CountyScore

Aiken County

South Carolina · SC

#20 in South Carolina
68.4
County Score

County Report Card

About Aiken County, South Carolina

Aiken keeps pace nationally

Aiken County scores 68.4, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 37%, landing in the solid middle-upper tier of U.S. counties. This score reflects balanced strengths in taxation and income relative to national benchmarks.

Right at South Carolina's average

Aiken's 68.4 score matches the South Carolina state average of 68.2 almost exactly, making it a representative county within the state's typical livability profile.

Strong income and low taxes

Aiken leads with an exceptional tax score of 90.1/100 (effective rate 0.432%) and solid income metrics (27.7/100) boosted by a median household income of $67,940. Health performance (66.1/100) rounds out a well-balanced county profile.

Housing costs rising, risk exposure

The cost score of 77.1/100 reflects rising housing pressure, with median rent at $1,031/month and home values at $199,500—notably higher than rural neighbors. Risk resilience scores critically low at 15.8/100, signaling elevated vulnerability to disruptions.

Sweet spot for working families

Aiken appeals to families earning $65,000–$85,000 annually who value low taxes and reasonable housing costs in a growing, semi-suburban setting. The moderate income level and improving health infrastructure make it an emerging choice for middle-class stability seekers.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax90.1Cost77.1SafetyComing SoonHealth66.1SchoolsComing SoonIncome27.7Risk15.8WaterComing Soon
🏛90.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠77.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼27.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤66.1
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡15.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Aiken County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Morgan County
Alabama
68.4
Median income: $64,858
Mesa County
Colorado
68.4
Median income: $71,485
Levy County
Florida
68.4
Median income: $53,805
Atkinson County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $38,438
Irwin County
Georgia
68.4
Median income: $53,915

Deep Dives

Aiken County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Aiken County

via TaxByCounty

Aiken taxes well below national norm

At 0.432%, Aiken County's effective property tax rate ranks among the lowest in America, placing it in the bottom 10% of U.S. counties. Residents pay a median of $862 per year, less than one-third the national median property tax of $2,690.

South Carolina's lowest-taxed county

Aiken boasts the second-lowest effective tax rate in South Carolina at 0.432%, significantly below the state average of 0.542%. With a median property tax of $862, Aiken homeowners pay nearly $80 less than the state median of $939.

Aiken leads its region in tax efficiency

Aiken's 0.432% rate is the lowest among comparable Piedmont counties, beating Anderson (0.464%), Abbeville (0.487%), and Berkeley (0.479%) by measurable margins. This tax advantage makes Aiken increasingly attractive to homebuyers seeking affordability.

What Aiken homeowners actually pay

On a median home value of $199,500, typical Aiken residents pay $862 annually in property tax—roughly $72 per month. That's genuinely affordable compared to national benchmarks and other South Carolina counties.

Appeal if your assessment seems high

Even at Aiken's low rates, overassessment happens. Request a property tax appeal if you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its market value—a successful challenge could reduce your already favorable tax burden further.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Aiken County

via CostByCounty

Aiken rents run below national averages

Aiken County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% sits below the national standard of roughly 30%, meaning housing costs remain manageable for most households. With a median household income of $67,940—above the national average of $74,755—Aiken offers solid affordability for renters and homeowners alike.

Mid-range affordability in South Carolina

Aiken's rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% outperforms South Carolina's average of 20.1%, placing it in the state's more affordable half. At $1,031 monthly rent, Aiken sits close to the state median, making it a balanced choice for those seeking moderate housing costs.

Pricier than Abbeville, cheaper than Beaufort

Aiken's median rent of $1,031 exceeds Abbeville County's by $397 but runs $453 below Beaufort County's steep $1,484. Similarly, Aiken's median home value of $199,500 sits between Abbeville's $147,200 and the coastal premium of Beaufort's $407,600.

Balanced housing burden across income

Aiken residents earning a median of $67,940 spend 18.2% on rent or roughly 14.6% on mortgage costs, leaving substantial income for other needs. This relatively even split reflects a healthy housing market where both renters and owners maintain financial flexibility.

