Bamberg County scores 67.9, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it in the solid upper-middle range of American counties. Low housing costs are the primary driver of this above-average performance.
2 / 5
Slightly below state benchmark
Bamberg's 67.9 score falls just shy of the South Carolina state average of 68.2, making it a fairly typical county within the state's range.
3 / 5
Very affordable housing market
Bamberg offers excellent affordability with a cost score of 86.3/100, median home values of $96,000, and rent at $794/month. Tax burden is also reasonable at 78.9/100, helping stretch household budgets.
4 / 5
Low income and moderate health
The income score of 11.6/100 reflects a median household income of just $43,206, limiting economic opportunity. Health outcomes (56.0/100) and risk resilience (53.5/100) are middling, suggesting room for improvement in services and stability.
5 / 5
Suited for cost-conscious families
Bamberg appeals to families and retirees on modest incomes ($40,000–$50,000) seeking genuine affordability without extreme isolation. Its low housing costs and reasonable taxes work well for those willing to trade some job diversity for financial breathing room.
Bamberg County scores 67.9, surpassing the national median of 50.0 by 36%, placing it in the solid upper-middle range of American counties. Low housing costs are the primary driver of this above-average performance.
Slightly below state benchmark
Bamberg's 67.9 score falls just shy of the South Carolina state average of 68.2, making it a fairly typical county within the state's range.
Very affordable housing market
Bamberg offers excellent affordability with a cost score of 86.3/100, median home values of $96,000, and rent at $794/month. Tax burden is also reasonable at 78.9/100, helping stretch household budgets.
Low income and moderate health
The income score of 11.6/100 reflects a median household income of just $43,206, limiting economic opportunity. Health outcomes (56.0/100) and risk resilience (53.5/100) are middling, suggesting room for improvement in services and stability.
Suited for cost-conscious families
Bamberg appeals to families and retirees on modest incomes ($40,000–$50,000) seeking genuine affordability without extreme isolation. Its low housing costs and reasonable taxes work well for those willing to trade some job diversity for financial breathing room.
Score breakdown
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🏛78.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.829%, Bamberg's effective property tax rate exceeds the national median of 0.98% by a significant margin, placing it in the top 30% of U.S. counties. Yet residents pay only $796 annually because median home values are modest at $96,000.
Bamberg among South Carolina's highest rates
Bamberg's 0.829% effective rate is 53% higher than South Carolina's state average of 0.542%, ranking it near the top of the state's tax burden. The median property tax of $796 falls below the state median of $939, but only because of low home values.
Higher than most regional peers
Bamberg's 0.829% rate exceeds Allendale (0.880%), Barnwell (0.738%), and all Piedmont counties measured here, making it one of the region's highest. This high-rate environment suggests heavy reliance on property tax as a county revenue source.
Steep rate yields moderate bills
Although Bamberg's 0.829% rate is among the state's steepest, residents pay $796 annually on a median home value of $96,000—about $66 per month. The high percentage applied to a modest property value creates a paradox of high rates but reasonable bills.
Assessment appeals pay off here
In Bamberg, where rates are exceptionally high, a successful property tax appeal can yield meaningful savings. Review your assessment notice carefully and consider appealing if your home's assessed value appears out of line with comparable properties in the county.
Bamberg County residents spend 22.1% of income on rent—above the national average of roughly 30% when measured as a percentage—yet the real challenge is modest median income of $43,206. This combination means Bamberg renters dedicate a significant share of limited earnings to housing.
Slightly above South Carolina's affordability line
Bamberg's rent-to-income ratio of 22.1% exceeds South Carolina's average of 20.1%, making it less affordable than most state counties. At $794 monthly rent, Bamberg costs more than Abbeville or Barnwell, straining households with below-average incomes.
Pricier rents than nearby Barnwell County
Bamberg's $794 median rent runs $99 above neighboring Barnwell's $695, despite Bamberg's median income of $43,206 being $1,406 higher. This suggests tighter housing affordability pressures in Bamberg compared to its less costly neighbor.
