CountyScore

Newberry County

South Carolina · SC

#17 in South Carolina
69.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Newberry County, South Carolina

Newberry outperforms national livability baseline

Newberry County's composite score of 69.1 sits well above the national median of 50.0, positioning it in the upper-middle tier nationally. Strong income and health metrics drive this competitive national standing.

Above average within South Carolina

Newberry's score of 69.1 exceeds the state average of 68.2, ranking it in the upper half of South Carolina's counties. The county holds its own in statewide competition on balance and quality of life.

Newberry balances income and health well

Newberry's median household income of $59,670 and income score of 22.3 rank among the highest in this group, while a health score of 63.2 reflects solid health outcomes. This balance between earning power and wellness distinguishes Newberry from lower-income peer counties.

Rising costs slightly reduce affordability

Newberry's median rent of $854/month and median home value of $158,200 make it less affordable than the deepest-discount counties, with a cost score of 82.7 reflecting moderate housing expense. The risk score of 38.0 also suggests moderate economic variability.

Fits families seeking income and health balance

Newberry County suits working families with moderate-to-solid incomes who prioritize health and wellness alongside affordability. If you earn a decent salary and want a stable, health-conscious community without extreme cost premiums, Newberry offers balanced livability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax82.9Cost82.7SafetyComing SoonHealth63.2SchoolsComing SoonIncome22.3Risk38WaterComing Soon
🏛82.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠82.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼22.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤63.2
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡38
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 Newberry County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Crawford County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $60,362
Johnson County
Arkansas
69.1
Median income: $44,808
Routt County
Colorado
69.1
Median income: $104,803
Taylor County
Georgia
69.1
Median income: $41,743
Twin Falls County
Idaho
69.1
Median income: $65,338

Deep Dives

Newberry County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Newberry County

via TaxByCounty

Newberry's taxes remain below national norm

Newberry County's effective rate of 0.689% still ranks below the national median, placing it in the bottom 25% of American counties. The median property tax of $1,090 is less than 40% of the national median of $2,690.

Above-average rate within South Carolina

Newberry County ranks 12th among South Carolina's 46 counties with an effective rate of 0.689%, notably above the state average of 0.542%. At $1,090 in median taxes, Newberry homeowners pay about $151 more than the state average of $939.

Highest rate in the regional eight

Newberry's 0.689% effective rate is the highest among the eight analyzed counties, exceeding Marion (0.457%), Pickens (0.380%), and Oconee (0.394%) by substantial margins. Only Richland County approaches Newberry's tax intensity in this region.

Median home costs $1,090 yearly

On Newberry County's median home value of $158,200, annual property taxes total $1,090. With mortgage escrow included, homeowners typically pay approximately $1,245 per year.

Verify your assessment aggressively

Newberry's above-average tax rate makes assessment accuracy especially important—errors cost more here than in lower-tax counties. Contact the county assessor to request a reassessment if your home's value has declined or seems inflated compared to recent sales nearby.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Newberry County

via CostByCounty

Newberry keeps housing affordable

Newberry County's 17.2% rent-to-income ratio beats South Carolina's average of 20.1% and sits comfortably below the national benchmark, thanks to median income of $59,670 and rent of $854/month. Households here spend less than 1 in 6 income dollars on rent—a healthier housing burden.

Newberry ranks solidly affordable

At 17.2% rent-to-income, Newberry places in the middle-to-upper tier of South Carolina affordability, matching incomes and modest rents for real stability. The county's $158,200 median home value aligns with household earning power.

Newberry: Pee Dee's sweet spot

Newberry splits the difference between lower-income Marion/Marlboro ($34k–$36k) and Oconee/Pickens/Richland ($59k–$61k), with median income of $59,670 and rent of $854/month. At 17.2% rent-to-income, Newberry offers affordability closer to its better-resourced neighbors.

Rents and mortgages in balance

Newberry renters pay $854/month while homeowners spend $676/month on a median home worth $158,200. On $59,670 income, housing eats 17.2% for renters and proportionally less for owners, leaving room for savings and other needs.

Newberry: balanced affordability

Newberry offers genuine housing affordability without sacrificing income potential—median earnings are competitive statewide, and rents remain reasonable. The county's central location and balanced metrics make it ideal for workers seeking stability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Newberry County

via IncomeByCounty

Newberry income 20% below U.S. average

Newberry County's median household income of $59,670 lags the national median of $74,755 by 20%, a smaller gap than many rural South Carolina counties. Still, Newberry families earn roughly $15,000 less annually than typical U.S. households, affecting long-term savings and asset accumulation.

