Walterboro, SC

South Carolina

Walterboro is a small city in South Carolina with a population of 5,490. Residents earn $48,366 per year, which is 36% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
5,490 Population 789/sq mi density
$48,366 Median Income $26,800 per capita
$170,500 Home Value $205,252 Zillow
$865 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
927 Violent Crime/100K 10,327 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.7 / 5.0
$48,366 median income, 2.7% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.7 / 5.0
$170,500 home value, $865/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
927 violent crimes/100K (144% above avg)
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
19.8% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $48,366
36% lower than US avg
Home Value $170,500
40% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 927/100K
144% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 19.8%
41% lower than US avg
Median Rent $865
26% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 40.2%
25% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.7%
25% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 30.6%
147% higher than US avg

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

People

Population5,490
Median Age40.5 yrs
Density789/mi²
Male / Female38% / 62%
Largest GroupWhite 44%

Economy

C+
Median Income$48,366
Per Capita$26,800
Unemployment2.7%
Poverty30.6%
County GDP$1,497M
Commute35 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$170,500
Rent$865
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$205,252

Crime

F
Violent927/100K
Property10,327/100K
Murder18.9/100K
Assault605/100K
Burglary1,173/100K

Health

Obesity40.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.1%
Heart Disease6.3%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain51.4 in/yr
Elevation29 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+19.8%
High School+80.8%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 59% / D 40%
Commute35 min
EV Stations5
Libraries4

Is Walterboro a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Walterboro 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. Walterboro has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Walterboro is $48,366, 36% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.7%. The poverty rate of 30.6% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Walterboro is $170,500, 40% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $865 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. A price-to-income ratio of 3.5x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Safety & Crime

With 927 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 10,327 per 100,000, 427% above the national average.

Education

19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 80.8% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Walterboro 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 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Walterboro has a population of 5,490 with a density of 789 people per square mile. The median age is 40.5 years, 4% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (48.1%), with 44.1% White, 1.9% Hispanic.

Population

5,490
Total Population
789
People / sq mi
40.5yrs
Median Age
4% above US avg
7.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 37.9%
Female 62.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Walterboro vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

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

Social Characteristics

Walterboro vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Walterboro is $48,366, which is 36% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.7% (below the 3.6% US average). 30.6% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 35 minutes.

Income: Walterboro vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$48,366
36% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,800
Avg Weekly Wage$926
IRS Avg AGI$53,260

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.7%
25% below US avg
Poverty Rate30.6%
147% above US avg
Establishments (County)916
County GDP$1,497M

Business (County)

Restaurants82
Healthcare81
Retail135
Manufacturing26

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,100
17% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.40%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time34.9 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Walterboro is $170,500, 40% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $865 (26% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $205,252.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$170,500
40% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$205,252

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$865
26% 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-Occupied50.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,100
17% above US avg
Effective Rate2.40%
In Walterboro, 40.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.1% report depression. 32.4% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity40.2%
25% above US avg
Diabetes14.5%
Heart Disease6.3%
High Blood Pressure39.1%
Asthma11.4%
COPD8.2%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.1%
Physical Inactivity32.4%
Depression23.1%
Mental Distress19.5%
Physical Distress15.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.3%
Checkup Rate79.3%
Premature Death17,986/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment6.7/10
Exercise Access48.4%
Healthcare Facilities81
Walterboro has a violent crime rate of 927 per 100,000 residents, 144% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 10,327 per 100,000 (427% above US avg). The murder rate is 18.9 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent926.8/100K
144% above US avg
Murder18.9/100K
200% above US avg
Rape75.7/100K
Robbery227.0/100K
Assault605.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property10,327.2/100K
427% above US avg
Burglary1,172.7/100K
Theft8,946.5/100K
Vehicle Theft208.1/100K
Arson56.7/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Walterboro 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 51.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

47°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average64.1°F
19% above US avg
January Average47°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall51.4 inches
35% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation29 ft (9 m)
Area7.0 sq mi (18.0 km²)
Population Density789/sq mi
Coordinates32.9009°N, 80.6759°W
County FIPS45029
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent. 19.8% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (41% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 18.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 58.5%
D 40.4%

Winner: Republican by 18.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+19.8%
41% below US avg
High School+80.8%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 6Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K, adjacent
Population Density789/sq mi
Total Area7.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations5
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries4
Healthcare Facilities81
Restaurants82
Retail Stores135

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)18
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute34.9 min
Work from Home10.1%

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