Ridge Spring, SC

Town in Saluda County, SC, US

By Neilsberg Research

Last updated May 1, 2026

Key Indicators

A quick look at key numbers

Population

842

Source: U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey (ACS) 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates

Median Age

43.1

years ∙ half population younger than 43.1, half older

Diversity Index

55.5%

chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Nativity

2.3%

foreign-born population

97.7%Native

2.3% Foreign-born

Geographic Context

Location, size, and surroundings

About

Ridge Spring is a town within Saluda County, South Carolina, United States.

Location

Town in Saluda County, SC, US

Co-ordinates

DEC33.845284° N, 81.661212° W

DMS33° 50′ 43.02″ N, 81° 39′ 40.36″ W

Population Density & area

462.6/sq mi (178.4/km²)

Total Area

1.85 sq mi (4.79 km²)

Land Area

1.82 sq mi (4.72 km²) · 98.5%

Water Area

0.03 sq mi (0.07 km²) · 1.5%

Demographics & Living

Who lives here, how households are formed, and community composition

Population Composition

Key characteristics of the population

Sex Distribution

39.8% male

Male 39.8%

Female 60.2%

males per 100 females

Ridge Spring 66.1

Saluda County 98.8

South Carolina 94.8

Nativity

2.3%

foreign-born population

97.7%Native

2.3% Foreign-born

% Foreign-born

Ridge Spring 2.3%

Saluda County 7.3%

South Carolina 5.8%

Age Distribution

How the population is spread across age groups

Median Age

43.1

years ∙ half population younger than 43.1, half older

Ridge Spring

43.1

Saluda County

42.6

South Carolina

40.2

Dependency ratio

82.6

dependents per 100 working-age adults

Ridge Spring 82.6

Saluda County 74

South Carolina 67.5

AGE DISTRIBUTION

Distribution of age group

Median age

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Age Group
Children (Under 18)	17.2%	21.9%	21.4%
Working age (18-64)	54.8%	57.5%	59.7%
Senior (65+)	28%	20.6%	18.9%
Dependency ratio
Total dependency ratio	82.6	74	67.5
Child dependency ratio	31.5	38.2	35.9
Old-age dependency ratio	51.2	35.8	31.6

Racial & Ethnic Composition

Racial and ethnic makeup and how it compares

Race & Ethnicity

White

29.6%

Black

58.8%

Asian

Hispanic

10.8%

Other

0.8%

Note: White, Black, and Asian refer to individuals belonging to a single race and not of Hispanic origin. Hispanics may be of any race.

Diversity Index

55.5%

chance two random people differ in race and ethnicity

Ridge Spring 55.5%

Saluda County 59.9%

South Carolina 54.9%

Note: The Diversity Index (DI), based on the Blau Index, measures the probability that two randomly selected individuals differ in race and ethnicity. Values range from 0 (no diversity) to 1 (high diversity) and are shown as percentages.

RACIAL & ETHNIC COMPOSITION

Race & Ethnicity

Percentage of Ridge Spring population

Racial and ethnic composition — Ridge Spring vs Saluda County vs South Carolina. Source: ACS 2020-2024 5-Year Estimates.
	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Hispanic or Latino	10.8%	17.1%	7.4%
Mexican	10.3%	8.9%	3.4%
Puerto Rican	0%	1.3%	1%
Cuban	0%	0%	0.3%
Other Hispanic / Latino	0.5%	6.9%	2.7%
Not Hispanic or Latino	89.2%	82.9%	92.6%
One race	88.4%	79.9%	88.9%
White	29.6%	57.1%	61.9%
Black or African American	58.8%	21.2%	24.6%
American Indian and Alaska Native	0%	0%	0.2%
Asian	0%	0.4%	1.7%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander	0%	0%	0%
Some Other Race	0%	1.1%	0.5%
Two or more races (Multiracial)	0.8%	3%	3.7%

Household & Families Composition

Household size, type, and family structure

Household structure

53.9% family

Family 53.9%

Non family 46.1%

% family households

Ridge Spring 53.9%

Saluda County 72.5%

South Carolina 65%

Average household size

2.17

persons per household

Ridge Spring

2.17

Saluda County

2.45

South Carolina

2.44

Household & Family COMPOSITION

Households

Percentage of Ridge Spring population

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Total households	388	7,670	2,117,989
Average houshold size	2.17	2.45	2.44
Family households	209	5,563	1,377,369
Average family size	3.05	2.92	3.01
Married couple family	92	4,073	998,170
Other families	117	1,490	379,199
Male householder	30	476	95,077
Female householder	87	1,014	284,122
Non-family households	179	2,107	740,620
One-person households	172	1,965	618,603
Male householder	35	835	273,409
Senior (65+) living alone	23	386	86,486
Female householder	137	1,130	345,194
Senior (65+) living alone	78	710	172,484
Other living arrangements	7	142	122,017

