Ward, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Ward is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 284. Residents earn $55,625 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.3 /5.0
B Good
284 Population 364/sq mi density
$55,625 Median Income $21,220 per capita
$115,600 Home Value
$795 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
$55,625 median income, 1.9% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,600 home value, $795/mo rent
D
Education
1.8 / 5.0
10.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,625
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,600
59% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 10.1%
70% lower than US avg
Median Rent $795
32% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.1%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 1.9%
47% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 25.0%
102% higher than US avg

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

People

Population284
Median Age35.6 yrs
Density364/mi²
Male / Female50% / 50%
Largest GroupWhite 38%

Economy

B
Median Income$55,625
Per Capita$21,220
Unemployment1.9%
Poverty25.0%
County GDP$894M
Commute39 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,600
Rent$795
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity45.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.1%
Heart Disease6.5%

Climate

Avg Temp63°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain48.5 in/yr
Elevation668 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+10.1%
High School+65.7%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 65% / D 33%
Commute39 min
Broadband80.0%
Libraries2

Is Ward a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Ward receives an overall livability score of 3.3 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes, long commute times. Ward offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Ward is $55,625, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.9%. The poverty rate of 25.0% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes, longer than the typical American commute of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Ward is $115,600, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $795 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Education

10.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 65.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Ward enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 63°F. Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Ward has a population of 284 with a density of 364 people per square mile. The median age is 35.6 years, 8% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (55.3%), with 37.7% White.

Population

284
Total Population
364
People / sq mi
35.6yrs
Median Age
8% below US avg
0.8mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.4%
Female 49.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Ward vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only94.1%
20% above US avg
Spanish5.9%
56% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Ward vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Ward is $55,625, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.9% (below the 3.6% US average). 25.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 39 minutes.

Income: Ward vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,625
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$21,220
Avg Weekly Wage$1,013
IRS Avg AGI$68,071

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.9%
47% below US avg
Poverty Rate25.0%
102% above US avg
Establishments (County)459
County GDP$894M

Business (County)

Restaurants27
Healthcare27
Retail52
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,582
26% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.23%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time39.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

The median home value in Ward is $115,600, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $795 (32% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,600
59% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$795
32% 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-Occupied45.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,582
26% below US avg
Effective Rate2.23%
In Ward, 45.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.1% report depression. 32.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.1%
40% above US avg
Diabetes14.6%
Heart Disease6.5%
High Blood Pressure37.8%
Asthma10.9%
COPD8.8%
Stroke4.3%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking16.2%
Physical Inactivity32.5%
Depression24.1%
Mental Distress19.7%
Physical Distress16.1%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate77.0%
Checkup Rate78.0%
Premature Death11,214/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access41.9%
Healthcare Facilities27

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Safety Score

Ward has an average annual temperature of 63°F (17°C). Winters average 44°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 48.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

44°F Jan (7°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average62.7°F
16% above US avg
January Average44°F (7°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall48.5 inches
28% above US avg
Snowfall1.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation668 ft (204 m)
Area0.8 sq mi (2.0 km²)
Population Density364/sq mi
Coordinates33.8573°N, 81.7313°W
County FIPS45037
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 10.1% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (70% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 31.9-point margin. 80.0% of households have broadband internet.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.3%
D 33.5%

Winner: Republican by 31.9 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+10.1%
70% below US avg
High School+65.7%
School Test Score4.51
D Education Grade (1.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density364/sq mi
Total Area0.8 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Broadband Access80.0%
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities27
Restaurants27
Retail Stores52

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)8

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute39.4 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

Compare Ward with another city: