City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Seneca, SC

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

8,910
Residents
$52,207
Median income
$223,100
Median home
$941
Median rent (state)

Seneca - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Seneca lands in the 23rd percentile for household income and the 25th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

23rd
percentile, household income
49th
percentile, home value
10th
percentile, median rent
25th
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: Seneca, SC

South Carolina's Seneca is a small town, with 8,910 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Seneca brings in $52,207 a year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 17.1%. Home values in Seneca run a median of $223,100, and the median resident age is 39.9 years. 29.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 54.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 118 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 131% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2339.1 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near 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: the state registers 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $941 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in South Carolina run around $224, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 85.6 out of 100 (Very High).

Population

8,910 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$52,207 /yr

Poverty 17.1%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Seneca compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 23% higher than other cities
Home value 49% pricier than other cities
Median rent 10% pricier than other cities
Safety 25% 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, Seneca ranks #47 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 Seneca'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.

23rdIncome percentile
25thSafety percentile

23rd percentile nationally for median household income · 25th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Seneca's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Seneca'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 40 Avg. percentile National median
Seneca'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 Seneca's home value compares nationally

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

$223,100 Among the most affordable more affordable than 51% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Seneca $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 - Seneca, SC Seneca, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Seneca, 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 Seneca, SC median $52,207/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%
Seneca, 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 Seneca, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 17.1%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 54.9%

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

Population
8,910
Median Income
$52,207
Median Home Value
$223,100
Median Age
39.9
Poverty Rate
17.1%
Labor force participation
54.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2339.1
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
615.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1724.1
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
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 →
8,600 residents8,800 residents9,000 residents9,200 residents9,400 residents9,600 residents 202020212022202320242025 8,851 residents 9,424 residents ▲ +6.5%
Seneca's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
118
housing units authorized
Single-Family
78
detached homes
Multifamily
40
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
13.2
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 51
2020 56
2021 68
2022 71
2023 79
2024 118

Permit volume increased 131% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
80.3%
Carpool
14.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
1.7%
Work from Home
3.6%

Based on 4,101 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 Seneca sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$941/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
85.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Lancaster
8,738 people
York
8,697 people
Hardeeville
9,293 people
Sangaree
8,517 people
Laurens
9,307 people
Georgetown
8,511 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Seneca's 8,910 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Evergreen, MT
8,908 people
Northwest Harborcreek, PA
8,908 people
Skidaway Island, GA
8,907 people
Plymouth, WI
8,913 people
North Merritt Island, FL
8,903 people
Poteau, OK
8,903 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Seneca's $52,207 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pinetop-Lakeside, AZ
$52,207 median income
Peck, MI
$52,204 median income
Montpelier, ID
$52,212 median income
Buckley, IL
$52,212 median income
Daleville, IN
$52,202 median income
Ashland, KY
$52,199 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Seneca, 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 Seneca, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 71.8% 18.5% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 7.8% White 71.8% Black or African American 18.5% Asian 0.7% American Indian 0.2% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 2.9% Two or more races 5.9% 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 Seneca 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
Seneca (this city) 8,910 $52,207
Lancaster 8,738 $43,234
York 8,697 $47,315
Hardeeville 9,293 $78,233
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Seneca, SC?

What is the population of Seneca, SC? +

Seneca, SC counts 8,910 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Seneca households earn a median of $52,207 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Seneca? +

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

Seneca has a total crime rate of 2339.1 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Seneca, SC? +

The median home value in Seneca is $223,100, 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.