Pickens County

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Pickens County, SC, has a population of 131,404. The racial composition is approximately 85.5% White, 7% African American, 1.8% Asian, 0.3% Native American, and 5.0% Hispanic or Latino. The median household income is around $52,500, and 14.2% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county covers 512 square miles, with a population density of about 257 people per square mile.

As of the most recent data, Pickens County, SC boasts a median home value of approximately $182,400. Home values have appreciated by around 5.6% over the past year. The median rent is about $900 per month. Homeownership rate stands at 73.2%, with a vacancy rate near 12%. New construction and existing homes blend rural charm with increasing suburban development, reflecting a steady demand.

Pickens County, SC, is an area with a variety of elected positions at the county level, including County Council, School Board, and various judicial and administrative roles.

In the most recent county-level elections, the three County Council seats up for grabs in 2022 were Districts 1, 2, and 5. Significant candidates included:

• District 1: Roy Costner
• District 2: Chris Bowers
• District 5: Ensley Feemster

School Board elections were held for Districts 2, 4, and 6. Key candidates included:

• District 2: Betty Bagley
• District 4: Phillip Bowers
• District 6: Phillip Healy

The voter turnout in Pickens County typically ranges from 50-70% in presidential election years but drops to around 30-40% in mid-term and local elections. The county tends to lean conservative, reflecting broader trends in the region. For complete, official results and candidate information, check the Pickens County Board of Voter Registration & Elections website.

As of the latest data, Pickens County, SC, exhibits the following educational statistics: approximately 85% of residents aged 25 and older have a high school diploma or higher, which is slightly below the national average of around 88%. About 24% of residents hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, compared to the national average of approximately 33%. Within South Carolina, the state averages are roughly 88% for high school graduates and 29% for those with a bachelor's degree or beyond.

Pickens County is home to Clemson University, a major educational institution, which positively influences local educational attainment levels. Despite this, the county's education levels are still a bit below both the national and state averages. Programs and local initiatives aim to improve these figures, focusing on increasing access to higher education and skill development.

As of the latest data, Pickens County, SC has an unemployment rate of approximately 4.0%, which is slightly below the national average of around 4.2% and the South Carolina state average of 4.1%. The county has about 60,000 employed residents.

Top industries in Pickens County include:

1. Manufacturing: Employs roughly 20% of the workforce, higher than the national average of 8.5%.
2. Education Services, and Health Care and Social Assistance: Approximately 22%, comparable to the national average of 23%.
3. Retail Trade: Around 13%, similar to the national average of 11.5%.
4. Construction: Employs about 7%, slightly above the national average of 6.3%.

These sectors are crucial to Pickens County’s economy, reflecting a strong manufacturing presence compared to state and national figures.

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Pickens County, SC, is approximately $51,890. This figure is below both the national median household income of about $67,521 and the South Carolina state median household income of around $56,227.

Statistics Table:

Pickens County's median income falls short of the national average by $15,631 and is $4,337 less than the state average. This data highlights the county's relatively lower income levels compared to broader benchmarks.

As of the most recent data, Pickens County, SC, has a relatively moderate crime rate compared to national averages. The overall crime rate is approximately 22.36 per 1,000 residents annually. Violent crimes, including murder and assault, are less frequent, while property crimes, such as burglary and larceny-theft, are more common.

Please note that these figures