CountyScore

Chester County

South Carolina · SC

#8 in South Carolina
70.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Chester County, South Carolina

Chester County Scores Well Above National Median

Chester County's composite score of 70.1 ranks in the 70th percentile nationally, significantly outperforming the national median of 50.0. This reflects solid fundamentals in tax policy and housing affordability.

Ranks in Upper Third of South Carolina Counties

Chester County's 70.1 score edges above South Carolina's state average of 68.2, reflecting consistent strengths in cost and tax competitiveness. It ranks among the state's more livable smaller counties.

Strong Affordability and Competitive Taxes

Chester County's cost score of 82.8 reflects a median home value of $143,800 and affordable rents at $918/month. Its tax score of 85.7 represents an effective rate of 0.588%, providing residents with predictable, manageable tax burdens.

Income Levels Among State's Lowest

The county's income score of 16.8 corresponds to a median household income of $51,216—well below state and national averages. Health outcomes are modest at 59.9, and environmental risk management shows room for improvement at 56.9.

Best for Affordable Living Prioritizers

Chester County suits families and retirees prioritizing low housing costs and predictable taxes over income growth opportunities. Its profile appeals to those with stable, modest incomes seeking a financially secure, small-town environment.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.7Cost82.8SafetyComing SoonHealth59.9SchoolsComing SoonIncome16.8Risk56.9WaterComing Soon
🏛85.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼16.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.9
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡56.9
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 Chester County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Cleburne County
Arkansas
70.1
Median income: $55,979
Montgomery County
Georgia
70.1
Median income: $51,188
Madison County
Idaho
70.1
Median income: $58,259
Chase County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $54,518
Norton County
Kansas
70.1
Median income: $50,305

Deep Dives

Chester County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chester County

via TaxByCounty

Chester County taxes notably above average

Chester's effective rate of 0.588% significantly exceeds the national median of 0.52%, placing it in the upper quartile nationally. The median property tax of $846 is roughly 30% higher than the national median of $2,690, relative to its lower home values.

Chester ranks among South Carolina's highest

At 0.588%, Chester County has the highest effective tax rate among these eight counties and ranks in the top tier statewide, well above South Carolina's 0.542% average. Residents pay $846 annually versus the state median of $939.

Highest tax burden in this cluster

Chester's 0.588% rate towers over Calhoun (0.423%), Charleston (0.413%), and Chesterfield (0.462%). Only Colleton County (0.605%) and Clarendon County (0.576%) approach Chester's elevated rate among these eight counties.

Mid-range homes, steep tax bills

Chester homeowners with a $143,800 median-value property pay approximately $846 in annual property tax. Adding mortgage escrow typically brings that annual obligation to around $1,014.

Chester residents should scrutinize assessments

Given Chester's above-average tax rate, a careful assessment review is especially worthwhile for homeowners here. Many properties may be carrying inflated assessed values—an appeal could significantly lower your yearly bill.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chester County

via CostByCounty

Chester's rent burden edges above national norm

Chester County renters spend 21.5% of income on housing, surpassing both the national average of 20.1% and South Carolina's state average of 20.1%. At a median household income of $51,216—$23,539 below the national average—residents here feel housing costs more acutely.

Chester ranks among South Carolina's tight markets

Chester's 21.5% rent-to-income ratio places it in the upper tier of South Carolina housing burden, alongside similarly stressed counties like Colleton and Darlington. Its $918 median rent exceeds the state average of $945 only slightly, yet the lower incomes make affordability tighter.

More expensive and strained than Cherokee

Chester renters pay $918 monthly with a 21.5% housing burden, compared to Cherokee's $813 rents and 19.9% ratio just to the north. Chesterfield to the south offers even lower costs at $776 rent and a 19.6% ratio, making both neighbors more affordable options.

One in five dollars goes to keeping a roof

Chester renters spend $918 monthly on housing from a median income of $51,216, while homeowners pay $590 for ownership costs. Renters shoulder 21.5% of income toward housing; owners pay 13.8%—a gap reflecting limited homeownership access for lower-income households.

Chester offers modest housing at moderate cost

With rents near $920 and median home values around $143,800, Chester suits those seeking small-town living and lower costs than Charleston. Before committing, compare it to nearby Cherokee and Chesterfield, which both offer superior affordability ratios and lower monthly rents.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chester County

via IncomeByCounty

Chester faces significant national income gap

Chester County's median household income of $51,216 lags the national median of $74,755 by roughly $23,500. This 32% shortfall places Chester in the lower range of U.S. counties, reflecting broader rural economic challenges.

