Pendleton, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Pendleton is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 3,542. Residents earn $60,517 per year, which is 19% below the national average.

4.3 /5.0
A Great
3,542 Population 721/sq mi density
$60,517 Median Income $42,765 per capita
$236,900 Home Value $278,210 Zillow
$891 Median Rent
62°F Avg Temperature
A
Overall
4.3 / 5.0
Great overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.3 / 5.0
$60,517 median income, 1.6% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.5 / 5.0
$236,900 home value, $891/mo rent
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
51.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $60,517
19% lower than US avg
Home Value $236,900
16% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 51.0%
51% higher than US avg
Median Rent $891
23% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.5%
11% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.6%
56% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 24.1%
94% higher than US avg

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

People

Population3,542
Median Age41.6 yrs
Density721/mi²
Male / Female42% / 59%
Largest GroupWhite 76%

Economy

B
Median Income$60,517
Per Capita$42,765
Unemployment1.6%
Poverty24.1%
County GDP$10,558M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$236,900
Rent$891
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$278,210

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.5%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.2%
Heart Disease5.5%

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain52.4 in/yr
Elevation772 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+51.0%
High School+92.5%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 73% / D 26%
Commute24 min
EV Stations2
Libraries10

Is Pendleton a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Pendleton receives an overall livability score of 4.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of A. Key strengths include low unemployment, a highly educated population, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate. Pendleton stands out as an excellent place to live, with strong marks across most quality-of-life indicators.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Pendleton is $60,517, 19% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.6%. 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 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Pendleton is $236,900, 16% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $891 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.9x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

Pendleton is a highly educated community — 51.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 92.5% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Pendleton enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 62°F. Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 52.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Pendleton has a population of 3,542 with a density of 721 people per square mile. The median age is 41.6 years, 7% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (76%), with 1.9% Hispanic, 18.2% Black.

Population

3,542
Total Population
721
People / sq mi
41.6yrs
Median Age
7% above US avg
4.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 41.5%
Female 58.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Pendleton vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.7%
21% above US avg
Spanish5.3%
60% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Pendleton vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Pendleton is $60,517, which is 19% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 24.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Pendleton vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$60,517
19% below US avg
Per Capita Income$42,765
Avg Weekly Wage$995
IRS Avg AGI$66,518

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.6%
56% below US avg
Poverty Rate24.1%
94% above US avg
Establishments (County)4,568
County GDP$10,558M

Business (County)

Restaurants432
Healthcare404
Retail712
Manufacturing204

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,852
19% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.20%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.1 min
Work from Home11.6%

Walkability

The median home value in Pendleton is $236,900, 16% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $891 (23% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $278,210.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$236,900
16% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$278,210
Median List Price$249,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$249,900
$/Sq Ft$155
Homes Sold16
Sale-to-List Ratio98.7%
Price Drops12.2%
Inventory74

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$891
23% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$1,573

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$928
1 Bedroom$982
2 Bedrooms$1,155
3 Bedrooms$1,450
4 Bedrooms$1,699

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied51.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,852
19% below US avg
Effective Rate1.20%
In Pendleton, 35.5% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.2% report depression. 23.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.5%
11% above US avg
Diabetes11.0%
Heart Disease5.5%
High Blood Pressure33.4%
Asthma10.3%
COPD6.3%
Stroke3.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.8%
Physical Inactivity23.4%
Depression26.2%
Mental Distress18.0%
Physical Distress13.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate91.2%
Checkup Rate77.5%
Premature Death11,472/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.3/10
Exercise Access62.4%
Healthcare Facilities404

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)42

Safety Score

Pendleton has an average annual temperature of 62°F (16°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Annual precipitation is 52.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

43°F Jan (6°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average61.5°F
14% above US avg
January Average43°F (6°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall52.4 inches
38% above US avg
Snowfall2.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation772 ft (235 m)
Area4.9 sq mi (12.7 km²)
Population Density721/sq mi
Coordinates34.6422°N, 82.7791°W
County FIPS45007
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 51.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (51% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 47.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 73.1%
D 25.7%

Winner: Republican by 47.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+51.0%
51% above US avg
High School+92.5%
School Test Score4.51
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density721/sq mi
Total Area4.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries10
Healthcare Facilities404
Restaurants432
Retail Stores712

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)42

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.1 min
Work from Home11.6%

Nearby Cities

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