Inquiry. Analysis. Solutions.
CITY, SC
29401
What is Livability?
Livable communities have diverse features that satisfy the needs of people of all ages, incomes and abilities. Learn more about AARP's Livability Index at www.aarp.org/livabilityindex.
Top Third
67 - 100+
Middle Third
34 - 66
Bottom Third
0 - 33
Housing
Affordability and access
They say home is where the heart is—and the same holds true for the Livability Index. Housing is a central component of livability. Deciding where to live influences many of the topics the Index covers. We spend more time in our homes than anywhere else, so housing costs, choices, and accessibility are critical. Great communities provide housing opportunities for people of all ages, incomes, and abilities, allowing everyone to live in a quality neighborhood regardless of their circumstances.
Measure
Neighborhood
Percentage of housing units with extra-wide doors or hallways, floors with no steps between rooms, and an entry-level bedroom and bathroom: measured at the metro area scale, higher values are better.
Percentage of housing units that are not single-family, detached homes: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Monthly housing costs: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better. Monthly costs are capped at $4,000.
Percentage of income devoted to monthly housing costs: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better.
Number of subsidized housing units per 10,000 people in a county: measured at the county scale, higher values are better.
Neighborhood
Access to life, work, and play
What makes a neighborhood truly livable? Two important qualities are access and convenience. Compact neighborhoods make it easier for residents to reach the things they need most, from jobs to grocery stores to libraries. Nearby parks and places to buy healthy food help people make smart choices, and diverse, walkable neighborhoods with shops, restaurants, and movie theatres make local life interesting. Additionally, neighborhoods served by good access to more distant destinations via transit or automobile help residents connect to jobs, health care, and services throughout the greater community.
Measure
Neighborhood
Number of grocery stores and farmers’ markets within a half-mile: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Number of parks within a half-mile: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Number of libraries located within a half-mile: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Number of jobs accessible within a 45-minute transit commute: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Number of jobs accessible within a 45-minute automobile commute: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Mix of jobs within a mile: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Combined number of jobs and people per square mile: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Combined violent and property crimes per 10,000 people: measured at the county scale, lower values are better.
Percentage of vacant housing units: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better.
Transportation
Safe and convenient options
How easily and safely we’re able to get from one place to another has a major effect on our quality of life. Livable communities provide their residents with transportation options that connect people to social activities, economic opportunities, and medical care, and offer convenient, healthy, accessible, and low-cost alternatives to driving.
Measure
Neighborhood
Total number of buses and trains per hour in both directions for all stops within a quarter-mile: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Percentage of transit stations and vehicles that are ADA-accessible: measured at the metro area scale, higher values are better.
Estimated walk trips per household per day: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Estimated total hours that the average commuter spends in traffic each year: measured at the metro area scale, lower values are better.
Estimated household transportation costs: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better.
Average speed limit (MPH) on streets and highways: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better.
Annual average number of fatal crashes per 100,000 people: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better.
Environment
Clean air and water
Good communities maintain a clean environment for their residents. Great communities enact policies to improve and protect the environment for generations to come. The Livability Index looks at air and water quality. It measures communities’ actions to create resilience plans to prepare for emergencies and natural disasters, and it awards points to states that have policies promoting energy efficiency and that protect consumers from having their utilities cut off during extreme weather events.
Measure
Neighborhood
Percentage of the population getting water from public water systems with at least one health-based violation during the past year: measured at the county scale, lower values are better.
Number of days per year when regional air quality is unhealthy for sensitive populations: measured at the county scale, lower values are better.
Percentage of the population living within 200 meters of a high-traffic road where more than 25,000 vehicles pass per day: measured at the neighborhood scale, lower values are better.
Toxicity of airborne chemicals released from nearby industrial facilities: measured at the neighborhood scale from 0 to 311,000, lower values are better.
Health
Prevention, access, and quality
Community conditions influence health behaviors. Healthy communities have comprehensive smoke-free air laws, offer easy access to exercise opportunities, and have high-quality health care available. Because health is so deeply related to quality of life, many other categories of livability in this Index include metrics related to health. For example, access to healthy foods, jobs and education, number of walk trips, lower speed limits, social engagement measures, and air and water pollution are all related to health. Where you live matters.
Measure
Neighborhood
Estimated smoking rate: measured at the county scale, lower values are better.
Estimated obesity rate: measured at the county scale, lower values are better.
Percentage of people who live within a half-mile of parks and within 1 mile of recreational facilities (3 miles for rural areas): measured at the county scale, higher values are better.
Severity of clinician shortage: measured at the health professional shortage area scale from 0 to 25, lower values are better. Read more about Health.
Number of hospital admissions for conditions that could be effectively treated through outpatient care per 1,000 patients: measured at the hospital service area scale, lower values are better.
Percentage of patients who give area hospitals a rating of 9 or 10, with 10 indicating the highest level of satisfaction: measured at the hospital service area scale, higher values are better.
Engagement
Civic and social involvement
A livable community fosters interaction among residents. From social engagement to civic action to Internet access, residents’ individual opportunities to connect and feel welcomed help lessen social isolation and strengthen the greater community. The Index explores and examines the different ways in which residents engage with and support their communities, and how they impact livability as a whole.
Measure
Neighborhood
Percentage of residents who have access to three or more wireline Internet service providers, and two or more providers that offer advertised maximum download speeds of 50 megabits per second: measured at the neighborhood scale, higher values are better.
Number of civic, social, religious, political, and business organizations per 10,000 people: measured at the county scale, higher values are better.
Percentage of people ages 18 years or older who voted in the last presidential election: measured at the county scale, higher values are better. Voting rates are bounded at 30% and 85%.
Extent to which residents eat dinner with household members, see or hear from friends and family, talk with neighbors, and do favors for neighbors: measured at the metro area scale from 0 to 2, higher values are better.
Number of performing arts companies, museums, concert venues, sports stadiums, and movie theaters per 10,000 people: measured at the county scale, higher values are better.
Opportunity
Inclusion and possibilities
America was built on opportunity—and our nation’s many thriving communities are no different. The degree to which a community embraces diversity and offers opportunities to residents of all ages and backgrounds is important to overall livability. Backed by a strong regional economy and fiscally healthy local governments, welcoming communities provide residents an equal chance to earn a living wage and improve their well-being, from jobs to education.
Measure
Neighborhood
Gini coefficient (the gap between rich and poor): measured at the county scale from 0 to 1, lower values are better.
Number of jobs per person in the workforce: measured at the metro area scale, higher values are better. Jobs are capped at 1.0 job per person.
Adjusted 4-year high school cohort graduation rate: measured at the school district scale, higher values are better.
Age-group diversity of local population compared to the national population: measured at the neighborhood scale from 0 to 1, higher values are better.