CountyScore

Jasper County

South Carolina · SC

#43 in South Carolina
64.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Jasper County, South Carolina

Jasper beats the national average solidly

Jasper County's composite score of 64.2 surpasses the national median of 50.0 by 28%, placing it in the upper half of U.S. counties. This positions Jasper as a livable choice compared to most of America.

Lower-middle rank within South Carolina

Jasper's score of 64.2 sits noticeably below the state average of 68.2, ranking it in the lower half statewide. It underperforms relative to other South Carolina counties.

Tax benefits and fair health outcomes

Jasper's tax score of 86.7 reflects a competitive effective tax rate of 0.553%, while health outcomes score a respectable 60.6. The county also maintains affordable housing relative to incomes, with median rents of $1,307.

Income and moderate risk are concerns

With a median household income of $63,503 and an income score of 24.8, Jasper trails peers on earning power. A risk score of 21.4 suggests moderate environmental or economic vulnerabilities that residents should understand.

Good fit for families seeking Southern charm

Jasper appeals to families and professionals valuing tax efficiency and a slower pace of life, though income growth may be limited. It works best for those with stable incomes who prioritize community feel over rapid economic advancement.

Score breakdown

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

Tax86.7Cost70.7SafetyComing SoonHealth60.6SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.8Risk21.4WaterComing Soon
🏛86.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠70.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤60.6
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡21.4
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 Jasper County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Coconino County
Arizona
64.2
Median income: $69,748
Northeastern Connecticut Planning Region
Connecticut
64.2
Median income: $87,564
Saline County
Illinois
64.2
Median income: $54,945
Leavenworth County
Kansas
64.2
Median income: $86,906
Jefferson Parish
Louisiana
64.2
Median income: $65,246

Deep Dives

Jasper County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Jasper County

via TaxByCounty

Jasper's rate moderately above national median

Jasper County's effective tax rate of 0.553% sits above the national median of 0.71% percentile, placing it slightly above the midpoint nationally. Median property taxes of $1,490 exceed the national median of $2,690 is not quite 55% of it, reflecting Jasper's median home value of $269,400 that's slightly below the national figure of $281,900.

Jasper ranks middle of the pack statewide

Jasper County's effective rate of 0.553% sits just above South Carolina's average of 0.542%, ranking it in the middle tier among the state's 46 counties. The median tax of $1,490 exceeds the state median of $939, reflecting Jasper's relatively higher home values.

Comparable to neighboring Beaufort-area counties

Jasper's 0.553% rate aligns closely with nearby Beaufort (0.569%) and Allendale (0.584%), making the region relatively consistent in taxation. Jasper's median tax of $1,490 sits between its peers, matching the Lowcountry's overall tax profile.

Median Jasper home costs $1,490 yearly

On Jasper's median home value of $269,400 and effective rate of 0.553%, homeowners pay roughly $1,490 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the bill climbs to $2,083, reflecting the county's moderate-to-above-average tax burden.

Review your assessment for possible savings

Jasper County homeowners paying $1,490 or more annually should verify their assessment against recent home sales in their neighborhood. An appeal can be filed with the county assessor if your assessed value significantly exceeds comparable market prices.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Jasper County

via CostByCounty

Jasper rents strain local paychecks most

Jasper County's 24.7% rent-to-income ratio is the highest among these eight counties and well above the 20.1% state average, signaling acute housing stress. At $1,307 monthly rent against a $63,503 median income, renters here struggle more than peers elsewhere in South Carolina.

Most unaffordable rents statewide here

Jasper leads this group with both the highest rent-to-income ratio (24.7%) and the steepest monthly rent ($1,307), creating the toughest rental market in the county dataset. Income levels near state averages don't compensate for rents 38% above the statewide median.

Priciest rentals among coastal peers

Jasper's $1,307 rent exceeds Horry County's $1,181 by $126 monthly and dwarfs inland alternatives like Laurens ($847) by 54%. This premium reflects Jasper's positioning between coastal amenities and rural calm, attracting demand without the job market depth of larger regional centers.

Ownership costs far less than renting

Jasper homeowners pay just $904 monthly versus renters' $1,307—a $403 gap that makes homeownership dramatically more affordable if you can access financing. The median home value of $269,400 remains reachable for dual-income households, though the upfront barrier is substantial.

