City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Elko, SC

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

198
Residents
$41,023
Median income
$85,700
Median home
$930
Median rent (state)

Elko - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Elko lands in the 9th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

9th
percentile, household income
5th
percentile, home value
9th
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: Elko, SC

Elko is a small town in South Carolina, home to 198 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Elko households earn a median of $41,023 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 15.0%. Home values in Elko run a median of $85,700, and the median resident age is 32.6 years. 7.8% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 20.0% 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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $930 monthly. 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 45.8 out of 100 (Low).

Population

198 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$41,023 /yr

Poverty 15.0%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Elko compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 9% higher than other cities
Home value 5% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% 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 Elko 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 places Elko toward the bottom of South Carolina's cities

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Elko ranks #381 - the 13th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Elko only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#289 of 403
28th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#330 of 441
24th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#340 of 404
16th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#201 of 439
53rd percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#381 of 441
13th 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.

9thIncome percentile

9th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Elko's home value compares nationally

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

$85,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 95% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Above this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Elko $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 - Elko, SC Elko, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Elko, 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 Elko, SC median $41,023/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%
Elko, 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 Elko, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 7.8%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 15.0%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 20.0%

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

Population
198
Median Income
$41,023
Median Home Value
$85,700
Median Age
32.6
Poverty Rate
15.0%
Labor force participation
20.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
7.8%

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
136 residents137 residents138 residents139 residents140 residents141 residents 202020212022202320242025 137 residents 140 residents ▲ +2.2%
Elko's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
91.4%
Carpool
2.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
5.7%

Based on 35 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 Elko sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$930/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Rembert
199 people
Gifford
200 people
Nichols
195 people
Waterloo
192 people
Vance
206 people
Bradley
207 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Elko's 198 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Gantt, AL
198 people
McIntosh, AL
198 people
Vinegar Bend, AL
198 people
Valley Springs, AR
198 people
Salton Sea Beach, CA
198 people
Smartsville, CA
198 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Elko's $41,023 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Chaffee, MO
$41,024 median income
Fairfield, IL
$41,026 median income
Waldron, AR
$41,028 median income
Roberta, GA
$41,042 median income
Benton City, MO
$41,042 median income
Rockville, NE
$41,042 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Elko, 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 Elko, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 24.2% 75.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.0% White 24.2% Black or African American 75.8% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.0% 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 Elko 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
Elko (this city) 198 $41,023
Rembert 199 $50,950
Gifford 200 $29,583
Nichols 195 $46,471
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Elko, SC?

What is the population of Elko, SC? +

Elko, SC counts 198 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Elko is $41,023 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Elko? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Elko; 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.

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

Elko's median home value sits at $85,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

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.

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.