City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Anderson, SC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Anderson - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

29,563
Residents
$44,321
Median income
$199,600
Median home
$1,173
Median rent (state)

Anderson - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Anderson places in the 12th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

12th
percentile, household income
43rd
percentile, home value
34th
percentile, median rent
2nd
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Anderson, SC

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 29,563 residents in Anderson, a small city within South Carolina. Median household income here is $44,321 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 16.4%. Typical homes in Anderson are valued around $199,600, and the median resident age is 33.0 years. Educational attainment runs 27.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 56.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 166 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Rapid Growth), up 38% from five years earlier. Anderson's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 6265.3 crimes per 100,000 residents, above the national average (reporting is voluntary across agencies, so treat this as reporting activity rather than a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Anderson's yearly average temperature at 62.0°F with 50.3 inches of precipitation per year and 0.9 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Carolina scores 93.7 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,173 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). The average commute for Anderson workers runs 20.4 minutes, with 80.5% driving alone and 5.0% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 87.2 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

29,563 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$44,321 /yr

Poverty 16.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Anderson compare to other US cities?

Where Anderson sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 12% higher than other cities
Home value 43% pricier than other cities
Median rent 34% pricier than other cities
Safety 2% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to South Carolina alone, Anderson ranks #109 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Anderson against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Carolina-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher sits close to the middle of South Carolina's city distribution

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Anderson ranks #125 - the 72nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Anderson only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#261 of 403
35th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#237 of 441
44th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#127 of 404
69th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#176 of 439
60th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#125 of 441
72nd percentile in South Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within South Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

12thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

12th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Anderson's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Anderson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 25 Avg. percentile National median
Anderson's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Anderson's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$199,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 57% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Anderson $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Anderson, SC Anderson, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Anderson, SC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Anderson, SC median $44,321/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Anderson, SC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Anderson, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 27.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 16.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
29,563
Median Income
$44,321
Median Home Value
$199,600
Median Age
33.0
Poverty Rate
16.4%
Labor force participation
56.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
27.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
6265.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
560.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
5704.8
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
62.0°F
Annual Precipitation
50.3"
Annual Snowfall
0.9"

Schools

Total Schools
22
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
29,000 residents30,000 residents31,000 residents32,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 29,506 residents 31,323 residents ▲ +6.2%
Anderson's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📈 Rapid Growth
Total Permits (2024)
166
housing units authorized
Single-Family
146
detached homes
Multifamily
20
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 120
2020 134
2021 169
2022 124
2023 152
2024 166

Permit volume increased 38% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
20.4 minutes
Drive Alone
80.5%
Carpool
9.0%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
2.7%
Work from Home
5.0%
Other
2.0%

Based on 13,167 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$52
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$224
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Anderson sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,173/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
87.2 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Fort Mill
28,281 people
Bluffton
31,323 people
Aiken
32,334 people
Carolina Forest
26,373 people
Conway
26,082 people
Mauldin
25,985 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Anderson's 29,563 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Southgate, MI
29,551 people
Raytown, MO
29,593 people
Laurel, MD
29,594 people
Burton, MI
29,529 people
Central, LA
29,603 people
Schererville, IN
29,627 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Anderson's $44,321 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Tifton, GA
$44,324 median income
Louisville, IL
$44,318 median income
Sullivan, IN
$44,313 median income
Binghamton, NY
$44,331 median income
Lauderdale Lakes, FL
$44,333 median income
Noma, FL
$44,333 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Anderson, SC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Anderson, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 60.8% 28.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.7% White 60.8% Black or African American 28.6% Asian 2.4% American Indian 0.8% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 5.9% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Anderson compares to nearby South Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Anderson (this city) 29,563 $44,321
Fort Mill 28,281 $127,537
Bluffton 31,323 $105,463
Aiken 32,334 $69,837
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Anderson, SC?

What is the population of Anderson, SC? +

The population of Anderson, SC stands at 29,563 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Anderson, SC? +

In Anderson, the typical household earns $44,321 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Anderson? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Anderson; the closest available measure is the South Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 93.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Carolina vary by metro area.

Is Anderson, SC safe? +

Anderson has a total crime rate of 6265.3 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Anderson, SC? +

Homes in Anderson carry a median value of $199,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Anderson? +

The average annual temperature in Anderson runs 62.0°F, 50.3 inches of precipitation, and 0.9 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.