CountyScore

Chesterfield County

South Carolina · SC

#13 in South Carolina
69.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Chesterfield County, South Carolina

Chesterfield Outperforms National Livability Standards

Chesterfield County's composite score of 69.7 ranks in the 70th percentile nationally, well above the national median of 50.0. This strong showing reflects exceptional affordability and manageable tax structures.

Ranks Just Above South Carolina Average

Chesterfield County's 69.7 score slightly exceeds South Carolina's state average of 68.2, reflecting cost and tax advantages. It represents a reliable mid-tier option among the state's counties for affordability seekers.

Among State's Most Affordable Housing Markets

Chesterfield County's cost score of 86.4 reflects the lowest median home value in this group at $101,400 and the lowest median rent at $776/month. The tax score of 89.3 supports its affordability profile with an effective rate of 0.462%, making it one of the state's most budget-friendly counties.

Lowest Incomes and Modest Health Outcomes

The income score of 14.5 reflects a median household income of $47,620—the lowest in this county group. Health outcomes are constrained at 60.7, and environmental risk exposure at 26.0 suggests moderate climate and natural hazard vulnerability.

For Minimalists and Remote-Work Households

Chesterfield County is ideal for remote workers, retirees, and families seeking the absolute lowest cost of living in South Carolina. Its combination of rock-bottom housing costs and strong tax advantages makes it perfect for those whose income is stable and independent of local economics.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.3Cost86.4SafetyComing SoonHealth60.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome14.5Risk26WaterComing Soon
🏛89.3
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.4
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼14.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡26
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 Chesterfield County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lake and Peninsula Borough
Alaska
69.7
Median income: $64,000
Chicot County
Arkansas
69.7
Median income: $39,683
Elbert County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $129,477
Park County
Colorado
69.7
Median income: $95,450
Franklin County
Georgia
69.7
Median income: $52,264

Deep Dives

Chesterfield County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Chesterfield County

via TaxByCounty

Chesterfield offers strong tax savings

Chesterfield's 0.462% effective tax rate beats the national median of 0.52% by a meaningful margin, placing it in the bottom third of U.S. counties. The median property tax of just $468 is less than 18% of the national median of $2,690.

Chesterfield ranks fourth-lowest in state

At 0.462%, Chesterfield County taxes favorably across South Carolina's 46 counties, landing well below the state average of 0.542%. Residents pay roughly $471 less annually than South Carolina's median of $939.

Second-lowest taxes in this group

Only Charleston (0.413%) undersells Chesterfield's 0.462% rate within this eight-county cluster. Chesterfield significantly undercuts Chester (0.588%), Colleton (0.605%), and Clarendon (0.576%) counties.

Lowest home values, lowest taxes

Chesterfield's median home value of $101,400 is the lowest among these eight counties, yielding the smallest median tax bill at just $468 annually. With a mortgage, that bill rises modestly to approximately $665 per year.

Even low-tax Chesterfield warrants assessment review

Overassessment happens in every county, including those with low overall tax rates like Chesterfield. Request a formal reassessment from the county assessor if your home's tax basis appears inconsistent with recent comparable sales in your area.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Chesterfield County

via CostByCounty

Chesterfield beats national housing stress test

Chesterfield renters spend 19.6% of income on housing, edging below the national average of 20.1% and South Carolina's 20.1% median. At $776 monthly rent and a median household income of $47,620, Chesterfield delivers genuine affordability for lower-income earners.

Among South Carolina's most affordable counties

Chesterfield's 19.6% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's best, beating the South Carolina average by 0.5 percentage points. Its $776 median rent represents the lowest among all eight surveyed counties, offering unmatched housing value across the region.

Chesterfield undercuts every neighboring county

At $776 monthly, Chesterfield rents are $37 cheaper than Clarendon's $728 benchmark and significantly lower than Chester's $918 or Calhoun's $994. Chesterfield also delivers a superior rent-to-income ratio (19.6%) compared to Cherokee (19.9%), Cherokee (19.9%), making it the region's affordability leader.

Lowest rents paired with lowest incomes

Chesterfield renters pay $776 monthly on a median income of $47,620, while homeowners spend $531 monthly for ownership. At 19.6% of income for renters and 13.4% for owners, Chesterfield keeps housing costs within the critical 30% affordability threshold.

Chesterfield is South Carolina's value champion

If affordability is your priority, Chesterfield's $776 rents and 19.6% housing burden are unmatched in the region. Compare it directly to Cherokee and Clarendon to confirm: Chesterfield delivers the lowest monthly housing costs in the state.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Chesterfield County

via IncomeByCounty

Chesterfield's income trails far behind nation

Chesterfield County's median household income of $47,620 falls nearly $27,100 below the U.S. median of $74,755. The county ranks among the lowest-earning regions nationally, reflecting deep rural economic constraints.

