City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

St. Matthews, SC

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

1,626
Residents
$55,351
Median income
$146,600
Median home
$1,276
Median rent (state)

St. Matthews - the verdict

St. Matthews ranks in the 28th percentile for household income and the 38th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
26th
percentile, home value
44th
percentile, median rent
38th
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: St. Matthews, SC

St. Matthews is a small town in South Carolina, home to 1,626 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. St. Matthews households earn a median of $55,351 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 25.7%. St. Matthews's housing stock carries a median value of $146,600, and the median resident age is 50.5 years. About 29.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 49.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

St. Matthews reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1756.3 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

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 $1,276 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $224 across South Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 22.6 out of 100 (Very Low).

Population

1,626 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$55,351 /yr

Poverty 25.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does St. Matthews compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 26% pricier than other cities
Median rent 44% pricier than other cities
Safety 38% 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: St. Matthews ranks #33 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 St. Matthews'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.

28thIncome percentile
38thSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 38th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

St. Matthews's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

St. Matthews'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 44 Avg. percentile National median
St. Matthews'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 St. Matthews's home value compares nationally

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

$146,600 Among the most affordable more affordable than 74% 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. St. Matthews $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 - St. Matthews, SC St. Matthews, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, SC median $55,351/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%
St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 29.5%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 25.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 49.5%

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

Population
1,626
Median Income
$55,351
Median Home Value
$146,600
Median Age
50.5
Poverty Rate
25.7%
Labor force participation
49.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
29.5%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1756.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
329.3
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1427.0
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
1,820 residents1,830 residents1,840 residents1,850 residents1,860 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,849 residents 1,827 residents ▼ -1.2%
St. Matthews's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
67.8%
Carpool
5.9%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
11.7%
Work from Home
14.6%

Based on 707 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 St. Matthews 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
22.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Camp Croft
1,604 people
Ridgeville
1,591 people
Awendaw
1,574 people
Pelzer
1,570 people
Bonneau Beach
1,543 people
Fairforest
1,711 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to St. Matthews's 1,626 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Roxana, IL
1,626 people
Rio Rancho Estates, NM
1,626 people
Ripley, OH
1,626 people
Cottonwood Shores, TX
1,626 people
Beaver, OK
1,625 people
Comanche, OK
1,625 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to St. Matthews's $55,351 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Black Rock, NM
$55,350 median income
Lehigh, OK
$55,353 median income
East Frankfort, NY
$55,346 median income
Waldorf, MN
$55,357 median income
Welcome, MN
$55,357 median income
Polkville, MS
$55,357 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - St. Matthews, 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 St. Matthews, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 46.4% 51.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 1.4% White 46.4% Black or African American 51.0% Asian 0.5% American Indian 0.6% Native Hawaiian 0.1% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 1.4% 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 St. Matthews 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
St. Matthews (this city) 1,626 $55,351
Camp Croft 1,604 $38,940
Ridgeville 1,591 $56,134
Awendaw 1,574 $70,781
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about St. Matthews, SC?

What is the population of St. Matthews, SC? +

The population of St. Matthews, SC stands at 1,626 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in St. Matthews, SC? +

Median annual household income in St. Matthews runs $55,351, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in St. Matthews? +

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

St. Matthews has a total crime rate of 1756.3 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 St. Matthews, SC? +

St. Matthews's median home value sits at $146,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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 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.