Best Counties to Live in South Carolina

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Best counties to live in South Carolina

More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.

Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.

Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.

Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.

Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in South Carolina using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.

Keep reading to see if your county made the list.

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#30. Chesterfield County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,313
- Population: 43,536
- Median household income: $46,326
- Median home value: $91,400 (72% own)
- Median rent: $796 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Plainview Elementary School (grade B), Edwards Elementary School (grade B), Chesterfield High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: South Pointe Christian School (grade B minus), Jesus Is Lord Christian School (grade unavailable), Faith Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Pageland (grade B minus), Cheraw (grade C+), Chesterfield (grade B)

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#29. Bamberg County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,312
- Population: 13,311
- Median household income: $43,920
- Median home value: $97,200 (74% own)
- Median rent: $772 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Bamberg-Ehrhardt High School (grade B), Bamberg-Ehrhardt Middle School (grade B minus), Richard Carroll Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Andrew Jackson Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Bamberg (grade B minus), Denmark (grade C), Ehrhardt (grade B)

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#28. Darlington County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 1,028
- Population: 63,025
- Median household income: $44,317
- Median home value: $132,600 (69% own)
- Median rent: $804 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: South Carolina Governor's School for Science & Mathematics (grade A+), Mayo High School for Math, Science & Technology (grade A+), Carolina Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Trinity Collegiate School (grade A), Emmanuel Christian School (grade B), Thomas Hart Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: North Hartsville (grade A), Hartsville (grade B+), Darlington (grade C)

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#27. Saluda County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 978
- Population: 18,952
- Median household income: $51,041
- Median home value: $117,800 (78% own)
- Median rent: $709 (22% rent)
- Top public schools: Hollywood Elementary School (grade B+), Saluda Middle School (grade B minus), Saluda Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: W. Wyman King Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Saluda (grade B), Ridge Spring (grade B), Ward (grade B minus)

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#26. Sumter County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 976
- Population: 105,199
- Median household income: $53,970
- Median home value: $146,300 (66% own)
- Median rent: $995 (34% rent)
- Top public schools: Alice Drive Elementary School (grade B), Millwood Elementary School (grade B minus), Hillcrest Middle School (grade C+)
- Top private schools: Wilson Hall (grade A), Thomas Sumter Academy (grade B+), Westside Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Oakland (grade B+), Stateburg (grade B), Cane Savannah (grade B)

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#25. Cherokee County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 974
- Population: 56,200
- Median household income: $47,011
- Median home value: $124,500 (71% own)
- Median rent: $828 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Corinth Elementary School (grade B), Grassy Pond Elementary School (grade B), Northwest Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: The Village School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Gaffney (grade B minus), East Gaffney (grade B minus), Blacksburg (grade C)

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#24. Edgefield County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 899
- Population: 26,181
- Median household income: $60,033
- Median home value: $162,900 (75% own)
- Median rent: $786 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Fox Creek Charter High School (grade A minus), Merriwether Middle School (grade B), Merriwether Elementary School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Francis Hugh Wardlaw Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Murphys Estates (grade B), Edgefield (grade B minus), Trenton (grade B)

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#23. Calhoun County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 890
- Population: 14,145
- Median household income: $55,550
- Median home value: $130,900 (83% own)
- Median rent: $968 (17% rent)
- Top public schools: Calhoun County High School (grade B), Sandy Run School (grade B minus), St. Matthews School (grade C)
- Top private schools: Calhoun Academy (grade B minus), Upward Way Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Cameron (grade B minus), St. Matthews (grade B minus)

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#22. Berkeley County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 860
- Population: 231,419
- Median household income: $77,874
- Median home value: $253,100 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,410 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Berkeley County Middle College High School (grade A), Hanahan High School (grade A minus), Marrington Middle School of the Arts (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Bishop England High School (grade A minus), Ridge Christian Academy (grade B+), St. John's Christian Academy (grade B)
- Top places: Hanahan (grade A minus), Goose Creek (grade B+), Ladson (grade B+)

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#21. Abbeville County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 785
- Population: 24,368
- Median household income: $49,759
- Median home value: $118,400 (76% own)
- Median rent: $791 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Cherokee Trail Elementary School (grade B+), Wright Middle School (grade B+), Diamond Hill Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Cold Springs Mennonite School (grade unavailable), Shiloh Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Abbeville (grade B), Due West (grade A), Donalds (grade B)