Housing Profile

Housing stock, ownership, rentals, and cost burdens

Total housing units

429

housing units

Ridge Spring 429

Saluda County 9,543

South Carolina 2,443,039

Occupancy status

90.4% occupied

Occupied 90.4%

Vacant 9.6%

vacancy rate

Ridge Spring 9.6%

Saluda County 19.6%

South Carolina 13.3%

Housing Characteristics

How the housing supply is structured and used

Types of Housing unit

89.3%

Single family houses

89.3%

Apartments in multi-unit structures

7.2%

Mobile homes

3.5%

Boat, RV, van, etc

Median Year Built

1971

Half of houses were built before 1971, and half after.

Historic ∙ 1939 or earlier

12.8%

Postwar & mid-century ∙ 1940 - 1969

37.1%

Late 20th century ∙ 1970 - 1999

41.7%

Modern ∙ 2000 or later

8.4%

Note: Median year built reflects occupied units only; distribution includes all units.

Housing Characteristics

Units, rooms & bedrooms

Physical characteristics of housing units

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Rooms per unit
Median rooms	5.6	5.7	5.7
1–3 rooms	7%	5.3%	9.1%
4–6 rooms	69.4%	62.1%	55.3%
7+ rooms	23.5%	32.6%	35.5%
Bedrooms
No bedroom / studio	0%	1.5%	1.5%
1 bedroom	3.7%	3.7%	5.7%
2 bedrooms	36.8%	19.6%	22.5%
3 bedrooms	49.7%	60.6%	47.5%
4+ bedrooms	9.8%	14.5%	22.8%
At a glance
Median year built	1971	1988	1993
Total housing units	429	9,543	2,443,039

Occupancy Profile

Who is inside and how they use it

Homeownership

67.8% owners

Renter-occupied 32.2%

Owner-occupied 67.8%

homeownership rate

Ridge Spring 67.8%

Saluda County 78.7%

South Carolina 71.9%

Average household size

1.91

Owner-occupied

2.71

Renter-occupied

owner-occupied average size

Ridge Spring 1.91

Saluda County 2.42

South Carolina 2.49

Housing Characteristics

Occupied unit characteristics

Tenure, crowding, and utilities

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Total occupied units	388	7,670	2,117,989
Year moved in
2020 or later	20.3%	17%	25.6%
2010 to 2019	32.2%	35%	39.4%
2000 to 2009	9.3%	14.8%	16%
1999 or earlier	38.2%	33.2%	19%
Occupants per room
1.00 or fewer	97.4%	94.5%	98%
1.01 to 1.50	2.6%	4.3%	1.4%
1.51 or more	0%	1.2%	0.6%
Vehicles availability
No vehicles	10.3%	4.4%	5.7%
1 vehicle	30.4%	23.4%	32.2%
2 vehicles	28.6%	39.2%	38.5%
3 or more vehicles	30.7%	33.1%	23.6%
House heating fuel used
Gas	42.8%	22.1%	27.1%
Electricity	57.2%	72.2%	70.8%
Solar	0%	0.1%	0.2%
Fuel oil, kerosene etc	0%	1.3%	0.5%
All other fuels	0%	2.9%	0.6%
No fuel used	0%	1.5%	0.7%
Selected characteristics
Lacking complete plumbing	0%	0.6%	0.3%
Lacking complete kitchen	0%	0.6%	0.6%
No telephone service available	3.4%	0.6%	0.8%

Housing Value

What owner-occupied units are worth

Median home value

$69,600

owner-occupied units

Median value(USD)

Ridge Spring

$69,600

Saluda County

$146,500

South Carolina

$259,000

Housing Cost Burden

26.3%

of homeowners with a mortgage are cost-burdened

% Cost-Burdened Households

Owners with a mortgage

26.3%

Owners without a mortgage

11.9%

Renters

42.6%

Note: Households spending 30% or more of their income on housing costs are considered cost-burdened.

Financial characteristics

Property value and housing costs

Tenure, crowding, and utilities

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Property value
Median Value	$69,600	$146,500	$259,000
Under $100,000	61.3%	38.1%	16.8%
$100,000 - $200,000	17.9%	21.6%	19.5%
$200,000 - $300,000	10.3%	14.8%	21.8%
$300,000 - $500,000	3.4%	15.8%	25.5%
$500,000 - $1,000,000	7.2%	7.1%	12.7%
$1,000,000 and more	0%	2.5%	3.7%
Owner-occupied households
With a mortgage	23.2%	38.1%	57.1%
Without a mortgage	76.8%	61.9%	42.9%
Median monthly owner costs
With a mortgage	$950	$1,362	$1,529
Without a mortgage	$435	$407	$448
Gross rent
Median rent	$640	$851	$1,180