Newberry tops half of South Carolina counties

Newberry's $59,670 median income exceeds South Carolina's state average of $57,006, placing it in the upper half of the state's 46 counties. This above-average position signals stronger economic fundamentals than many rural peers.

Newberry competes with upstate economic peers

Newberry's $59,670 sits between Pickens County ($59,411) and Oconee County ($60,193), clustering with the upstate region's middle-tier earners. All three counties reflect the industrial and service economy character of inland South Carolina.

Housing affordable and manageable for most

Newberry's rent-to-income ratio of 17.2% falls comfortably below the 20% affordability benchmark, providing housing stability for renters. A median home value of $158,200 aligns reasonably with the median income, supporting accessible homeownership for qualified borrowers.

Newberry workers: maximize retirement savings

With $59,670 median income and manageable housing costs, Newberry households can allocate $300–$400 monthly to tax-advantaged retirement accounts. Employer matches and compound returns mean these contributions could grow to $150,000+ over three decades, creating meaningful wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Newberry County

via HealthByCounty

Newberry meets South Carolina's average

Newberry County residents live 72.5 years on average, meeting the state average exactly but falling 3.6 years short of the U.S. median of 76.1 years. One in five residents (19.5%) reports poor or fair health, slightly above the national 18% average. Newberry's health profile aligns with South Carolina's broader trend, reflecting mixed access and outcome challenges across the state.

Right at South Carolina's health median

Newberry's 72.5-year life expectancy exactly matches the state average, placing it in the middle of South Carolina's health rankings. The county's 19.5% poor/fair health rate is just slightly above state norms, suggesting typical—not exceptional—health conditions for the state. This middle-ground position means Newberry reflects statewide inequities without the acute crises of its lowest-ranked neighbors.

Better primary care than state average

Newberry's 66 primary care providers per 100,000 residents significantly outpaces Marion County (38 per 100K) and Marlboro County (11 per 100K), though trails Richland County's 83 per 100K. With 75 mental health providers per 100K and 72.5-year life expectancy matching the state, Newberry demonstrates that adequate provider supply supports stable health outcomes. The county's balanced provider network contributes to middling—but not alarming—health metrics.

One in eight residents lacks coverage

Newberry's 12.1% uninsured rate runs 0.5 percentage points above the state average, affecting roughly 1,700 county residents without insurance. Combined with moderate primary care access (66 per 100K), uninsured residents may face delays scheduling routine appointments or skip preventive care entirely. The uninsured rate aligns with broader South Carolina trends, reflecting persistent coverage gaps.

Close your coverage gap today

Newberry residents above the uninsured rate should check healthcare.gov and South Carolina Medicaid options immediately—coverage removes barriers to Newberry's available primary care providers. Community health centers offer sliding-scale visits for low-income residents, often without requiring prior insurance. Taking action on coverage will help you access the preventive care that keeps Newberry's health stable.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Newberry County

via RiskByCounty

Newberry faces moderate disaster risk nationally

Newberry County scores 61.99 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively low category but below South Carolina's average of 70.75. This below-average standing reflects somewhat lower exposure than many state peers, though tornado and earthquake risks remain notable.

Newberry ranks in SC's safer counties

Newberry County ranks in the lower-risk half of South Carolina's 46 counties, placing it among the safer communities statewide. Only McCormick and Marlboro counties have lower composite risk scores.

Newberry is safer than Oconee but riskier than McCormick

Newberry's 61.99 composite score places it between the very safe McCormick County (9.54) and the elevated-risk Oconee County (85.62). This positioning reflects Newberry's middle-ground exposure to tornado and earthquake hazards.

Tornadoes and earthquakes are primary hazards

Newberry's tornado risk of 80.88 represents the county's most significant hazard, followed closely by earthquake risk at 82.35. Flood risk (62.88) also exceeds the state average, creating a multifaceted disaster profile.

Prioritize tornado and flood protection

Newberry residents should ensure homeowner's insurance covers wind damage from tornadoes, given the county's 80.88 tornado risk. Adding flood insurance is equally prudent, as the 62.88 flood risk score indicates vulnerability to water damage.

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.