City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Arial, SC

Arial's Census ACS profile: residents, income, housing, and the joined public-record layers available for this place.

2,024
Residents
$50,132
Median income
$169,200
Median home
$1,155
Median rent (state)
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Side-by-side metrics and state or size-class ranks use the same Census and FBI fields shown on this profile. Results stay in the URL so you can bookmark or share them.

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See how it ranks

State rank, size-class rank, and four peer cities for Arial.

Place dossier plate

Sheet SC-ARIAL-SC · Arial, SC 2,024 pop · income 20th pct

POP-VILLAGE · INC-MID · COL-BELOW · SAFE-UNK · RANK-LOWER · PHOTO-FINISH · HOME-LOW · BOOK-UNK

  • POP-VILLAGE 2,024
  • INC-MID $50,132
  • COL-BELOW 93.7
  • SAFE-UNK Safety pending
  • RANK-LOWER 20th
  • PHOTO-FINISH ≈ Daytona Beach
  • HOME-LOW $169,200
  • BOOK-UNK Tracts pending

Nearest income peer: Daytona Beach, FL ( $2 income $)

Instrument codes from this place’s ACS population and household income, BEA state COL, FBI safety, national income percentile, photo-finish peer city, home-value band, and matched Census-tract book - not a moving recommendation.

Income neighbourhood around Arial

Lowest/highest poles plus peers nearest Arial on median household income. Full ladder: /browse and /rankings.

median HH income

What this shows Neighbourhood peers only - not a full nationwide city board. Open a near peer when the gap is small; open the poles when the spread is wide.

Source U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 5-Year Estimates As of 2026-08-08

Compare beyond this state

Nationwide peers by population, income

Out-of-state nearest neighbors for Arial on ACS population and median household income . Link sets are deduped so each column is a distinct comparison path, not a forecast that peers share a labor market or climate.

Similar population

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS population. This city: 2,024.

4 peers

Similar household income

Nearest out-of-state cities by ACS median household income. This city: $50,132. Population peers are excluded.

4 peers

Arial - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Arial places in the 20th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

20th
percentile, household income
33rd
percentile, home value
46th
percentile, median rent
📝 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: Arial, SC

2,024 people live in Arial, South Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Households in Arial report a median income of $50,132 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 12.4%. Arial's housing stock carries a median value of $169,200, and the median resident age is 45.5 years. Educational attainment runs 16.3% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 58.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Carolina at 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,155 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 70.7 out of 100 (High).

A decision-led reading path

Useful questions to ask of Arial's data

How this reading path is ordered

This is not a composite city score. It is a city-specific route through the available public records, ordered for this profile so the page starts with questions the joined data can actually answer. The route here runs from housing and income to work and mobility to comparison shortlist; another city can have a different sequence or fewer supported layers because the source joins are not uniform.

For Arial, city-specific coverage includes commute-mode shares. No matched row is reported here for matched public-school count, local building permits, annual population history, within-city Census tract profiles, FBI reported-crime rates; the page leaves those layers out instead of substituting a statewide or national value.

Question 1

How far does income reach against housing in Arial?

The home-value-to-income reference sits in a middle range: the ACS median home value is 3.4 times median household income. The ACS poverty estimate is 12.4%, which keeps the citywide median from describing every household.

This is a citywide price-to-income reference, not a mortgage-affordability test; it does not include interest rates, taxes, insurance, household size, or an individual buyer's down payment. Income and home value move within the same broad scale here. The useful next check is not a generic affordability label, but whether similar-size cities offer a materially different income, housing, or commute trade-off.

Compare the housing trade-off →

2. Work and mobility

What does the journey to work look like in Arial?

Mode share answers how workers usually travel; it does not measure congestion, reliability, distance to a particular job, or the quality of transit service. The profile is strongly car-oriented, so a relocation comparison should put trip distance, vehicle access, and household fuel costs ahead of a citywide commute average. The same-state peer links offer a more relevant benchmark than a national label.

Driving alone is the largest reported mode at 85.6%. A reliable mean commute time is not available for this row, so the mode shares carry the comparison.

Compare commute patterns →

Question 3

Which cities make useful reference points for Arial?

Within South Carolina, the closest population matches are Gaston (2,026 residents, $59,500 income); Cowpens (2,031 residents, $37,168 income); Fairfax (2,037 residents, $41,328 income). Outside the state, the closest population matches in this dataset are Arthur, IL (2,024 residents); Goodrich, MI (2,024 residents); Angustura, NM (2,024 residents). A third, income-matched reference set of 6 out-of-state cities sits in the income neighbourhood chart near the Place Dossier plate. These are mechanical peer sets, not claims that the places share a labor market, climate, culture, or metro context.

Use the in-state set to hold state policy and broad price conditions more nearly constant. Use the nationwide size set to ask whether cities with a similar resident count produce different housing, income, or commute outcomes. The income set is a third lens, deliberately separate from population matching.

