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Central, SC
Town in Pickens County, South Carolina.
Population
5,320
Land area
3.3sq mi
People per sq mi
1,635
ZIP codes
0
Central and its ZIP codes
Central at a glance
- Central is about 9.3 times as dense as South Carolina as a whole.
- Households here earn a median of $60,258 a year, 13% less than the South Carolina figure of $69,324.
- A typical owner-occupied home is valued at $256,600 and median rent is $876 a month.
Local data for Central, SC
Counts from official public data
Housing and community stats
Central, SC, American Community Survey 2020-2024
Median household income
$60,258
Poverty rate
30.3%
Median home value
$256,600
Median rent
$876/mo
Homeownership
26.4%
Bachelor's or higher
56.1%
Median age
24.0
Average commute
23.1 min
Largest reported origins and ancestries: Italian Americans (314), Irish Americans (308), German Americans (302).
Economy and federal money
Jobs, pay, income and spending are for Pickens County. PPP loans are for Central.
Unemployment rate
3.2%
Sep 2026, -0.9 pts in a year
Average annual pay
$55,781
40,585 jobs, 2025
Income per person
$52,091
BEA, 2024
Federal spending
$960M
FY 2026, $7,303 per person
How people get to work
Central, SC, workers 16 and older. American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- Drove alone82.0%
- Carpooled5.3%
- Public transit2.3%
- Walked3.2%
- Bicycle0.0%
- Taxi, ride-hailing, motorcycle or other0.4%
- Worked from home6.9%
Average one-way commute: 23.1 minutes for people who do not work from home.
Environment and hazard risk
Central, SC, from FEMA, NOAA and EPA
Natural hazard risk
Relatively Low
Top: ice storm
Storm events since 1996
483
Countywide, mostly thunderstorm wind
Flood insurance policies
128
0.3% of homes, county
July high / Jan low
91° / 33°F
52.4 inches of rain a year
Hazards, floods and storm historyCheck a flood zone3 historic places
Health statistics
Share of adults in Central, SC, CDC PLACES estimates
Obesity
34.1%
U.S. 33.3% +0.8 pts
Diabetes
8.2%
U.S. 12.1% -3.9 pts
Smoking
12.2%
U.S. 12.8% -0.6 pts
Uninsured (18-64)
13.4%
U.S. 11.1% +2.3 pts
Cities near Central
| Name | Distance | Land area (sq mi) |
|---|---|---|
| NorrisTown | 3.1 mi | 1.9 |
| ClemsonCity | 3.1 mi | 7.9 |
| CateecheeCensus-designated place | 3.2 mi | 0.5 |
| Clemson UniversityCensus-designated place | 4.5 mi | 2.1 |
| PendletonTown | 5.9 mi | 4.9 |
| Six MileTown | 6.3 mi | 2 |
| LibertyCity | 6.6 mi | 4.9 |
| La FranceCensus-designated place | 7.6 mi | 1.3 |
| NewryCensus-designated place | 7.7 mi | 0.3 |
| UticaCensus-designated place | 8.8 mi | 1.1 |
| Sandy SpringsCensus-designated place | 8.9 mi | 2.9 |
| SenecaCity | 10 mi | 8.4 |
| Keowee KeyCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 3.5 |
| ArialCensus-designated place | 11 mi | 4.6 |
| NorthlakeCensus-designated place | 12 mi | 4.1 |
| PickensCity | 12 mi | 3.1 |
Frequently asked questions
- What county is Central, SC in?
- Central is in Pickens County, South Carolina.
- What is the population of Central, SC?
- About 5,320 people live in Central, based on American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
- What cities are near Central?
- Nearby places include Norris (3.1 mi), Clemson (3.1 mi), Cateechee (3.2 mi), Clemson University (4.5 mi), Pendleton (5.9 mi).
Source: U.S. Census Bureau (TIGER/Line boundaries, American Community Survey) · Data as of 12/31/2023