Rankin-Harwell House · National Register of Historic Places
Nichols’s story
157 years in pictures
1 place on the National Register of Historic Places.
- 1869Nichols is settled
NicholsSC
A town of 222, settled in 1869.
Photo: Reginald McDowell · CC BY 2.0
Population
222
2025 Census estimate · −3.9% since 2020
Typical home
$195K
+10% in a year
Household income
$40K
median
Median age
47.2
years
Jobs based here
105
Balanced
Is Nichols a good place to live?
22% of residents live below the poverty line in Nichols, above both South Carolina’s towns (17%) and U.S. towns (9.6%). Among 170 South Carolina towns, just 3 have a lower share of adults with a bachelor’s degree than Nichols. Rankin-Harwell House and Christ Episcopal Church is on the National Register of Historic Places. Nichols has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.
Small town
222 people, and everyone knows the way
In a town this size, neighbors are the best guide. Ask them anything.
Nearby towns
Getting set up
The full setup list →Moving to Nichols: who provides what
Who provides power, water and the rest in Nichols, and how to reach them.
PowerPee Dee Electric CoopEIAHIFLD · EIA
WaterGsw&sa (Sc2620004) water systemNo health-based violations in 5 years · EPAEPA
Internet4 providers98% of addresses get 100/20 MbpsFCC
Trash & dumpNot on file yetWe don’t have Nichols’ trash rules yet
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.govWho runs elections hereMarion Board of Voter RegistrationMarion County; contacts on the Handbook page.FVAP, Jan 2024
ZIP code2958129581 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 Nichols.
Natural hazards
Hurricanes leads a very high hazard risk in Nichols
Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 89% of U.S. communities. Since 2015, 60 flood insurance claims have been paid out in Nichols.
89risk score of 100
FEMA risk score
HurricanesInland floodingCold waves
60
paid flood claims since 2015
7
federal disasters paid out here
FEMA flood insurance claims · FEMA National Risk Index · OpenFEMA
Housing
Homes in Nichols are worth about $195K, by Zillow’s estimate
The typical Nichols home is worth about $195,000, up 10% in a year, 36% below the South Carolina typical home. 79% of households own their home in Nichols, where South Carolina’s towns sit at 65% and U.S. towns at 73%.
$195KZillow home value
Typical home value
Nichols$195K
South Carolina$304K
+10%
value change, 1 year
Census ACS, 2020–24 · Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data Center
Climate
In Nichols, expect mild winters and hot summers
Nichols has mild winters and warm summers, with plenty of rain. Nichols’ July high is 91°F.
91°summer high
Typical low → high °F
Winter36–59°
Spring50–75°
Summer69–90°
Fall53–76°
Nov 11
typical first frost
Mar 26
typical last frost
+1.0°
vs. the 20th-century average
91°
typical summer high
NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020
Work & commute
A job hub: Nichols has 1.4 jobs for every working resident and draws in 104 commuters
Most working residents leave Nichols for work: only 1% work in town. The average trip to work in Nichols is 31 minutes. The top destinations are Conway (9%), Myrtle Beach (7%) and Mullins (5%).
1%work in town
| Nichols | South Carolina towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average trip to work | 31 minutes | 24 minutes | 25 minutes |
| Median household income | $40,000 | $57,000 | $80,000 |
| Working residents who work in town | 1.4% | 6.1% | 8% |
Where working residents work
In Nichols1%
Conway9%
Myrtle Beach7%
Mullins5%
Marion5%
31 mi
median commute distance
105
jobs based in Nichols
Balanced
jobs vs. working residents
Census LEHD 2023 · ACS
Health
A larger share of adults say their health is fair or poor in Nichols than in most of South Carolina or the rest of the country
36% of adults say their health is fair or poor in Nichols. Of the 170 South Carolina towns we compare, none has a higher share of adults who have diabetes than Nichols. 41% of adults get no exercise outside work in Nichols.
| Nichols | South Carolina towns | U.S. towns | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Fair or poor health (CDC PLACES) | 36% | 23% | 19% |
| Diabetes (CDC PLACES) | 27% | 15% | 12% |
| Get no exercise (CDC PLACES) | 41% | 28% | 25% |
| Binge drink (CDC PLACES) | 9.8% | 15% | 16% |
32 measures vs. South Carolina
3 better7 too close to call22 worse
| What stands out | Nichols | SC |
|---|---|---|
| Fewer binge drinkers | 9.8% | 15.7% |
| More adults treating high blood pressure | 87.4% | 80.2% |
| More adults who have had a stroke | 8.6% | 3.9% |
MUSC Health Marion Medical Center
8 mi away · emergency room
3 of 3
care shortages: primary care, dental, mental health
CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · CMS · HRSA
Keep exploring
Everything we know about Nichols
16pages on Nichols
The big questions
The story
After high school
Colleges nearby
None within 15 miles of Nichols; the nearest are
Southeastern Community CollegeCommunity college · Public · Whiteville, NC21.9 mi$2,600 in-state tuitionFrancis Marion UniversityUniversity or college · Public · Florence29 mi$11,160 in-state tuition
About 2 of every 100 Nichols residents are enrolled in college, against 6 across South Carolina.
About Nichols
Town in South Carolina, United States
Nichols is a town in Marion County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Nichols had a population of 234.
From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)
- Area
- 1.4 sq mi
- Elevation
- 56 ft
- ZIP code
- 29581
Questions about Nichols
Short answers, built from the data on this page.
Is Nichols, SC a good place to live?
Nichols has fewer than 1,000 residents, too few for fair grades; the figures below are still real.