Watts Mills, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Watts Mills is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 2,250. Residents earn $47,192 per year, which is 37% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
2,250 Population 991/sq mi density
$47,192 Median Income $16,079 per capita
N/A Home Value
$818 Median Rent
60°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.1 / 5.0
$47,192 median income, 7.3% unemployment
A+
Affordability
4.9 / 5.0
$818/mo rent
F
Education
1.2 / 5.0
2.6% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $47,192
37% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 2.6%
92% lower than US avg
Median Rent $818
30% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 41.7%
30% higher than US avg
Unemployment 7.3%
103% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 6.2%
50% lower than US avg

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

People

Population2,250
Median Age29.5 yrs
Density991/mi²
Male / Female51% / 49%
Largest GroupWhite 51%

Economy

B
Median Income$47,192
Per Capita$16,079
Unemployment7.3%
Poverty6.2%
County GDP$905M
Commute28 min

Housing

A+
Home ValueN/A
Rent$818
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity41.7%
UninsuredN/A
Depression24.4%
Heart Disease8.1%

Climate

Avg Temp60°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.3 in/yr
Elevation651 ft

Education

F
Bachelor's+2.6%
High School+56.0%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 66% / D 33%
Commute28 min
Libraries5

Is Watts Mills a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Watts Mills receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include above-average unemployment, below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Watts Mills offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Watts Mills is $47,192, 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 7.3% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

Renters pay a median of $818 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability.

Education

2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 56.0% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Watts Mills enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 60°F. Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Watts Mills has a population of 2,250 with a density of 991 people per square mile. The median age is 29.5 years, 24% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (51.2%), with 24% Hispanic, 11.7% Black.

Population

2,250
Total Population
991
People / sq mi
29.5yrs
Median Age
24% below US avg
2.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 50.6%
Female 49.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Watts Mills vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only90.7%
16% above US avg
Spanish9.3%
31% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Watts Mills vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Watts Mills is $47,192, which is 37% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 7.3% (above the 3.6% US average). 6.2% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 28 minutes.

Income: Watts Mills vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$47,192
37% below US avg
Per Capita Income$16,079
Avg Weekly Wage$933
IRS Avg AGI$47,611

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment7.3%
103% above US avg
Poverty Rate6.2%
50% below US avg
Establishments (County)490
County GDP$905M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare25
Retail101
Manufacturing27

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$1,790
49% below US avg

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time27.9 min
Work from Home0.0%

Walkability

Monthly rent averages $818 (30% below US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$818
30% 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-Occupied49.4%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$1,790
49% below US avg
In Watts Mills, 41.7% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 24.4% report depression. 42.3% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Watts Mills vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity41.7%
30% above US avg
Diabetes17.7%
Heart Disease8.1%
High Blood Pressure40.5%
Asthma10.6%
COPD11.0%
Stroke5.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking13.7%
Physical Inactivity42.3%
Depression24.4%
Mental Distress21.3%
Physical Distress19.5%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate69.8%
Checkup Rate77.3%
Premature Death16,927/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access63.0%
Healthcare Facilities25

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

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Safety Score

Watts Mills has an average annual temperature of 60°F (16°C). Winters average 41°F in January while summers reach 79°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

41°F Jan (5°C) 79°F Jul (26°C)
Annual Average60.4°F
12% above US avg
January Average41°F (5°C)
July Average79°F (26°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.3 inches
19% above US avg
Snowfall1.9 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation651 ft (198 m)
Area2.3 sq mi (5.9 km²)
Population Density991/sq mi
Coordinates34.5162°N, 81.9855°W
County FIPS45087
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 2.6% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (92% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 32.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 65.9%
D 33.2%

Winner: Republican by 32.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+2.6%
92% below US avg
High School+56.0%
School Test Score4.51
F Education Grade (1.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density991/sq mi
Total Area2.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries5
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants35
Retail Stores101

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)7

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute27.9 min
Work from Home0.0%

Nearby Cities

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