City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Williston, SC

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

2,884
Residents
$35,968
Median income
$104,000
Median home
$930
Median rent (state)

Williston - the verdict

Nationally, Williston sits in the 5th percentile for household income and the 5th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

5th
percentile, household income
11th
percentile, home value
9th
percentile, median rent
5th
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: Williston, SC

South Carolina's Williston is a small town, with 2,884 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Median household income here is $35,968 per year, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 28.8%. Typical homes in Williston are valued around $104,000, and the median resident age is 45.6 years. 16.7% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 56.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Williston's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 4489.6 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects 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 $930 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 45.8 out of 100 (Low).

Population

2,884 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$35,968 /yr

Poverty 28.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Williston compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 5% higher than other cities
Home value 11% pricier than other cities
Median rent 9% pricier than other cities
Safety 5% 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, Williston ranks #88 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

Each percentile compares Williston 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

Poverty Rate places Williston toward the top of South Carolina's cities

Among the 439 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, Williston ranks #63 - the 86th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Williston only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#332 of 403
18th percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#330 of 441
24th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#300 of 404
26th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#63 of 439
86th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#256 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.

5thIncome percentile
5thSafety percentile

5th percentile nationally for median household income · 5th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Williston's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Williston'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
Williston'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 Williston's home value compares nationally

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

$104,000 Among the most affordable more affordable than 89% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $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. Williston $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 - Williston, SC Williston, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Williston, 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 Williston, SC median $35,968/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%
Williston, 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 Williston, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 16.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 28.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.5%

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

Population
2,884
Median Income
$35,968
Median Home Value
$104,000
Median Age
45.6
Poverty Rate
28.8%
Labor force participation
56.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
16.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4489.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
561.2
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
3928.4
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
3
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
2,860 residents2,870 residents2,880 residents2,890 residents2,900 residents2,910 residents 202020212022202320242025 2,890 residents 2,898 residents ▲ +0.3%
Williston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
82.4%
Carpool
2.2%
Public Transit
11.8%
Walk
0.9%
Work from Home
1.4%
Other
1.3%

Based on 1,259 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 Williston sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$930/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
45.8 / 100
Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Arkwright
2,910 people
Dalzell
2,949 people
Bishopville
2,958 people
Bamberg
3,036 people
Arcadia
2,724 people
Hilltop
3,058 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Williston's 2,884 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

San Andreas, CA
2,884 people
Polk City, FL
2,884 people
Mamou, LA
2,884 people
Chevy Chase, MD
2,884 people
Woodville, TX
2,884 people
Emajagua comunidad, PR
2,884 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Williston's $35,968 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Byesville, OH
$35,959 median income
Spring City, TN
$35,957 median income
McKenzie, TN
$35,988 median income
Collins, MS
$35,946 median income
Kahoka, MO
$35,993 median income
Livingston, TN
$35,997 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Williston, 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 Williston, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 45.6% 54.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.2% White 45.6% Black or African American 54.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.4% 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 Williston 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
Williston (this city) 2,884 $35,968
Arkwright 2,910 $51,458
Dalzell 2,949 $52,723
Bishopville 2,958 $44,015
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Williston, SC?

What is the population of Williston, SC? +

Williston, SC counts 2,884 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in Williston is $35,968 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Williston? +

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

Williston has a total crime rate of 4489.6 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 Williston, SC? +

Williston's median home value sits at $104,000, 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.