The Town FilesRidge Spring, South Carolina
Town in Saluda County · population 579 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $69,600
- Household income
- $39,167
- Jan low / Jul high
- 35° / 91°
- Snow a year
- 1 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 26
- Median age
- 43.1
Ridge Spring is a town of 579 people in Saluda County, South Carolina. The median home is worth $69,600, below the typical South Carolina town ($183,100). It ranks better for first-time buyers than 90% of South Carolina towns, better for young professionals than 88% of South Carolina towns, quieter than 77% of South Carolina towns.
- #8 in The 16 Best Affordable Small Towns to Retire in South Carolina With Mild Winters
- #12 in 25 Small Towns in South Carolina With the Cheapest Homes
- #17 in The 25 Best Small Towns for Young Families in South Carolina
- #18 in The 25 Best Quiet, Affordable Small Towns to Retire in South Carolina
- #19 in The 25 Most Affordable Small Towns in South Carolina
- #25 in The 25 Best Small Towns for First-Time Home Buyers in South Carolina
How Ridge Spring 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 Ridge Spring is worth $69,600, below the typical South Carolina town ($183,100). Homes cost about 1.8 times the median household income of $39,167, which is more affordable than 96% of South Carolina towns. Median rent is $640 a month. 67.8% of households own their home.
| Housing | Ridge Spring | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $69,600 | $183,100 |
| Median rent | $640 | $937 |
| Median household income | $39,167 | $53,875 |
| Home value ÷ income | 1.8× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 67.8% | 68.0% |
| Median year built | 1970 | 1981 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.5% | — |
Who lives in Ridge Spring
| People | Ridge Spring | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.1 | 40.0 |
| Age 65 and over | 28.0% | 17.9% |
| Under 18 | 17.2% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 25.9% | 20.0% |
| Below the poverty line | 24.8% | 17.8% |
| Veterans | 5.8% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 2.3% | — |
| Work from home | 9.4% | 6.8% |
| Average commute | 28.7 min | 25.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 88.1% | 87.8% |
Weather in Ridge Spring
July highs average 90.5°F and January lows 34.9°F. About 46.9 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 1.1 inches of snow (typical South Carolina town: 0.8 in). Expect about 57 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 33 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
26 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Ridge Spring since 1950, compared with 17 for the typical South Carolina town. 7 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on April 5, 2017 about 1.9 miles from the town center. Tornadoes within 10 miles have caused 2 deaths and 15 injuries since 1950. The most recent was on March 12, 2026.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 32 times; the largest was 2.75 inches on May 29, 2017.
Severe weather in Saluda County since 1996
Saluda County has been included in 22 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 Saluda County
Saluda County had 4,733 jobs in 2024, paying an average of $46,825 a year. Unemployment was 2.8% in 2023; in Ridge Spring itself the ACS puts it at 17.6%.
Public schools in Ridge Spring
1 public school with 374 students, about 14.4 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ridge Spring-Monetta Elementary | PK-5 | 374 | 14.4 |
Towns near Ridge Spring
- Johnston, SC8.3 mi · 1,997 people · home $106,600
- Batesburg-Leesville, SC9.0 mi · 5,270 people · home $135,100
- Saluda, SC12.5 mi · 3,122 people · home $77,700
- Edgefield, SC15.9 mi · 2,322 people · home $122,500
- Gilbert, SC16.4 mi · 571 people · home $232,700
- Fairview Crossroads, SC18.3 mi · 540 people · home $160,100
- Graniteville, SC21.2 mi · 2,439 people · home $112,200
- Wagener, SC21.8 mi · 631 people · home $156,300
Ridge Spring questions
Is Ridge Spring, South Carolina a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Ridge Spring scores better for retirees than 70% of South Carolina towns and quieter than 77%. 28.0% of residents are 65 or older (median age 43.1).
How much does a house cost in Ridge Spring?
The median owner-occupied home in Ridge Spring is valued at $69,600 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $39,167, so homes cost about 1.8 times income. Median rent is $640 a month.
What is the weather like in Ridge Spring?
July highs average 90.5°F and January lows 34.9°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 46.9 inches of precipitation a year and 1.1 inches of snow.
Does Ridge Spring get tornadoes?
26 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Ridge Spring since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on April 5, 2017. 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)