Johnston, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Johnston is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 2,518. Residents earn $34,957 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,518 Population 961/sq mi density
$34,957 Median Income $22,252 per capita
$100,400 Home Value $145,103 Zillow
$803 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
775 Violent Crime/100K 2,582 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.6 / 5.0
$34,957 median income, 3.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$100,400 home value, $803/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
775 violent crimes/100K (104% above avg)
C
Education
2.1 / 5.0
13.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $34,957
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $100,400
64% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 775/100K
104% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 13.8%
59% lower than US avg
Median Rent $803
31% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 47.0%
46% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.7%
3% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 22.3%
80% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,518
Median Age45.7 yrs
Density961/mi²
Male / Female43% / 57%
Largest GroupWhite 26%

Economy

C+
Median Income$34,957
Per Capita$22,252
Unemployment3.7%
Poverty22.3%
County GDP$894M
Commute25 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$100,400
Rent$803
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$145,103

Crime

F
Violent775/100K
Property2,582/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault688/100K
Burglary301/100K

Health

Obesity47.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.6%
Heart Disease7.4%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain48.5 in/yr
Elevation640 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+13.8%
High School+83.2%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute25 min
Libraries2

Is Johnston a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Johnston is $34,957, 53% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.7%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 22.3% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Johnston is $100,400, 64% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $803 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 775 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 2,582 per 100,000, 32% above the national average.

Education

13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 83.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Johnston enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Johnston has a population of 2,518 with a density of 961 people per square mile. The median age is 45.7 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (65.9%), with 26.1% White, 2% Hispanic.

Population

2,518
Total Population
961
People / sq mi
45.7yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
2.6mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.4%
Female 56.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Johnston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only93.1%
19% above US avg
Spanish6.9%
49% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Johnston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Johnston is $34,957, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 22.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 25 minutes.

Income: Johnston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$34,957
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$22,252
Avg Weekly Wage$1,013
IRS Avg AGI$68,071

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.7%
3% above US avg
Poverty Rate22.3%
80% above US avg
Establishments (County)459
County GDP$894M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare27
Retail52
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,582
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.57%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.6 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Johnston is $100,400, 64% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $803 (31% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $145,103.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$100,400
64% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$145,103

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$803
31% 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-Occupied58.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,582
26% below US avg
Effective Rate2.57%
In Johnston, 47.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.6% report depression. 37.0% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity47.0%
46% above US avg
Diabetes18.8%
Heart Disease7.4%
High Blood Pressure43.2%
Asthma11.6%
COPD10.1%
Stroke5.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.3%
Physical Inactivity37.0%
Depression21.6%
Mental Distress21.2%
Physical Distress17.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate80.6%
Checkup Rate80.8%
Premature Death11,214/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access41.9%
Healthcare Facilities27
Johnston has a violent crime rate of 775 per 100,000 residents, 104% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,582 per 100,000 (32% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent774.5/100K
104% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery86.1/100K
Assault688.5/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,581.8/100K
32% above US avg
Burglary301.2/100K
Theft2,022.4/100K
Vehicle Theft258.2/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Johnston has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.7°F
16% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall1.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation640 ft (195 m)
Area2.6 sq mi (6.8 km²)
Population Density961/sq mi
Coordinates33.8334°N, 81.8048°W
County FIPS45037
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 13.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (59% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.3%
D 33.5%

Winner: Republican by 31.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+13.8%
59% below US avg
High School+83.2%
School Test Score4.51
C Education Grade (2.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density961/sq mi
Total Area2.6 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants27
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.6 min
Work from Home3.1%

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