Valley Falls, SC

South Carolina

Valley Falls is a small city in South Carolina with a population of 7,249. Residents earn $55,671 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.6 /5.0
B+ Good
7,249 Population 1,397/sq mi density
$55,671 Median Income $26,400 per capita
$229,600 Home Value
$955 Median Rent
59°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.6 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$55,671 median income, 2.9% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.4 / 5.0
$229,600 home value, $955/mo rent
C+
Education
2.7 / 5.0
21.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,671
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $229,600
19% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 21.8%
35% lower than US avg
Median Rent $955
18% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 38.7%
21% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.9%
19% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.0%
19% lower than US avg

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

People

Population7,249
Median Age25.6 yrs
Density1,397/mi²
Male / Female39% / 62%
Largest GroupWhite 52%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,671
Per Capita$26,400
Unemployment2.9%
Poverty10.0%
County GDP$2,342M
Commute21 min

Housing

A
Home Value$229,600
Rent$955
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity38.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression25.1%
Heart Disease5.6%

Climate

Avg Temp59°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain51.7 in/yr
Elevation748 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+21.8%
High School+87.9%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 75% / D 24%
Commute21 min
Libraries3

Is Valley Falls a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Valley Falls is $55,671, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.9%. 10.0% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Valley Falls is $229,600, 19% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $955 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 4.1x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 87.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Valley Falls enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 59°F. Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 51.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Valley Falls has a population of 7,249 with a density of 1,397 people per square mile. The median age is 25.6 years, 34% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (51.9%), with 34.8% Black.

Population

7,249
Total Population
1,397
People / sq mi
25.6yrs
Median Age
34% below US avg
5.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 38.5%
Female 61.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Valley Falls vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only89.5%
14% above US avg
Spanish10.5%
22% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Valley Falls vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Valley Falls is $55,671, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 21 minutes.

Income: Valley Falls vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,671
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,400
Avg Weekly Wage$928
IRS Avg AGI$54,729

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.9%
19% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.0%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)988
County GDP$2,342M

Business (County)

Restaurants86
Healthcare80
Retail197
Manufacturing65

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,948
44% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.85%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.2 min
Work from Home3.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Valley Falls is $229,600, 19% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $955 (18% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$229,600
19% below US avg
Median List Price$361,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$361,900
$/Sq Ft$178
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio99.8%
Price Drops35.0%
Inventory40

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$955
18% 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-Occupied46.6%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,948
44% below US avg
Effective Rate0.85%
In Valley Falls, 38.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 25.1% report depression. 27.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Valley Falls vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity38.7%
21% above US avg
Diabetes12.2%
Heart Disease5.6%
High Blood Pressure35.8%
Asthma10.0%
COPD6.7%
Stroke3.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.0%
Physical Inactivity27.4%
Depression25.1%
Mental Distress18.5%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate85.5%
Checkup Rate78.2%
Premature Death14,798/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access58.1%
Healthcare Facilities80

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Safety Score

Valley Falls has an average annual temperature of 59°F (15°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 78°F in July. Annual precipitation is 51.7 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 78°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average58.7°F
9% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average78°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.7 inches
36% above US avg
Snowfall1.2 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation748 ft (228 m)
Area5.2 sq mi (13.4 km²)
Population Density1,397/sq mi
Coordinates35.0066°N, 81.9689°W
County FIPS45021
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 21.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (35% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 51.4-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 75.3%
D 23.9%

Winner: Republican by 51.4 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+21.8%
35% below US avg
High School+87.9%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density1,397/sq mi
Total Area5.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities80
Restaurants86
Retail Stores197

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)16

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.2 min
Work from Home3.1%

Nearby Cities

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