Open a side-by-side comparison →

Population

2,024 residents

Micro place (under 10k)

Median Household Income

$50,132 /yr

Low income · poverty 12.4% (Above-median poverty)

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Near national cost · BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

City profile score · Arial, SC

36/100

4 published dimensions · ACS/FBI 2023

Comparative score against U.S. cities with population of 1,000 or more on Census ACS medians (income, poverty, bachelor's share, cost of living) and FBI UCR violent-crime rates when published. Higher means a stronger standing on those published figures, not a livability rating, not a recommendation to move, buy, or pick a "best" city. Missing inputs drop out and redistribute weight. How it is calculated.

Cost of living B
93.7 index

BEA state Regional Price Parities index (100 ≈ national average); lower is stronger on this axis. Same value for every city in the state.

Poverty rate F
12.4%

Share of residents below the poverty line; lower scores better on this axis.

Bachelor's+ share F
16.3%

Adults with a bachelor's degree or higher; ACS.

Household income F
$50,132

Median household income vs U.S. cities (pop ≥1,000); ACS.

Violent crime N/A
N/A

No FBI UCR violent-crime rate for this place (coverage is incomplete).

Arial profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions) 4-axis radar comparing 1 series across Cost of living, Poverty rate, Bachelor's+ share, Household income. Cost of livingPoverty rateBachelor's+ shareHousehold income 36 F
Arial profile (scored ACS/FBI dimensions)
Read the chart values
  • Cost of living: 70/100 (B) · 93.7 index
  • Poverty rate: 30/100 (F) · 12.4%
  • Bachelor's+ share: 24/100 (F) · 16.3%
  • Household income: 20/100 (F) · $50,132

How does Arial compare to other US cities?

Here's how Arial stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 20% higher than other cities
Home value 33% pricier than other cities
Median rent 46% pricier than other cities

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

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Arial 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

Median Gross Rent places Arial near the bottom of South Carolina's cities

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Arial ranks #1 - the 0th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Arial only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#214 of 403
47th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 441
0th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#178 of 404
56th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#230 of 439
48th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#260 of 441
41st percentile in South Carolina
How in-state ranks are ordered

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.

20thIncome percentile
Gauge source note

20th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Arial's home value compares nationally

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

$169,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 67% of 15,600 US cities

Show national distribution $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%). This entry sits in this band. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Arial $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

Arial's home-value-to-income ratio: 3.4×

ACS median home value divided by median household income.

Band
moderate
3.0–5.0×
National rank
#8,462 of 15,516
More affordable than 45% of tracked cities (pop. 1,000+)
Size class
#6,886 of 11,323
Micro cities (under 10,000)

At 3.4×, Arial sits in the moderate band: national rank #8,462 of 15,516 and #6,886 of 11,323micro cities (under 10,000). Income and home value move in the same broad scale; check same-state peers before treating the multiple as an advantage or a warning.

How this ratio is calculated

Ratio = Census ACS 2023 median home value ÷ median household income for cities with both fields and population ≥ 1,000. Rank 1 = lowest ratio (most compact). Bands match the fleet affordability thresholds used on guides (<3.0 / 3.0–5.0 / >5.0). This is not a mortgage payment estimate and does not include rates, taxes, insurance, or down payment.

Income distribution context

$50,132 Arial, SC median household income (Census ACS)

Show U.S. national quintile / Lorenz context Household income distribution - Arial, SC Arial, SC's median household income ($50,132) against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern. The Lorenz curve and quintile bars are national context, not Arial, SC-specific shares. $ Household Income Distribution Arial, SC median $50,132/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%
Arial, SC median household income (Census ACS 5-year) with U.S. national quintile shares for context. Diagonal = equality; the curve is national, not computed for Arial, SC.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 58.1%

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

Population
2,024
Median Income
$50,132
Median Home Value
$169,200
Median Age
45.5
Poverty Rate
12.4%
Labor force participation
58.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.3%

Commute Patterns

Commute source

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
85.6%
Carpool
11.2%
Public Transit
1.3%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
2.0%

Based on 1,020 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

South Carolina statewide monthly utility average (EIA 2023): $224

EIA 2023 residential energy data puts average monthly utilities across South Carolina at $224 (electricity about $130 , water and sewer about $42 ).

These are South Carolina statewide averages, not a meter reading for Arial. Actual bills vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

South Carolina's BEA cost-of-living index is 93.7 (Below Average; US average = 100, RPP 2024). HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in the county around Arial is $1,155/mo. FEMA's National Risk Index, averaged to South Carolina statewide on PlainCities, rates natural-hazard exposure at 70.7 / 100 (High).

Cost/risk geography note

Cost of living is a South Carolina statewide BEA average; rent is a county-level HUD Fair Market Rent for the county Arial sits in; the FEMA hazard score shown here is a statewide average of county NRI inputs, not a parcel-level reading.

How Arial compares to similar-size South Carolina cities

Same-state peer method

Closest same-state population matches, not geographic neighbors. Population + median household income come from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 and B19013.

City Population Median Household Income
Arial (this city) 2,024 $50,132
Gaston 2,026 $59,500
Cowpens 2,031 $37,168
Fairfax 2,037 $41,328
Primary sources on this page

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, 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.

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

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES. Joins use OMB Bulletin 23-01 / FIPS keys.

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Estimate caveats

ACS and UCR figures are citywide estimates with vintage lags; they do not replace a local visit, school visit, or insurance quote.

Editorial standards, provenance, and how to cite this page

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.

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