Aiken offers middle-ground housing economics

If you want urban proximity without coastal premium pricing, Aiken delivers. Compare its $1,031 rent and $199,500 median home values to Anderson and Abbeville to gauge whether this county's balance of income and costs fits your relocation plan.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Aiken County

via IncomeByCounty

Aiken earns near national standard

Aiken County's median household income of $67,940 sits just $6,815 below the national median of $74,755. This 91% alignment with national averages places Aiken among more prosperous counties in a region typically below the national mean.

Aiken ranks in state's top tier

At $67,940, Aiken's median household income exceeds South Carolina's average of $57,006 by nearly $11,000. This 19% advantage positions Aiken solidly above the state median, reflecting stronger local employment and wage growth.

Aiken outpaces regional competitors

Aiken's $67,940 income surpasses Anderson County ($64,683) and significantly outpaces Abbeville ($52,112). This strength reflects Aiken's proximity to the Augusta metropolitan area and established manufacturing and government sectors.

Housing costs climb in Aiken

A rent-to-income ratio of 18.2% indicates residents spend about one-fifth of household income on housing. While still below the 30% affordability threshold, this ratio is rising compared to national trends, signaling growing housing demand in the county.

Invest for long-term security

With per capita income of $36,627 and housing costs manageable, Aiken residents are well-positioned to build wealth through retirement savings and investment accounts. Consider maximizing 401(k) contributions and exploring tax-advantaged investment strategies aligned with your household's five-year goals.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Aiken County

via HealthByCounty

Aiken living just above national health average

At 73.5 years, Aiken County residents live 2.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, placing the county in the lower-middle range nationally. About 18.7% of Aiken residents report poor or fair health, suggesting meaningful chronic disease burden.

Aiken ranks above-average in South Carolina

Aiken's 73.5-year life expectancy exceeds the state average of 72.5 years by one full year, putting it in the healthier half of South Carolina counties. At 10.7% uninsured, Aiken performs slightly better than the state rate of 11.6%, indicating stronger insurance penetration.

Aiken's mental health advantage stands out

Aiken's 73.5-year life expectancy falls between Abbeville (72.9) and Anderson (73.2), but the county leads in mental health providers with 172 per 100K. However, primary care access at 34 per 100K lags behind Abbeville (54) and Anderson (66), creating an uneven care landscape.

Mental health shines; primary care needs expansion

Aiken residents benefit from robust mental health infrastructure with 172 providers per 100K, yet only 34 primary care providers per 100K serve the same population. With 10.7% uninsured, most Aiken residents have coverage, but access to first-line physicians remains a daily frustration.

Check your coverage options now

Aiken's 10.7% uninsured rate means thousands still lack healthcare protection despite strong mental health services. Visit Healthcare.gov or call 1-800-318-2596 to explore Medicaid, marketplace plans, or employer coverage.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Aiken County

via RiskByCounty

Aiken faces moderate-to-high national risk

Aiken County's composite risk score of 84.22 earns a Relatively Moderate rating, placing it well above the national average and among the higher-risk counties nationwide. The county contends with significant combined exposure to multiple hazards across nearly all disaster types.

Well above South Carolina average

At 84.22, Aiken's composite risk far exceeds South Carolina's state average of 70.75, making it one of the riskier counties in the state. The county's elevated scores span earthquakes (88.87), hurricanes (90.11), and tornadoes (87.44).

Significantly riskier than most peers

Aiken's 84.22 score surpasses neighboring Barnwell (45.83) and Abbeville (45.36) by a substantial margin. Only Richland and certain coastal counties in the state register comparable or higher risk levels.

Earthquakes, hurricanes, and tornadoes dominate

Earthquakes (88.87) and hurricanes (90.11) pose the most serious threats, followed closely by tornado risk at 87.44. Flood risk at 84.45 and wildfire risk at 82.22 round out a comprehensive hazard profile that touches nearly every disaster type.

Comprehensive insurance essential for Aiken

Purchase a separate earthquake insurance policy immediately—your standard homeowners policy will not cover seismic damage, yet Aiken's 88.87 earthquake score reflects real exposure. Add flood insurance and ensure your wind/hurricane coverage is adequate for the county's 90.11 hurricane risk rating.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.