St. Matthews, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

St. Matthews is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,626. Residents earn $55,351 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
1,626 Population 847/sq mi density
$55,351 Median Income $30,598 per capita
$146,600 Home Value
$825 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
842 Violent Crime/100K 3,318 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.8 / 5.0
$55,351 median income, 4.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$146,600 home value, $825/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
842 violent crimes/100K (122% above avg)
B
Education
3.4 / 5.0
29.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,351
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $146,600
48% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 842/100K
122% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 29.5%
12% lower than US avg
Median Rent $825
29% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.8%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 4.3%
19% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.7%
107% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,626
Median Age50.5 yrs
Density847/mi²
Male / Female45% / 55%
Largest GroupWhite 46%

Economy

C+
Median Income$55,351
Per Capita$30,598
Unemployment4.3%
Poverty25.7%
County GDP$911M
Commute20 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$146,600
Rent$825
OwnershipN/A

Crime

F
Violent842/100K
Property3,318/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault693/100K
Burglary892/100K

Health

Obesity41.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression21.8%
Heart Disease5.4%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation279 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+29.5%
High School+90.4%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute20 min
Libraries2

Is St. Matthews a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, St. Matthews receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. St. Matthews offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in St. Matthews is $55,351, 26% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 4.3%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 25.7% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in St. Matthews is $146,600, 48% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $825 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 842 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 3,318 per 100,000, 69% above the national average.

Education

29.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 90.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

St. Matthews enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

St. Matthews has a population of 1,626 with a density of 847 people per square mile. The median age is 50.5 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (51%), with 46.4% White, 1.7% Hispanic.

Population

1,626
Total Population
847
People / sq mi
50.5yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
1.9mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 44.8%
Female 55.2%

Race & Ethnicity

St. Matthews vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.4%
24% above US avg
Spanish2.6%
81% below US avg

Social Characteristics

St. Matthews vs U.S. Average

The median household income in St. Matthews is $55,351, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 4.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 25.7% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 20 minutes.

Income: St. Matthews vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,351
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$30,598
Avg Weekly Wage$1,170
IRS Avg AGI$63,323

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment4.3%
19% above US avg
Poverty Rate25.7%
107% above US avg
Establishments (County)287
County GDP$911M

Business (County)

Restaurants11
Healthcare21
Retail33
Manufacturing19

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,059
13% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.09%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time19.8 min
Work from Home14.6%

Walkability

The median home value in St. Matthews is $146,600, 48% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $825 (29% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$146,600
48% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$825
29% 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-Occupied67.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,059
13% below US avg
Effective Rate2.09%
In St. Matthews, 41.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 21.8% report depression. 27.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: St. Matthews vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.8%
30% above US avg
Diabetes13.8%
Heart Disease5.4%
High Blood Pressure38.6%
Asthma10.9%
COPD6.4%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.3%
Physical Inactivity27.8%
Depression21.8%
Mental Distress18.2%
Physical Distress13.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.5%
Checkup Rate80.8%
Premature Death14,695/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.6/10
Exercise Access20.9%
Healthcare Facilities21
St. Matthews has a violent crime rate of 842 per 100,000 residents, 122% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,318 per 100,000 (69% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent842.0/100K
122% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery148.6/100K
Assault693.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,318.5/100K
69% above US avg
Burglary891.5/100K
Theft2,278.4/100K
Vehicle Theft148.6/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
St. Matthews has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 47°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.2°F
19% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg
Snowfall0.8 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation279 ft (85 m)
Area1.9 sq mi (5.0 km²)
Population Density847/sq mi
Coordinates33.6646°N, 80.7788°W
County FIPS45017
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 29.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (12% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.3-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.5%
D 42.2%

Winner: Republican by 14.3 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+29.5%
12% below US avg
High School+90.4%
School Test Score4.51
B Education Grade (3.4/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density847/sq mi
Total Area1.9 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Alt Fuel Stations1
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities21
Restaurants11
Retail Stores33

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute19.8 min
Work from Home14.6%

Nearby Cities

Compare St. Matthews with another city: