Santee, SC

South Carolina

Santee is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,179. Residents earn $36,856 per year, which is 51% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,179 Population 472/sq mi density
$36,856 Median Income $24,364 per capita
$163,800 Home Value $239,759 Zillow
$733 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
1,368 Violent Crime/100K 12,211 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$36,856 median income, 1.2% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.2 / 5.0
$163,800 home value, $733/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
1,368 violent crimes/100K (260% above avg)
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.2% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $36,856
51% lower than US avg
Home Value $163,800
42% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 1,368/100K
260% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 26.2%
22% lower than US avg
Median Rent $733
37% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 44.0%
37% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.2%
67% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 37.7%
204% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,179
Median Age51.6 yrs
Density472/mi²
Male / Female46% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 17%

Economy

C+
Median Income$36,856
Per Capita$24,364
Unemployment1.2%
Poverty37.7%
County GDP$4,007M
Commute26 min

Housing

A
Home Value$163,800
Rent$733
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$239,759

Crime

F
Violent1,368/100K
Property12,211/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault1,158/100K
Burglary1,789/100K

Health

Obesity44.0%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.6%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain50.5 in/yr
Elevation122 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+26.2%
High School+78.3%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 37% / D 62%
Commute26 min
EV Stations3
Libraries7

Is Santee a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Santee receives an overall livability score of 2.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Santee has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Santee is $36,856, 51% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.2%. The poverty rate of 37.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Santee is $163,800, 42% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $733 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 1,368 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 12,211 per 100,000, 523% above the national average.

Education

26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.3% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Santee enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 50.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Santee has a population of 1,179 with a density of 472 people per square mile. The median age is 51.6 years, 33% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (72%), with 16.8% White.

Population

1,179
Total Population
472
People / sq mi
51.6yrs
Median Age
33% above US avg
2.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 45.5%
Female 54.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Santee vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.2%
21% above US avg
Spanish4.8%
64% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Santee vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Santee is $36,856, which is 51% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.2% (below the 3.6% US average). 37.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 26 minutes.

Income: Santee vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$36,856
51% below US avg
Per Capita Income$24,364
Avg Weekly Wage$1,044
IRS Avg AGI$53,531

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.2%
67% below US avg
Poverty Rate37.7%
204% 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 Rate1.66%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time25.7 min
Work from Home5.5%

Walkability

The median home value in Santee is $163,800, 42% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $733 (37% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $239,759.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$163,800
42% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$239,759
Median List Price$297,297

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$297,297
$/Sq Ft$181
Homes Sold4
Sale-to-List Ratio98.7%
Price Drops29.6%
Inventory27

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$733
37% 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-Occupied64.9%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,721
22% below US avg
Effective Rate1.66%
In Santee, 44.0% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.6% report depression. 34.2% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity44.0%
37% above US avg
Diabetes16.5%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure43.3%
Asthma11.8%
COPD8.1%
Stroke4.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking12.6%
Physical Inactivity34.2%
Depression22.6%
Mental Distress20.3%
Physical Distress15.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.6%
Checkup Rate82.8%
Premature Death16,385/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.9/10
Exercise Access49.4%
Healthcare Facilities217
Santee has a violent crime rate of 1,368 per 100,000 residents, 260% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 12,211 per 100,000 (523% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent1,368.4/100K
260% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery210.5/100K
Assault1,157.9/100K

Property Crime

Total Property12,210.5/100K
523% above US avg
Burglary1,789.5/100K
Theft9,368.4/100K
Vehicle Theft1,052.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)45

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Santee has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 50.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.9°F
18% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall50.5 inches
33% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation122 ft (37 m)
Area2.5 sq mi (6.5 km²)
Population Density472/sq mi
Coordinates33.4846°N, 80.4900°W
County FIPS45075
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent. 26.2% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (22% 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+26.2%
22% below US avg
High School+78.3%
School Test Score4.51
B Education Grade (3.1/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 4Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent
Population Density472/sq mi
Total Area2.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

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

Safety & Disasters

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

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute25.7 min
Work from Home5.5%

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