1st Advantage MortgageAiken County households have a median income of $70,609 and median rent of $1,062 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's South Carolina license first.
On this page
- Aiken County at a glance
- Jobs and commutes in Aiken County
- How much Aiken County households make
- Renting and owning in Aiken County
- Aiken County next to its neighbors
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Aiken County
- A Aiken County household budget, worked through
- Aiken County households compared
- Before borrowing in Aiken County
- Who licenses lenders for Aiken County residents
- A Aiken County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Aiken County
- Frequently asked questions
Aiken County at a glance
With an estimated 174,160 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Aiken County ranks 11th of 46 in South Carolina for population. It covers 1,071 square miles of land, or about 163 people per square mile. For statistical purposes it belongs to the Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC metro area, as delineated by the Office of Management and Budget in July 2023. Aiken is the biggest of its 15 Census places, at roughly 32,521 people (19% of the county total).
Jobs and commutes in Aiken County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Aiken County residents work in education and health care and 14% in manufacturing. Compared with South Carolina, the county leans toward professional and administrative services (14% against 12%). ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.1% in Aiken County. 13% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 11% work from home.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Aiken County | Gap to South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.9% | -1.2 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 13.6% | +2.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.8% | -0.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.1% | -0.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 7.3% | +1.6 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
How much Aiken County households make
At $70,609, the typical Aiken County household income is 8% above the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Household income | Aiken County | vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 24.3% | -0.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.5% | +0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 24.5% | +0.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.7% | -0.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Aiken County households make $100,000 or more, and 24% make less than $35,000. Census counts 14.3% of Aiken County residents in poverty, against 14.1% across South Carolina. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.461 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Aiken County median.
Renting and owning in Aiken County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,062 in Aiken County versus $1,180 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 45% of renter households here. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $218,000, about 3.1 times the median household income. Owners occupy 77% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1989.
| Home costs | Aiken County | South Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,062/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $218,000 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 77% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 45% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 18.3% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 13% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Aiken County next to its neighbors
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (23 to 36 miles). 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Aiken County; Columbia County is highest at $95,592 and Barnwell County lowest at $46,626. The list crosses into Georgia, where different lending rules and regulators apply.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken County | - | $70,609 | $1,062/mo | 77% |
| Barnwell County, SC | 23 mi | $46,626 | $740/mo | 71% |
| Edgefield County, SC | 25 mi | $73,029 | $720/mo | 80% |
| Richmond County, GA | 29 mi | $55,637 | $1,141/mo | 51% |
| Lexington County, SC | 31 mi | $77,408 | $1,178/mo | 77% |
| Saluda County, SC | 32 mi | $51,009 | $851/mo | 79% |
| Columbia County, GA | 36 mi | $95,592 | $1,409/mo | 78% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Aiken County
15 Census places fall mainly inside Aiken County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 59,391 residents, leaving about 66% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $76,746 at the median in Aiken, $36,027 in Beech Island. Median rent ranges from $541 in Jackson to $1,302 in Warrenville. None of the 15 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aiken | city | 32,521 | $76,746 | $1,180 | 5 mi |
| Belvedere | CDP | 5,180 | $53,021 | $987 | 17 mi |
| Clearwater | CDP | 3,319 | $51,731 | $735 | 16 mi |
| Burnettown | town | 3,135 | $50,347 | $932 | 13 mi |
| New Ellenton | town | 2,837 | $58,476 | $691 | 9 mi |
| Gloverville | CDP | 2,505 | $52,197 | $1,204 | 10 mi |
| Graniteville | CDP | 2,056 | $38,938 | $945 | 10 mi |
| Jackson | town | 1,870 | $39,634 | $541 | 18 mi |
| Beech Island | CDP | 1,578 | $36,027 | $1,207 | 17 mi |
| Langley | CDP | 1,310 | $53,646 | $871 | 12 mi |
| Wagener | town | 1,193 | $48,621 | $638 | 17 mi |
| Warrenville | CDP | 1,042 | $53,418 | $1,302 | 10 mi |
| Windsor | town | 307 | n/a | $825 | 8 mi |
| Salley | town | 288 | $34,340 | $675 | 19 mi |
A Aiken County household budget, worked through
Here is the Aiken County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,884 before taxes
- Less median rent of $1,062, which is 18% of it
- $1,056: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- 43% debt-to-income limit: $1,468 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Aiken County households compared
College graduates make up 32% of the adult population. 8.8% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Aiken County | All of South Carolina | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.9% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 9.5% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.8% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.9% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.6% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 14.3% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.1% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Aiken County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.3% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.3% |
| 60+ min | 4.9% |
Before borrowing in Aiken County
What the Aiken County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- 18% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
- Getting ready. Gather pay stubs or benefit letters before you apply (checklist).
Who licenses lenders for Aiken County residents
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's South Carolina license. The Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions handles consumer-credit questions as well. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. See the South Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
A Aiken County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Aiken County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Carolina.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
More guides for Aiken County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Aiken County a high-income county?
Its $70,609 median ranks 10th of 46 South Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How much is rent in Aiken County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $1,062 a month; 45% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
Should Aiken County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 77% of Aiken County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
I live in a small Aiken County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Aiken, Belvedere, Clearwater, Burnettown, New Ellenton and 10 more.
Are Aiken County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.