City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Bluffton, SC

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

31,323
Residents
$105,463
Median income
$444,500
Median home
$1,542
Median rent (state)

Bluffton - the verdict

Nationally, Bluffton sits in the 81st percentile for household income and the 66th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

81st
percentile, household income
81st
percentile, home value
61st
percentile, median rent
66th
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: Bluffton, SC

Bluffton is a small city in South Carolina, home to 31,323 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Bluffton households earn a median of $105,463 annually, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 3.1%. Home values in Bluffton run a median of $444,500, and the median resident age is 41.0 years. 47.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 60.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 331 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 72% from five years earlier. Bluffton reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 943.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,542 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $224 across South Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 78.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

31,323 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$105,463 /yr

Poverty 3.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Bluffton compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 81% higher than other cities
Home value 81% pricier than other cities
Median rent 61% pricier than other cities
Safety 66% 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, Bluffton ranks #7 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 Bluffton 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 Home Value is Bluffton's strongest outlier among South Carolina cities

Among the 404 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Bluffton ranks #28 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Bluffton only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#30 of 403
93rd percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#62 of 441
85th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#28 of 404
93rd percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#374 of 439
14th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#35 of 441
92nd 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.

81stIncome percentile
66thSafety percentile

81st percentile nationally for median household income · 66th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Bluffton's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Bluffton'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 59 Avg. percentile National median
Bluffton'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 Bluffton's home value compares nationally

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

$444,500 19th percentile more affordable than 19% 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%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Bluffton $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 - Bluffton, SC Bluffton, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, SC median $105,463/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%
Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 47.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 3.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 60.0%

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

Population
31,323
Median Income
$105,463
Median Home Value
$444,500
Median Age
41.0
Poverty Rate
3.1%
Labor force participation
60.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
47.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
943.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
118.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
825.3
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.

Schools

Total Schools
10
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
25,000 residents30,000 residents35,000 residents40,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 28,300 residents 36,807 residents ▲ +30.1%
Bluffton's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
331
housing units authorized
Single-Family
331
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 1,190
2020 1,500
2021 1,245
2022 417
2023 432
2024 331

Permit volume decreased 72% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.8%
Carpool
9.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.4%
Work from Home
13.7%
Other
0.7%

Based on 14,919 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 Bluffton sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,542/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
78.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Aiken
32,334 people
Anderson
29,563 people
Fort Mill
28,281 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 Bluffton's 31,323 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Orcutt, CA
31,284 people
Bay Shore, NY
31,275 people
Norwood, MA
31,380 people
Sterling, VA
31,251 people
El Paso de Robles (Paso Robles), CA
31,399 people
Holladay, UT
31,236 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Bluffton's $105,463 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Mono, CA
$105,466 median income
Providence, TX
$105,469 median income
Carbonado, WA
$105,469 median income
Altamont, NY
$105,455 median income
Swartzville, PA
$105,481 median income
Brownsburg, IN
$105,435 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Bluffton, 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 Bluffton, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.9% 9.4% 7.5% 7.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 14.9% White 74.9% Black or African American 9.4% Asian 0.9% American Indian 0.3% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 7.5% Two or more races 7.0% 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 Bluffton 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
Bluffton (this city) 31,323 $105,463
Aiken 32,334 $69,837
Anderson 29,563 $44,321
Fort Mill 28,281 $127,537
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Bluffton, SC?

What is the population of Bluffton, SC? +

The population of Bluffton, SC stands at 31,323 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Bluffton households earn a median of $105,463 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Bluffton? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Bluffton; 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 Bluffton, SC safe? +

Bluffton has a total crime rate of 943.9 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Bluffton, SC? +

Homes in Bluffton carry a median value of $444,500, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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