Barnwell County scores 68.7, outpacing the national median of 50.0 by 37%, positioning it in the upper-middle echelon of U.S. counties. This performance reflects strength in housing affordability and competitive tax rates.
2 / 5
Slightly ahead in South Carolina
Barnwell's 68.7 score edges above the South Carolina state average of 68.2, giving it a marginal advantage within the state's county rankings.
3 / 5
Affordability and low taxes combine
Barnwell combines a cost score of 86.2/100 with a tax score of 81.5/100 (effective rate 0.738%), offering strong value for budget-conscious households. Median rent of $695/month and home values at $97,200 keep costs low.
4 / 5
Income growth severely constrained
The income score of just 10.7/100 reflects a median household income of $41,800, among the lowest in the state and far below prosperity thresholds. Health (56.7/100) and risk resilience (54.2/100) also remain modest.
5 / 5
Ideal for retirees seeking bargains
Barnwell best suits retirees or remote workers with fixed, secure income sources who want maximum purchasing power and minimal taxes. The very low cost of living makes it appealing for those who can afford to live anywhere but choose modest, stable communities.
Barnwell County scores 68.7, outpacing the national median of 50.0 by 37%, positioning it in the upper-middle echelon of U.S. counties. This performance reflects strength in housing affordability and competitive tax rates.
Slightly ahead in South Carolina
Barnwell's 68.7 score edges above the South Carolina state average of 68.2, giving it a marginal advantage within the state's county rankings.
Affordability and low taxes combine
Barnwell combines a cost score of 86.2/100 with a tax score of 81.5/100 (effective rate 0.738%), offering strong value for budget-conscious households. Median rent of $695/month and home values at $97,200 keep costs low.
Income growth severely constrained
The income score of just 10.7/100 reflects a median household income of $41,800, among the lowest in the state and far below prosperity thresholds. Health (56.7/100) and risk resilience (54.2/100) also remain modest.
Ideal for retirees seeking bargains
Barnwell best suits retirees or remote workers with fixed, secure income sources who want maximum purchasing power and minimal taxes. The very low cost of living makes it appealing for those who can afford to live anywhere but choose modest, stable communities.
Score breakdown
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🏛81.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
At 0.738%, Barnwell's effective property tax rate exceeds the U.S. median of 0.98%, placing it firmly in the upper half of American counties. Residents pay $717 annually on a median home valued at $97,200, still less than one-quarter of the national median property tax of $2,690.
Barnwell above state average statewide
Barnwell's 0.738% effective rate runs 36% higher than South Carolina's state average of 0.542%, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties in the state. The median property tax of $717 sits substantially below the state median of $939 due to low home values.
Higher than most surrounding counties
Barnwell's 0.738% rate exceeds Abbeville (0.487%), Anderson (0.464%), and Aiken (0.432%), though it falls below Allendale (0.880%) and Bamberg (0.829%). The county's tax rate reflects mid-range pressure on property owners across the region.
Effective rate feels lighter at checkout
Barnwell's 0.738% rate sounds steep until you apply it to a median home value of $97,200, yielding an annual property tax of just $717—about $60 per month. Low property values make the county's above-average rate manageable for residents.
Challenge your assessment value
Particularly in high-rate counties like Barnwell, verifying your assessed value is critical. If your home's assessment exceeds what similar properties are actually selling for, file an appeal—every dollar of reduced assessment saves you 0.738 cents in annual taxes here.
Barnwell County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% sits just barely below the national threshold of roughly 30%, but this masks deeper challenges. With median household income of just $41,800—44% below the national average—Barnwell residents face real financial pressure despite modest $695 monthly rents.
Just below South Carolina's affordability average
Barnwell's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% nearly matches South Carolina's average of 20.1%, placing it in the lower-middle affordability tier. At $695 monthly rent, Barnwell offers some of the state's cheapest rental options for lower-income households.
Cheapest rents in this rural cluster
Barnwell's $695 median rent undercuts Bamberg County by $99 and Abbeville by just $61, making it one of the region's most affordable options. Yet with median income of $41,800—$1,406 below Bamberg—Barnwell's renters feel the pinch more acutely.
