Berea is a small, census-designated suburb of Greenville, located in the county of the same name. Located just outside Greenville’s northern limits, Berea is a popular commuter town for blue collar workers whose employment is located in the city of Greenville. Berea is named after one of its earliest churches, Berea First Baptist. It was originally a trading route for Native Americans. If you need an affordable place to live while earning your living nearby, Berea is a great choice!
Berea, SC Population & Demographics
Berea has a population of 14,652 distributed over 7.7 miles at a population density of about 1,900 people per square mile. The median age here is 38.9, which is marginally lower than the South Carolina average of 39.4. The median household income in Berea is $37,125, which is about two-thirds the average household income for the state of South Carolina, being $53,199.
The racial demographics of Berea’s population are 52.2% White (46.2% non-Hispanic), 26.5% Hispanic, and 20.1% Black or African American. Berea’s sex ratio is slightly skewed towards women, at 51%.
No matter which way you slice it, Berea has a crime problem, an unfortunate side effect of its affordable and open nature. However, this is mostly concentrated in property crime. Therefore, investment in a proper security system and the usual best practices will make Berea a safe community for you. Also it’s understood the north part of the city is the safest. Berea is served by the Greenville Police Department.
Cost of Living in Berea, SC
Berea’s greatest advantage is its very low cost of living, with the cost of living here being 15% lower than most places in the United States. The median home price in Berea is $114,900, which is two-thirds the average South Carolina home price of $162,300. If you choose to move to Berea, you’ll find that you’ll be paying less than the average for groceries and transportation, but more for things like utilities. In terms of renting in Berea, one can expect nice and affordable prices of $1,002 per month for all units.
Berea, SC Everyday Expenses
When it comes to cost of living, understanding just what you’ll be paying on a daily basis can be difficult. Take a look at these costs for the most common daily expenses in Berea, provided by Numbeo.
- Gallon of Milk – $3.55
- Loaf of Bread – $2.92
- Gallon of Gasoline – $2.22
- Basic Utilities per Month – $136.80
- Internet per Month – $66.62
Best Neighborhoods & Places to Live in Berea, SC
Berea is so small and so intrinsically tied to Greenville that it may well be considered a neighborhood itself. That being said, there’s still plenty to know about the properties and people in the area. Check out some of your neighborhood options below:
Berea is a suburban area, that much is obvious. Most of the real estate in the area is three to four room single family homes, with a significant portion also being studio apartments for renters. Many of the properties were built during the period of the ‘70s, but older homes are located in the area.
If you want to make yourself a part of any of this community, you should check out the latest listings for homes for sale in Berea, SC.
If you are interested in renting, then take a look at some of the apartments in Berea.
Berea, SC Climate & Weather
South Carolina is a fairly typical Southern climate area, but the mountains help cool it down a bit. You can expect lows of 30 degrees Fahrenheit during the winter months, and highs of 89 degrees Fahrenheit during the summer months. Berea experiences significantly more than the average amount of rainfall when compared with the rest of the United States, with 53 inches per year. Meanwhile, Berea experiences very little snow. The best times to visit Berea, in terms of comfort rating, are May and September.
View this post on Instagram
Things to Do in Berea, SC
Berea may not seem like the most exciting place on earth, but there’s plenty to do, buy, and eat here, with the whole family! Check out shopping in the area like the Centre West Shopping Center for all your shopping needs! You should also check out some of the best things to do in Berea, SC below:
Falls Park on the Reedy
The best part about living in South Carolina is its wonderful natural environment, and Falls Park, located just south of Berea, takes excellent advantage of that! Explore this beautiful park with a large bridge overlooking a fascinating array of waterfalls.
601 S Main St, Greenville, SC 29601, (864) 467-4350
Greenville Zoo
The Greenville Zoo needs no explanation as to why one might wish to come here, either by their lonesome or with family. Just a few miles south of Berea, this zoo is sure to provide a fun and education-filled day.
150 Cleveland Park Dr, Greenville, SC 29601, (864) 467-4300
View this post on Instagram
Berea, SC Additional Attractions:
The community of Berea’s parks fall within the jurisdiction of the Greenville parks & recreation system, which is home to many parks within the city’s limits and beyond. See all of this community’s most interesting parks at the Greenville city parks & recreation site.
Places to Eat in Berea, SC
Alongside its host of things to do, Berea is also home to plenty of great eats! Check out some below:
The Big Clock of Berea
A restaurant with an interesting and verbose name, this joint specializes in sandwiches and BBQ dishes from a true Carolinian tradition. Enjoy some of Berea’s finest cuisine at this restaurant!
7000 White Horse Rd, Greenville, SC 29611, (864) 246-5710
Pizza and Then Some
A favorite of Berea locals, this restaurant, true to its name, serves a variety of mostly Italian dishes, first and foremost pizza. Other menu items include fantastic calzones! Come enjoy the Italo-American cooking tradition at Pizza and Then Some!
7901 White Horse Rd, Greenville, SC 29617, (864) 246-1770
Berea, SC Schools & Colleges
Berea is served by the Greenville 01 Public School District, which has over 45% of its schools rated “Above Average” by GreatSchools. Some of Berea’s fantastic schools include Tigerville Elementary School, Langston Charter Middle School, and Wade Hampton High School. When it comes to Berea, you’ll have plenty of wonderful schooling options within the district!
Students and others in Berea are served by the Sarah Dobey Jones Public Library.
Jobs in Berea, SC
Those planning on making a living in Berea should know that wages and cost of living have been relatively static, according to Payscale (using data for Greenville). The most popular positions of employment are Mechanical Engineer, Project Manager, and Operations Manager. The most popular employers in Berea are General Electric Co, JTEKT Automotive, and Greenville Hospital System. The average salary for a worker in Berea is $63k a year, while the average hourly wage is $17.50.
If you’re planning on living in Berea, commuting to Greenville for its wealth of opportunities in a variety of industries is a must! Check out the latest listings for jobs in Berea, SC here.
Map of Berea, SC
Explore Berea’s large variety of things to do, places to eat, and more with this map!
Berea, SC Statistics & Information
- Berea county: Greenville
- Berea area: 7.92 square miles
- Berea zip codes: 29611 and 29617
- Berea area codes: 864
- Berea elevation: 1,040 feet
- Berea time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Berea: Raleigh-Durham International Airport (RDU), 49 miles away
Tips for Moving to Berea, SC
- Utilize low property costs to lighten the load on your wallet
- Commute to Greenville in only a short few miles
- See all Berea has to offer
Seen everything this community has to offer, and want to make the final leap to moving there? Give Auston Moving a call at 888-883-2795! Our team of highly-trained and trustworthy Berea movers will ensure your move is an easy process, at an excellent rate! Call now or fill out our online form for a free quote!
