The Town FilesBeech Island, South Carolina
Community in Aiken County · population 1,421 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $116,800
- Household income
- $36,027
- Jan low / Jul high
- 35° / 94°
- Snow a year
- 1 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 11
- Median age
- 37.5
Beech Island is a community of 1,421 people in Aiken County, South Carolina. The median home is worth $116,800, below the typical South Carolina town ($183,100). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 80% of South Carolina towns, quieter than 75% of South Carolina towns, easier by car than 74% of South Carolina towns.
How Beech Island ranks
Percentile among South Carolina towns with at least 500 people on The Town Files lifestyle rankings. 50 is typical for the state; 90 means better than 90% of South Carolina towns.
Homes and cost of living
The median home in Beech Island is worth $116,800, below the typical South Carolina town ($183,100). Homes cost about 3.2 times the median household income of $36,027, which is more affordable than 60% of South Carolina towns. Median rent is $1,207 a month. 75.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Beech Island | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $116,800 | $183,100 |
| Median rent | $1,207 | $937 |
| Median household income | $36,027 | $53,875 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.2× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 75.8% | 68.0% |
| Median year built | 1972 | 1981 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Beech Island
| People | Beech Island | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 37.5 | 40.0 |
| Age 65 and over | 22.7% | 17.9% |
| Under 18 | 25.7% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14.4% | 20.0% |
| Below the poverty line | 34.3% | 17.8% |
| Veterans | 8.1% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 1.1% | — |
| Work from home | 1.2% | 6.8% |
| Average commute | 29.0 min | 25.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 87.8% | 87.8% |
Weather in Beech Island
July highs average 94.1°F and January lows 35.3°F. About 44.1 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 0.8 inches of snow (typical South Carolina town: 0.8 in). Expect about 86 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 51 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Beech Island since 1950, compared with 17 for the typical South Carolina town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on April 10, 2009 about 4.1 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 39 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on May 12, 2025.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 57 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on May 6, 2022.
Severe weather in Aiken County since 1996
Aiken County has been included in 24 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for flood, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| January 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3632: Severe Winter Storm |
| September 29, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4829: Hurricane Helene |
| September 26, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3619: Hurricane Helene |
| August 5, 2024 | Tropical Storm | EM-3606: Hurricane Debby |
| August 31, 2023 | Hurricane | EM-3597: Hurricane Idalia |
Jobs and pay in Aiken County
Aiken County had 65,165 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $63,331 a year. Unemployment was 3% in 2023; in Beech Island itself the ACS puts it at 15.7%.
Towns near Beech Island
- Clearwater, SC5.3 mi · 4,079 people · home $158,100
- Burnettown, SC6.6 mi · 3,105 people · home $189,800
- Langley, SC6.8 mi · 1,485 people · home $99,100
- North Augusta, SC7.6 mi · 24,379 people · home $233,600
- Belvedere, SC8.0 mi · 5,380 people · home $143,500
- Gloverville, SC8.1 mi · 2,406 people · home $89,800
- Jackson, SC8.9 mi · 1,521 people · home $199,800
- Warrenville, SC9.6 mi · 1,134 people · home $75,500
Beech Island questions
Is Beech Island, South Carolina a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Beech Island scores better for retirees than 12% of South Carolina towns and quieter than 75%. 22.7% of residents are 65 or older (median age 37.5).
How much does a house cost in Beech Island?
The median owner-occupied home in Beech Island is valued at $116,800 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $36,027, so homes cost about 3.2 times income. Median rent is $1,207 a month.
What is the weather like in Beech Island?
July highs average 94.1°F and January lows 35.3°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 44.1 inches of precipitation a year and 0.8 inches of snow.
Does Beech Island get tornadoes?
11 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Beech Island since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on April 10, 2009. The typical South Carolina town has had 17.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2020–2024)
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2020 Census and 2025 Gazetteer (2020 / 2025)
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020)
- NOAA NCEI Storm Events Database (1950–2026)
- FEMA OpenFEMA Disaster Declarations (this product uses the FEMA OpenFEMA API but is not endorsed by FEMA) (1953–2026)
- NCES Common Core of Data (2023–24)
- BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages; USDA ERS county unemployment (BLS LAUS) (2000–2024)
- The Town Files lifestyle rankings, built from federal demographic, school, crime and housing data (2025)