Camden grades D overall, 137th of 167 graded towns in South Carolina, mostly because of safety. Its police reported 56 violent crimes reported to the FBI in 2025, a higher rate per resident than 97% of U.S. towns. It also has a long history, with 7 places on the National Register. Camden’s violent crime rate is 6.1 per 1,000 residents, above both South Carolina’s towns (3.9) and U.S. towns (1.6). On history, just 7 of South Carolina’s 263 towns do better. Most errands need a car: it is less walkable than 79% of U.S. towns.

StrongestAHistory A⁻Civic lifeWeakestD⁻Safety C⁻Walkability CJobs & income

What makes Camden stand out

Where Camden beats most towns, and one thing worth knowing.

Mulberry Plantation (Chesnut House)

HistoryA

Settled in 1730

A history going back 296 years.

Jobs vs. working residents

Jobs here5,781

Residents who work3,332

Work

1.7 jobs for every working resident

A regional job hub: more jobs per worker than 90% of U.S. towns

Census LEHD 2023.

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Camden6.1

South Carolina3.9

U.S.3.3

Worth knowing · SafetyD⁻

56% more violent crime than SC

FBI data, 2025. Crimes reported to police.

Mulberry Plantation (Chesnut House) · National Register of Historic Places

Camden’s story

296 years in pictures

Mulberry Plantation (Chesnut House) is one of 2 National Historic Landmarks here, the National Register’s top tier. Its founding year, 1730, comes before those of 95% of the South Carolina towns we grade with a known year.

Census counts: 1,133 in 1850, a low of 1,007 in 1870, 7,788 in 2020. The archive holds 18 old photos and papers going back to 1822 and 3 maps from 1938 on.

7 places on the National Register of Historic Places.

1730Camden is settled

Explore the history →

How Camden grades

Each subject compared with towns across the country (schools within South Carolina), ordered by how far Camden is from typical.

How grading works

SafetyD⁻Open →WalkabilityEPA walkability 6.8 of 20; 9.2% of households have no car; 0% of workers walk, bike or ride transitC⁻Open →Jobs & income$64K median household incomeCOpen →HealthKershawhealth 1.2 miles awayCOpen →Hazard riskFEMA risk higher than 36% of U.S. communities; inland flooding tops the listBOpen →SchoolsBOpen →Cost of livingB⁻Open →

Character Graded, but not part of the overall grade.

Outdoors3 miles of trails; 3% conserved landBOpen →History36 notable people born hereAOpen →Civic life8.2 community nonprofits per 1,000 residentsA⁻Open →

Described, not graded Taste, not quality: snow or an older crowd is neither good nor bad.

Climate–Open →Housing market–Open →Who lives hereMedian age 42.4–Open →

How TownRatings grades towns →

Getting set up

Moving to Camden: who provides what

Who provides power, water and the rest in Camden, and how to reach them.

The full setup list →

PowerCity of CamdenEIAHIFLD · EIA

WaterCamden City of (Sc2810001) water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA

Internet4 providers95% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC

Trash & dumpBy addressTown pickup · day by addressTown site

SchoolsKershaw County School DistrictWhich school depends on your addressNCES

Register to voteOnlineIn South Carolina you can register online until 30 days before Election Day, in person until 30 days before Election Day, or by mail (postmarked 30 days before).vote.gov

Who runs elections hereKershaw Board of Voter RegistrationKershaw County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jan 2024

ZIP code2902029020 100%Census 2020

EPA SDWIS (Oct 9, 2026) · HIFLD + EIA-861 2025 · Census 2020 ZCTAs · NCES 2024–25 · registration: vote.gov, updated Sep 12, 2025.

The data

Ordered by what stands out in Camden.

Camden draws workers from Lugoff and beyond and has seen reported crime fall by a third or more, but it has many renters stretched by housing costs.

SafetyD⁻

Camden’s grade for safety is a D−

Reported crimes fell from 507 to 322 over the last three FBI years, a drop beyond ordinary year-to-year swings.

Camden’s property crime rate is 28.9 per 1,000 residents. Camden reports more crime per resident than most U.S. towns we grade: about 97% report less. Within South Carolina, it does better than 27% of towns.

