countyscore

Lee County, South Carolina — County Report Card

SC

#18 in South Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
43.9
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 78.6Property Tax 78.2

County Report Card

About Lee County, South Carolina

Maintaining Pace with the State

Lee County's composite score of 43.9 is competitive within the region, though it remains below the national median of 50.0. It balances low environmental risks against economic challenges.

Surpassing the State Average Score

Lee County scores 43.9, which is higher than the South Carolina state average of 42.8. This is a notable achievement for a rural county, driven largely by its affordability and relative environmental safety.

Affordability and Low Environmental Risk

Lee County shines with a cost score of 78.6 and a risk score of 64.0. Its median home value of $101,900 is among the lowest in the state, and it is less prone to natural disasters than coastal peers.

Overcoming Income and Health Disparities

The county struggles with an income score of 6.2 and a health score of 15.0. Low median household incomes of $44,145 highlight the need for more diverse local employment opportunities.

Best for Low-Risk, Low-Cost Living

Lee County is a great match for residents who want to avoid environmental hazards and high housing costs. It offers peace of mind through its risk profile and extreme affordability for those with fixed or modest incomes.

Score breakdown

Tax78.2Cost78.6Safety7.1Health15Schools38Income6.2Risk64Water86Weather53.6
🏛78.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠78.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.2
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡7.1
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤15
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓38
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡64
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤53.6
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨11.4
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱38.5
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

Darlington County
South Carolina
44.9
Sumter County
South Carolina
35.2
Kershaw County
South Carolina
42.5
Florence County
South Carolina
39.5
Chesterfield County
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Clarendon County
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Richland County
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Marlboro County
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Deep Dives

Lee County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Lee County

via TaxByCounty

Lee's rate slightly above national median

Lee County's effective tax rate of 0.568% sits slightly below the national median of 0.71%, placing it around the 40th percentile nationally. Median property taxes of just $579 represent only 22% of the national median of $2,690, reflecting Lee's very modest median home value of $101,900.

Lee ranks above South Carolina average

Lee County's effective rate of 0.568% sits above South Carolina's average of 0.542%, placing it in the upper-middle tier of the state's 46 counties. Despite this elevated rate, the median property tax of $579 remains one of the state's lowest due to Lee's affordable home values.

Lee's rate higher than most nearby counties

Lee's 0.568% rate exceeds Sumter (0.520%), Clarendon (0.545%), and Kershaw (0.488%), making it one of the region's steeper-taxing counties. The median tax of $579 stays low only because Lee's homes are significantly less valuable than those in neighboring areas.

Median Lee home costs $579 yearly

On Lee's median home value of $101,900 and effective rate of 0.568%, homeowners pay approximately $579 per year in property taxes. With a mortgage, the effective bill rises to $781, remaining quite affordable despite Lee's above-average tax rate.

Appeal potential exists despite low values

Lee County homeowners should not assume low overall tax bills mean accurate assessments; overassessment affects all price ranges equally. Request your assessment details from the county and compare them to comparable home sales to identify any overvaluation worth appealing.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Lee County

via CostByCounty

Lee County stretches modest incomes thinly

Lee County renters spend 21.9% of their $44,145 median income on housing—the lowest income in this dataset, yet a rent-to-income ratio that exceeds the state average. At just $806 monthly, Lee's rents are affordable in absolute terms, but incomes here are too low for residents to keep pace with regional peers.

Affordable rents can't offset wage gaps

Lee's 21.9% rent-to-income ratio sits above South Carolina's 20.1% state average despite the lowest rents in this entire county group at $806 monthly. The challenge: local incomes are roughly $30,000 below the state median, making even cheap housing difficult to afford on local wages alone.

Competitive rents, but lowest wages regionally

Lee's $806 rent rivals Hampton ($815) as the region's most affordable, undercutting Laurens ($847) and Kershaw ($872) by small margins. However, Lee's $44,145 median income is the lowest here by far, making the county a rental market for those with outside income sources.

