Aiken County Real Estate and Livability Trends

Aiken County, South Carolina has seen a steady increase in median home values from $128,800 in 2015 to $181,800 in 2022, signaling a promising market for potential investors and residents. Although slightly more modest than the state level, this rise points to a more affordable yet growing market within South Carolina. Residential energy tax credits have fluctuated significantly, with a spike... from $504.17 in 2015 to $3,002.17 in 2018, hinting at increased investment in energy efficiency projects and potential property upgrades. Real estate taxes have also surged, notably from $1,804.24 in 2017 to $2,800.64 in 2021, suggesting higher carrying costs for property owners. While farm tax returns have declined slightly, indicating potential shifts in local land use and profitability. Mortgage activity for principal residences spiked in 2021 but saw a sharp decline in 2022, which could reflect broader economic or demographic changes impacting housing demand. Read more

Aiken County, South Carolina, has experienced a robust economic upswing over the past decade. The average taxable income per tax return jumped from $51,813.89 in 2013 to $69,880.75 in 2021, signaling a thriving local economy appealing to investors and homebuyers. Concurrently, average state and local income taxes escalated from $5,812.00 in 2012 to $10,194.50 in 2021, reflecting substantial economic or policy shifts. Meanwhile, the average total tax liability per tax return increased from... $7,780.27 in 2012 to $10,534.89 in 2021, suggesting rising incomes and property values. Although poverty rates have fluctuated, peaking at 18.1% in 2015 and dipping to 10.0% in 2019, these changes highlight the area's economic volatility and potential for both opportunities and caution. Read more

Property crime in Aiken County, South Carolina has notable shifts over the past five years. Larceny-theft, the most common issue, has declined from 575.00 cases in 2018 to 451.00 in 2022. Burglary incidents have also seen a substantial drop, from 145.00 in 2018 to just 43.00 in 2022. However, inconsistency in vandalism and fraud cases still warrants attention for risk assessment. These trends suggest potentially improving safety conditions for investors, residents, and other stakeholders,... though ongoing vigilance is necessary. Read more

Aiken County, South Carolina's gender distribution is relatively balanced with a slight inclination towards females. Educational attainment appears varied, with a notable concentration of high school graduates and individuals who have attended some college but hold no degree. Age distribution shows a significant proportion of the population is over 55, which could suggest a retiring community. Meanwhile, racial composition is predominantly White, with a considerable Black or African American... minority and small representations from other races. These trends hint at Aiken County being a diverse yet predominantly White community that values education and has a mature population base. Read more

Aiken County, South Carolina, showed a significant Republican preference in the 2020 U.S. Presidential Election, with the GOP potentially securing around 60.6% of the vote. Democrats trailed with an estimated 37.9%, while minor parties like the Libertarians and the Green party each collected less than 2%. This could indicate a strong conservative leaning in the county's political landscape in recent... years. Read more

Aiken County, South Carolina's student-to-teacher ratio has hovered around the mid-15 range over the past decade, marginally higher than the national average of 14. This could suggest a more crowded learning environment, possibly impacting the perceived educational quality. Potential homebuyers, investors, and appraisers might find this data useful when evaluating the county's attractiveness, while insurance agents and developers might consider it when assessing the area's future growth... potential. Read more