CountyScore

Kershaw County

South Carolina · SC

#9 in South Carolina
70
County Score

County Report Card

About Kershaw County, South Carolina

Kershaw leads among peers nationally

Kershaw County's composite score of 70.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 40%, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties. This makes Kershaw a distinctly livable location by national standards.

Above South Carolina's state average

Kershaw's 70.0 score edges above South Carolina's state average of 68.2, ranking it in the state's upper half. This puts it among the better-performing counties in the state.

Strong all-around, especially health and taxes

Kershaw combines a strong health score of 67.2 with solid tax efficiency (88.5, effective rate 0.488%) and reasonable housing costs (median rent $872). Median household income of $64,343 is respectable for the region.

Economic risk warrants consideration

Kershaw's risk score of 33.3 suggests moderate economic or environmental vulnerabilities, the main weakness in an otherwise balanced profile. This is the dimension most likely to affect long-term stability.

Perfect for families seeking stability and health

Kershaw works best for established families and health-conscious professionals who value strong healthcare, low taxes, and balanced livability. The above-average overall score makes it a solid all-around choice for long-term residence.

Score breakdown

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

Tax88.5Cost78.5SafetyComing SoonHealth67.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.4Risk33.3WaterComing Soon
🏛88.5
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.5
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼25.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤67.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡33.3
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 Kershaw County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

St. Clair County
Alabama
70
Median income: $78,993
Sumter County
Alabama
70
Median income: $37,981
Sitka City and Borough
Alaska
70
Median income: $101,207
Lee County
Arkansas
70
Median income: $36,860
Pike County
Georgia
70
Median income: $84,184

Deep Dives

Kershaw County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Kershaw County

via TaxByCounty

Kershaw offers below-average national rate

Kershaw County's effective tax rate of 0.488% falls noticeably below the national median of 0.71%, ranking it in roughly the 25th percentile nationally. Median property taxes of $937 stay well below the national median of $2,690, positioning Kershaw as a tax-friendly county by U.S. standards.

Kershaw ranks below South Carolina average

Kershaw County's effective rate of 0.488% sits below South Carolina's average of 0.542%, placing it in the lower-tax tier of the state's 46 counties. The median property tax of $937 closely matches the state median, despite Kershaw's median home value of $191,900 being below the state norm.

Kershaw taxes favorably against nearby counties

Kershaw's 0.488% rate beats Lancaster (0.499%), Fairfield (0.573%), and Richland (0.497%), giving homeowners a competitive advantage in the Midlands region. The median tax bill of $937 reflects Kershaw's balanced position between lower-value rural counties and higher-value suburban peers.

Median Kershaw home costs $937 yearly

On Kershaw's median home value of $191,900 and effective rate of 0.488%, homeowners pay approximately $937 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the effective bill rises to $1,113, remaining quite affordable for properties in this value range.

Challenge overassessments at moderate tax rates

Even counties with moderate tax rates like Kershaw see widespread overassessments that cost homeowners money unnecessarily. Request a copy of your assessment from Kershaw's county assessor and compare it to recent arm's-length sales of similar homes to identify appeal opportunities.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Kershaw County

via CostByCounty

Kershaw delivers the state's best affordability

Kershaw County renters spend just 16.3% of their income on housing—the lowest rent-to-income ratio in this entire dataset and well below the 20.1% state average. With $872 monthly rent against $64,343 median income, Kershaw offers genuine relief for budget-conscious households.

Most affordable county in this dataset

Kershaw's 16.3% rent-to-income ratio ranks it as the most manageable housing market among these eight counties, beating the state average by nearly 4 percentage points. The combination of reasonable rents and solid local incomes creates an unusually stable housing market.

Balanced alternative to pricier coastal peers

Kershaw's $872 rent falls between Horry County ($1,181) and rural Hampton ($815), positioning it as a goldilocks option for those wanting access without premium pricing. Compared to similarly-sized Laurens ($847), Kershaw costs just $25 more monthly while maintaining comparable affordability ratios.

Mortgages slight premium over rents

Kershaw homeowners pay $934 monthly compared to renters' $872, a manageable $62 difference that reflects stable property values. The median home value of $191,900 sits mid-range in this dataset, offering accessibility for first-time buyers and seasoned investors alike.

