CountyScore

Orangeburg County

South Carolina · SC

#35 in South Carolina
66.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Orangeburg exceeds national livability average

Orangeburg County's composite score of 66.2 outperforms the national median of 50.0 by 32%, marking it as a solid-performing county nationally. Affordability and tax benefits anchor this respectable national ranking.

Slightly below South Carolina state average

Orangeburg's score of 66.2 falls marginally below the state average of 68.2, placing it in the lower-middle tier of South Carolina's counties. However, the county remains competitive and livable on most fronts.

Orangeburg balances cost and taxes well

Orangeburg offers exceptional housing affordability with a cost score of 85.3, median home value of $109,700, and median rent of $804/month. A tax score of 83.7 reflects reasonable effective taxes of 0.660%, making the county budget-friendly overall.

Income levels lag region and state

At $43,214, Orangeburg's median household income sits below peers and well below state norms, with an income score of just 11.6. A risk score of 12.3 suggests limited economic diversification and vulnerability.

Suits cost-conscious households on tight budgets

Orangeburg County works well for retirees, fixed-income families, and those seeking minimal housing costs without relying on high local wages. If your income comes from outside the county or you're on a modest fixed income, Orangeburg's low cost of living maximizes your purchasing power.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.7Cost85.3SafetyComing SoonHealth59.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.6Risk12.3WaterComing Soon
🏛83.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠85.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.6
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤59.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡12.3
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 Orangeburg County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Benton County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $89,879
Phillips County
Arkansas
66.2
Median income: $38,874
Sumter County
Florida
66.2
Median income: $73,297
Carroll County
Georgia
66.2
Median income: $72,327
Plaquemines Parish
Louisiana
66.2
Median income: $82,874

Deep Dives

Orangeburg County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Orangeburg County

via TaxByCounty

Orangeburg taxes well below national average

Orangeburg County's effective rate of 0.660% ranks in the bottom 20% nationally, roughly one-quarter of typical American property tax burden. The median tax of $724 remains significantly below the national median of $2,690.

Above-average within South Carolina

Orangeburg County ranks 14th among South Carolina's 46 counties with an effective rate of 0.660%, above the state average of 0.542%. The median tax bill of $724 is slightly below the state average of $939, reflecting Orangeburg's lower-than-average home values.

Mid-range taxes in regional context

Orangeburg's 0.660% rate falls between Marion's low 0.457% and Richland's higher 0.700%. Compared to Marlboro at 0.638%, Orangeburg's rate is nearly identical, though Orangeburg's higher median home value ($109,700 vs. $74,500) means larger absolute tax bills.

Median home costs $724 yearly

On Orangeburg County's median home value of $109,700, annual property taxes total $724. With mortgage escrow included, homeowners typically pay approximately $996 per year.

Appeal if your value seems high

Orangeburg homeowners should verify their assessments, particularly those with recently renovated or upgraded properties that may be overvalued. Filing a free appeal with the county assessor could reduce your annual tax burden.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Orangeburg County

via CostByCounty

Orangeburg's rent-income strain

Orangeburg County's 22.3% rent-to-income ratio exceeds South Carolina's average of 20.1%, reflecting median income of $43,214 paired with $804/month rent. While rents are moderate, income constraints mean nearly 1 in 4 housing dollars goes to rent.

Orangeburg's affordability challenge

At 22.3% rent-to-income, Orangeburg ranks among South Carolina's less affordable counties, though not as tight as Marion (23.1%) or Marlboro (22.7%). The county's $804 rent is closer to state average, but income lags peers like Pickens and Richland.

Orangeburg between low and mid

Orangeburg's $43,214 income and 22.3% rent-to-income sit between the Pee Dee's struggling lower-income counties ($34k–$36k) and the Upstate's stronger earners ($59k–$61k). Rent of $804/month is notably higher than Marion/Marlboro but lower than Upstate counties.

Rent and ownership splits

Orangeburg renters pay $804/month while homeowners spend $568/month on median homes worth $109,700. On $43,214 income, renters face 22.3% housing burden while homeowners enjoy more favorable terms—ownership offers meaningful relief.

Orangeburg: path to ownership

Orangeburg's moderate rents and affordable home values ($109,700 median) create genuine ownership opportunities for renters earning $43,214. Job seekers should target positions offering income growth toward $55,000+, where affordability stress drops significantly.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Orangeburg County

via IncomeByCounty

Orangeburg income trails nation significantly

Orangeburg County's median household income of $43,214 runs 42% below the national median of $74,755, reflecting persistent rural economic challenges. This $31,500 gap constrains household purchasing power and limits wealth-building pathways for many families.