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#20. Newberry County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 782
- Population: 37,918
- Median household income: $56,706
- Median home value: $139,200 (74% own)
- Median rent: $855 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Little Mountain Elementary School (grade B+), Mid-Carolina Middle School (grade B+), Whitmire Community Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Newberry Academy (grade A minus), Newberry Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Newberry (grade B+), Little Mountain (grade A minus), Silverstreet (grade B+)

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#19. Laurens County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 774
- Population: 67,456
- Median household income: $52,077
- Median home value: $138,600 (71% own)
- Median rent: $826 (29% rent)
- Top public schools: Clinton Elementary School (grade B), Clinton Middle School (grade B), Clinton High School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Laurens Academy (grade B), Fountain Inn Christian School (grade unavailable), Lighthouse Christian Academy (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Joanna (grade B+), Clinton (grade B), Laurens (grade B minus)

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#18. Greenwood County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 640
- Population: 69,309
- Median household income: $47,553
- Median home value: $144,000 (65% own)
- Median rent: $849 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Ninety Six Elementary School (grade A minus), Edgewood Middle School (grade B+), Hodges Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Palmetto Christian Academy of Greenwood (grade A minus), Cambridge Academy (grade B+), Greenwood Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: Greenwood (grade B minus), Ninety Six (grade B+), Promised Land (grade B minus)

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#17. Georgetown County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 623
- Population: 63,594
- Median household income: $59,782
- Median home value: $234,600 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,046 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Waccamaw Elementary School (grade B+), Waccamaw Middle School (grade B+), Waccamaw High School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The Georgetown School of Arts & Sciences (grade A+), Lowcountry Preparatory School (grade A), Little Smurfs CDC (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Murrells Inlet (grade A minus), Georgetown (grade B minus), Andrews (grade C+)

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#16. Lancaster County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 556
- Population: 97,611
- Median household income: $72,186
- Median home value: $272,100 (82% own)
- Median rent: $881 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Harrisburg Elementary School (grade A minus), Van Wyck Elementary School (grade A minus), Indian Land Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Carolina Christian Academy (grade A minus), Field of Dreams - Edgewater (grade unavailable), The Goddard School - Indian Land (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Elgin (grade B+), Springdale (grade B minus), Lancaster (grade C)

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#15. Horry County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 530
- Population: 356,578
- Median household income: $59,880
- Median home value: $235,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,128 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: HCS Early College High School (grade A+), Socastee Middle (grade A), Ocean Bay Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic School (grade A), Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach (grade B+), Conway Christian School (grade B+)
- Top places: Socastee (grade A minus), Surfside Beach (grade A minus), North Myrtle Beach (grade A minus)

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#14. Florence County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 500
- Population: 137,015
- Median household income: $56,088
- Median home value: $157,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $871 (35% rent)
- Top public schools: Royall Elementary School (grade B+), West Florence High School (grade B+), John W. Moore Middle School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: The King's Academy (grade A minus), Florence Christian School (grade B+), Carolina Academy (grade B+)
- Top places: Florence (grade A minus), Lake City (grade C+), Timmonsville (grade C minus)

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#13. Kershaw County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 447
- Population: 65,779
- Median household income: $61,343
- Median home value: $173,800 (82% own)
- Median rent: $844 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Wateree Elementary School (grade B+), North Central High School (grade B+), Blaney Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Camden Military Academy (grade A), Cornerstone Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lugoff (grade B+), Elgin (grade B+), Camden (grade B+)

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#12. Dorchester County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 345
- Population: 162,139
- Median household income: $73,686
- Median home value: $273,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,259 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Rollings Middle School of the Arts (grade A), Ashley Ridge High School (grade A), Beech Hill Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Pinewood Preparatory School (grade A), Cathedral Academy (grade A minus), Dorchester Academy (grade C)
- Top places: North Charleston (grade B), Reevesville (grade B), Harleyville (grade C+)

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#11. Oconee County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 331
- Population: 78,775
- Median household income: $56,710
- Median home value: $192,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $852 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Walhalla Middle School (grade A minus), Northside Elementary School (grade A minus), Keowee Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Oconee Christian Academy (grade A minus), Trinity Baptist Preschool (grade unavailable), Foothills Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Seneca (grade B+), Utica (grade B), Walhalla (grade B)

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#10. Aiken County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 314
- Population: 169,865
- Median household income: $63,212
- Median home value: $181,800 (75% own)
- Median rent: $973 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Tall Pines STEM Academy (grade A minus), North Augusta High School (grade A minus), Chukker Creek Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Mead Hall Episcopal School (grade A), South Aiken Baptist Christian School (grade B+), Victory Christian School (grade B)
- Top places: North Augusta (grade A), Aiken (grade A minus), Belvedere (grade B+)