Education Profile

How educated is the community and how education pays off

Adults with a college degree

25.9%

of adults 25+ with a bachelor's degree or higher

Ridge Spring 25.9%

Saluda County 20.4%

South Carolina 32.1%

Adults without a high school diploma

15.2%

of adults (25+) without a high school diploma

Ridge Spring 15.2%

Saluda County 15.9%

South Carolina 9.9%

School Enrollment

Who is enrolled in school and at what level

School enrollment

101

population (age 3+) enrolled in school

Nursery / Preschool

10.9%

K–12

65.3%

College / Undergraduate

23.8%

Graduate / Professional

College-going rate (18-24 yr olds)

29.2%

of 18-24-year-olds in college or graduate school

Ridge Spring

29.2%

Saluda County

17.7%

South Carolina

37.5%

Enrollment & school type

Enrollment levels, college-going rate, and public vs private school split

Population 3+ currently enrolled in a school

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Total enrolled (age 3+)	101	4,094	1,202,992
Nursery / preschool	10.9%	6%	5.2%
K–12	65.3%	79.2%	69.7%
Kindergarten	0%	4.1%	5.5%
Elementary: Grades 1–4	15.8%	23.1%	20.6%
Elementary: Grades 5–8	6.9%	21.1%	21.4%
High School: Grades 9–12	42.6%	30.9%	22.2%
College or graduate school	23.8%	14.8%	25.1%
College, undergraduate	23.8%	10.3%	20%
Graduate, professional school	0%	4.5%	5%
College-going rate · 18-24 yr olds	29.2%	17.7%	37.5%
School type
Public school	100%	84%	82.7%
Private school	0%	16%	17.3%

Education Attainment by Level & Gender

What is the highest level of education completed among adults

Education attainment

625

population 25 years and over

Total adults (25+)

Less than 9th grade

3.8%

9th-12th, no diploma

11.4%

HS graduate

38.1%

Some college no degree

15.8%

Associates degree

Bachelors degree

15.7%

Graduate or professional degree

10.2%

Attainment by gender

Male vs Female

Adults (25+) · Share within each education level

% male · % female

Less than 9th grade

79.2% · 20.8%

9th-12th, no diploma

56.3% · 43.7%

HS graduate

29% · 71%

Some college no degree

65.7% · 34.3%

Associates degree

12.9% · 87.1%

Bachelors degree

14.3% · 85.7%

Graduate or professional degree

21.9% · 78.1%

Educational Attainment Overview

Distribution and key education attainment rates for adults (25+)

Highest credential completed · adults 25+

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Population (25+)	625	13,429	3,677,078
Less than 9th grade	3.8%	6.8%	3.1%
9th–12th, no diploma	11.4%	9.1%	6.8%
High school diploma or GED	38.1%	36.6%	28.2%
Some college, no degree	15.8%	16.6%	19.8%
Associate's degree	5%	10.5%	10%
Bachelor's degree or higher	25.9%	20.4%	32.1%
Bachelor's degree	15.7%	11.6%	19.8%
Graduate or professional	10.2%	8.8%	12.3%
High School or higher	84.8%	84.1%	90.1%

Earnings by education level

percentage as applicable

Median Earnings

$49,024

Median earnings for adults 25+, by level

Less than HS graduate

$57,188

HS graduate

$33,182

Some college or associates

$53,173

Bachelors degree

$—

Graduate or professional degree

$48,454

Poverty Rate

1.9%

for ages 25+, with bachelors degree or higher

Less than HS graduate

29.5%

HS graduate

22.7%

Some college or associates

18.5%

Bachelors degree or higher

1.9%

Outcomes by Education Level

Earnings and poverty rates across education levels (25+)

Adults 25+

	Ridge Spring	Saluda County	South Carolina
Median earnings
Population 25+, with earnings	$49,024	$44,614	$47,658
Less than high school graduate	$57,188	$24,379	$30,223
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	$33,182	$39,286	$37,196
Some college or associate's degree	$53,173	$43,479	$44,160
Bachelor's degree	$—	$50,996	$61,860
Graduate or professional degree	$48,454	$67,089	$73,671
Poverty rates
Less than high school graduate	29.5%	31.4%	28.4%
High school graduate (includes equivalency)	22.7%	17.6%	15.6%
Some college or associate's degree	18.5%	15.9%	10.2%
Bachelor's degree or higher	1.9%	4.1%	4.7%

Insights for Ridge Spring, by topic

Income By year By race By age By gender

Population By year By race By age By gender

About Neilsberg Research

Neilsberg Research team are data scientists with expertise in processing, analysis and visualization of big data helping small businesses make right decisions.

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