Modest costs, but tight household budgets
Barnwell residents earning $41,800 spend 19.9% on rent or roughly 18.6% on mortgage costs, leaving limited income for savings or unexpected expenses. Both renters and owners operate on thin margins, reflecting the county's broader economic challenges.
Barnwell suits those with secure income
Barnwell offers the state's cheapest rents and homes averaging just $97,200, but median income runs among South Carolina's lowest. Relocate here only if your income prospects are strong; compare these economics to higher-wage counties like Aiken or Anderson before deciding.
Barnwell County's median household income of $41,800 represents just 56% of the national median of $74,755. This $32,955 shortfall places Barnwell among the lowest-income counties nationally, driven by limited job diversity and wage stagnation.
Barnwell ranks near state bottom
At $41,800, Barnwell's median household income trails South Carolina's state average of $57,006 by $15,206. The county sits in the bottom tier of all South Carolina counties, requiring targeted economic development and workforce investment.
Low-income region needs growth
Barnwell's $41,800 income is similar to Allendale ($31,603) and Bamberg ($43,206), reflecting a struggling low-country economic zone. Cross-county collaboration on job creation and entrepreneurship could help break this cycle.
Housing costs strain budgets
A rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% indicates Barnwell households spend nearly one-fifth of income on housing. While the median home value of $97,200 is affordable, limited discretionary income makes home maintenance and repairs financially stressful.
Start small, save consistently
Barnwell residents with per capita income of $26,141 can build wealth through disciplined saving, even if amounts seem small initially. Set up automatic transfers of $20-40 per paycheck into a dedicated savings account—consistency matters more than size in long-term wealth accumulation.
At 69.6 years, Barnwell County residents live 6.5 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—the second-lowest in this profiled group. Over 23% report poor or fair health, indicating entrenched chronic disease and limited preventive care infrastructure.
Barnwell's health crisis ranks among worst statewide
Barnwell's 69.6-year life expectancy falls 2.9 years below the South Carolina average of 72.5 years, placing it among the state's most challenged counties. At 12.7% uninsured, Barnwell exceeds the state rate, reflecting economic hardship that limits healthcare access.
Barnwell ranks among region's lowest performers
Barnwell's 69.6-year life expectancy matches Allendale's struggle and exceeds only by comparison to regional peers facing similar challenges. The county's shortage of primary care providers at just 24 per 100K—the lowest in this region—creates significant access barriers despite 201 mental health providers per 100K.
Severe primary care shortage drives poor outcomes
Barnwell's 24 primary care providers per 100K is the lowest provider density profiled here, leaving residents traveling long distances for routine care. With 12.7% uninsured and limited primary care, Barnwell residents face daily barriers to preventive and chronic disease management.
Coverage opens doors to care
Barnwell's 12.7% uninsured rate represents families without financial protection; South Carolina Medicaid and Healthcare.gov marketplace options can change that today. Getting covered is the first step toward accessing the primary care your county desperately needs.
Barnwell County scores 45.83 on the composite risk scale with a Relatively Low rating, placing it well below the national average. The county faces comparatively modest combined threats from major natural disasters.
Below state average across South Carolina
At 45.83, Barnwell's composite score falls well short of South Carolina's state average of 70.75, positioning it among the state's safer counties. The county's overall risk profile is notably more favorable than most statewide peers.
Lower risk than most surrounding areas
Barnwell's 45.83 score closely matches Abbeville (45.36) and slightly beats Bamberg (46.47), keeping it among the region's safest counties. It substantially outperforms the high-risk counties of Aiken (84.22) and Anderson (87.18) to the west and north.
Earthquakes, hurricanes, and wildfires top list
Earthquake risk registers highest at 80.60, followed by hurricane risk (85.31) and wildfire risk (59.89), creating a mixed hazard profile. Flood risk (35.02) and tornado risk (66.06) remain more moderate and less immediately concerning.
Earthquake insurance is worthwhile investment
Obtain a dedicated earthquake insurance policy to protect against seismic damage excluded from standard homeowners coverage, given Barnwell's 80.60 earthquake score. Confirm that your wind and hurricane coverage is sufficient for the county's 85.31 hurricane risk rating.