Sunset ZIP Codes — Pickens County, SC

There is one unique ZIP code in Sunset, South Carolina and it is 29685. Area code: 864.
1
ZIP codes
88.48
sq mi land
7.18
sq mi water
864
area code
Sunset, SC ZIP code map

About Sunset, SC

Sunset is a picturesque city located in South Carolina, known for its stunning landscapes and serene living. Nestled within Pickens County, this small community offers residents and visitors a peaceful retreat from the bustling urban centers. With its natural beauty and close-knit community, Sunset serves as a hidden gem in the Upcountry region of South Carolina.

Location & geography

Sunset is strategically situated in Pickens County, a part of the scenic foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It lies near several neighboring cities, including Clemson, approximately 12 miles to the south, Easley at around 15 miles to the southeast, and Seneca, about 16 miles to the southwest. The city covers a land area of 88.48 square miles, with an additional 7.18 square miles classified as water, creating a unique blend of terrain and natural beauty.

Community & economy

The character of Sunset embodies a friendly and welcoming atmosphere, where residents enjoy a close-knit community vibe. The local economy is supported by industries such as tourism and outdoor recreation, given the city's proximity to Lake Keowee and the surrounding natural parks. Daily life in Sunset revolves around enjoying nature, engaging in community activities, and participating in local events that foster connection among residents.

Transportation

Sunset is accessible via several highways, including State Highway 183, which connects it to larger thoroughfares. The nearest airport is the Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, approximately 40 miles away, providing both domestic and international travel options. Public transit options are limited, so personal vehicles are the primary means of transportation for residents.

History

Founded in the early 20th century, Sunset was developed as a vacation destination due to its scenic landscapes and favorable climate. Historically, the area has been known for its agricultural roots, with key industries evolving over time to include tourism and recreational activities related to the nearby lakes and mountains. Significant events in Sunset's history have revolved around the development of local parks and outdoor facilities that attract visitors year-round.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Sunset is that it is located just a short drive from the renowned Clemson University, making it a popular retreat for students and families in the area. Another little-known detail is that the surrounding region is noted for its rich biodiversity, featuring numerous hiking trails and nature reserves that highlight the area's ecological significance.

ZIP codes for Sunset, SC (1)
ZIP code City County Map
29685 Sunset Pickens View map

Demographics & statistics

2,038
Population
54.1
Median age
$99,861
Median household income
$68,264
Per capita income
$569,300
Median home value
$0
Median monthly rent
98.1%
Home ownership
9.9%
Poverty rate
8.4%
Unemployment
1,270
Housing units
40.5%
Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female
25
Under 5
19
23
5–9
17
81
10–14
59
100
15–19
74
28
20–24
20
59
25–34
43
123
35–44
90
165
45–54
122
113
55–59
83
167
60–64
122
178
65–74
131
69
75–84
51
44
85+
32
← Male
Female →

Age summary

GroupCount%
Under 1832716.0%
18 and over1,71184.0%
65 and over50524.8%
Median age54.1 years

Race & ethnicity

White 94.8%
Black or African American 2.7%
Two or more races 1.5%
Asian 0.7%
Hispanic or Latino 0.3%
GroupCount%
White1,93994.8%
Black or African American552.7%
Two or more races301.5%
Asian140.7%
Hispanic or Latino70.3%

Household income

Under $10k 3.0%
$10k–$15k 1.1%
$15k–$25k 11.5%
$25k–$35k 8.9%
$35k–$50k 6.5%
$50k–$75k 7.2%
$75k–$100k 11.9%
$100k–$150k 13.6%
$150k–$200k 12.7%
$200k+ 23.6%
Range% of households
Under $10k3.0%
$10k–$15k1.1%
$15k–$25k11.5%
$25k–$35k8.9%
$35k–$50k6.5%
$50k–$75k7.2%
$75k–$100k11.9%
$100k–$150k13.6%
$150k–$200k12.7%
$200k+23.6%
Median income$99,861

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 4.5%
$50k–$100k 12.0%
$100k–$150k 4.4%
$150k–$200k 4.7%
$200k–$300k 19.1%
$300k–$500k 2.3%
$500k–$1M 22.6%
$1M+ 30.5%

Housing overview

MetricValue
Median home value$569,300
Median rent / month$0
Owner occupied98.1%
Renter occupied1.9%
Vacant34.4%
Single-family detached88.9%
Large apartment buildings0.0%
Mobile homes10.4%
Median rooms6.5
Avg household size (owned)2.40

