CountyScore

Cherokee County

South Carolina · SC

#6 in South Carolina
70.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Cherokee County, South Carolina

Cherokee County Ranks Above National Livability Median

Cherokee County's composite score of 70.2 places it in the 70th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This reflects consistent strength across affordability and tax dimensions despite income constraints.

Solid Performer Slightly Ahead of State Average

With a score of 70.2 compared to South Carolina's 68.2 average, Cherokee County ranks in the upper third of state counties. Its edge comes from exceptional housing affordability and competitive tax rates.

Extremely Affordable Housing and Low Taxes

Cherokee County excels with a cost score of 85.3, supported by a median home value of $135,200 and median rent of just $813/month—among the lowest in the state. The tax score of 90.0 reflects an effective rate of 0.436%, making it an attractive option for budget-conscious residents.

Low Incomes Limit Economic Mobility

The county's income score of just 15.4 reflects a median household income of $49,047—significantly below state and national averages. Health outcomes are also modest at 61.9, and environmental risk exposure scores at 30.3, indicating room for improvement in hazard resilience.

Ideal for Cost-Minimizers and Rural Lifestyle Seekers

Cherokee County appeals to retirees, remote workers, and families seeking minimal living costs in a rural setting. Its exceptional affordability makes it perfect for those whose income needs are met elsewhere and who prioritize financial stability over urban amenities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax90Cost85.3SafetyComing SoonHealth61.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.4Risk30.3WaterComing Soon
🏛90
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤61.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡30.3
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 Cherokee County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lafayette County
Arkansas
70.2
Median income: $37,237
Quitman County
Georgia
70.2
Median income: $36,838
Mahaska County
Iowa
70.2
Median income: $69,019
Jessamine County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $74,886
Lawrence County
Kentucky
70.2
Median income: $45,584

Deep Dives

Cherokee County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Cherokee County

via TaxByCounty

Cherokee taxes rank very favorably

Cherokee County's 0.436% effective tax rate sits comfortably below the national median of 0.52%. At just $590 in median annual property tax, Cherokee residents pay less than a quarter what the typical American pays in property tax.

Middle ground among South Carolina counties

Cherokee's 0.436% rate ranks in the lower half of South Carolina's 46 counties, edging below the state average of 0.542%. The median tax bill of $590 falls $349 short of South Carolina's median of $939.

Competitive taxes versus regional peers

Cherokee's rate of 0.436% sits between Chesterfield County's low 0.462% and Chester County's higher 0.588%. Compared to neighboring counties, Cherokee offers moderate property tax burden.

Modest home values, modest taxes

A Cherokee homeowner with the median property value of $135,200 pays about $590 annually in property tax. With a mortgage, that payment typically increases to approximately $728 per year.

Appeal your assessment if value seems high

Many Cherokee County properties carry assessments above fair market value, especially in rural areas where comparables may be sparse. Challenging your assessment through the county's appeal process is free and can reduce your yearly tax.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Cherokee County

via CostByCounty

Cherokee offers rare housing relief below national stress

Cherokee County renters spend just 19.9% of income on housing, falling below both the national average of 20.1% and South Carolina's 20.1% median. With rents at $813 monthly and a median income of $49,047, Cherokee delivers the rare combination of affordability and accessibility.

Among South Carolina's most affordable counties

Cherokee's 19.9% rent-to-income ratio ranks well below the state average of 20.1%, placing it among the state's most housing-secure counties. Its $813 median rent trails the state average by $132 monthly, offering genuine relief for budget-conscious households.

Cherokee stays affordable versus Calhoun and Chester

Renters in Cherokee pay $813 monthly compared to $994 in Calhoun County and $918 in Chester County, saving $100–$180 per month. Cherokee's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% also beats Calhoun's 21.0% and Chester's 21.5%, making it the region's affordability champion.

Housing takes smallest share of income here

Cherokee renters dedicate $813 monthly to housing while earning a median $49,047 annually; homeowners pay $560 monthly for ownership costs. At 19.9% for renters and 13.7% for owners, Cherokee's housing burden remains comfortably below the 30% affordability threshold.

Cherokee is South Carolina's affordability sweet spot

If you're seeking the best housing value in the region, Cherokee delivers rents under $850 and a rent-to-income ratio that beats the state average. Compare it directly to neighboring Calhoun and Chester to see how much you'll save by choosing Cherokee.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Cherokee County

via IncomeByCounty

Cherokee's income significantly trails nation

Cherokee County's median household income of $49,047 falls nearly $25,700 short of the U.S. median of $74,755. The county ranks in the lowest quartile nationally, indicating a substantial earnings gap with national averages.