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#9. Pickens County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 301
- Population: 131,106
- Median household income: $57,628
- Median home value: $196,600 (70% own)
- Median rent: $896 (30% rent)
- Top public schools: D.W. Daniel High School (grade A), Clemson Elementary School (grade A), R.C. Edwards Middle School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Lakeview Christian School (grade B+), Easley Christian School (grade C+), Clemson Montessori School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Clemson (grade A+), Central (grade A), Easley (grade A minus)

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#8. Spartanburg County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 250
- Population: 330,119
- Median household income: $61,955
- Median home value: $195,800 (73% own)
- Median rent: $960 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Pine Street Elementary School (grade A), Cooley Springs-Fingerville Elementary School (grade A), Shoally Creek Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Spartanburg Day School (grade A), Oakbrook Preparatory School (grade A), Spartanburg Christian Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Reidville (grade A), Boiling Springs (grade A), Duncan (grade A)

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#7. Anderson County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 207
- Population: 204,592
- Median household income: $62,347
- Median home value: $189,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $904 (25% rent)
- Top public schools: Southwood Academy of the Arts (grade A), Powdersville Elementary School (grade A), McCants Middle School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Montessori School of Anderson (grade A), Temple Christian Academy (grade B+), Anderson Christian School (grade B+)
- Top places: Pendleton (grade A+), Northlake (grade A), Powdersville (grade A)

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#6. Lexington County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 166
- Population: 295,934
- Median household income: $71,280
- Median home value: $197,600 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,061 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: River Bluff High School (grade A), Meadow Glen Elementary School (grade A), Lexington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Northside Christian Academy (grade A minus), Grace Christian School (grade B+), Union United Methodist Church Kindergarten (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Lexington (grade A+), Seven Oaks (grade A), Cayce (grade A)

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#5. Beaufort County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 144
- Population: 189,071
- Median household income: $81,260
- Median home value: $377,900 (76% own)
- Median rent: $1,435 (24% rent)
- Top public schools: Coosa Elementary School (grade A), Bluffton High School (grade A minus), Okatie Elementary School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: Hilton Head Preparatory School (grade A+), Heritage Academy (grade A+), Beaufort Academy (grade A)
- Top places: Hilton Head Island (grade A), Bluffton (grade A minus), Port Royal (grade B+)

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#4. Richland County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 135
- Population: 416,161
- Median household income: $59,850
- Median home value: $201,200 (60% own)
- Median rent: $1,142 (40% rent)
- Top public schools: Spring Hill High School (grade A+), Lake Murray Elementary School (grade A), Oak Pointe Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Heathwood Hall Episcopal School (grade A+), Hammond School (grade A+), Ben Lippen School (grade A)
- Top places: Forest Acres (grade A+), Irmo (grade A), Blythewood (grade A)

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#3. York County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 125
- Population: 282,987
- Median household income: $80,158
- Median home value: $287,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,204 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Pleasant Knoll Middle (grade A+), Gold Hill Elementary School (grade A+), Springfield Middle School (grade A+)
- Top private schools: St. Anne Catholic School (grade A), Walnut Grove Christian School (grade A minus), Lake Pointe Academy (grade A minus)
- Top places: Tega Cay (grade A+), Fort Mill (grade A+), Lake Wylie (grade A)

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#2. Charleston County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 74
- Population: 409,840
- Median household income: $78,795
- Median home value: $415,000 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,427 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Academic Magnet High School (grade A+), Charleston School of the Arts (grade A), Wando High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Porter-Gaud School (grade A+), University School of the Lowcountry (grade A), Charleston Collegiate School (grade A)
- Top places: Mount Pleasant (grade A+), Isle of Palms (grade A), Sullivan's Island (grade A)

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#1. Greenville County, South Carolina

- Overall Rank: 24
- Population: 528,251
- Median household income: $71,328
- Median home value: $248,900 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,122 (31% rent)
- Top public schools: Greenville Technical Charter High School (grade A+), SC Governor's School for Arts & Humanities (grade A+), Sterling School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Christ Church Episcopal School (grade A+), Saint Joseph's Catholic School (grade A), Southside Christian School (grade A)
- Top places: Five Forks (grade A+), Taylors (grade A), Wade Hampton (grade A)

This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.

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