CountyScore

Laurens County

South Carolina · SC

#16 in South Carolina
69.3
County Score

County Report Card

About Laurens County, South Carolina

Laurens comfortably exceeds national standards

Laurens County's composite score of 69.3 beats the national median of 50.0 by 39%, placing it in the top quarter of U.S. counties. This reflects strong fundamental livability across the board.

Among the best in South Carolina

Laurens's 69.3 score surpasses South Carolina's state average of 68.2, ranking it in the upper half statewide. It performs better than most state counties overall.

Affordability and tax efficiency shine brightest

Laurens excels in tax efficiency (89.9, lowest effective rate at 0.438%) and housing affordability (83.0), with median rent of just $847 and home values around $153,500. These are among the best values in the group.

Income growth is the limiting factor

Laurens's income score of just 19.6 with median household income of $55,517 is the weakest dimension in an otherwise strong profile. This limits earning potential for those seeking income growth.

Excellent for budget-minded families seeking value

Laurens suits retirees, first-time homebuyers, and families prioritizing affordability and tax savings over rapid income growth. Its combination of low costs and reasonable tax burden makes it an excellent value proposition.

Score breakdown

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

Tax89.9Cost83SafetyComing SoonHealth62.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome19.6Risk23.8WaterComing Soon
🏛89.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠83
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼19.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤62.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡23.8
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 Laurens County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Colbert County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $56,736
Jackson County
Alabama
69.3
Median income: $49,454
Chugach Census Area
Alaska
69.3
Median income: $88,565
Sharp County
Arkansas
69.3
Median income: $42,950
Rabun County
Georgia
69.3
Median income: $61,466

Deep Dives

Laurens County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Laurens County

via TaxByCounty

Laurens offers well-below-average national rate

Laurens County's effective tax rate of 0.438% falls well below the national median of 0.71%, ranking it in roughly the 15th percentile nationally. Median property taxes of $673 represent just 25% of the national median of $2,690, making Laurens among the nation's most affordable counties to own property.

Laurens ranks among South Carolina's lowest

Laurens County's effective rate of 0.438% ranks in the bottom tier of South Carolina's 46 counties, significantly below the state average of 0.542%. The median property tax of just $673 is the second-lowest in the state, reflecting Laurens's affordable median home value of $153,500.

Laurens taxes lowest in surrounding region

Laurens's 0.438% rate significantly undercuts Union (0.609%), Spartanburg (0.601%), and Newberry (0.587%), offering the region's most favorable tax environment. The median annual tax of $673 makes Laurens particularly affordable for homeowners on modest incomes.

Median Laurens home costs just $673 yearly

On Laurens's median home value of $153,500 and very low effective rate of 0.438%, homeowners pay only $673 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the effective bill rises to $980, still among South Carolina's most affordable property tax burdens.

Even low-cost counties have overassessments

While Laurens offers attractive overall tax rates, individual homeowners may still be paying more than necessary if their property is overassessed. Check your assessment against recent sales of comparable homes and file an appeal if your county valuation appears inflated.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Laurens County

via CostByCounty

Laurens offers genuine affordability on moderate income

Laurens County residents spend 18.3% of their $55,517 median income on rent—below the state average and reflecting an unusually balanced housing market. At $847 monthly, Laurens rents are among the state's most reasonable, making this rural county genuinely affordable for working families.

Well below state average, but income lags

Laurens's 18.3% rent-to-income ratio beats South Carolina's 20.1% state average, placing it in the more comfortable tier despite incomes roughly $20,000 below the state norm. The affordable rents partially offset the lower wages, creating a manageable market for residents with local job ties.

Rural charm with rural-priced housing

Laurens's $847 rent ranks among the lowest here, undercutting Horry ($1,181) by 28% and Jasper ($1,307) by 35% while nearly matching Hampton ($815). This affordability reflects Laurens's rural character—for those prioritizing lowest costs over urban amenities, few South Carolina counties compete.

Buying dramatically cheaper than renting here

Laurens homeowners pay just $667 monthly compared to renters' $847—a $180 monthly savings that makes ownership a no-brainer for those with down payment ability. The median home value of $153,500 is the lowest in this dataset, placing homeownership within reach for modest-income households.