Among South Carolina's lower-income counties

At $49,047, Cherokee ranks in the lower third of South Carolina's 46 counties, sitting $7,959 below the state average of $57,006. The per capita income of $27,175 also trails the state average of $32,382 by nearly $5,200.

Income challenges shared across region

Cherokee's $49,047 median income aligns closely with Chester ($51,216), Chesterfield ($47,620), and Clarendon ($48,887), reflecting the shared economic pressures of rural upstate South Carolina. Charleston County's $84,320 income lies nearly $35,000 higher, highlighting regional inequality.

Affordable housing crucial for stability

Cherokee's rent-to-income ratio of 19.9% is among the state's best, giving households more breathing room for other expenses. The median home value of $135,200 remains accessible, making housing affordability a relative strength in the county's economic profile.

Strategic savings unlock economic opportunity

Cherokee households can benefit from maximizing tax-advantaged savings accounts and exploring side income opportunities to close the earnings gap. Community programs and workforce training in growing sectors offer pathways to higher-wage jobs that strengthen long-term financial security.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Cherokee County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy lags national average

Cherokee residents live to 70.6 years on average, 7.3 years below the U.S. average and 1.9 years below South Carolina's state average. Nearly one in five residents (19.9%) report poor or fair health, exceeding the national rate of 15%.

Among the lowest in the state

Cherokee County ranks 41st out of 46 South Carolina counties for life expectancy at 70.6 years, placing it in the bottom 15%. The county faces above-average rates of poor health and chronic disease relative to state peers.

Struggling alongside rural peers

Cherokee's 70.6-year life expectancy mirrors Chester County (68.6) and Chesterfield County (70.9), reflecting shared healthcare challenges in rural upstate. With 34 primary care providers per 100,000, Cherokee has more than Calhoun but far fewer than Charleston's 124 per 100,000.

Sparse provider network challenges access

Cherokee's 11.5% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average, and the county has just 34 primary care providers per 100,000 residents. Mental health care is limited at 86 providers per 100,000, forcing many residents to travel for specialized behavioral health services.

Check your coverage options today

If you're uninsured, South Carolina's Health Insurance Marketplace and Medicaid programs offer affordable coverage options for eligible families. Visit healthcare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE to explore plans available in Cherokee County.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Cherokee County

via RiskByCounty

Cherokee's risk approaches national average levels

Cherokee County's composite risk score of 69.69 places it in the Relatively Low category, remaining slightly below the national average and reflecting modest-to-moderate exposure to natural disasters. While the county scores moderately on tornado (82.57) and earthquake (74.17) hazards, flood and wildfire risks remain controlled. The overall profile suggests a county with manageable but meaningful disaster exposure.

Cherokee ranks near middle of state risk

Cherokee County's composite score of 69.69 sits just below South Carolina's state average of 70.75, placing it squarely in the middle of the state's risk distribution. The county avoids the extreme exposures found in coastal counties like Charleston while remaining vulnerable to inland hazards like tornadoes and earthquakes. This positioning reflects Cherokee's Piedmont geography and distance from hurricane-prone coastal areas.

Cherokee riskier than Chester, safer than Chesterfield

Cherokee County's 69.69 score sits between Chester County (43.16) to the south and Chesterfield County (73.98) to the north, reflecting the county's mid-range vulnerability within the region. Cherokee's tornado risk (82.57) is notably elevated compared to Chester's (74.49), while earthquake risks are relatively consistent across the three counties. This positioning reflects Cherokee's exposure to both Piedmont thunderstorms and seismic hazards.

Tornadoes and earthquakes dominate Cherokee risks

Cherokee County's highest hazard exposure comes from tornado risk (82.57) and earthquake risk (74.17), both scoring well above state average thresholds and representing the county's primary disaster concerns. Hurricane risk (71.01) ranks moderately elevated, while flood (72.52) and wildfire (37.47) risks remain more controlled. The tornado exposure reflects the county's position in the path of spring severe weather systems.

Wind and earthquake coverage prove essential

Cherokee County homeowners should prioritize comprehensive wind and hail coverage in their homeowners policies given the elevated tornado risk—ensure deductibles are manageable for storm damage repairs. Earthquake insurance deserves serious consideration given the county's 74.17 score, and many insurers offer reasonably priced endorsements for Piedmont locations. While flood risk remains relatively modest, reviewing your flood exposure is still prudent, particularly in areas near creeks and river bottoms.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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