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CITY

Ruby

South Carolina · 323 residents (2025 est.) · 2.469 sq mi
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The short version

Ruby has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $75,313. Population has fallen 30% since 2000, a loss of 104 residents. 20% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $114,400. With a median age of 46.7, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 46.7
US median: 38.9
Less educated
20% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
244
−30%since 2000
from 348 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
99 / sq mi
−30%since 2000
from 141 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
46.7
+16%since 2000
from 40.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:323 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
2242843434024621990201020202024Ruby
2024244
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$75,313
+17%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $35,313 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$42,328
+157%since 2000
from $16,441 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
50.4%
+34.4 ptssince 2009
from 16.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.9%
+5.3 ptssince 2000
from 8.7% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.397
−4%since 2010
from 0.414 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade34.7%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services8.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration8.5%
US avg: 4.8%
Finance & insurance3.4%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.5%
US avg: 1.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.7%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing1.7%
US avg: 0.4%
Transportation & warehousing1.7%
US avg: 2.2%
Information1.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Professional, scientific, technical1.7%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services1.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Wholesale trade0%
US avg: 6.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$114,400
+11%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $56,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$763
+34%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $313 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
86.0%
+3.8 ptssince 2000
from 82.2% in 2000
14.0% rent
Vacancy rate
25.8%
+6.9 ptssince 2009
from 18.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
3.8%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
35.3%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.5
−6%since 2000
from 1.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
29
RELATED:See current rent listings in Ruby on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic84.5%(294)
Black13.8%(48)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(2)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score31.3%(109)
2024
White, non-Hispanic86.9%(212)
Black3.3%(8)
Hispanic / Latino7.4%(18)
Asian0%(0)
Other2.5%(6)
Diversity Score29.7%(73)
Diversity Score
30
−5%since 2000
from 31 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.9%
+1.3 ptssince 2000
from 18.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
90.1%
+16.5 ptssince 2000
from 73.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
14.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 10.3% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.3 min
+27%since 2000
from 22.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
93.9%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 91.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
1.8%
−4.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.3% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
5.0%
−8.6 ptssince 2009
from 13.6% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2011
from 2.7% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.5%
−13.2 ptssince 2011
from 74.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
7.6%
−3.4 ptssince 2009
from 11.0% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
30.5%
−11.4 ptssince 2009
from 41.9% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
42.6%
−12.4 ptssince 2009
from 55.0% in 2009
Female
57.4%
+12.4 ptssince 2009
from 45.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−3.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.3% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
1.0%
−56.1 ptssince 2009
from 57.1% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
8.6%
−4.0 ptssince 2012
from 12.6% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
6.1%
−88.5 ptssince 2013
from 94.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.7%
+34.0 ptssince 2017
from 57.7% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 100.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2016
from 0.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Frequently asked

How many people live in Ruby, South Carolina?

Ruby, South Carolina has about 244 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Ruby, South Carolina?

The typical household in Ruby, South Carolina earns about $75,313 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Ruby, South Carolina expensive?

In Ruby, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $114,400, and the typical rent is about $763 a month.

How educated are people in Ruby, South Carolina?

About 19.9% of adults age 25 and over in Ruby, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Ruby, South Carolina?

About 13.9% of people in Ruby, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Ruby, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Ruby, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 74 residents, a change of about -23 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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