Wagener, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Wagener is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 1,170. Residents earn $45,753 per year, which is 39% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
1,170 Population 860/sq mi density
$45,753 Median Income $25,355 per capita
N/A Home Value $64,823 Zillow
$367 Median Rent
63°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.3 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.2 / 5.0
$45,753 median income, 3.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$367/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
C+
Education
2.5 / 5.0
19.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $45,753
39% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.1%
43% lower than US avg
Median Rent $367
68% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 39.6%
23% higher than US avg
Unemployment 3.9%
8% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 15.0%
21% higher than US avg

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

People

Population1,170
Median Age50.4 yrs
Density860/mi²
Male / Female40% / 61%
Largest GroupWhite 29%

Economy

B
Median Income$45,753
Per Capita$25,355
Unemployment3.9%
Poverty15.0%
County GDP$10,365M
Commute29 min

Housing

A+
Home ValueN/A
Rent$367
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$64,823

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property4,284/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary1,346/100K

Health

Obesity39.6%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.6%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI43 (Good)
Elevation467 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.1%
High School+82.9%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute29 min
Libraries7

Is Wagener a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Wagener receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low crime rates, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Wagener offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Wagener is $45,753, 39% below the national average of $75,149. Unemployment stands at 3.9%, indicating a healthy job market. The poverty rate of 15.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

Renters pay a median of $367 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Safety & Crime

Wagener is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 4,284 per 100,000, 119% above the national average.

Education

19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 82.9% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Wagener enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Wagener has a population of 1,170 with a density of 860 people per square mile. The median age is 50.4 years, 30% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (64%), with 28.7% White.

Population

1,170
Total Population
860
People / sq mi
50.4yrs
Median Age
30% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 39.5%
Female 60.5%

Race & Ethnicity

Wagener vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only96.3%
23% above US avg
Spanish3.7%
72% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Wagener vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Wagener is $45,753, which is 39% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 3.9% (above the 3.6% US average). 15.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Wagener vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$45,753
39% below US avg
Per Capita Income$25,355
Avg Weekly Wage$1,218
IRS Avg AGI$70,046

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment3.9%
8% above US avg
Poverty Rate15.0%
21% above US avg
Establishments (County)3,807
County GDP$10,365M

Business (County)

Restaurants302
Healthcare381
Retail524
Manufacturing92

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,845
19% below US avg

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.7 min
Work from Home4.1%

Walkability

Monthly rent averages $367 (68% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $64,823.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Zillow ZHVI$64,823

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$367
68% 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-Occupied67.0%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,845
19% below US avg
In Wagener, 39.6% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.6% report depression. 29.3% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity39.6%
23% above US avg
Diabetes14.2%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure39.1%
Asthma11.1%
COPD6.8%
Stroke4.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity29.3%
Depression22.6%
Mental Distress18.3%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.7%
Checkup Rate81.2%
Premature Death12,449/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access63.4%
Healthcare Facilities381
Wagener has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 4,284 per 100,000 (119% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property4,284.0/100K
119% above US avg
Burglary1,346.4/100K
Theft2,815.2/100K
Vehicle Theft122.4/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Wagener has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 45°F in January while summers reach 80°F in July. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

45°F Jan (7°C) 80°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.0°F
17% above US avg
January Average45°F (7°C)
July Average80°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation467 ft (142 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density860/sq mi
Coordinates33.6513°N, 81.3626°W
County FIPS45003
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 19.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (43% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 25.9-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.3%
D 36.4%

Winner: Republican by 25.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.1%
43% below US avg
High School+82.9%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.5/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density860/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities381
Restaurants302
Retail Stores524

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)28
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.7 min
Work from Home4.1%

Nearby Cities

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