3%of U.S. towns report more crimeD⁻Safety Grade

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Camden6.1

South Carolina3.9

U.S.3.3

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Camden28.9

South Carolina17.2

U.S.15.5

3rd

percentile among U.S. towns we grade

27th

percentile among SC towns

violent crimes reported in 2025

266

property crimes reported in 2025

Full pageCamden’s safety reportOpen the page

Violent crime by type6.1 violent crimes per 1,000 Crime over the yearsDown since 2023 Vs. the neighbors1 bordering town Questions“Is Camden, SC safe?”

FBI crime data, 2025 · crimes reported to police

SchoolsB

Camden’s schools rank ahead of 60% of South Carolina districts

Its public schools are run by the Kershaw 01 school district. Two of its 4 schools are below, each with why it’s listed. The largest public high school is Camden High, with 1,136 students.

60%of SC districts it outscoresBSchool Grade

School	Level	Students	Letter
Camden MiddleLargest public middle schoolGrades 6–8	Grades 6–8	844	C⁺
Camden HighLargest public high schoolGrades 9–12	Grades 9–12	1,136	A⁻

Full pageCamden’s schools pageOpen the page

The districtsKershaw 01 Vs. the neighborsBehind its graded neighbor Every school4 schools · Camden High Questions“Are Camden’s schools good?”

NCES · EDFacts · graded within SC on state tests and graduation

Work & commuteJobs & income grade C

About one in six working residents works right in Camden

5,781 jobs are based in Camden, 1.7 for every working resident, so most of the people who work here commute in.

Most working residents leave Camden for work: only 17% work in town. The average trip to work in Camden is 31 minutes. Since 2013, Camden has added 345 jobs, to 5,781 in 2023.

17%work in town

	Camden	South Carolina towns	U.S. towns
Average trip to work	31 minutes	24 minutes	25 minutes
Working residents who work in town	17%	6.1%	8%
Below the poverty line	13%	17%	9.6%
Median household income	$64,000	$57,000	$80,000

Where working residents work

In Camden17%

Columbia12%

Lugoff4%

Charlotte3%

Sumter2%

28 mi

median commute distance

5,781

jobs based in Camden

A job hub

jobs vs. working residents

C−

Walkability grade: more walkable than 21% of U.S. towns

Full pageCamden’s work & commute pageOpen the page

The jobs here5,781 jobs based here · A job hub Where people work17% work in Camden Commute times31 minutes · The average commute How far they goHalf commute less than 28 miles

Census LEHD 2023 · ACS

HealthC

On CDC estimates, Camden is less healthy than 68% of U.S. towns

Camden beats the South Carolina average on 1 of 32 CDC measures and trails it on 7. 17% of adults have diabetes in Camden.

32%healthier than U.S. townsCHealth Grade

	Camden	South Carolina towns	U.S. towns
Diabetes (CDC PLACES)	17%	15%	12%
High blood pressure (CDC PLACES)	44%	40%	35%
Binge drink (CDC PLACES)	13%	15%	16%
Yearly checkup (CDC PLACES)	83%	80%	79%

32 measures vs. South Carolina

1 better24 too close to call7 worse

What stands out	Camden	SC
More adults treating high blood pressure	83%	80.2%
More adults who have had a stroke	5%	3.9%

Kershawhealth

1.2 mi away · emergency room

3 of 3

care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health

49th

percentile among SC towns

Full pageCamden’s health reportOpen the page

Everyday habitsFewer binge drinkers Hospitals & doctors nearby1.2 miles to an ER · Kershawhealth How adults are doingMore adults in fair or poor health Every CDC estimateBetter than SC on 1 of 32

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA

Climate

Camden has mild winters and hot summers

Camden has mild winters and warm summers. July afternoons reach 92°, January nights drop to 33° and snow is almost unheard of.

92°summer high

Typical low → high °F

Winter35–58°

Spring49–75°

Summer69–90°

Fall52–75°

Nov 7

typical first frost

Mar 27

typical last frost

+0.8°

vs. the 20th-century average

92°

typical summer high

Full pageCamden’s climate pageOpen the page

A year of weatherJuly highs 92°, January lows 33°Rain & snow43″ of rain a year · Snow is almost unheard of Heating & coolingBoth heating and cooling Then and now+0.8° vs. the 20th century · Warmer than the 20th-century average

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020

HousingCost of living grade B⁻

Homes in Camden are worth about $250K, by Zillow’s estimate

65.3% of renter households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, against 52.1% across South Carolina.

