City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Lake City, SC

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

6,032
Residents
$35,000
Median income
$133,700
Median home
$1,117
Median rent (state)

Lake City - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lake City places in the 4th percentile for household income and the 2nd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

4th
percentile, household income
22nd
percentile, home value
30th
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: Lake City, SC

Lake City is a small town in South Carolina, home to 6,032 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $35,000 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 11.2%. Lake City's housing stock carries a median value of $133,700, and the median resident age is 44.1 years. 20.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 51.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 36 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 25% from five years earlier. Lake City's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 6552.2 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Lake City's yearly average temperature at 64.2°F with 49.8 inches of precipitation per year.

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 $1,117 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $224 across South Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Natural-hazard exposure scores 89.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

6,032 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$35,000 /yr

Poverty 11.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Lake City compare to other US cities?

Lake City measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 4% higher than other cities
Home value 22% pricier than other cities
Median rent 30% 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.

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Carolina, Lake City ranks #111 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Lake City's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in South Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

4thIncome percentile
2ndSafety percentile

4th percentile nationally for median household income · 2nd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lake City's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lake City'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 27 Avg. percentile National median
Lake City'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 Lake City's home value compares nationally

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

$133,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 78% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lake City $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 - Lake City, SC Lake City, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lake City, 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 Lake City, SC median $35,000/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%
Lake City, 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 Lake City, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 20.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 11.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.6%

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

Population
6,032
Median Income
$35,000
Median Home Value
$133,700
Median Age
44.1
Poverty Rate
11.2%
Labor force participation
51.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
20.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
6552.2
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
1802.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4749.9
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
64.2°F
Annual Precipitation
49.8"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
5,900 residents5,950 residents6,000 residents6,050 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,025 residents 5,940 residents ▼ -1.4%
Lake City's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
36
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
36
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 48
2020 47
2021 0
2022 5
2023 0
2024 36

Permit volume decreased 25% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
75.7%
Carpool
20.3%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.1%
Work from Home
2.5%

Based on 2,644 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 Lake City sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,117/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
89.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Darlington
6,128 people
Piedmont
5,786 people
Lyman
6,317 people
Marion
6,338 people
Dillon
6,406 people
Clemson University
6,434 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake City's 6,032 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Nazareth, PA
6,032 people
Sheridan, CO
6,031 people
Wilmore, KY
6,031 people
Rittman, OH
6,033 people
Pauls Valley, OK
6,031 people
Solvang, CA
6,034 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lake City's $35,000 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Elim, AK
$35,000 median income
Bowman, GA
$35,000 median income
Jacksonville, GA
$35,000 median income
Freeman Spur, IL
$35,000 median income
Melvin, IL
$35,000 median income
Morehead, KY
$35,000 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lake City, 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 Lake City, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 23.7% 69.1% 6.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.8% White 23.7% Black or African American 69.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 6.8% 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 Lake City 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
Lake City (this city) 6,032 $35,000
Darlington 6,128 $31,240
Piedmont 5,786 $51,896
Lyman 6,317 $69,688
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lake City, SC?

What is the population of Lake City, SC? +

Lake City, SC has a population of 6,032 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Lake City, SC? +

The median household income in Lake City is $35,000 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lake City? +

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

Lake City has a total crime rate of 6552.2 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 Lake City, SC? +

The median home value in Lake City is $133,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lake City? +

Climate normals put Lake City's yearly average temperature at 64.2°F, 49.8 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 Editorial

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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.