Year built

Era%
2020 or later0.7%
2010–201928.5%
2000–200927.1%
1990–19999.7%
1980–19899.2%
1970–19798.6%
1960–19691.3%
1950–19594.8%
1940–19495.9%
1939 or earlier4.2%

Bedrooms

Size% of units
No bedroom (studio)0.6%
1 bedroom1.9%
2 bedrooms14.5%
3 bedrooms32.6%
4 bedrooms34.1%
5+ bedrooms16.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles% of households
No vehicle4.0%
1 vehicle20.5%
2 vehicles40.7%
3 or more34.8%

Heating fuel

Fuel type%
Utility gas1.1%
Electricity77.3%
Propane / LP gas14.4%
Fuel oil1.2%
Wood6.0%

Households & families

Household typeCount%
Married-couple family60271.4%
Cohabiting couple445.2%
Male householder, no spouse11413.5%
Female householder, no spouse839.8%
Households with children under 1816319.3%
Households with seniors (65+)33339.5%
Average household size2.37

Marital status

StatusMaleFemale
Never married22.6%13.3%
Married63.3%69.6%
Separated0.0%0.0%
Widowed0.9%5.6%
Divorced13.2%11.6%

Education

Less than 9th grade 1.7%
Some HS, no diploma 6.8%
HS graduate 24.9%
Some college, no degree 17.1%
Associate's degree 9.0%
Bachelor's degree 23.1%
Graduate / professional 17.5%
Metric%
HS diploma or higher91.5%
Bachelor's or higher40.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

TypeCount%
Nursery / preschool194.8%
Kindergarten00.0%
Elementary school18045.2%
High school17443.7%
College / grad school256.3%

Employment

Industry of employment

Transportation & utilities 19.4%
Education & healthcare 17.3%
Construction 15.5%
Manufacturing 11.9%
Arts, food & hospitality 9.3%
Professional & management 8.3%
Retail trade 5.9%
Wholesale trade 5.0%
Finance & real estate 2.3%
Other services 2.3%
Public administration 1.4%
Information 1.2%

Occupation

Category%
Management, business & arts40.2%
Service10.4%
Sales & office8.8%
Natural resources & construction14.0%
Production & transportation26.6%

Employment type

Type%
Private sector89.3%
Government7.0%
Self-employed3.7%
Unpaid family workers0.0%

Commute

Method%
Drive alone74.3%
Carpool1.8%
Public transit0.0%
Walk1.8%
Other means2.7%
Avg commute (minutes)32.0

Poverty

All people 9.9%
Under 18 years 0.0%
18 and over 11.7%
Married-couple families 8.8%
Female-led households 0.0%

Income support

Source% of households
Social Security32.6%
Retirement income37.4%
Supplemental Security3.9%
Cash public assistance1.1%
Food stamps / SNAP3.6%

Health indicators

Condition%
High blood pressure41.3%
High cholesterol44.3%
Heart disease8.4%
Stroke3.8%
Asthma9.6%
Arthritis35.7%
Kidney disease3.5%
Pulmonary disease9.3%
Cancer8.7%
Behavior / access%
Binge drinking16.1%
No physical activity24.5%
Less than 7 hrs sleep30.2%
Fair or poor health15.7%
Poor mental health13.4%
Poor physical health12.5%
No health insurance12.7%
Visited doctor (checkup)79.9%
Visited dentist68.3%
Cholesterol screening92.6%
Teeth loss13.0%

Veterans & disability

VeteransCount%
Civilian veterans18510.8%
Disability%
Any disability8.9%
Under 183.2%
18–64 years5.6%
65 and over20.4%

Health insurance coverage

Type%
Private insurance76.8%
Public insurance34.9%
Uninsured under 190.0%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

LanguageCount%
English only1,99497.8%
Spanish40.2%
Other Indo-European40.2%
Asian & Pacific Islander00.0%
Other languages00.0%

Place of birth & citizenship

OriginCount%
Native born (US)1,98997.6%
Born in same state1,97396.8%
Born in different state1,05952.0%
Foreign born160.8%
Naturalized citizen492.4%
Not a US citizen3469.4%

Ancestry

AncestryCount%
French59829.3%
Italian30314.9%
Arab24912.2%
AncestryCount%
Norwegian241.2%
Polish40.2%

Technology access

Metric% of households
Computer access41.4%
Internet access93.7%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions
What ZIP codes does Sunset, SC have?
Sunset, SC has one ZIP code: 29685. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.
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