County · South Carolina
Saluda County, South Carolina
Saluda County, South Carolina. Saluda County had 19,680 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.9% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 5 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs) and 6 census tracts. GEOID 45081.
Saluda County is one of the 6 counties of the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
19,680
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 18,862 · ACS 2020-2024: 19,131
Median household income
$51,009
±$5,886 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$146,500
±$18,473 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$851
±$73 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Saluda County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 18,862 residents in Saluda County. The Census Bureau estimates 19,680 for July 1, 2025, up 3.9% since 2020, slower than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 19,131 over 453 square miles of land.
| Measure | Saluda County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 19,131 | 5,296,225 | −1,172 |
| Households | 7,670±217 | 2,117,989 | +576 |
| Average household size | 2.45±0.07 | 2.44 | −0.36 |
| Housing units | 9,543±25 | 2,443,039 | +119 |
Saluda County's population since 2000
From 19,181 in 2000 to 19,680 in 2025: up 2.6%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Saluda County?
Saluda County holds 5 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places). The largest is Saluda with 3,086 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Saluda | 3,122 | $42,506 |
|---|---|---|
| Ridge Spring | 579 | $39,167 |
| Batesburg-Leesville | 5,270 | $49,646 |
| WardGEOID 4574590 | 119 | not published |
| MonettaGEOID 4547320 | 205 | $59,554 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Saluda County?
The median resident of Saluda County is 42.6 years old; 21.9% are under 18 and 20.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 57.1%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 21.2%. 7.3% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Saluda County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±0.8 | 40.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 21.9%±0.2 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.6%±0.4 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 17.1% | 7.4% | +1.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 57.1%±1.0 pts | 61.9% | −1.2 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 21.2%±0.8 pts | 24.6% | −3.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.9 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 7.3%±1.7 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 17.1%±1.4 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.9%±1.6 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 16.8%±1.9 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 17.9%±2.2 pts | 9.6% | +4.6 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 84.1%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 20.4%±2.5 pts | 32.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 8.8%±2.0 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±1.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Saluda County earn?
Half of Saluda County's 7,670 households earn less than $51,009 a year (±$5,886), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $56,260 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 18.7% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Saluda County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $51,009±$5,886 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $73,199±$4,885 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $30,409±$1,808 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 18.7%±2.9 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 25.8%±6.4 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 13.9%±2.4 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 77.5%±3.5 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Saluda County?
Owners occupy 78.7% of Saluda County's occupied homes and renters 21.3%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $146,500 by its owner (±$18,473). The median renter pays $851 a month including utilities, and 38.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Saluda County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $146,500±$18,473 | $259,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $851±$73 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 38.7%±9.5 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,362±$56 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 78.7%±3.0 pts | 71.9% | +4.6 pts |
| Housing units | 9,543±25 | 2,443,039 | +119 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 3.7%±2.3 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 68.3%±3.5 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 27.8%±3.4 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 2.0%±0.9 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 8.8%±2.0 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Saluda County building?
Builders took permits for 61 new housing units across Saluda County in 2025 (61 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Saluda County get to work?
78.5% of Saluda County's workers drive alone and 6.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.5 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.2%.
| Measure | Saluda County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 56.6%±2.6 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.2%±1.1 pts | 4.9% | −3.5 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 78.5%±3.0 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±2.0 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.2%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 2.5%±1.4 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 6.2%±1.8 pts | 11.5% | +4.3 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.5 min±1.9 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Saluda County's census tracts?
Saluda County is divided into 6 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $44,130 (Tract 9602.01) to $79,167 (Tract 9603.02).
| Tract 960145081960100 | 3,011±491 | $52,880 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9602.0145081960201 | 4,408±529 | $44,130 |
| Tract 9602.0245081960202 | 4,114±394 | $44,264 |
| Tract 9603.0145081960301 | 2,701±390 | $70,986 |
| Tract 9603.0245081960302 | 1,937±246 | $79,167 |
| Tract 960445081960400 | 2,960±338 | $55,458 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Saluda County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 40th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 23rd of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 36th of 46 |
| Median household income | 31st of 46 |
| Median home value | 33rd of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 30th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 15th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 26th of 46 |
| Median age | 14th of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Saluda County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.