Below-average income for South Carolina

Chester's $51,216 falls $5,790 short of South Carolina's state average of $57,006, ranking in the lower-middle tier among 46 counties. Per capita income of $27,656 also trails the state average of $32,382 by nearly $4,700.

Similar struggles with neighboring counties

Chester's $51,216 income resembles Cherokee ($49,047), Chesterfield ($47,620), and Clarendon ($48,887), indicating shared structural challenges across rural counties. The contrast with Charleston County's $84,320 underscores the economic divide between metro and rural areas.

Housing affordability provides stability

Chester's rent-to-income ratio of 21.5% means households dedicate roughly one-fifth of earnings to housing—a sustainable level well below the 30% threshold. The median home value of $143,800 remains affordable relative to local incomes, supporting homeownership.

Build wealth through disciplined planning

Chester residents benefit from lower housing costs, freeing resources for savings and investments that compounds over time. Exploring employer retirement benefits, side income, and community workforce programs offers realistic pathways to increase household earnings and long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chester County

via HealthByCounty

Among the lowest life expectancy

Chester residents face a life expectancy of just 68.6 years—9.3 years below the U.S. average and 3.9 years below South Carolina's state average. One in five residents (20.8%) report poor or fair health, significantly exceeding the national 15% rate.

Second-lowest in South Carolina

Chester County ranks 45th out of 46 South Carolina counties for life expectancy, with only Colleton County performing worse. The county's health profile reflects persistent challenges with chronic disease, healthcare access, and economic conditions.

Struggling in rural South Carolina

Chester's 68.6-year life expectancy ties Colleton County for lowest in the region, though it slightly exceeds Cherokee County's 70.6 years. Provider access is thin: 28 primary care physicians per 100,000 residents offer limited choice for routine medical needs.

Limited access compounds health challenges

Chester's 11% uninsured rate sits just below the state average, but the county struggles with provider scarcity: only 28 primary care providers and 56 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Residents often must travel significant distances for specialty care or preventive services.

Get insured, improve your health

One in nine Chester residents lacks health insurance—explore coverage through South Carolina's Health Insurance Marketplace or Medicaid. Contact your county health department or call 1-855-5-HEALTH to enroll in a plan that fits your family.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chester County

via RiskByCounty

Chester County carries below-average disaster risk

Chester County's composite risk score of 43.16 places it in the Relatively Low category, sitting comfortably below both national and South Carolina state averages (70.75). The county demonstrates modest exposure across most hazard categories, with tornado (74.49) and earthquake (71.34) representing the primary concerns. Overall, Chester offers residents significantly lower disaster risk than typical American counties.

Chester ranks among South Carolina's safest

Chester County's composite score of 43.16 is substantially below South Carolina's 70.75 state average, ranking it among the state's safest counties for natural disasters. This favorable positioning reflects the county's Piedmont location, distance from coastal hurricane zones, and relatively stable geological setting. Chester residents benefit from one of South Carolina's most benign natural disaster profiles.

Chester substantially safer than surrounding counties

Chester County's 43.16 score sits well below neighboring Cherokee County (69.69) and Chesterfield County (73.98), making it the safest county in this cluster. The difference reflects Chester's distance from major tornado corridors and its favorable geographic position within the state. This relative safety advantage makes Chester an attractive location from a disaster preparedness perspective.

Tornadoes and earthquakes drive Chester hazards

Chester County's highest risks come from tornado (74.49) and earthquake (71.34) hazards, both elevated but still below state averages for many counties. Wildfire (45.48), flood (41.70), and hurricane (63.87) risks all remain significantly lower, reflecting the county's inland position and adequate moisture. Tornado exposure represents the county's primary seasonal concern.

Standard coverage with wind endorsement recommended

Chester County homeowners should maintain comprehensive homeowners insurance with emphasis on wind and hail coverage given the moderate tornado risk of 74.49. Flood insurance is not typically essential given the low flood risk (41.70), though reviewing drainage around your property remains prudent. Consider adding earthquake coverage if available at reasonable rates, and ensure your policy limits reflect current property values.

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.