Orangeburg ranks in lower-third statewide

Orangeburg's $43,214 median income falls $13,792 below South Carolina's state average of $57,006, placing it in the lower third of the state's 46 counties. This positioning signals economic distress relative to state norms, though not the deepest challenge in rural South Carolina.

Orangeburg outearns more isolated counties

Orangeburg's $43,214 exceeds Marion ($34,501) and Marlboro ($36,293) but trails more developed areas, reflecting its semi-rural character between coastal and upstate regions. This middle position within the struggling tier suggests mixed economic opportunity.

Rent consumes substantial income share

Orangeburg's rent-to-income ratio of 22.3% exceeds the recommended 20% threshold, with renters spending over a fifth of median income on housing. A median home value of $109,700 offers affordable ownership relative to income, providing a homeownership pathway for those with savings.

Orangeburg: prioritize debt and savings first

With $43,214 median income, Orangeburg households benefit most from building emergency reserves of 3–6 months expenses and paying down high-interest debt. Once stabilized, even $100 monthly in a savings account demonstrates financial discipline and creditworthiness for future home purchases.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Orangeburg County

via HealthByCounty

Orangeburg below U.S. health benchmarks

Orangeburg County residents live 70.1 years on average, 6 years less than the U.S. median of 76.1 years. Nearly 23% report poor or fair health, exceeding the national 18% average and signaling significant health challenges. Orangeburg's gap from national norms reflects economic pressures and healthcare access barriers affecting a substantial share of residents.

Below-average but stable statewide

Orangeburg's 70.1-year life expectancy trails South Carolina's 72.5-year average by 2.4 years, placing it in the lower half of statewide rankings. The 22.7% poor/fair health rate is notably above state trends, reflecting concentrated health burdens in the county. Orangeburg faces real health challenges but ranks above Marlboro and Marion, suggesting capacity for improvement with targeted investment.

Moderate access amid regional inequality

Orangeburg's 48 primary care providers per 100,000 residents positions it between Marlboro's shortage (11 per 100K) and Newberry's strength (66 per 100K). The county's 233 mental health providers per 100K far exceed Marlboro's count, suggesting mental health infrastructure investment. However, Orangeburg's 70.1-year life expectancy remains below most neighbors, indicating that provider capacity alone hasn't fully offset other barriers.

Strong coverage but persistent health gaps

Orangeburg's 11.1% uninsured rate is actually slightly below the state average, suggesting that coverage is not the primary barrier. Instead, wealth disparities, chronic disease burden, and transportation challenges likely drive the 22.7% poor/fair health rate and 70.1-year life expectancy. Even insured residents may struggle accessing or affording care, reflecting deeper structural inequities.

Coverage + preventive care matter

Orangeburg residents should ensure they have active health insurance and commit to annual preventive visits—coverage is a foundation but engagement drives change. If uninsured, healthcare.gov and Medicaid options are available to close immediate gaps. Building consistent relationships with primary care providers and addressing chronic conditions early can help close the health gap between Orangeburg and healthier South Carolina counties.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Orangeburg County

via RiskByCounty

Orangeburg faces significant national disaster risk

Orangeburg County scores 87.72 on the composite risk scale, placing it in the relatively moderate risk category and well above South Carolina's average of 70.75. This high standing reflects particularly acute exposure to earthquakes and hurricanes, with scores of 95.61 and 95.33 respectively.

Orangeburg ranks 3rd riskiest in SC

Orangeburg County ranks third-highest for overall disaster risk among South Carolina's 46 counties, behind only Richland and Marion counties. The county's exceptionally high earthquake and hurricane scores drive this elevated ranking.

Orangeburg is riskier than most regional peers

Orangeburg's 87.72 composite score significantly exceeds nearby Newberry County (61.99) and most state peers except Richland (93.10) and Marion (80.69). The county's unique combination of high earthquake (95.61) and hurricane (95.33) risks distinguishes it regionally.

Earthquakes and hurricanes are extreme threats

Orangeburg faces exceptional earthquake risk (95.61) and hurricane risk (95.33)—among the highest in the state for both hazards. Wildfire risk (79.93) compounds the threat landscape, creating a particularly challenging disaster profile.

Comprehensive, specialized insurance is vital

Orangeburg residents need robust homeowner's insurance covering earthquake and wind damage—both at extreme risk levels in this county. Additional flood insurance and disaster preparedness plans are essential to protect against the county's multi-hazard exposure.

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.