Population 19,131 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Saluda County
Household size in Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.82 | 2.51 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.75 | 2.55 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.80 | 2.55 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.49 | 2.46 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.33 | −0.05 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
The average household in Saluda County has 2.49 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Household size has dropped from 2.82 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Households are largest in the west and smallest in the northeast.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.9 | 37.1 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 41.0 | 37.8 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 43.6 | 38.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 44.4 | 39.4 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +4.5 | +2.3 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
Saluda County skews older: half of its residents are older than 44.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 39.9, mirroring the country.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.2% | 13.2% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 12.3% | 13.4% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 10.6% | 12.9% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 13.0% | 12.9% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.7 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit more common in Saluda County than nationally: 13.0%, against 11.6%. The Columbia area as a whole looks much the same. The single-parent share has risen 2.7 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell.
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 Saluda County
Renters in Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.6% | 31.2% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.4% | 32.8% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 25.9% | 32.1% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 21.3% | 30.6% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −0.6 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Saluda County is largely a place of homeowners: only 21.3% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. About six in ten owners (60.1%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 2.3 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.8% | 10.7% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 22.2% | 12.0% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 23.3% | 11.8% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 19.1% | 10.3% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −4.7 pts | −0.4 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Saluda County: 19.1% of homes are empty, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is down 4.7 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1984 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1980 | 1985 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1981 | 1986 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1986 | 1990 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +10 | +6 | +7 | +6 |
Homes in Saluda County are a bit newer than the national norm: the median home was built in 1986, versus 1980 across the U.S. Even so, homes here are older than in the Columbia area overall, where the median home dates to 1990. The median year built has moved up from 1975 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the northeast, while the south has the oldest housing.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $572 | $831 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $635 | $908 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $709 | $1,021 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,002 | $1,285 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$430 | +$453 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Saluda County runs $1,002 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $430 a month from 2006–10, a 75% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 26.7% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. Rents run highest in the northeast and lowest in the south.
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 Saluda County
Bachelor's degrees in Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.2% | 31.5% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 12.0% | 31.8% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 17.2% | 34.1% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.9% | 35.9% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +4.4 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Saluda County: 20.9% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 8.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the northwest.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 75.6% | 88.1% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 76.2% | 88.7% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 78.0% | 90.2% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 84.3% | 91.4% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.7 pts | +3.3 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Nearly one in six adults in Saluda County never finished high school, more than nationally: 84.3% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% across the U.S. The share with a diploma has risen 8.7 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 Saluda County
| Period | Saluda County | Columbia area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 7.6% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.6% | 9.7% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.5% | 6.0% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.2% | 5.4% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −6.8 pts | −2.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Saluda County has been low: just 3.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of South Carolina's 46 counties, only two have lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 6.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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).
Saluda 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Saluda County | 2.49 | 44.4 | 13.0% | 21.3% | 19.1% | 1986 | $1,002 | 20.9% | 84.3% | 3.2% |
| Lexington County | 2.53 | 40.8 | 11.5% | 22.6% | 8.5% | 1993 | $1,248 | 34.1% | 92.0% | 4.3% |
| McCormick County | 2.09 | 57.8 | 7.7% | 12.1% | 24.7% | 1987 | $1,152 | 25.1% | 86.9% | 5.2% |
| Richland County | 2.40 | 37.1 | 14.3% | 39.7% | 10.9% | 1988 | $1,377 | 40.9% | 92.1% | 6.3% |
| Sumter County | 2.53 | 39.9 | 12.8% | 31.9% | 13.2% | 1987 | $1,161 | 23.9% | 89.6% | 6.6% |
| Oglethorpe County | 2.94 | 43.2 | 11.5% | 16.2% | 17.3% | 1990 | $855 | 25.1% | 88.5% | 3.3% |
| Clarke County | 2.22 | 33.2 | 12.6% | 58.6% | 6.9% | 1987 | $1,250 | 46.2% | 89.0% | 5.3% |
| Oconee County | 2.91 | 41.4 | 6.6% | 18.7% | 5.4% | 1999 | $1,568 | 57.1% | 96.5% | 2.7% |
| Barrow County | 2.95 | 36.4 | 13.0% | 21.5% | 5.0% | 2000 | $1,488 | 21.4% | 88.9% | 3.7% |
| Gwinnett County | 3.09 | 36.6 | 13.2% | 33.7% | 5.5% | 1996 | $2,020 | 38.6% | 87.6% | 4.2% |
| Fulton County | 2.37 | 38.1 | 11.9% | 45.7% | 9.6% | 1991 | $1,882 | 58.9% | 94.0% | 6.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Potter County, PA · Las Marias Municipio, PR · Latimer County, OK · Lawrence County, MS · Lewis County, NY · Limestone County, TX · Poinsett County, AR · Pointe Coupee Parish, LA · Polk County, AR · Polk County, NC
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 Saluda 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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