The typical Camden home is worth about $250,000, up 3.4% in a year, 18% below the South Carolina typical home.

$250KZillow home value

	Camden	South Carolina towns	U.S. towns
Median rent	$956 a month	$1,062 a month	$1,185 a month
Households that own their home	69%	65%	73%

Typical home value

Camden$250K

South Carolina$304K

+3.4%

value change, 1 year

Full pageCamden’s housing & cost-of-living pageOpen the page

Prices over the yearsUp 3.4% in a year Years of income to buyA typical home costs 3.9 years of income Rents$956 a month · Median rent Vs. the neighborsBehind its graded neighbor

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center

OutdoorsB

2.9% of Camden is conserved land

3.0 miles of trail in 15 parks and preserves. The biggest park or preserve is Camden Revolutionary War Site, at 42 acres.

#64for trails in SC

	Camden	South Carolina towns	U.S. towns
Conserved land	2.9%	1.7%	4.3%
Miles of trail per square mile	0.3 miles per square mile	0.3	0.4

2.9%

conserved · 217 of 7,593 acres

3.0 mi

of trails · 0.3 per sq mi

Biggest places to walk	Trails	Acres
1. Camden Revolutionary War Site	0.9 mi	42
2. Camden Riverfront Environmental Park	0.9 mi	20
3. Kendall Park	0.5 mi	11

Full pageCamden’s outdoors pageOpen the page

Trail map3.0 miles of trail, mapped Pick a walk0.9 miles of trail · Camden Revolutionary War Site Conserved land2.9% conserved · 217 acres protected Questions“Where can I hike in Camden?”

Trails & parks © OpenStreetMap contributors · Conserved land: USGS PAD-US

Natural hazardsHazard risk grade B

Inland flooding leads a low hazard risk in Camden

Expected storm and flood damage is lower than in 64% of U.S. communities. Since 1990, 5 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Camden.

36risk score of 100

FEMA risk score

Inland floodingHurricanesTornadoes

paid flood claims since 1990

federal disasters paid out here

Full pageCamden’s hazards pageOpen the page

What it facesLow risk Flood claims5 paid flood claims · Since 1990 Past disasters8 federal disasters · Paid out in Camden Get ready0.5 events a year, on average · Ready for inland flooding

FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA

Who lives here

An age mix much like South Carolina’s

No broad age group is more than 4 points off the South Carolina average. 39% of Camden adults 25 and older hold a bachelor’s degree or more. Camden has grown 18% since 2020, to 9,201 residents in the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate.

42.4median age · SC 40.2

	Camden	South Carolina towns	U.S. towns
Bachelor’s degree or more, 25+	39%	23%	29%
Aged 65 or older	22%	17%	18%
Under 18	19%	22%	22%
Median age	42.4 years	38.9 years	40.5 years

CamdenSouth CarolinaUnited States

SCU.S.

Ages · share of residents

16%

Education · adults 25 and older

No diploma9%

High school21%

Some college24%

Associate’s7%

Bachelor’s21%

Graduate18%

Women and men · all residents

56% women, 44% men

About 80 men for every 100 women (the survey’s margin: ±3.6 points). Across South Carolina, 51.3% of residents are women.

Ages and education in Camden
	Camden	SC	U.S.
Under 10	12%	11.4%	11.6%
10 to 17	6.6%	10.1%	10.3%
18 to 24	9.7%	9.1%	9.1%
25 to 34	8.9%	12.8%	13.7%
35 to 44	15%	12.5%	13.2%
45 to 54	9.9%	12%	12.2%
55 to 64	15.8%	13.2%	12.7%
65 to 74	10.5%	11.4%	10.2%
75 and older	11.5%	7.4%	7%
No diploma	8.7%	9.9%	10.4%
High school	21.2%	28.2%	26%
Some college	24%	19.8%	19.1%
Associate’s	7%	10%	8.8%
Bachelor’s	21.4%	19.8%	21.6%
Graduate	17.7%	12.3%	14.1%

Full pageCamden by the numbersOpen the page

Ages42.4 median age · 22% are 65 or older Schooling39% have a four-year degree Homes69% own their home · Homeowners Income$64K a year · Median household income

Census population estimates, 2025 · U.S. Census Bureau · ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates

Keep exploring

Everything we know about Camden

20pages on Camden

After high school

Colleges nearby

None within 15 miles of Camden; the nearest are

South University-ColumbiaUniversity or college · Private for-profit · Columbia23 mi$18,145 tuition University of South Carolina-SumterCommunity college · Public · Sumter26.1 mi$7,558 in-state tuition University of South Carolina-ColumbiaUniversity or college · Public · Columbia30 mi$12,688 in-state tuition

About 5 of every 100 Camden residents are enrolled in college, about the same as South Carolina.

