The Town FilesClemson University, South Carolina
Community in Pickens County · population 7,311 (2020 Census)
- Jan low / Jul high
- 33° / 91°
- Snow a year
- 2 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 29
- Median age
- 19.2
Clemson University is a community of 7,311 people in Pickens County, South Carolina. It ranks better for young professionals than 100% of South Carolina towns, more of a college town than 100% of South Carolina towns, more vibrant than 98% of South Carolina towns.
How Clemson University 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
0.0% of households own their home.
| Housing | Clemson University | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | — | $183,100 |
| Median rent | — | $937 |
| Median household income | — | $53,875 |
| Home value ÷ income | —× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 0.0% | 68.0% |
| Median year built | 1961 | 1981 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.0% | — |
Who lives in Clemson University
| People | Clemson University | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 19.2 | 40.0 |
| Age 65 and over | 0.0% | 17.9% |
| Under 18 | 1.1% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 100.0% | 20.0% |
| Below the poverty line | 74.7% | 17.8% |
| Veterans | 0.3% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 0.1% | — |
| Work from home | 10.3% | 6.8% |
| Average commute | 14.0 min | 25.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 0.0% | 87.8% |
Weather in Clemson University
July highs average 91.0°F and January lows 32.5°F. About 52.4 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 2.2 inches of snow (typical South Carolina town: 0.8 in). Expect about 55 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 57 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
29 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Clemson University since 1950, compared with 17 for the typical South Carolina town. 5 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF3, struck on April 13, 2020 about 3.2 miles from the town center and killed 1. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 1 deaths and 8 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on August 17, 2021.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 51 times; the largest was 2.75 inches on April 29, 1991.
Severe weather in Pickens County since 1996
Pickens County has been included in 26 federal disaster or emergency declarations since 1953, most often for fire, drought, hurricane.
| Declared | Incident | Declaration |
|---|---|---|
| April 7, 2026 | Winter Storm | DR-4908: Severe Winter Storm |
| January 23, 2026 | Winter Storm | EM-3632: Severe Winter Storm |
| March 23, 2025 | Fire | FM-5575: Table Rock Fire |
| March 23, 2025 | Fire | FM-5576: Table Rock Fire Complex |
| September 29, 2024 | Hurricane | DR-4829: Hurricane Helene |
Jobs and pay in Pickens County
Pickens County had 39,859 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $53,824 a year. Unemployment was 2.9% in 2023; in Clemson University itself the ACS puts it at 15%.
Towns near Clemson University
- Clemson, SC1.5 mi · 17,681 people · home $398,400
- Pendleton, SC3.9 mi · 3,489 people · home $250,500
- Central, SC4.9 mi · 5,247 people · home $256,600
- Seneca, SC7.4 mi · 8,850 people · home $240,000
- Keowee Key, SC11.0 mi · 2,716 people · home $556,000
- Liberty, SC11.2 mi · 3,366 people · home $174,300
- Northlake, SC11.2 mi · 3,818 people · home $277,700
- Centerville, SC12.2 mi · 7,185 people · home $229,700
Clemson University questions
Is Clemson University, South Carolina a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Clemson University scores better for retirees than 16% of South Carolina towns and quieter than 4%. 0.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 19.2).
What is the weather like in Clemson University?
July highs average 91.0°F and January lows 32.5°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 52.4 inches of precipitation a year and 2.2 inches of snow.
Does Clemson University get tornadoes?
29 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Clemson University since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF3 on April 13, 2020. 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)