The Town FilesWagener, South Carolina
Town in Aiken County · population 631 (2020 Census)
- Median home
- $156,300
- Household income
- $48,621
- Jan low / Jul high
- 34° / 93°
- Snow a year
- 1 in
- Tornadoes ≤10 mi since 1950
- 8
- Median age
- 36.6
Wagener is a town of 631 people in Aiken County, South Carolina. The median home is worth $156,300, below the typical South Carolina town ($183,100). It ranks better for retirees than 97% of South Carolina towns, hipper than 95% of South Carolina towns, quieter than 82% of South Carolina towns.
How Wagener 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 Wagener is worth $156,300, below the typical South Carolina town ($183,100). Homes cost about 3.2 times the median household income of $48,621, which is more affordable than 60% of South Carolina towns. Median rent is $638 a month. 67.7% of households own their home.
| Housing | Wagener | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median home value | $156,300 | $183,100 |
| Median rent | $638 | $937 |
| Median household income | $48,621 | $53,875 |
| Home value ÷ income | 3.2× | 3.4× |
| Homeownership | 67.7% | 68.0% |
| Median year built | 1970 | 1981 |
| Seasonal / vacation homes | 0.7% | — |
Who lives in Wagener
| People | Wagener | Typical South Carolina town |
|---|---|---|
| Median age | 36.6 | 40.0 |
| Age 65 and over | 23.5% | 17.9% |
| Under 18 | 22.1% | — |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 23.1% | 20.0% |
| Below the poverty line | 14.1% | 17.8% |
| Veterans | 16.7% | — |
| Born outside the U.S. | 1.4% | — |
| Work from home | 7.6% | 6.8% |
| Average commute | 27.6 min | 25.3 min |
| Homes with broadband | 81.0% | 87.8% |
Weather in Wagener
July highs average 93.3°F and January lows 34.2°F. About 52.0 inches of rain and melted snow fall a year, with 0.9 inches of snow (typical South Carolina town: 0.8 in). Expect about 68 days a year at 90°F or hotter and 62 nights at or below freezing.
Tornadoes, storms and disasters
8 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Wagener since 1950, compared with 17 for the typical South Carolina town. 1 rated (E)F2 or stronger. The strongest, an EF2, struck on February 24, 2012 about 3.9 miles from the town center. The most recent was on January 4, 2023.
Hail of 1 inch or larger has been reported within 10 miles 12 times; the largest was 1.75 inches on May 10, 2005.
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 Wagener itself the ACS puts it at 8%.
Public schools in Wagener
3 public schools with 903 students, about 12.0 students per teacher.
| School | Grades | Students | Per teacher |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cyril B. Busbee Elementary | PK-5 | 461 | 14.0 |
| Wagener-Sally High | 9-12 | 239 | 8.5 |
| A. L. Corbett Middle | 6-8 | 203 | 14.5 |
Towns near Wagener
- Fairview Crossroads, SC7.7 mi · 540 people · home $160,100
- Pelion, SC10.5 mi · 631 people · home $156,700
- North, SC15.1 mi · 696 people · home $92,900
- Swansea, SC16.1 mi · 722 people · home $129,200
- Williston, SC17.6 mi · 2,877 people · home $105,100
- Edmund, SC17.7 mi · 969 people · home $164,100
- White Knoll, SC18.1 mi · 7,858 people · home $249,400
- Gilbert, SC18.9 mi · 571 people · home $232,700
Wagener questions
Is Wagener, South Carolina a good place to retire?
On The Town Files lifestyle rankings, Wagener scores better for retirees than 97% of South Carolina towns and quieter than 82%. 23.5% of residents are 65 or older (median age 36.6).
How much does a house cost in Wagener?
The median owner-occupied home in Wagener is valued at $156,300 (Census ACS 2020–2024), against a median household income of $48,621, so homes cost about 3.2 times income. Median rent is $638 a month.
What is the weather like in Wagener?
July highs average 93.3°F and January lows 34.2°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It gets about 52.0 inches of precipitation a year and 0.9 inches of snow.
Does Wagener get tornadoes?
8 tornadoes have passed within 10 miles of Wagener since 1950 (NOAA Storm Events); the strongest was an EF2 on February 24, 2012. 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)