Prices by family income, graduation and earnings →

A growing town

Camden has grown 35% since 2010

6,838 counted in 2010 and 7,788 in 2020; an estimated 9,201 in 2025.

Growth hasn’t slowed: 18.2% since 2020, after 13.9% in the decade before.

6,8382010

7,7882020

9,2012025 est.

U.S. Census 2010 & 2020 counts · Census Bureau estimate, July 1, 2025

Landmarks

7 places in Camden on the National Register of Historic Places.

All landmarks →

Mulberry Plantation (Chesnut House)National Historic Landmark

Bethesda Presbyterian ChurchBuilt 1822 · National Historic Landmark

Historic Camden Revolutionary War Restoration

City of Camden Historic District

Famous people from Camden

36 notable people were born in Camden.

See all 36 →

Bernard Mannes BaruchAmerican businessman · 1870–1965

Samuel E. WrightAmerican actor · 1946–2021

Laura KrautEquestrian · born 1965

Sam SavageAmerican writer · 1940–2019

Joseph B. KershawConfederate Army general · 1822–1894

Larry DobyAmerican baseball player · 1923–2003

About Camden

City in South Carolina, United States

Official town website ↗

Camden is the largest city in and the county seat of Kershaw County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,788 in the 2020 census, and the 2022 population estimate is 8,213. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area. Camden is the oldest inland city in South Carolina, and home to the Carolina Cup and the National Steeplechase Museum.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Established: 1730
Area: 11 sq mi
Elevation: 187 ft
ZIP code: 29020, 29021
Area code: 803

Camden’s neighbors

One town shares a border with Camden.

Explore the map →

East CamdenCamden

East Camden

E · 2% of Camden workers commute here

Visit

How the neighbors grade

Town	SC rank	Overall	Cost	Safety	Schools	Health
Camden	#137	D	B⁻	D⁻	B	C
East Camden	#58	B⁻	B⁺	—	B	B⁻

East Camden reports no FBI crime data of its own. Compare Camden with a neighbor →

Questions about Camden

Short answers, built from the data on this page.

Is Camden, SC a good place to live?

Camden grades D overall, better than 9% of U.S. towns and #137 of 167 in South Carolina. It grades C for health, D− for safety and B for schools. Safety is its weak spot, with a D−.

Is Camden, SC safe?

Within South Carolina, it does better than 27% of towns.

Is Camden, SC expensive?

That is 3.6 years of the area's median household income ($68,359 across the Columbia, SC metro area). Cost of living, which also weighs rents, property taxes and how many households pay 30% or more of their income for housing, grades B−.

What is Camden, SC known for?

36 notable people were born here, including Bernard Mannes Baruch and Samuel E. Wright.

Post to Camden

Check your email

CamdenSC

Is Camden a good place to live?

What makes Camden stand out

Jobs vs. working residents

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

296 years in pictures

How Camden grades

Moving to Camden: who provides what

The data

Camden’s grade for safety is a D−

Violent crime per 1,000 residents

Property crime per 1,000 residents

Camden’s schools rank ahead of 60% of South Carolina districts

About one in six working residents works right in Camden

Where working residents work

On CDC estimates, Camden is less healthy than 68% of U.S. towns

Camden has mild winters and hot summers

Typical low → high °F

Homes in Camden are worth about $250K, by Zillow’s estimate

Typical home value

2.9% of Camden is conserved land

Inland flooding leads a low hazard risk in Camden

An age mix much like South Carolina’s

Ages · share of residents

Education · adults 25 and older

Women and men · all residents

Everything we know about Camden

Colleges nearby

Camden has grown 35% since 2010

Landmarks

Famous people from Camden

About Camden

Camden’s neighbors

Questions about Camden