K (21% above avg)
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
9.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $30,475
59% lower than US avg
Home Value $59,400
79% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 462/100K
21% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.6%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $822
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.0%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.1%
94% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,741
Median Age39.5 yrs
Density411/mi²
Male / Female40% / 60%
Largest GroupWhite 55%

Economy

C+
Median Income$30,475
Per Capita$22,710
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty24.1%
County GDP$5,253M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$59,400
Rent$822
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$140,811

Crime

F
Violent462/100K
Property5,333/100K
Murder51.3/100K
Assault359/100K
Burglary1,128/100K

Health

Obesity40.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease7.6%

Climate

Avg Temp61°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain47.8 in/yr
Elevation474 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.6%
High School+84.1%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 37%
Commute32 min
Libraries3

Is Great Falls a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Great Falls receives an overall livability score of 2.6 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. Great Falls has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Great Falls is $30,475, 59% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. The poverty rate of 24.1% 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 Great Falls is $59,400, 79% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $822 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 1.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 462 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 5,333 per 100,000, 172% above the national average.

Education

9.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Great Falls 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.

Great Falls has a population of 1,741 with a density of 411 people per square mile. The median age is 39.5 years, 2% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (54.5%), with 35% Black.

Population

1,741
Total Population
411
People / sq mi
39.5yrs
Median Age
2% above US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 40.3%
Female 59.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Great Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.9%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.1%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Great Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Great Falls is $30,475, which is 59% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 24.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Great Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$30,475
59% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,710
Avg Weekly Wage$1,241
IRS Avg AGI$84,245

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate24.1%
94% 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 Rate5.72%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.2 min
Work from Home8.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Great Falls is $59,400, 79% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $822 (29% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $140,811.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$59,400
79% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$140,811
Median List Price$485,000

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$485,000
$/Sq Ft$74
Homes Sold1
Sale-to-List Ratio96.9%
Price Drops21.4%
Inventory14

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$822
29% 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-Occupied84.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,400
3% below US avg
Effective Rate5.72%
In Great Falls, 40.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 35.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Great Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.0%
25% above US avg
Diabetes15.3%
Heart Disease7.6%
High Blood Pressure40.5%
Asthma11.4%
COPD10.5%
Stroke4.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity35.3%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress22.1%
Physical Distress17.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate81.1%
Checkup Rate78.0%
Premature Death11,214/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.2/10
Exercise Access72.7%
Healthcare Facilities186
Great Falls has a violent crime rate of 462 per 100,000 residents, 21% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 5,333 per 100,000 (172% above US avg). The murder rate is 51.3 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent461.5/100K
21% above US avg
Murder51.3/100K
714% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery51.3/100K
Assault359.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property5,333.3/100K
172% above US avg
Burglary1,128.2/100K
Theft3,948.7/100K
Vehicle Theft256.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)14

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Great Falls 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

Elevation474 ft (144 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (11.0 km²)
Population Density411/sq mi
Coordinates34.5721°N, 80.9053°W
County FIPS45057
It is classified as Metro — 1 million+. 9.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% 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+9.6%
72% below US avg
High School+84.1%
School Test Score4.51
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 1Metro — 1 million+
Population Density411/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities186
Restaurants162
Retail Stores272

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.2 min
Work from Home8.8%

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