Among South Carolina's lowest-income counties

At $47,620, Chesterfield ranks in the bottom quarter of South Carolina's 46 counties, sitting $9,386 below the state average of $57,006. Per capita income of $28,363 edges slightly above state average, suggesting income concentration among fewer earners.

Lowest-earning county in immediate region

Chesterfield's $47,620 is the lowest among nearby counties including Clarendon ($48,887), Colleton ($48,779), Darlington ($47,419), and Chester ($51,216). The rural character of surrounding counties means limited access to higher-wage employment hubs.

Lowest home values aid household budgets

Chesterfield's median home value of $101,400—the lowest among these eight counties—combined with a 19.6% rent-to-income ratio makes housing highly affordable. This advantage allows households to allocate more income toward savings and economic mobility.

Leverage affordability to build assets

Chesterfield's exceptionally low housing costs create an opportunity for residents to prioritize savings and asset-building that wealthy counties cannot match proportionally. Consider workforce training programs and entrepreneurship to tap higher-wage opportunities and accelerate wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Chesterfield County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy trails national average

Chesterfield residents live to 70.9 years on average, 7 years below the U.S. average and 1.6 years below South Carolina's state average. One in five residents (20.5%) report poor or fair health, compared to the nation's 15%.

Below-average outcomes statewide

Chesterfield County ranks 39th among South Carolina's 46 counties for life expectancy at 70.9 years. The county's health profile reflects challenges common to rural Pee Dee communities: limited healthcare infrastructure and higher rates of chronic disease.

Rural Pee Dee struggles persist

Chesterfield's 70.9-year life expectancy sits just above Cherokee County (70.6) and well above Colleton and Chester (68.6 each). With 30 primary care providers per 100,000, the county has thin coverage compared to state leaders like Charleston with 124.

High uninsured rate, sparse providers

At 12.4% uninsured, Chesterfield has one of the state's highest rates, and the county offers limited provider density with 30 primary care and 139 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. Gaps in coverage and access create barriers to preventive care and chronic disease management.

Find affordable coverage now

One in eight Chesterfield residents lack health insurance—enrollment in South Carolina's marketplace or Medicaid can provide protection and improve health outcomes. Visit healthcare.gov or your local health department to explore options today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Chesterfield County

via RiskByCounty

Chesterfield faces above-average national disaster risk

Chesterfield County's composite risk score of 73.98 places it in the Relatively Low category but above the national average, indicating moderate-to-elevated exposure to natural disasters. The county scores highest on tornado (84.73), earthquake (78.05), wildfire (76.75), and hurricane (91.03) hazards, suggesting meaningful risk across multiple disaster types. This profile positions Chesterfield as a county requiring attentive disaster preparedness.

Chesterfield ranks above state average risk

Chesterfield County's composite score of 73.98 exceeds South Carolina's 70.75 state average, placing it among the state's higher-risk counties despite its Relatively Low rating. The county's tornado (84.73) and hurricane (91.03) scores particularly elevate its overall profile compared to peers. This positioning reflects Chesterfield's exposure to Atlantic hurricane tracks and spring severe weather systems.

Chesterfield higher risk than nearby Chester County

Chesterfield County's 73.98 score significantly exceeds Chester County's 43.16, making Chesterfield substantially more exposed to natural disasters despite their geographic proximity. This difference primarily reflects Chesterfield's higher tornado (84.73 vs 74.49) and hurricane (91.03 vs 63.87) risks compared to Chester. The gap illustrates how small geographic variations create meaningful differences in disaster exposure.

Tornadoes and hurricanes pose primary threats

Chesterfield County faces elevated tornado risk (84.73) and hurricane risk (91.03), making severe weather the county's dominant disaster concern with significant wind damage potential. Earthquake (78.05) and wildfire (76.75) risks also score substantially above many county averages, while flood risk (65.84) remains moderate. The combination of spring tornado season and Atlantic hurricane exposure creates compound seasonal risk periods.

Comprehensive wind coverage is non-negotiable

Chesterfield homeowners must prioritize robust wind and hail coverage in their homeowners policies given tornado (84.73) and hurricane (91.03) exposures—review deductibles to ensure affordability of likely storm repairs. Earthquake insurance deserves consideration given the 78.05 score, and wildfire coverage may apply if your property is near forested areas. Annual policy reviews are essential as hurricane seasons intensify and storm patterns evolve.

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.