Population 134,629 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pickens County
Household size in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.43 | 2.51 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.53 | 2.58 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.46 | 2.57 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.48 | 2.50 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.05 | −0.01 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in Pickens County run small, averaging 2.48 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has crept up from 2.43 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the center.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 36.5 | 38.1 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 38.1 | 39.0 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 37.9 | 39.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 38.8 | 39.7 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +2.3 | +1.6 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
At 38.8, the median age in Pickens County is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The median age has climbed from 36.5 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only four of South Carolina's 46 counties are younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 11.5% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.4% | 11.6% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 9.4% | 10.4% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.8% | 10.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −0.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in twelve households in Pickens County (8.8%), below the national share of 11.6%. Only three of South Carolina's 46 counties have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Pickens County
Renters in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.4% | 30.0% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 30.7% | 31.5% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 32.9% | 31.4% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 29.1% | 29.3% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −0.3 pts | −0.7 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Pickens County own their homes; 29.1% rent, a little below the national share of 34.8%. Nearly half of owners (47.9%) have paid off their mortgages, above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southwest and least common in the center.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 13.2% | 12.2% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.2% | 12.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.7% | 10.8% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 12.1% | 9.6% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.0 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy runs a little high in Pickens County: 12.1% of homes are empty, against 9.6% nationally. The count includes vacation homes and homes between owners or tenants, not just abandoned ones. Vacancy is down 1.0 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1982 | 1982 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1984 | 1984 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1984 | 1985 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1989 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +7 | +6 |
The housing in Pickens County is younger than the country's: half of it was built after 1986, against 1980 nationally. That is in line with the rest of the Greenville area. The median year built has moved up from 1982 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $692 | $733 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $743 | $816 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $807 | $939 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,017 | $1,216 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$326 | +$483 | +$514 | +$606 |
The median renter in Pickens County pays $1,017 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $326 a month from 2006–10, a 47% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 33.3% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Pickens County
Bachelor's degrees in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.2% | 26.8% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 27.9% | 27.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 30.6% | 30.8% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 33.9% | 35.6% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +8.8 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Pickens County as nationally: 33.9% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 5.7 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country. College graduates are most concentrated in the southwest and least in the center.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.2% | 82.9% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 84.4% | 84.9% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 86.1% | 86.7% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 89.0% | 89.5% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +6.6 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Pickens County have finished high school as nationally: 89.0%, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 6.8 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Pickens County
| Period | Pickens County | Greenville area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 8.8% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 11.2% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 5.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 4.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −4.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Pickens County runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment has fallen 5.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Pickens County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pickens County | 2.48 | 38.8 | 8.8% | 29.1% | 12.1% | 1986 | $1,017 | 33.9% | 89.0% | 4.0% |
| Oconee County | 2.34 | 45.9 | 9.7% | 23.8% | 18.0% | 1988 | $913 | 28.4% | 87.2% | 5.5% |
| Greenville County | 2.50 | 39.2 | 10.5% | 31.1% | 8.3% | 1991 | $1,363 | 41.3% | 90.9% | 4.5% |
| Spartanburg County | 2.65 | 38.8 | 12.8% | 27.0% | 9.1% | 1990 | $1,176 | 24.9% | 88.5% | 4.4% |
| Rabun County | 2.24 | 48.6 | 8.5% | 22.9% | 33.4% | 1988 | $1,039 | 30.6% | 89.7% | 1.9% |
| Union County | 2.34 | 44.5 | 17.0% | 28.7% | 15.0% | 1971 | $821 | 14.7% | 82.0% | 7.2% |
| Towns County | 2.05 | 54.7 | 8.0% | 17.7% | 30.4% | 1996 | $883 | 32.6% | 92.5% | 4.9% |
| Union County | 2.27 | 54.9 | 5.4% | 15.6% | 21.8% | 1995 | $945 | 26.6% | 87.8% | 2.4% |
| Chester County | 2.48 | 42.6 | 14.7% | 21.6% | 11.2% | 1979 | $962 | 14.0% | 85.1% | 5.8% |
| Fannin County | 2.21 | 51.1 | 12.2% | 21.4% | 34.5% | 1993 | $989 | 23.8% | 88.1% | 3.6% |
| York County | 2.61 | 40.1 | 10.7% | 25.5% | 6.5% | 1998 | $1,419 | 40.5% | 92.9% | 4.0% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Calhoun County, MI · Hampton City, VA · Harnett County, NC · Grayson County, TX · Florence County, SC · Fayette County, PA · Humboldt County, CA · Clarke County, GA · Clark County, OH · Cambria County, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Pickens County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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