Kershaw punches above its weight in value

Relocating households seeking the best combination of affordability and stability should prioritize Kershaw, where the housing market won't strain even modest incomes. Whether renting or buying, you'll enjoy breathing room in your budget that peers in pricier counties simply don't have.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Kershaw County

via IncomeByCounty

Kershaw earns solidly above many U.S. counties

Kershaw County's median household income of $64,343 sits 14% below the national median of $74,755, yet outearns roughly two-thirds of U.S. counties. The county's per capita income of $34,250 exceeds the national average, indicating strong individual earning power across the workforce.

Kershaw surpasses South Carolina average

At $64,343, Kershaw County's median household income tops South Carolina's state average of $57,006 by 13%, placing it firmly in the state's upper-middle income tier. The county's per capita income of $34,250 also exceeds the state average of $32,382 by 6%, reflecting stable employment and wage levels.

Kershaw competes with Horry and Jasper

Kershaw's $64,343 median income matches Horry County ($64,623) and Jasper County ($63,503) closely, making these three counties the region's consistent middle-income performers. All three trail Lancaster ($74,751) and Lexington ($75,014), but comfortably outpace lower-income counties like Hampton and Lee.

Kershaw offers exceptional housing affordability

A rent-to-income ratio of just 16.3% ranks Kershaw among South Carolina's most affordable rental markets, with households spending barely one-sixth of earnings on housing. Median home values of $191,900 remain accessible for middle-income families, making Kershaw one of the region's best bets for housing stability and equity-building.

Kershaw's affordability fuels wealth building

With strong housing affordability and stable incomes, Kershaw residents should aggressively pursue homeownership and retirement savings, potentially building equity faster than peers in higher-cost counties. The county's favorable rent-to-income ratio frees up household cash flow for long-term investments and emergency reserves.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Kershaw County

via HealthByCounty

Kershaw approaches national health norms

At 73.2 years, Kershaw County residents live slightly less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years but close enough to suggest reasonable health infrastructure and outcomes. With 17.7% reporting poor or fair health versus the national 16%, Kershaw shows minor health challenges relative to national peers.

Solidly above South Carolina average

Kershaw's life expectancy of 73.2 years exceeds the state average of 72.5 years, and its 17.7% poor/fair health rate is better than most South Carolina counties. The county ranks in the healthier half statewide, reflecting good access to primary and mental health services.

Healthier than Lancaster, better insured

Kershaw's 73.2-year life expectancy trails only Lancaster County (75.3) among nearby peers and mirrors Jasper (74.1) closely. With 58 primary care providers per 100,000, Kershaw offers stronger physician access than Jasper or Hampton, though Lancaster still leads the region.

Strong insurance coverage, excellent mental health access

At 10.1% uninsured, Kershaw beats the state average of 11.6%, meaning most residents have health protection in place. The county shines with 200 mental health providers per 100,000 residents—among the highest in the state—addressing behavioral health needs that often go untreated elsewhere.

Kershaw's strong coverage—verify you're set

While Kershaw's uninsured rate is below state average, 1 in 10 still lacks coverage; make sure you're enrolled in a plan that meets your needs. Review your current insurance or explore marketplace options at healthcare.gov to ensure continuous protection.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Kershaw County

via RiskByCounty

Kershaw County scores below national average

Kershaw County's composite risk score of 66.67 places it below the national average with a Relatively Low rating. Your county faces fewer simultaneous disaster threats than most U.S. counties.

Below average within South Carolina

Kershaw County scores 4.08 points below South Carolina's average of 70.75, ranking it in the lower-risk tier of state counties. Among 46 South Carolina counties, Kershaw maintains a safety advantage.

Less risky than Lancaster, similar to Laurens

Lancaster County (79.42) and Laurens County (76.21) both exceed Kershaw's risk profile, while Sumter County (measured separately) presents comparable exposure. Kershaw's central location buffers against coastal hurricane surge.

Tornadoes and hurricanes require attention

Tornado risk (72.90) and hurricane risk (86.07) represent Kershaw's primary concerns, while flood risk (64.41) remains moderate. Earthquake risk (82.28) rounds out exposure but poses lower practical threat to most properties.

Ensure tornado and wind protection

Review your homeowners policy's wind coverage and confirm it includes severe storm protection. If you live in a flood-prone area, verify NFIP or private flood insurance is in place.

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.