City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Greenville, SC

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

71,755
Residents
$68,460
Median income
$453,300
Median home
$1,339
Median rent (state)

Greenville - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Greenville places in the 48th percentile for household income and the 7th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

48th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
7th
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: Greenville, SC

71,755 people live in Greenville, South Carolina - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Greenville households earn a median of $68,460 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 8.9%. Home values in Greenville run a median of $453,300, and the median resident age is 34.8 years. Educational attainment runs 55.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 65.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 404 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 57% from five years earlier. Greenville's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR figures show 4112.8 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 climate normals record an annual average temperature of 59.6°F with 50.7 inches of precipitation per year.

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. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,339 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). Commute times here average 17.2 minutes, with 74.4% driving alone and 13.7% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 94.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

71,755 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$68,460 /yr

Poverty 8.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Greenville compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 48% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 7% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just South Carolina and the picture shifts: Greenville ranks #83 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Greenville 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 Greenville's strongest outlier among South Carolina cities

Among the 404 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Greenville ranks #26 - the 94th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Greenville only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#108 of 403
73rd percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#82 of 441
73rd percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#26 of 404
94th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#276 of 439
37th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#29 of 441
93rd 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.

48thIncome percentile
7thSafety percentile

48th percentile nationally for median household income · 7th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Greenville's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Greenville'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 30 Avg. percentile National median
Greenville'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 Greenville's home value compares nationally

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

$453,300 18th percentile more affordable than 18% 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%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Greenville $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 - Greenville, SC Greenville, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Greenville, 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 Greenville, SC median $68,460/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%
Greenville, 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 Greenville, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 55.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 8.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 65.9%

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

Population
71,755
Median Income
$68,460
Median Home Value
$453,300
Median Age
34.8
Poverty Rate
8.9%
Labor force participation
65.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
55.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4112.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
644.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3468.4
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
59.6°F
Annual Precipitation
50.7"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
51
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
70,000 residents72,000 residents74,000 residents76,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 71,465 residents 75,310 residents ▲ +5.4%
Greenville's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
404
housing units authorized
Single-Family
312
detached homes
Multifamily
92
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 933
2020 1,146
2021 363
2022 276
2023 639
2024 404

Permit volume decreased 57% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
17.2 minutes
Drive Alone
74.4%
Carpool
5.5%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
13.7%
Other
2.4%

Based on 39,223 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 Greenville sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,339/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
94.0 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Rock Hill
74,769 people
Summerville
51,262 people
Mount Pleasant
92,662 people
Goose Creek
46,964 people
Sumter
43,065 people
Florence
40,205 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Greenville's 71,755 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Harlingen, TX
71,669 people
Poinciana, FL
71,665 people
Centreville, VA
71,885 people
Tamarac, FL
71,887 people
Noblesville, IN
71,940 people
Marysville, WA
71,570 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Greenville's $68,460 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Harveys Lake, PA
$68,462 median income
Ridge Wood Heights, FL
$68,463 median income
Chemung, IL
$68,463 median income
Moscow Mills, MO
$68,451 median income
Kickapoo Site 5, KS
$68,450 median income
Allendale, MI
$68,449 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Greenville, 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 Greenville, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 68.3% 20.5% 6.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.2% White 68.3% Black or African American 20.5% Asian 2.0% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.2% Some other race 2.7% Two or more races 6.1% 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 Greenville 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
Greenville (this city) 71,755 $68,460
Rock Hill 74,769 $64,770
Summerville 51,262 $78,621
Mount Pleasant 92,662 $121,364
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Greenville, SC?

What is the population of Greenville, SC? +

The population of Greenville, SC stands at 71,755 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Greenville is $68,460 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Greenville? +

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

Greenville has a total crime rate of 4112.8 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 Greenville, SC? +

Greenville's median home value sits at $453,300, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Greenville? +

Greenville has an average annual temperature of 59.6°F, 50.7 inches of precipitation. 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.