Pelion, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Pelion is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,147. Residents earn $61,250 per year, which is 18% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,147 Population 312/sq mi density
$61,250 Median Income $28,764 per capita
$148,400 Home Value $150,387 Zillow
$850 Median Rent
65°F Avg Temperature
144 Violent Crime/100K 3,597 property/100K
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A
Economy
4.2 / 5.0
$61,250 median income, 1.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$148,400 home value, $850/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
144 violent crimes/100K (62% below avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
22.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $61,250
18% lower than US avg
Home Value $148,400
47% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 144/100K
62% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 22.5%
33% lower than US avg
Median Rent $850
27% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 37.7%
17% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.4%
61% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.0%
52% lower than US avg

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

People

Population1,147
Median Age50.0 yrs
Density312/mi²
Male / Female48% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 88%

Economy

A
Median Income$61,250
Per Capita$28,764
Unemployment1.4%
Poverty6.0%
County GDP$19,752M
Commute32 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$148,400
Rent$850
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$150,387

Crime

F
Violent144/100K
Property3,597/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary432/100K

Health

Obesity37.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.8%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp65°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain52.0 in/yr
Elevation460 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+22.5%
High School+77.7%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute32 min
Libraries11

Is Pelion a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pelion receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing, a low poverty rate. Pelion offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pelion is $61,250, 18% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.4%. Only 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pelion is $148,400, 47% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $850 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.4x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Pelion is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 144 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,597 per 100,000, 84% above the national average.

Education

22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 77.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Pelion enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Pelion has a population of 1,147 with a density of 312 people per square mile. The median age is 50.0 years, 29% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (87.9%), with 2.5% Hispanic, 4.4% Black.

Population

1,147
Total Population
312
People / sq mi
50.0yrs
Median Age
29% above US avg
3.7mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.5%
Female 52.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Pelion vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Pelion vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pelion is $61,250, which is 18% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.4% (below the 3.6% US average). 6.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 32 minutes.

Income: Pelion vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$61,250
18% below US avg
Per Capita Income$28,764
Avg Weekly Wage$1,077
IRS Avg AGI$75,428

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.4%
61% below US avg
Poverty Rate6.0%
52% below US avg
Establishments (County)8,854
County GDP$19,752M

Business (County)

Restaurants628
Healthcare754
Retail1,199
Manufacturing194

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,132
11% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.11%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time32.3 min
Work from Home4.3%

Walkability

The median home value in Pelion is $148,400, 47% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $850 (27% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $150,387.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$148,400
47% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$150,387

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$850
27% 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-Occupied86.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,132
11% below US avg
Effective Rate2.11%
In Pelion, 37.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 27.8% report depression. 30.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity37.7%
17% above US avg
Diabetes11.6%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure34.4%
Asthma9.6%
COPD8.3%
Stroke3.6%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking17.1%
Physical Inactivity30.4%
Depression27.8%
Mental Distress19.8%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death8,865/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.1/10
Exercise Access68.9%
Healthcare Facilities754
Pelion has a violent crime rate of 144 per 100,000 residents, 62% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,597 per 100,000 (84% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent143.9/100K
62% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape143.9/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,597.1/100K
84% above US avg
Burglary431.7/100K
Theft3,021.6/100K
Vehicle Theft143.9/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)41

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Pelion has an average annual temperature of 65°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average64.8°F
20% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.0 inches
37% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation460 ft (140 m)
Area3.7 sq mi (9.5 km²)
Population Density312/sq mi
Coordinates33.7849°N, 81.2597°W
County FIPS45063
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 22.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (33% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 33.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 66%
D 32.6%

Winner: Republican by 33.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+22.5%
33% below US avg
High School+77.7%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density312/sq mi
Total Area3.7 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries11
Healthcare Facilities754
Restaurants628
Retail Stores1,199

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)41
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute32.3 min
Work from Home4.3%

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