Saluda, SC

Full City Profile · South Carolina · Saluda County County

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,095 Population 952/sq mi density
$40,567 Median Income $16,840 per capita
$81,500 Home Value $167,200 Zillow
$772 Median Rent 30.8% income on rent
62°F Avg Temperature
327 Violent Crime/100K 1,539 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$40,567 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$81,500 home value, $772/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
327 violent crimes/100K
C
Education
2.2 / 5.0
15.4% bachelor's degree or higher

Saluda, SC

At a Glance

Median Income
$40,567
46% below
$16,840 per capita
Home Value
$81,500
71% below
Zillow: $167,200
Median Rent
$772/mo
34% below
30.8% of income on rent
Violent Crime
327/100K
14% below
1,539/100K property
Bachelor's Degree+
15.4%
54% below
76.1% high school+
Unemployment
2.6%
28% below
52.7% poverty rate
Obesity Rate
47.9%
49% above
16.9% smoking rate
Avg Temperature
62°F

How Saluda Compares to the U.S. Average

Each bar shows Saluda's value as a percentage of the national average (100% = U.S. avg)

Income
54%
Home Value
29%
Rent
66%
Poverty
425%
Bachelor's
46%
Unemployment
72%
Crime
86%
Thin vertical line = U.S. national average (100%)

Is Saluda a Good Place to Live?

C+
2.7 / 5.0 - Fair
Based on economy, affordability, safety, and education metrics compared to national averages.

Economy & Jobs

Saluda residents earn a median household income of $40,567 , which is 46% below the national average of $75,149. Per capita income is $16,840. The unemployment rate stands at 2.6% (28% below the U.S. rate of 3.6%). 52.7% of residents live below the poverty line. The area is home to 300 business establishments, including 17 restaurants.

Housing & Cost of Living

The median home value in Saluda is $81,500 , 71% below the national median of $281,900. Zillow estimates the typical home at $167,200. Median rent is $772/month, with 30.8% of renters spending more than 30% of income on housing. The cost of living index is 93.7 (100 = national average). The median home was built in 1984.

Safety & Crime

Saluda reports 327 violent crimes per 100,000 residents , which is 14% below the national average of 380/100K. Property crime is 1,539/100K.

Education

15.4% of adults in Saluda hold a bachelor's degree or higher (54% below the national average). 76.1% have completed high school. Local schools score 4.3/10 in standardized testing.

Climate & Weather

Saluda has an average annual temperature of 62°F (17°C). Winters average 43°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.8 inches.

Data Overview

People

Population3,095
Median Age31.7 yrs
Density952/mi²
Male / Female60% / 40%
Foreign Born20.6%
Veterans5.7%

Economy

C+
Median Income$40,567
Per Capita$16,840
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty52.7%
County GDP$643M
Avg Weekly Wage$900

Housing

A+
Home Value$81,500
Rent$772
Ownership48.0%
Zillow$167,200
Housing Units1,336
Rent Burden30.8%

Crime

F
Violent327/100K
Property1,539/100K

Health

Obesity47.9%
Diabetes16.7%
Smoking16.9%
Heart Disease6.7%
Premature Death10,984/100K

Climate

Avg Temp62°F
Rain46.8 in/yr
Elevation485 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+15.4%
High School+76.1%
Graduate+2.1%
School Score4.3/10

Community

2024 VoteR 72% / D 27%
Commute21 min
Broadband72.3%
Internet Speed70 Mbps
EV Stations2
Libraries2

Did You Know?

The median home in Saluda was built in 1984.
The nearest airport is Aiken Regional (25 miles).
The Gini coefficient (income inequality) is 0.446 (U.S. avg: 0.490).
Natural hazard risk is rated "Very Low" by FEMA.
15.9% of the population has a disability.
20.6% of residents are foreign-born.
The county recorded 2 fatal vehicle crashes.