Renters feel the squeeze more than owners
Bamberg households earning $43,206 allocate 22.1% to rent while homeowners spend roughly 14.4% on mortgages, creating a two-tiered affordability problem. Renters in Bamberg face steeper burdens than homeowners, limiting their ability to build wealth through property ownership.
Bamberg suits budget-conscious homebuyers
Relocating to Bamberg makes sense if you're buying: median homes run just $96,000 and ownership costs sit below rent burdens. But renters should compare Bamberg's 22.1% rent ratio to more affordable Abbeville or Barnwell before committing.
Bamberg County's median household income of $43,206 is just 58% of the national median of $74,755—a gap of $31,549. This significant shortfall reflects limited employment diversity and lower-wage job availability compared to U.S. metropolitan areas.
Bamberg ranks among state's poorest
At $43,206, Bamberg's median household income trails South Carolina's state average of $57,006 by $13,800. The county ranks in the lower fifth of South Carolina's 46 counties, facing persistent economic headwinds.
Low-income cluster persists
Bamberg's $43,206 income slightly exceeds Allendale ($31,603) and Barnwell ($41,800), forming a low-income corridor in the low-country. Regional cooperation on workforce development and economic diversification could lift all three counties.
Housing pressures in Bamberg
A rent-to-income ratio of 22.1% means Bamberg residents dedicate more than one-fifth of household income to housing costs. With a median home value of $96,000, homes are cheaper, but tight household budgets limit flexibility for emergencies or savings.
Building from modest means
Bamberg residents with per capita income of $22,182 can start wealth-building with even $25-50 monthly contributions to savings or retirement accounts. Explore employer-sponsored retirement plans, matched savings programs, and low-cost index funds that multiply small investments over decades.
At 70.6 years, Bamberg County residents live 5.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, reflecting chronic rural health disparities. Nearly 24% report poor or fair health, suggesting significant chronic disease and limited access to preventive care.
Bamberg lags behind South Carolina average
Bamberg's life expectancy of 70.6 years trails the state average of 72.5 years by nearly 2 years, ranking it among the state's lower-performing counties. At 13.9% uninsured, Bamberg exceeds the state rate by 2.3 percentage points, a marker of economic and access barriers.
Bamberg peers with struggling counties
Bamberg's 70.6-year life expectancy and 23.9% poor/fair health rate align closely with Barnwell and Allendale, the region's most challenged counties. Primary care access at 38 per 100K falls below stronger neighbors like Anderson (66), adding to daily care barriers.
Limited primary care, high uninsured rates
Bamberg has only 38 primary care providers per 100K—less than half Anderson's density—while 13.9% of residents lack health insurance. The combination of limited providers and high uninsured rates means many Bamberg residents delay or skip routine care, driving poor health outcomes.
Get coverage to access care
Bamberg's 13.9% uninsured rate means thousands lack financial protection for healthcare; South Carolina Medicaid and Healthcare.gov marketplace plans are available now. One enrollment can open doors to the primary care your county lacks.
Bamberg County scores 46.47 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, sitting well below the national average. The county benefits from lower combined exposure to natural disasters compared to most U.S. counties.
Well below South Carolina average
Bamberg's 46.47 composite score is substantially lower than South Carolina's state average of 70.75, placing it among the safer counties statewide. The county's risk profile is notably more favorable than most of its state peers.
Among region's safest counties
Bamberg's 46.47 score rivals nearby Allendale (35.46) for the lowest risk in its immediate area, and significantly beats Aiken (84.22) and Anderson (87.18). The county enjoys one of the better disaster-risk profiles in central South Carolina.
Hurricanes and earthquakes are top concerns
Hurricane risk leads at 89.07 despite the county's overall Relatively Low rating, reflecting coastal-influenced storm exposure even in an inland location. Earthquake risk (79.26) and wildfire risk (55.85) pose secondary threats, while flood (20.64) and tornado (35.50) risks remain substantially lower.
Earthquake and hurricane coverage advised
Purchase separate earthquake insurance to cover seismic damage, which standard policies exclude, given the county's 79.26 earthquake score. Verify your wind and hurricane coverage is adequate for the 89.07 hurricane rating, and consider flood insurance as a secondary precaution.