CountyScore

Colleton County

South Carolina · SC

#40 in South Carolina
64.7
County Score

County Report Card

About Colleton County, South Carolina

Colleton County Exceeds National Livability Median

Colleton County's composite score of 64.7 ranks in the 65th percentile nationally, clearly above the national median of 50.0. This reflects solid affordability and tax management despite some health and income constraints.

Slightly Below South Carolina's Average

Colleton County's score of 64.7 falls modestly below South Carolina's state average of 68.2, ranking it in the lower-middle tier of state counties. Its profile is constrained primarily by health outcomes and income levels.

Strong Housing Affordability and Tax Competitiveness

Colleton County's cost score of 80.5 reflects a median home value of $145,900 and affordable rent at $905/month. Its tax score of 85.2 provides residents with an effective rate of 0.605%, creating a reasonably affordable living environment overall.

Weak Health Outcomes and Low Incomes Challenge Livability

Colleton County's health score of 56.2 is the lowest in this county group, suggesting healthcare access or population health challenges. The income score of 15.2 reflects a median household income of $48,779, and environmental risk exposure is the lowest at 14.5, indicating limited hazard resilience investment.

For Healthcare-Conscious Budget-Seekers with Caution

Colleton County suits budget-conscious families and retirees, but healthcare considerations should weigh heavily in the decision. Those with reliable alternative healthcare access or excellent health status will find strong affordability; others should research local medical options carefully.

Score breakdown

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

Tax85.2Cost80.5SafetyComing SoonHealth56.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome15.2Risk14.5WaterComing Soon
🏛85.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠80.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼15.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤56.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡14.5
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 Colleton County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Amador County
California
64.7
Median income: $81,526
Colusa County
California
64.7
Median income: $75,149
Mono County
California
64.7
Median income: $86,953
Bartow County
Georgia
64.7
Median income: $79,431
Clinton County
Iowa
64.7
Median income: $65,177

Deep Dives

Colleton County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Colleton County

via TaxByCounty

Colleton's taxes rank among the highest

Colleton County's 0.605% effective tax rate markedly exceeds the national median of 0.52%, placing it solidly in the top quartile nationally. The median property tax of $883 is roughly 33% of the national median when adjusted for Colleton's more modest property values.

Colleton has South Carolina's highest rate

At 0.605%, Colleton County carries the single highest effective tax rate among all South Carolina counties in this dataset and well above the state average of 0.542%. The median tax bill of $883 approaches South Carolina's median of $939.

Highest-taxed county in this group

Colleton's 0.605% rate is the steepest among these eight counties, narrowly exceeding Chester (0.588%) and Clarendon (0.576%). It nearly doubles Charleston's favorable 0.413% rate.

Mid-range homes, above-average tax

A Colleton homeowner with a $145,900 median-value property pays roughly $883 in annual property tax. When mortgage escrow is included, that obligation climbs to approximately $1,220 per year.

Colleton homeowners should prioritize appeals

Given Colleton's highest-in-state tax rate, a careful assessment review is especially critical for residents. Challenging potentially inflated assessed values through the county's appeal process can yield substantial annual savings.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Colleton County

via CostByCounty

Colleton faces steeper housing burden than U.S. norm

Colleton County renters spend 22.3% of income on housing—well above the national average of 20.1% and South Carolina's 20.1% baseline. With a median household income of $48,779 and rents at $905 monthly, Colleton residents feel acute housing pressure despite modest rents.

Among South Carolina's most strained counties

Colleton's 22.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks among the state's highest, surpassing the South Carolina average by 2.2 percentage points. Only Darlington (22.2%) comes close to matching Colleton's housing burden, signaling genuine affordability stress across this region.

Colleton's burden exceeds nearby alternatives

Colleton renters face a 22.3% housing burden and $905 rent, exceeding Chesterfield (19.6% / $776) and Clarendon (17.9% / $728) by substantial margins. Moving to adjacent counties could save renters $150–$180 monthly while cutting housing burden by 2–4 percentage points.

Housing takes a worrisome share of income

Colleton renters spend $905 monthly on a median income of $48,779, while homeowners pay $762 for ownership costs. At 22.3% of income for renters and 18.7% for owners, Colleton's housing burden edges toward the 30% affordability threshold, constraining residents' ability to cover other essentials.

Colleton may strain budgets; explore neighbors

Colleton's 22.3% housing burden makes it one of South Carolina's most strained markets for renters and owners alike. If affordability matters, compare Colleton to nearby Chesterfield and Clarendon, which offer rents $130–$180 lower and superior housing burden ratios.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Colleton County

via IncomeByCounty

Colleton's income significantly below national

Colleton County's median household income of $48,779 trails the U.S. median of $74,755 by $25,976. The county ranks in the lowest quartile nationally, reflecting persistent rural economic challenges in South Carolina's coastal plain region.

