City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Wellford, SC

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

3,432
Residents
$55,871
Median income
$217,700
Median home
$1,187
Median rent (state)

Wellford - the verdict

Wellford ranks in the 29th percentile for household income and the 63rd percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

29th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
35th
percentile, median rent
63rd
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: Wellford, SC

Wellford is a small town in South Carolina, home to 3,432 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $55,871 per year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 10.4%. Home values in Wellford run a median of $217,700, and the median resident age is 31.1 years. 16.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 48.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Wellford reports a comparatively low crime rate: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 1020.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, below the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,187 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 90.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

3,432 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$55,871 /yr

Poverty 10.4%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Wellford compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 29% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 35% pricier than other cities
Safety 63% 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: Wellford ranks #10 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Wellford against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Carolina-relative analysis

Median Home Value sits close to the middle of South Carolina's city distribution

Among the 404 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median home value data, Wellford ranks #115 - the 72nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Wellford only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#164 of 403
59th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#205 of 441
46th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#115 of 404
72nd percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#251 of 439
43rd percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#253 of 441
42nd percentile in South Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within South Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

29thIncome percentile
63rdSafety percentile

29th percentile nationally for median household income · 63rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Wellford's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Wellford'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 50 Avg. percentile National median
Wellford'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 Wellford's home value compares nationally

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

$217,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% 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. Wellford $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 - Wellford, SC Wellford, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Wellford, 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 Wellford, SC median $55,871/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%
Wellford, 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 Wellford, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 10.4%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 48.6%

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

Population
3,432
Median Income
$55,871
Median Home Value
$217,700
Median Age
31.1
Poverty Rate
10.4%
Labor force participation
48.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1020.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
107.4
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
913.2
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
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,200 residents3,400 residents3,600 residents3,800 residents4,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,386 residents 3,914 residents ▲ +15.6%
Wellford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
79.8%
Carpool
13.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
0.0%
Work from Home
6.5%

Based on 1,102 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 Wellford sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,187/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
90.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Roebuck
3,468 people
Pickens
3,386 people
Liberty
3,337 people
Winnsboro
3,332 people
Pendleton
3,542 people
Keowee Key
3,307 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Wellford's 3,432 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Lowville, NY
3,432 people
Grasonville, MD
3,431 people
Slippery Rock, PA
3,434 people
Melody Hill, IN
3,435 people
Tashua, CT
3,436 people
Gothenburg, NE
3,436 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Wellford's $55,871 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Golden, IL
$55,875 median income
Bowdle, SD
$55,875 median income
Jonesville, MI
$55,865 median income
Baldwin, FL
$55,862 median income
Waverly, IL
$55,882 median income
Brooklawn, NJ
$55,882 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Wellford, 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 Wellford, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 45.8% 39.1% 10.4% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 5.6% White 45.8% Black or African American 39.1% Asian 2.8% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.3% Some other race 1.6% Two or more races 10.4% 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 Wellford 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
Wellford (this city) 3,432 $55,871
Roebuck 3,468 $51,111
Pickens 3,386 $58,534
Liberty 3,337 $42,077
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Wellford, SC?

What is the population of Wellford, SC? +

Wellford, SC has a population of 3,432 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Wellford households earn a median of $55,871 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Wellford? +

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

Wellford has a total crime rate of 1020.6 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 Wellford, SC? +

Wellford's median home value sits at $217,700, 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

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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.