City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Pickens, SC

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

3,386
Residents
$58,534
Median income
$196,400
Median home
$1,339
Median rent (state)

Pickens - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Pickens lands in the 33rd percentile for household income and the 12th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

33rd
percentile, household income
42nd
percentile, home value
49th
percentile, median rent
12th
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: Pickens, SC

3,386 people live in Pickens, South Carolina - a small town by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $58,534 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 9.5%. Typical homes in Pickens are valued around $196,400, and the median resident age is 38.4 years. 14.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 51.7% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Pickens's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 3364.9 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA climate normals record an annual average temperature of 60.6°F with 56.7 inches of precipitation per year and 1.0 inches of snowfall.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,339 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 77.6 out of 100 (High).

Population

3,386 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$58,534 /yr

Poverty 9.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Pickens compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 33% higher than other cities
Home value 42% pricier than other cities
Median rent 49% pricier than other cities
Safety 12% 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, Pickens ranks #67 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 Pickens'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.

33rdIncome percentile
12thSafety percentile

33rd percentile nationally for median household income · 12th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Pickens's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Pickens'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 33 Avg. percentile National median
Pickens'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 Pickens's home value compares nationally

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

$196,400 Among the most affordable more affordable than 58% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Pickens $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 - Pickens, SC Pickens, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Pickens, 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 Pickens, SC median $58,534/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%
Pickens, 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 Pickens, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 14.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 9.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 51.7%

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

Population
3,386
Median Income
$58,534
Median Home Value
$196,400
Median Age
38.4
Poverty Rate
9.5%
Labor force participation
51.7%
Bachelor's Degree+
14.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
3364.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
295.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3069.7
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
60.6°F
Annual Precipitation
56.7"
Annual Snowfall
1.0"

Schools

Total Schools
6
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,120 residents3,140 residents3,160 residents3,180 residents3,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,145 residents 3,188 residents ▲ +1.4%
Pickens's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
88.6%
Carpool
10.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.7%
Work from Home
0.0%

Based on 1,315 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 Pickens 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
77.6 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Wellford
3,432 people
Liberty
3,337 people
Winnsboro
3,332 people
Keowee Key
3,307 people
Roebuck
3,468 people
Pendleton
3,542 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Pickens's 3,386 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Winnsboro, TX
3,386 people
Emerald Mountain, AL
3,387 people
Peralta, NM
3,385 people
Holton, KS
3,384 people
Dewey, OK
3,388 people
Oliver Springs, TN
3,384 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Pickens's $58,534 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Nashwauk, MN
$58,533 median income
Shelbyville, IN
$58,532 median income
Edenborn, PA
$58,531 median income
El Paso, AR
$58,529 median income
Eddyville, KY
$58,527 median income
Eads, CO
$58,542 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Pickens, 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 Pickens, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 73.0% 13.5% 9.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.6% White 73.0% Black or African American 13.5% Asian 2.4% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.7% Two or more races 9.8% 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 Pickens 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
Pickens (this city) 3,386 $58,534
Wellford 3,432 $55,871
Liberty 3,337 $42,077
Winnsboro 3,332 $35,649
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Pickens, SC?

What is the population of Pickens, SC? +

3,386 people live in Pickens, SC according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Pickens households earn a median of $58,534 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Pickens? +

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

Pickens has a total crime rate of 3364.9 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 Pickens, SC? +

The median home value in Pickens is $196,400, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Pickens? +

Pickens has an average annual temperature of 60.6°F, 56.7 inches of precipitation, and 1.0 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, 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.