Lower-middle income rank in state

At $48,779, Colleton falls $8,227 below South Carolina's state average of $57,006, ranking in the lower third of 46 counties. Per capita income of $27,859 also trails the state average of $32,382 by $4,523.

Income clustered with rural counties

Colleton's $48,779 closely mirrors Clarendon ($48,887), Chesterfield ($47,620), and Darlington ($47,419), reflecting shared rural and agricultural economic patterns. Charleston County's $84,320 income lies $35,541 higher, illustrating the metro-rural divide.

Housing costs strain household budgets

Colleton's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% is the highest among these eight counties, meaning residents dedicate more than one-fifth of earnings to housing. The median home value of $145,900 is reasonable, but relative to lower incomes, housing takes a larger budget share.

Prioritize income growth and savings

Colleton residents facing higher housing cost burdens benefit most from increasing household earnings through career advancement or side income. Focus on building emergency savings to weather financial shocks, then invest in retirement accounts and long-term wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Colleton County

via HealthByCounty

Lowest life expectancy in the state

Colleton 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. More than one in five residents (22.3%) report poor or fair health, nearly 50% higher than the national 15%.

Worst health outcomes in South Carolina

Colleton County ranks 46th (last) among South Carolina's 46 counties for life expectancy at 68.6 years, with the highest rate of poor or fair health in the state at 22.3%. The county faces severe challenges with chronic disease, healthcare access, and economic opportunity.

Significant gap from peers

Colleton's 68.6-year life expectancy ties Chester County for lowest in the region and trails Charleston by 9.3 years. With 42 primary care providers per 100,000, Colleton has more than some rural neighbors but remains far behind Charleston's 124.

Highest uninsured rate compounds crisis

Colleton's 13.5% uninsured rate is the highest among comparison counties, and the county offers just 42 primary care and 152 mental health providers per 100,000 residents. The combination of low coverage and thin provider networks creates urgent barriers to routine and preventive care.

Take action for your health

One in seven Colleton residents lack health insurance—coverage through South Carolina's marketplace or Medicaid can be life-changing. Visit healthcare.gov, call 1-855-5-HEALTH, or contact the Colleton County Health Department to explore enrollment today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Colleton County

via RiskByCounty

Colleton faces moderate-to-elevated national risk

Colleton County's composite risk score of 85.46 places it in the Relatively Moderate category and well above the national average, indicating substantial exposure to multiple natural hazards. The county scores critically on hurricane (96.37), earthquake (93.70), and wildfire (82.76), with each hazard individually exceeding typical American county thresholds. This profile positions Colleton as one of the nation's higher-risk counties.

Colleton ranks among South Carolina's highest-risk

Colleton County's composite score of 85.46 substantially exceeds South Carolina's 70.75 state average, placing it among the state's most hazard-exposed counties. Only Charleston County (98.63) ranks higher in overall disaster risk, making Colleton a significant concern within the state's disaster landscape. The county's coastal proximity and geological positioning create compounded vulnerability across multiple hazard types.

Colleton higher risk than inland neighboring counties

Colleton County's 85.46 score substantially exceeds Chester County (43.16) and Chesterfield County (73.98), and closely approaches nearby Charleston County (98.63), reflecting its coastal exposure. Clarendon County (76.49) ranks notably lower than Colleton, illustrating how proximity to the Atlantic creates elevated disaster exposure. This positioning reflects Colleton's greater vulnerability to coastal storm systems compared to inland peers.

Hurricanes and earthquakes drive extreme exposure

Colleton County faces exceptional hurricane risk (96.37) and earthquake risk (93.70), both scoring in the critical range and representing the county's primary disaster concerns. Wildfire risk (82.76) also ranks significantly elevated, while flood (78.20) and tornado (60.56) risks add additional seasonal exposure. The combination of coastal hurricane vulnerability and high seismic exposure creates a compound disaster profile.

Specialized insurance critical for Colleton residents

Colleton County homeowners must prioritize comprehensive wind and hurricane coverage in their homeowners policies given the exceptional 96.37 hurricane risk—ensure your deductibles are manageable for severe storm repairs. Flood insurance is essential and should be reviewed regularly as coastal hazards evolve, and earthquake coverage deserves serious consideration given the elevated 93.70 score. Annual policy reviews with a local insurance specialist are critical for maintaining adequate protection.

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.