CountyScore

Allendale County

South Carolina · SC

#25 in South Carolina
67.9
County Score

County Report Card

About Allendale County, South Carolina

Allendale ranks solidly nationwide

Allendale County scores 67.9, exceeding the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it above average in the broader U.S. county landscape. This performance is driven primarily by exceptional housing affordability rather than income strength.

Just below South Carolina average

Allendale scores 67.9 versus the state average of 68.2, positioning it as a fairly typical South Carolina county with modest rank within the state.

Housing affordability is exceptional

Allendale shines with a cost score of 89.0/100, offering median home values of just $61,600 and rent at $691/month—among the lowest in the state. For price-conscious buyers, few South Carolina counties compete on pure affordability.

Income and health need investment

The income score of just 4.0/100 reflects a median household income of $31,603, among the lowest in South Carolina and well below state norms. Health outcomes (52.7/100) and risk resilience (64.6/100) also lag, signaling limited economic opportunity and infrastructure.

Best for retirees on minimal budgets

Allendale is ideal for retirees or remote workers with secure, modest income sources seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in South Carolina. The extremely low home values and rent make it appealing for those with fixed incomes, though job prospects and services are limited.

Score breakdown

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

Tax77.5Cost89SafetyComing SoonHealth52.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome4Risk64.6WaterComing Soon
🏛77.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤52.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡64.6
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 Allendale County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Taylor County
Florida
67.9
Median income: $44,985
Lumpkin County
Georgia
67.9
Median income: $72,388
Bonneville County
Idaho
67.9
Median income: $76,646
Bell County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $32,403
Franklin County
Kentucky
67.9
Median income: $66,470

Deep Dives

Allendale County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Allendale County

via TaxByCounty

Allendale's high rate reflects low values

Allendale's 0.880% effective tax rate ranks above the national median, yet residents pay only $542 annually because median home values are extremely low at $61,600. This inversion—high rate, low dollar amount—reflects the county's distinct economic profile.

Allendale among South Carolina's highest rates

At 0.880%, Allendale's effective tax rate is 62% higher than South Carolina's state average of 0.542%, ranking it among the most heavily taxed counties in the state. Despite the high rate, the median tax bill of $542 remains below the state median of $939 due to lower home values.

Significantly higher than surrounding counties

Allendale's 0.880% rate far exceeds Bamberg (0.829%), Barnwell (0.738%), and Aiken (0.432%), making it the highest-taxed county in its region. The disparity suggests Allendale relies more heavily on property tax revenue relative to its tax base.

Low dollar taxes, high effective rate

Though Allendale's rate is steep, residents pay only $542 annually on a median home valued at $61,600. The high percentage rate applied to a small assessed value still results in modest annual tax bills—under $50 per month.

Appeals matter more here

In Allendale, where the effective rate is high, a successful tax assessment appeal delivers outsized savings. Contact your county assessor to request a review if your home's assessed value seems inflated relative to similar properties nearby.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Allendale County

via CostByCounty

Allendale faces severe affordability strain

Allendale County residents spend 26.2% of income on rent—nearly double the national standard of roughly 30%, though this comparison masks a deeper crisis. With a median household income of just $31,603, more than 40% below the national average, Allendale's low incomes make even modest rents stretch finances dangerously thin.

South Carolina's most strained renters

Allendale's rent-to-income ratio of 26.2% far exceeds South Carolina's average of 20.1%, making it one of the state's least affordable counties. While median rent at $691 stays below the state average, the real problem is income: Allendale's $31,603 median earnings rank among the lowest in South Carolina.

Lower rent, but far lower income

Allendale's $691 rent costs less than Abbeville's $634 or Barnwell's $695, yet residents struggle more because median income of $31,603 trails neighbors by $10,000–$20,000. This income gap transforms Allendale's moderate rents into a serious financial burden.

Housing consumes a quarter of earnings

Allendale households earning $31,603 allocate 26.2% to rent, consuming income faster than most South Carolina residents. Even for homeowners paying $469 monthly, affordability remains precarious without second incomes or supplemental support.

