Ruby, SC

South Carolina

Ruby is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 244. Residents earn $49,167 per year, which is 35% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
244 Population 99/sq mi density
$49,167 Median Income $31,112 per capita
$108,700 Home Value
$750 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.6 / 5.0
$49,167 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$108,700 home value, $750/mo rent
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $49,167
35% lower than US avg
Home Value $108,700
61% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 15.6%
54% lower than US avg
Median Rent $750
36% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.4%
29% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 13.0%
5% higher than US avg

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

People

Population244
Median Age44.0 yrs
Density99/mi²
Male / Female44% / 56%
Largest GroupWhite 79%

Economy

B+
Median Income$49,167
Per Capita$31,112
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty13.0%
County GDP$1,902M
Commute30 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$108,700
Rent$750
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression26.8%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain49.8 in/yr
Elevation368 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.6%
High School+87.2%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 64% / D 35%
Commute30 min
Libraries5

Is Ruby a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ruby receives an overall livability score of 3.6 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Ruby offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ruby is $49,167, 35% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. 13.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ruby is $108,700, 61% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $750 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.2x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Ruby 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 49.8 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ruby has a population of 244 with a density of 99 people per square mile. The median age is 44.0 years, 13% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (79.1%), with 1.6% Hispanic, 18.4% Black.

Population

244
Total Population
99
People / sq mi
44.0yrs
Median Age
13% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 43.9%
Female 56.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Ruby vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ruby vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ruby is $49,167, which is 35% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 13.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 30 minutes.

Income: Ruby vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$49,167
35% below US avg
Per Capita Income$31,112
Avg Weekly Wage$946
IRS Avg AGI$49,076

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate13.0%
5% above US avg
Establishments (County)792
County GDP$1,902M

Business (County)

Restaurants71
Healthcare92
Retail119
Manufacturing54

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,920
45% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.77%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time29.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ruby is $108,700, 61% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $750 (36% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$108,700
61% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$750
36% 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-Occupied84.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,920
45% below US avg
Effective Rate1.77%
In Ruby, 41.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 26.8% report depression. 30.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.4%
29% above US avg
Diabetes12.5%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure34.5%
Asthma10.4%
COPD8.2%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.8%
Physical Inactivity30.5%
Depression26.8%
Mental Distress20.2%
Physical Distress15.9%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.5%
Checkup Rate77.4%
Premature Death14,470/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access55.3%
Healthcare Facilities92

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Ruby 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 49.8 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 Rainfall49.8 inches
31% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation368 ft (112 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.4 km²)
Population Density99/sq mi
Coordinates34.7482°N, 80.1791°W
County FIPS45025
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 15.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 28.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 63.5%
D 35.5%

Winner: Republican by 28.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+15.6%
54% below US avg
High School+87.2%
School Test Score4.51
C Education Grade (2.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density99/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities92
Restaurants71
Retail Stores119

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute29.6 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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