Williston, SC

South Carolina

Williston is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 2,884. Residents earn $35,968 per year, which is 52% below the national average.

2.7 /5.0
C+ Fair
2,884 Population 322/sq mi density
$35,968 Median Income $26,948 per capita
$104,000 Home Value $144,959 Zillow
$685 Median Rent
64°F Avg Temperature
718 Violent Crime/100K 2,740 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.7 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$35,968 median income, 2.6% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$104,000 home value, $685/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
718 violent crimes/100K (89% above avg)
C
Education
2.3 / 5.0
16.7% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,968
52% lower than US avg
Home Value $104,000
63% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 718/100K
89% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 16.7%
50% lower than US avg
Median Rent $685
41% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 45.1%
40% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.6%
28% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 28.8%
132% higher than US avg

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

People

Population2,884
Median Age45.6 yrs
Density322/mi²
Male / Female47% / 53%
Largest GroupWhite 46%

Economy

C+
Median Income$35,968
Per Capita$26,948
Unemployment2.6%
Poverty28.8%
County GDP$701M
Commute22 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$104,000
Rent$685
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$144,959

Crime

F
Violent718/100K
Property2,740/100K
Murder32.6/100K
Assault652/100K
Burglary685/100K

Health

Obesity45.1%
UninsuredN/A
Depression23.2%
Heart Disease7.1%

Climate

Avg Temp64°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain46.2 in/yr
Elevation349 ft

Education

C
Bachelor's+16.7%
High School+84.7%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute22 min
Libraries3

Is Williston a Good Place to Live?

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

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Williston is $35,968, 52% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.6%. The poverty rate of 28.8% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Williston is $104,000, 63% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $685 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.9x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 718 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 2,740 per 100,000, 40% above the national average.

Education

16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 84.7% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Williston enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 64°F. Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Williston has a population of 2,884 with a density of 322 people per square mile. The median age is 45.6 years, 17% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly Black (54.1%), with 45.6% White.

Population

2,884
Total Population
322
People / sq mi
45.6yrs
Median Age
17% above US avg
9.0mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.8%
Female 53.2%

Race & Ethnicity

Williston vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only99.7%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.3%
98% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Williston vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Williston is $35,968, which is 52% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.6% (below the 3.6% US average). 28.8% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 22 minutes.

Income: Williston vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,968
52% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,948
Avg Weekly Wage$834
IRS Avg AGI$47,524

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.6%
28% below US avg
Poverty Rate28.8%
132% above US avg
Establishments (County)427
County GDP$701M

Business (County)

Restaurants35
Healthcare25
Retail72
Manufacturing20

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$2,424
31% below US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.33%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time21.9 min
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Williston is $104,000, 63% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $685 (41% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $144,959.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$104,000
63% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$144,959

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$685
41% 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-Occupied51.3%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$2,424
31% below US avg
Effective Rate2.33%
In Williston, 45.1% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 23.2% report depression. 34.5% are physically inactive.

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

Chronic Conditions

Obesity45.1%
40% above US avg
Diabetes16.4%
Heart Disease7.1%
High Blood Pressure41.1%
Asthma11.5%
COPD9.6%
Stroke4.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking14.0%
Physical Inactivity34.5%
Depression23.2%
Mental Distress20.6%
Physical Distress16.6%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate87.6%
Checkup Rate79.8%
Premature Death17,191/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.8/10
Exercise Access59.7%
Healthcare Facilities25
Williston has a violent crime rate of 718 per 100,000 residents, 89% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 2,740 per 100,000 (40% above US avg). The murder rate is 32.6 per 100,000.

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

Violent Crime

Total Violent717.6/100K
89% above US avg
Murder32.6/100K
418% above US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery32.6/100K
Assault652.3/100K

Property Crime

Total Property2,739.7/100K
40% above US avg
Burglary684.9/100K
Theft1,957.0/100K
Vehicle Theft97.9/100K
Arson32.6/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Williston has an average annual temperature of 64°F (18°C). Winters average 46°F in January while summers reach 81°F in July. Annual precipitation is 46.2 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

46°F Jan (8°C) 81°F Jul (27°C)
Annual Average63.9°F
18% above US avg
January Average46°F (8°C)
July Average81°F (27°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall46.2 inches
22% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation349 ft (106 m)
Area9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²)
Population Density322/sq mi
Coordinates33.4017°N, 81.4219°W
County FIPS45011
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 16.7% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (50% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 57.2%
D 41.6%

Winner: Republican by 15.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+16.7%
50% below US avg
High School+84.7%
School Test Score4.51
C Education Grade (2.3/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density322/sq mi
Total Area9.0 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries3
Healthcare Facilities25
Restaurants35
Retail Stores72

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)1
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute21.9 min
Work from Home1.4%

Nearby Cities

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