Jasper best for buyers, tough for renters

If you're relocating to Jasper, prioritize purchasing over renting; the ownership advantage is significant and justifies shopping for a mortgage. Remote workers earning $75,000+ can manage comfortably; local wage earners should carefully assess household affordability before committing.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Jasper County

via IncomeByCounty

Jasper County trails national income by 15%

Jasper County's median household income of $63,503 falls 15% short of the national median of $74,755, reflecting economic patterns typical of rural Lowcountry communities. However, the county's per capita income of $32,505 closely mirrors the national average, suggesting relatively equitable wealth distribution across households.

Jasper ranks above South Carolina average

Jasper County's median household income of $63,503 exceeds South Carolina's state average of $57,006 by 11%, placing it among the state's mid-tier earning counties. Its per capita income of $32,505 matches the state average of $32,382, showing consistent income levels with state benchmarks.

Jasper earns alongside Kershaw and Horry

Jasper's $63,503 median income runs nearly equal to Kershaw County ($64,343) and just below Horry County ($64,623), though it significantly trails top performers Lancaster ($74,751) and Lexington ($75,014). Among rural Lowcountry peers, Jasper holds its own in the middle tier of county earnings.

Housing costs bite deeper in Jasper County

At 24.7%, Jasper's rent-to-income ratio ranks among the highest in the region, meaning renters dedicate nearly a quarter of earnings to housing and approach affordability stress. With median home values at $269,400, many Jasper families face tight housing markets that limit homeownership access despite moderate household incomes.

Strategic saving builds Jasper family wealth

Jasper residents should prioritize emergency savings to buffer housing cost pressures, then pursue employer retirement plans and tax-advantaged education savings accounts for children. Local credit unions and community development organizations often offer below-market lending to help families transition from renting to homeownership.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Jasper County

via HealthByCounty

Jasper trails national life expectancy

At 74.1 years, Jasper County residents live about 2 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, indicating room for improvement in preventive care and chronic disease management. One in five (19.9%) report poor or fair health, slightly above the national rate of 16%, reflecting moderate health challenges.

Above average for South Carolina

Jasper's life expectancy of 74.1 years exceeds South Carolina's average of 72.5 years by 1.6 years, placing it in the state's healthier half. However, the 19.9% poor/fair health rate signals ongoing struggles with chronic disease, particularly among low-income residents.

Similar health to Horry, fewer doctors

Jasper's life expectancy (74.1) mirrors Horry County (74.6) but with significantly fewer primary care providers—just 23 per 100,000 versus Horry's 62. This access gap likely forces Jasper residents to travel farther for routine care, delaying treatment and worsening outcomes over time.

Uninsured rate hits one in six

Jasper's 15.9% uninsured rate is the highest among compared counties, leaving roughly 3,500 residents without health coverage in a rural setting. With only 23 primary care providers per 100,000—among the lowest statewide—residents struggle to find available doctors, creating a double barrier to care.

Don't go uninsured in Jasper

Uninsured care in a medically underserved county is a recipe for financial and health crisis: reach out to Jasper County health services or dial 211 to find low-cost clinics and coverage options. Your health insurance is your safety net when emergencies strike.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Jasper County

via RiskByCounty

Jasper County carries above-average risk

With a composite risk score of 78.59, Jasper County scores above the national average and carries a Relatively Low rating overall. This Low Country county faces meaningful but manageable disaster exposure.

Moderate risk within South Carolina

Jasper County ranks in the middle tier of South Carolina counties, scoring 7.84 points above the state average of 70.75. Among the state's 46 counties, Jasper faces moderate hazard exposure.

Comparable to nearby Hampton County

Hampton County (64.79) presents lower risk, while Beaufort County (measured differently) shows similar coastal vulnerabilities. Jasper's wildfire risk (76.72) exceeds most neighbors, offsetting lower tornado exposure.

Hurricanes and wildfires pose greatest threats

Hurricane risk (96.20) and wildfire risk (76.72) are Jasper's dominant hazards, with flood risk (59.00) remaining moderate. Tornado risk (35.85) stays relatively low compared to inland counties.

Bundle flood and wind insurance

Flood insurance is essential in Jasper County and not included in standard homeowners policies. Pair it with wind/hurricane coverage to address your county's top two risk categories.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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