Ownership unaffordable despite low home prices

Lee homeowners pay $479 monthly—the lowest ownership cost in this dataset—yet the median home value of $101,900 remains difficult to finance on a $44,145 local income. The low ownership cost reflects modest property values, not affordability, given the severe income constraints.

Lee works only for remote-income relocators

If you're bringing substantial remote work income to Lee County, you'll find unbeatable housing bargains and genuine savings potential. However, if you'll depend on local employment, proceed carefully—Lee's median income is among South Carolina's lowest, signaling limited economic opportunity.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Lee County

via IncomeByCounty

Lee County faces steepest income challenges

Lee County's median household income of $44,145 falls 41% below the national median of $74,755, making it among America's lowest-income counties. The county's per capita income of $24,133 ranks substantially below national averages, reflecting deep structural economic challenges.

Lee ranks lowest in South Carolina earnings

Lee County's median household income of $44,145 trails South Carolina's state average of $57,006 by 23%, ranking it among the state's poorest counties. The county's per capita income of $24,133 falls 25% below the state average of $32,382, indicating severe income concentration and limited employment opportunities.

Lee ties Hampton as region's lowest earner

Lee's $44,145 median income virtually ties Hampton County ($43,059) as the region's lowest earner, dramatically trailing peers like Laurens ($55,517), Horry ($64,623), and top performers Lancaster ($74,751). Lee and Hampton represent outlier low-income communities surrounded by comparatively stronger county economies.

Lee households balance tight budget pressures

A rent-to-income ratio of 21.9% means Lee renters dedicate nearly a quarter of earnings to housing, approaching the stress threshold for budget-constrained families. With median home values at $101,900, homeownership offers escape from rental pressures, but families must build substantial down payments on modest incomes.

Lee residents deserve financial opportunity

Despite economic headwinds, Lee residents can access federal and state programs supporting down payments, small business development, and job training that build long-term earning potential. Community development financial institutions, workforce boards, and nonprofit credit counselors provide pathways to financial stability and modest wealth accumulation.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Lee County

via CrimeByCounty

Lee County Faces Higher Crime Challenges

Lee County reports 3092.4 crimes per 100K residents, well above the national average of 2,385.5. The county holds a safety score of 95.1, reflecting these local safety pressures.

Lee County Below State Safety Average

Lee County's safety score of 95.1 is lower than the South Carolina state average of 95.4. Its total crime rate of 3092.4 also exceeds the statewide average of 2,920.8.

Lee County Compared to Neighboring Kershaw

Lee County experiences more crime than neighboring Kershaw, with roughly 400 more incidents per 100K residents. Eight agencies work to address crime across the county's jurisdictions.

High Violent Crime Rates in Lee

Violent crime in Lee County is 634.2 per 100K, significantly higher than the national average of 369.8. Property crime accounts for 2458.2 per 100K, contributing to the majority of police calls.

Enhancing Security in Lee County

With elevated property crime rates, residents should take proactive steps to secure their homes. Neighborhood watch programs and upgraded locks can help improve safety in high-activity areas.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Lee County

via HealthByCounty

Lee faces serious health disparities

At 68.8 years, Lee County residents live 7.3 years less than the U.S. average of 76.1 years—the lowest life expectancy among compared counties. A troubling 27.6% report poor or fair health, far exceeding the national rate of 16% and indicating widespread chronic illness and poverty-related disease.

Lowest life expectancy in South Carolina

Lee County ranks dead last among South Carolina counties for life expectancy at 68.8 years, trailing the state average of 72.5 by 3.7 years. The 27.6% poor/fair health rate is the worst statewide, reflecting concentrated poverty, limited access to care, and preventable disease burden.

Critical gap versus all regional peers

Lee's 68.8-year life expectancy lags every compared county: Hampton (70.3), Laurens (71.5), and all others, by 1.5 to 6.5 years. With just 12 primary care providers per 100,000—the lowest statewide—Lee residents face severe doctor shortages that force them to travel 30+ miles for routine care.