Laurens shines for budget-first relocators

If you're relocating on a tight budget or with remote work income, Laurens delivers the lowest ownership costs in South Carolina and rents nearly as affordable. Just accept that local wages are modest and job options limited—this county rewards those who bring income with them.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Laurens County

via IncomeByCounty

Laurens County earns well below national median

Laurens County's median household income of $55,517 trails the national median of $74,755 by 26%, placing it below average for U.S. counties overall. However, the county's per capita income of $28,728 exceeds many rural peers, suggesting modest but stable earning across the workforce.

Laurens slightly edges South Carolina average

At $55,517, Laurens County's median household income falls just 3% below South Carolina's state average of $57,006, placing it near the middle of the state's income distribution. The county's per capita income of $28,728 lags the state average of $32,382 by 11%, indicating some income inequality within households.

Laurens ranks between low and high earners

Laurens's $55,517 median income substantially trails top performers Lancaster ($74,751) and Lexington ($75,014), yet comfortably exceeds struggling counties Hampton ($43,059) and Lee ($44,145). The county sits solidly in the state's middle tier, below Horry, Kershaw, and Jasper but above the lowest-income peers.

Laurens housing remains moderately affordable

A rent-to-income ratio of 18.3% means Laurens renters spend roughly a fifth of earnings on housing, staying comfortably within affordability guidelines. Median home values of $153,500 remain accessible for middle-income families, supporting homeownership opportunities despite below-average county incomes.

Laurens residents can build stability

With moderate incomes and affordable housing, Laurens residents should prioritize employer retirement plans, emergency savings, and strategic homeownership to build long-term equity. Community banks and local nonprofits often offer financial coaching tailored to working families earning $50,000–$60,000 annually.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Laurens County

via HealthByCounty

Laurens falls below national health markers

At 71.5 years, Laurens County residents live 4.6 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, signaling substantial health deficits. Nearly 1 in 5 (18.9%) report poor or fair health, above the national rate of 16%, driven largely by chronic disease and limited preventive care.

Below state average but not worst

Laurens's 71.5-year life expectancy falls below South Carolina's average of 72.5 years, placing it in the lower half of state counties. The 18.9% poor/fair health rate is better than Hampton or Lee but signals ongoing chronic disease management challenges requiring investment in health infrastructure.

Healthier than Hampton, less access than Kershaw

Laurens's 71.5-year life expectancy beats Hampton (70.3) by 1.2 years but trails Kershaw (73.2) and Jasper (74.1) among nearby peers. With 50 primary care providers per 100,000, Laurens offers moderate physician access but lags Kershaw (58) and Lancaster (41 still outpaces by outcomes).

Moderate uninsured rate, limited mental health capacity

Laurens's 12.7% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 11.6%, leaving roughly 3,200 residents exposed to catastrophic medical costs. With only 87 mental health providers per 100,000—well below state hotspots like Kershaw (200)—residents face waits for behavioral health care that worsens depression and anxiety.

Cover yourself and your family now

In Laurens County, uninsured status is a health threat: one emergency hospitalization can bankrupt a family with no insurance protection. Connect with Laurens County DSS or healthcare.gov today to find affordable coverage and enroll in a plan.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Laurens County

via RiskByCounty

Laurens County scores above national average

Laurens County's composite risk score of 76.21 ranks above the national average with a Relatively Low overall rating. Your county faces above-average but still manageable disaster exposure.

Upper-middle risk in South Carolina

Laurens County scores 5.46 points above South Carolina's average of 70.75, placing it in the higher-risk tier of state counties. Among 46 South Carolina counties, Laurens ranks in the upper-middle for overall hazard exposure.

Riskier than Kershaw, similar to Lancaster

Kershaw County (66.67) faces lower risk, while Lancaster County (79.42) and Newberry County (measured separately) present comparable threat levels. Laurens sits in an intermediate risk zone within the Piedmont region.

Hurricanes and floods pose main threats

Hurricane risk (76.76) and flood risk (71.95) are Laurens's top concerns, with tornado risk (65.20) as a secondary hazard. Wildfire risk (49.08) remains relatively low compared to neighboring counties.

Secure flood and hurricane coverage

Standard homeowners insurance excludes flood damage—obtain NFIP or private coverage to protect against your county's significant flood risk. Verify wind and hail protection in your policy to address hurricane and severe storm threats.

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.