Aiken

Aiken, South Carolina Overview

Aiken scores 45.6/100 overall (C), ranking #13 of 20 cities in South Carolina — above the state composite of 44.0. Affordability is the city’s relative strength at 71/100, while Outdoor Access lags at 9/100.

Income & Employment in Aiken

The median household income in Aiken is $69,837, 13% above the statewide median of $62,064. The local unemployment rate of 4.6% is higher than the state’s 3.5%. Population declined 0.8%.

Safety in Aiken

At 340 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, Aiken sits meaningfully below the South Carolina average of 492 — a 45% lower gap. The property crime rate is 3783.3 per 100,000.

Cost of Living in Aiken

The median home value is $261,800. Median monthly rent is $1,199. Renters spend 20.6% of income on rent, well within the 30% affordability guideline.

Health & Wellness in Aiken

The adult obesity rate in Aiken is 32.4% (CDC PLACES). Diabetes prevalence is elevated at 14.3%. Residents average 14.3 poor mental health days per month. South Carolina ranks #39 nationally for overall health.

Education & Schools in Aiken

Aiken has a high school graduation rate of 79.1%. The student-teacher ratio is 15.1:1. Per-pupil spending is $12,432. The city has 17 public schools serving 11,073 students. School data is sourced from the NCES Common Core of Data and EDFacts.

Climate in Aiken

Aiken enjoys a moderate climate with an annual average of 65.5°F. Summers average 80.1°F. Winters average 52.8°F. Annual precipitation is 48.3 inches.

Frequently Asked Questions