Saluda, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Saluda, South Carolina had a total population of 3,055, the 148th largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $42,506, which is 39% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 43.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 39% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (43.9%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x.
Saluda Quick Facts
How Saluda Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 3,095 | 3,055 | -1.3% |
| Median household income | $40,567 | $42,506 | +4.8% |
| Median home value | $81,500 | $77,700 | -4.7% |
How Saluda Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Saluda Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Saluda County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Spring | 842 | $39,167 | 24.8% | $69,600 |
| Ward | 260 | N/A | 37.7% | $164,800 |
Cities Similar to Saluda
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishopville | 2,910 | $39,276 | $128,200 | 19.0% | 29.9% |
| Dalzell | 2,946 | $47,354 | $157,500 | 12.4% | 15.3% |
| Liberty | 3,350 | $42,206 | $174,300 | 19.2% | 21.5% |
| Bamberg | 2,996 | $49,531 | $157,900 | 24.4% | 31.8% |
| Hilltop | 2,950 | $37,444 | $125,800 | 8.9% | 17.0% |
Population Overview
Saluda is a small community located in South Carolina, within Saluda County. The total population is 3,055. It ranks as the 148th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Saluda is 30.9 years. This is 23% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 33.4% of the population under 18, Saluda has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Saluda is $42,506. This is 39% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 47% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 43.9%. This is 212% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 24% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $77,700. Housing costs are 70% lower than the state median of $259,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.8x, Saluda is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 49.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Saluda is Hispanic or Latino, making up 55.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 26.2%. The White (non-Hispanic) population (13.9%) is well below the state average of 61.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (55.2% vs 7.4%).
Education
14.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 74.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Saluda, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Saluda, South Carolina?
Saluda, South Carolina has a population of 3,055 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Saluda, SC?
The median household income in Saluda is $42,506, which is 47% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Saluda, SC?
The poverty rate in Saluda is 43.9%. This means approximately 1,342 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Saluda, South Carolina?
Saluda's population is 13.9% White, 26.2% Black, 55.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Saluda, SC?
The median home value in Saluda is $77,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.8x.
How educated is Saluda, South Carolina?
14.1% of adults (25+) in Saluda hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.