Orangeburg, SC

South Carolina

Orangeburg is a small city in South Carolina with a population of 13,189. Residents earn $33,066 per year, which is 56% below the national average.

2.6 /5.0
C+ Fair
13,189 Population 1,464/sq mi density
$33,066 Median Income $19,929 per capita
$145,000 Home Value $156,094 Zillow
$765 Median Rent
66°F Avg Temperature
663 Violent Crime/100K 4,806 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.6 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.2 / 5.0
$33,066 median income, 5.7% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$145,000 home value, $765/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
663 violent crimes/100K (74% above avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $33,066
56% lower than US avg
Home Value $145,000
49% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 663/100K
74% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.2%
19% lower than US avg
Median Rent $765
34% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.0%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 5.7%
58% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 23.6%
90% higher than US avg

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

People

Population13,189
Median Age37.4 yrs
Density1,464/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 23%

Economy

C
Median Income$33,066
Per Capita$19,929
Unemployment5.7%
Poverty23.6%
County GDP$4,007M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$145,000
Rent$765
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$156,094

Crime

F
Violent663/100K
Property4,806/100K
Murder21.6/100K
Assault512/100K
Burglary1,059/100K

Health

Obesity45.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.7%
Heart Disease6.7%

Climate

Avg Temp66°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain50.5 in/yr
Elevation176 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.2%
High School+81.7%
School Score3.54

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 62%
Commute24 min
EV Stations3
Libraries7

Is Orangeburg a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Orangeburg is $33,066, 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 5.7% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. The poverty rate of 23.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Orangeburg is $145,000, 49% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $765 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.4x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 663 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 4,806 per 100,000, 145% above the national average.

Education

27.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 81.7% have completed high school. School test scores average 3.5/10, below typical benchmarks.

Climate & Weather

Orangeburg enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 66°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Orangeburg has a population of 13,189 with a density of 1,464 people per square mile. The median age is 37.4 years, 4% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (73.9%), with 23.2% White, 1.2% Hispanic.

Population

13,189
Total Population
1,464
People / sq mi
37.4yrs
Median Age
4% below US avg
9.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.6%
Female 53.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Orangeburg vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Orangeburg vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Orangeburg is $33,066, which is 56% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 5.7% (above the 3.6% US average). 23.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Orangeburg vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$33,066
56% below US avg
Per Capita Income$19,929
Avg Weekly Wage$1,044
IRS Avg AGI$53,531

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment5.7%
58% above US avg
Poverty Rate23.6%
90% above US avg
Establishments (County)1,850
County GDP$4,007M

Business (County)

Restaurants183
Healthcare217
Retail340
Manufacturing71

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,721
22% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.88%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time23.8 min
Work from Home8.9%

Walkability

The median home value in Orangeburg is $145,000, 49% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $765 (34% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $156,094.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$145,000
49% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$156,094
Median List Price$189,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$189,900
$/Sq Ft$112
Homes Sold7
Sale-to-List Ratio95.1%
Price Drops20.3%
Inventory64

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$765
34% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,274

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$709
1 Bedroom$750
2 Bedrooms$910
3 Bedrooms$1,091
4 Bedrooms$1,205

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied44.8%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,721
22% below US avg
Effective Rate1.88%
In Orangeburg, 45.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.7% report depression. 34.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.0%
40% above US avg
Diabetes17.4%
Heart Disease6.7%
High Blood Pressure44.6%
Asthma11.6%
COPD8.7%
Stroke5.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.9%
Physical Inactivity34.3%
Depression21.7%
Mental Distress19.6%
Physical Distress15.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate88.5%
Checkup Rate83.1%
Premature Death16,385/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access49.4%
Healthcare Facilities217
Orangeburg has a violent crime rate of 663 per 100,000 residents, 74% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,806 per 100,000 (145% above US avg). The murder rate is 21.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent662.9/100K
74% above US avg
Murder21.6/100K
243% above US avg
Rape36.0/100K
Robbery93.7/100K
Assault511.6/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,806.2/100K
145% above US avg
Burglary1,059.2/100K
Theft3,429.9/100K
Vehicle Theft317.1/100K
Arson7.2/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Orangeburg has an average annual temperature of 66°F (19°C). Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

48°F Jan (9°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average65.6°F
21% above US avg
January Average48°F (9°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.5 inches
33% above US avg
Snowfall0.1 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation176 ft (54 m)
Area9.0 sq mi (23.3 km²)
Population Density1,464/sq mi
Coordinates33.4936°N, 80.8669°W
County FIPS45075
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 27.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (19% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 24.6-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 37.2%
D 61.8%

Winner: Democrat by 24.6 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.2%
19% below US avg
High School+81.7%
School Test Score3.54
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density1,464/sq mi
Total Area9.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations4
Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities217
Restaurants183
Retail Stores340

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute23.8 min
Work from Home8.9%

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