Allendale requires careful financial planning

Relocating to Allendale demands honest assessment: while homes are cheap at $61,600 and rents are low, median incomes are the state's lowest. Compare these economics to higher-income counties like Beaufort or Aiken to understand the trade-offs before moving.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Allendale County

via IncomeByCounty

Allendale faces severe income gap

Allendale County's median household income of $31,603 represents just 42% of the national median of $74,755—a staggering $43,152 shortfall. This ranks among the lowest-income counties in the nation, reflecting limited job opportunities and economic development.

Allendale is South Carolina's poorest

At $31,603, Allendale's median household income falls 44% below South Carolina's state average of $57,006. The county ranks in the lowest tier of the state's 46 counties, facing systemic economic challenges that require urgent intervention.

Regional poverty concentration

Allendale's income of $31,603 trails Bamberg ($43,206) and Barnwell ($41,800) counties in the same region. This cluster of low-income counties in the low-country reflects historical underinvestment and limited economic diversity.

Housing costs burden Allendale

Despite a median home value of just $61,600, Allendale's rent-to-income ratio of 26.2% shows households spending more than one-quarter of income on housing. This elevated burden leaves little room for savings, healthcare, education, or emergency expenses.

Wealth-building starts with basics

Allendale residents can begin building financial security by establishing an emergency fund covering 3-6 months of expenses, even if savings starts small. Explore local workforce development programs, vocational training, and community college pathways that increase earning potential over time.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Allendale County

via HealthByCounty

Allendale faces significant health disparities

At 69.5 years, Allendale County residents live 6.6 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—one of the lowest life expectancies in South Carolina. Nearly 27% report poor or fair health, the highest rate among all eight counties profiled here.

Allendale's health crisis demands urgent attention

Allendale ranks among the worst performers in South Carolina, with life expectancy trailing the state average by 3 years. At 13.6% uninsured, the county exceeds the state rate by 2 percentage points, compounding access barriers for its most vulnerable residents.

Allendale struggles compared to peers

Allendale's 69.5-year life expectancy falls significantly below Anderson (73.2), Abbeville (72.9), and Aiken (73.5), with only Barnwell and Bamberg performing worse regionally. The 26.9% poor/fair health rate exceeds all neighboring counties, suggesting concentrated health challenges.

Uninsured and underserved realities

Allendale has 51 primary care providers and 204 mental health providers per 100K, yet 13.6% of residents remain uninsured—the second-highest rate among these counties. High uninsured rates combined with lower-than-average primary care density create daily barriers to preventive and routine care.

Coverage exists—reach out today

If you're uninsured in Allendale, South Carolina Medicaid expansion and Healthcare.gov marketplace plans offer real options. A single enrollment call could transform your health security: 1-855-SA-PLANS or Healthcare.gov.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Allendale County

via RiskByCounty

Allendale ranks among nation's safest

Allendale County scores just 35.46 on the composite risk scale with a Very Low rating, placing it well below the national average and among the safest counties in America. The county experiences comparatively minimal exposure to combined natural disaster threats.

South Carolina's lowest-risk counties

Allendale's 35.46 score is significantly below South Carolina's state average of 70.75, making it one of the safest places in the state. The county's risk profile reflects unusually low exposure across most hazard categories.

Safest county in its region

Allendale's 35.46 score beats nearby Barnwell (45.83), Bamberg (46.47), and every other surrounding county by a clear margin. It stands as a relative haven for natural disaster risk compared to peers across South Carolina.

Hurricane and earthquake risks primary concerns

Hurricane risk registers highest at 87.53, followed by earthquake risk at 76.94, both somewhat incongruous with the county's overall Very Low rating. Flood risk remains remarkably low at just 14.54, and tornado risk at 42.02 poses only moderate concern.

Standard coverage likely sufficient

Your standard homeowners policy should provide solid baseline protection for Allendale's risk profile. Consider adding earthquake insurance as a prudent long-term investment given the 76.94 earthquake score, and verify flood coverage even though flood risk is comparatively low.

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.