City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Lexington, SC

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

24,132
Residents
$83,263
Median income
$271,200
Median home
$1,276
Median rent (state)

Lexington - the verdict

Lexington ranks in the 65th percentile for household income and the 40th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

65th
percentile, household income
60th
percentile, home value
44th
percentile, median rent
40th
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: Lexington, SC

Lexington is a small city in South Carolina, home to 24,132 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $83,263 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.1%. Lexington's housing stock carries a median value of $271,200, and the median resident age is 40.9 years. About 48.0% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 59.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 168 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 24% from five years earlier. Lexington reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1683.8 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,276 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). Workers in Lexington report an average commute of 21.1 minutes, with 77.4% driving alone and 11.9% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 90.9 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

24,132 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$83,263 /yr

Poverty 5.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Lexington compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 65% higher than other cities
Home value 60% pricier than other cities
Median rent 44% pricier than other cities
Safety 40% 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, Lexington ranks #29 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

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 Lexington'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.

65thIncome percentile
40thSafety percentile

65th percentile nationally for median household income · 40th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lexington's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lexington'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 51 Avg. percentile National median
Lexington'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 Lexington's home value compares nationally

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

$271,200 40th percentile more affordable than 40% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lexington $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 - Lexington, SC Lexington, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lexington, 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 Lexington, SC median $83,263/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%
Lexington, 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 Lexington, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 48.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 59.2%

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

Population
24,132
Median Income
$83,263
Median Home Value
$271,200
Median Age
40.9
Poverty Rate
5.1%
Labor force participation
59.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
48.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1683.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
118.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1565.5
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
20
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
23,000 residents24,000 residents25,000 residents26,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 23,720 residents 25,729 residents ▲ +8.5%
Lexington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
168
housing units authorized
Single-Family
168
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
7
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 220
2020 307
2021 209
2022 111
2023 203
2024 168

Permit volume decreased 24% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
21.1 minutes
Drive Alone
77.4%
Carpool
7.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.5%
Work from Home
11.9%
Other
0.8%

Based on 11,294 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 Lexington sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,276/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.9 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Easley
23,942 people
Taylors
23,686 people
Socastee
24,629 people
North Augusta
24,928 people
Simpsonville
25,125 people
Greenwood
22,527 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lexington's 24,132 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Nixa, MO
24,131 people
Collinsville, IL
24,126 people
Shelbyville, TN
24,125 people
West Memphis, AR
24,147 people
Wekiwa Springs, FL
24,109 people
Emporia, KS
24,098 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lexington's $83,263 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Sheridan, MT
$83,264 median income
Pierrepont Manor, NY
$83,260 median income
Elmwood, LA
$83,268 median income
DeSoto, TX
$83,256 median income
The Hammocks, FL
$83,253 median income
Wheeling, IL
$83,251 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lexington, 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 Lexington, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 74.7% 10.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 6.3% White 74.7% Black or African American 10.9% Asian 6.0% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.7% Some other race 1.9% Two or more races 5.8% 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 Lexington 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
Lexington (this city) 24,132 $83,263
Easley 23,942 $65,330
Taylors 23,686 $71,747
Socastee 24,629 $59,826
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lexington, SC?

What is the population of Lexington, SC? +

24,132 people live in Lexington, SC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Lexington is $83,263 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lexington? +

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

Lexington has a total crime rate of 1683.8 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 Lexington, SC? +

A typical home in Lexington is worth $271,200, 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 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.