Extreme healthcare access crisis

Lee's 11.4% uninsured rate masks a deeper crisis: with only 12 primary care providers per 100,000, insured and uninsured alike cannot find doctors. Mental health capacity (119 per 100,000) exists on paper but cannot meet demand in a county where poverty, diabetes, and heart disease run rampant.

You deserve health care—get insured today

If you're uninsured in Lee County, your risk of medical disaster is acute; enroll in Medicaid or marketplace coverage immediately through scdhhs.gov or healthcare.gov. Once covered, navigate to a community health center for affordable, ongoing care that can begin to reverse years of untreated illness.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Lee County

via SchoolsByCounty

Exceptional Outcomes in a Small System

Lee County operates a compact educational network of seven public schools serving ,1688 students. This specialized landscape includes three elementary schools, two high schools, and one middle school.

Leading the State in Graduation Rates

Lee County achieves a remarkable 92.0% graduation rate, far exceeding both the state average of 84.2% and the national 87% benchmark. This success is even more impressive given a per-pupil expenditure of just $5,736, the lowest in this regional group.

Unique District Management in Lee

The Lee 01 district serves 1,476 students across five schools, while a secondary district focuses on specialized education. One charter school, Pee Dee Math Science & Tech, provides a specialized KG-12 option for over 200 local students.

Small Schools in a Rural Setting

With an average school size of only 241 students, Lee County offers one of the most intimate public school experiences in South Carolina. Nearly all schools are located in rural areas, where even the largest high school, Lee Central, enrolls only 450 students.

Join a High-Achieving Rural Community

Lee County is a hidden gem for families prioritizing high graduation rates and small class sizes. Real estate options here provide a peaceful rural lifestyle with the confidence of a school system that consistently delivers results.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Lee County

via RiskByCounty

Lee County has the lowest risk nationally

Lee County's composite risk score of 35.97 places it far below the national average with a Very Low rating. Your county faces significantly fewer natural disaster threats than typical American counties.

South Carolina's safest county

Lee County scores 34.78 points below South Carolina's average of 70.75, making it the lowest-risk county in the entire state. Among 46 South Carolina counties, Lee stands alone as exceptionally protected from natural hazards.

Safer than all surrounding counties

Kershaw County (66.67) and Sumter County (measured separately) both face significantly higher risk than Lee. Lee's central location and inland position combine to create the state's lowest overall disaster exposure.

Hurricanes and tornadoes are primary concerns

Hurricane risk (85.23) and tornado risk (60.05) represent Lee's top hazards, though both remain moderate. Flood risk (19.43) is exceptionally low, giving Lee a major advantage among South Carolina counties.

Standard homeowners insurance typically sufficient

Lee County's low-risk profile means standard homeowners insurance often provides adequate protection for most properties. Review your wind coverage for hurricane/tornado protection, and confirm your deductibles align with your home's value.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Lee County

via WeatherByCounty

A Warm and Humid National Outlier

Lee County's annual average temperature of 62.6°F is roughly 7 degrees warmer than the national median. With 46.6 inches of rainfall, the county is wetter than the average U.S. location but typical for the humid South.

Mirroring the South Carolina Average

Lee County's climate closely tracks the state as a whole, with its 62.6°F average nearly identical to the South Carolina mean of 62.8°F. Precipitation is also consistent with the state, falling just 2.3 inches short of the 48.9-inch state average.

Matching the Heat of Marlboro County

Lee County experiences 63 days of extreme heat, nearly matching Marlboro's 62 days. However, Lee is slightly cooler on average than Marlboro, which maintains a 63.4°F annual temperature.

Long Summers and Rare Winter Extremes

July averages 80.9°F, contributing to a total of 63 days where temperatures exceed 90°F. Winter remains mild with a 46.0°F average and no recorded significant snowfall in the annual data.

Focusing on Summer Cooling Capacity

With 63 days of extreme heat, residents should ensure their HVAC systems are sized correctly for the home's square footage. Outdoor planning should account for a July average of nearly 81°F to avoid heat exhaustion during peak hours.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Lee County

via SoilByCounty

Classic acidity in Lee County soil

Lee County soil has an average pH of 5.27, which matches the state average exactly but is lower than the national median of 6.5. Taxonomic order and texture data are not formally listed, but the pH indicates typical South Carolina conditions. This level of acidity usually benefits acid-loving native plants but may need buffering for vegetables.

High sand content defines the texture

The soil is extremely sandy, at 79.9% sand, with 11.8% silt and 8.4% clay. This profile makes for a very loose, gritty soil that is easy to plow but poor at holding onto liquid fertilizers. It warms up quickly in the spring, allowing for early planting dates.

Lean soils requiring careful management

Organic matter is low at 1.37%, well below the state average of 2.05%. The available water capacity is also low at 0.091 in/in, which is below the state average of 0.115 in/in. These numbers suggest a soil that needs frequent watering and regular additions of organic material to stay productive.

Incomplete data on local drainage

There is currently no digital record for dominant drainage classes or hydrologic groups in Lee County. Given the high sand content of nearly 80%, users can generally expect rapid infiltration unless a clay hardpan is present. Check with local neighbors or agricultural experts to confirm how your specific site behaves.

Growing Southern staples in Zone 8b

Lee County is located in Hardiness Zone 8b, providing the perfect climate for cotton, peanuts, and collard greens. The fast-warming sandy soil gives you a head start on the spring growing season. With a little extra water and compost, your backyard can be highly productive.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Lee County

via LawnByCounty

Navigating Lawn Care in Lee County

Lee County sits slightly above the state average with a lawn difficulty score of 38.5. While maintenance is more manageable here than in much of South Carolina, it still requires more effort than the national median of 50.0. The Hardiness Zone 8b environment supports a wide variety of warm-season grass types.

Consistent Heat and Moderate Rain

Annual precipitation in Lee County is 46.6 inches, slightly under the state average of 48.9 inches. The county matches the state average of 63 extreme heat days, which creates significant demand for moisture during the peak of the 5,357 growing degree days. Mowers should stay sharp to handle the consistent growth through the humid summer months.

Sandy Soil Requires Acidity Correction

The soil is dominated by 79.9% sand and only 8.4% clay, leading to very rapid drainage and low nutrient retention. With a pH of 5.27, the soil is much too acidic for optimal lawn health, which usually peaks between 6.0 and 7.0. Frequent, smaller applications of fertilizer and regular liming are necessary to maintain a lush green look.

A Favorable Drought Outlook

Lee County currently has 0% of its area in severe drought, a major advantage over many surrounding regions. While 100% of the county is considered abnormally dry, it has only seen 22 weeks of drought in the past year. This relatively stable water situation allows for more flexibility in your irrigation and maintenance schedule.

Maximizing the Lee County Season

Centipede and Zoysia are ideal for the sandy conditions and Zone 8b climate found here. Ensure your lawn is established after the last spring frost on March 29 and before the first fall frost on November 4. With a little extra attention to soil pH, you can capitalize on the county's relatively low drought stress.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Lee County's county score?
Lee County, South Carolina has a composite county score of 43.9 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Lee County rank among counties in South Carolina?
Lee County ranks #18 among all counties in South Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Lee County, South Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Lee County is $579, with an effective tax rate of 0.57%. This earns Lee County a tax score of 78.2/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Lee County?
The median household income in Lee County, South Carolina is $44,145 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Lee County earns an income score of 6.2/100 on CountyScore.
Is Lee County, South Carolina a good place to live?
Lee County scores 43.9/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #18 in South Carolina. The best way to evaluate Lee County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Lee County with other counties side by side.

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