countyscore

Orangeburg County, South Carolina — County Report Card

SC

#42 in South Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
36
County Score
Water Quality 86Cost of Living 73.2Property Tax 66.5

County Report Card

About Orangeburg County, South Carolina

Facing Significant National Headwinds

Orangeburg County's composite score of 36.4 is well below the national median of 50.0. This ranking indicates deep-seated challenges across income, safety, and school metrics.

Struggling Against State Benchmarks

With a 36.4 score, Orangeburg trails the South Carolina average of 42.8. It faces tougher socioeconomic conditions than the typical county in the state.

Reliable Utilities and Lower Costs

Infrastructure and affordability are bright spots, with a Water Score of 86.0 and a Cost Score of 74.7. Median home values are accessible at $109,700, keeping entry costs low.

Persistent Safety and Income Gaps

The county struggles with a Safety Score of 1.9 and an Income Score of 5.3. These scores highlight the critical need for local job creation and public safety initiatives.

Value for Resilient Budgets

This county is best for residents focused on low-cost property acquisition who are comfortable navigating urban challenges. It offers high utility reliability for its price point.

2040608010066.573.21.923.319.96.312.38639Tax66.5Cost73.2Safety1.9Health23.3Schools19.9Income6.3Risk12.3Water86Weather3936/100
This county
National avg
3 above average6 below average

Orangeburg County DNA

Foverall

How Orangeburg County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Orangeburg County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Water Quality (86/100) but notably weak in Safety (1.9/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
66.5+14.5
Cost
73.2+25.200000000000003
Safety
1.9-53.1
Health
23.3-26.7
Schools
19.9-34.1
Income
6.3-44.7
Risk
12.3-34.7
Water
86+28
Weather
39-17
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$115,800

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$841/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$115,800/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$33,640/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.5x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $45,675/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

34.7

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

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Nearby counties

Bamberg County
South Carolina
38.9
Calhoun County
South Carolina
48.3
Dorchester County
South Carolina
48.4
Clarendon County
South Carolina
42.8
Lexington County
South Carolina
38.5
Sumter County
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35.2
Barnwell County
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39.4
Colleton County
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32.7

Deep Dives

Orangeburg County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 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

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

Safety in Orangeburg County

via CrimeByCounty

Elevated Crime Rates pose Local Challenges

Orangeburg County faces a total crime rate of 5,088.0 per 100K, which is more than double the national average. This leads to a safety score of 92.0, the lowest among this group of counties.

Significant Gap from State Safety Levels

The safety score of 92.0 falls well below the state average of 95.4. With 19 agencies reporting, the data shows a high volume of criminal activity requiring significant law enforcement resources.

Highest Crime Rate in the Comparison

Orangeburg's crime rate of 5,088.0 is nearly 75% higher than the South Carolina average of 2,920.8. It faces significantly more reporting activity than its immediate geographic neighbors.

High Rates of both Violent and Property Crime

Violent crime is exceptionally high at 1,386.7 per 100K, while property crime reaches 3,701.3. Both figures far exceed national averages, indicating a high frequency of reported incidents.

Proactive Security and Community Awareness

Residents should prioritize comprehensive home security and remain aware of their surroundings at all times. Collaboration with the 19 local law enforcement agencies is essential for improving these safety metrics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Orangeburg County

via WeatherByCounty

Consistently Warm and Humid

Orangeburg County averages 65.3°F annually, making it significantly warmer than the national median of 54°F. The climate is characterized by heavy humidity and long, oppressive summers typical of the Deep South. Annual precipitation is 47.1 inches, aligning closely with national averages for the Eastern Seaboard.

One of the State's Hot Spots

With an annual average of 65.3°F, Orangeburg is notably warmer than the South Carolina state average of 62.8°F. The county receives 47.1 inches of rain, which is slightly less than the statewide average of 48.9 inches. It represents the warmer, drier side of the state's coastal plain transition.

Hotter Than Columbia and Sumter

Orangeburg is warmer than its northern neighbor Richland, which averages 63.9°F, and its eastern neighbor Sumter at 63.2°F. It experiences more extreme heat than most surrounding counties in the Midlands. This makes it one of the most thermally intense regions in the central part of the state.

Sizzling Summers and Nonexistent Snow

Summer dominates the calendar with 80 days of temperatures at or above 90°F and a July average of 82.1°F. Snow is nearly unheard of, averaging just 0.1 inches per year. Winter is remarkably mild, with a December-to-February average of 49.5°F.

Invest in Cooling and Hydration

Reliable air conditioning is a necessity, not a luxury, to handle the 80 days of extreme heat. Residents can largely ignore snow prep, but they should plan for high water bills to maintain landscaping during hot, 47.1-inch rain years. Outdoor activities are best scheduled for the mild 47.7°F January mornings.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Orangeburg County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic soil of the inner plain

Orangeburg County soil is acidic with a pH of 5.15, which is lower than the South Carolina average of 5.27. This level is significantly more acidic than the national median of 6.5, making it ideal for acid-loving shrubs.

Highly sandy soil texture

The soil is dominated by 80.1% sand, with only 11.5% silt and 8.4% clay. This extreme sandiness means the soil is exceptionally easy to dig but will require extra organic matter to improve its nutrient-holding capacity.

Meeting the moisture challenge

Available water capacity is low at 0.088 in/in, falling below the state average of 0.115. Organic matter sits at 1.72%, which also trails the state average of 2.05%, contributing to a lower overall soil score of 14.0.

Managing fast-draining ground

While official drainage classes are not provided, the 80.1% sand content indicates very rapid drainage. Heavy rain will likely soak in quickly, but nutrients can also wash away just as fast without proper management.

Growing strong in zone 8b

Hardiness zone 8b allows for a long season of heat-loving crops like watermelons and peppers. Adding mulch and compost will help your garden overcome the low water capacity and produce a bountiful harvest.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Orangeburg County

via LawnByCounty

South Carolina's Most Challenging Lawn Conditions

Orangeburg County holds a lawn difficulty score of 25.2, making it the most difficult area in the group to maintain. This Zone 8b county presents a combination of intense heat and sandy soil that tests the patience of even the most experienced gardeners.

Brutal Heat and High Growing Demand

Homeowners must manage 80 extreme heat days per year and a staggering 6,042 growing degree days. This high thermal energy means grass requires immense amounts of water and nutrients to keep up with the aggressive growing pace.

Managing Extremely Sandy Soil Foundations

The soil in Orangeburg is 80.1% sand, the highest in the region, with an acidic pH of 5.15. This sand-heavy composition means water and fertilizer wash through the root zone rapidly, requiring small, frequent applications to be effective.

Enduring the State's Longest Droughts

Orangeburg suffered through 35 weeks of drought over the past year, far exceeding its neighbors. With 100% of the county currently abnormally dry, prioritize drought-tolerant landscape designs and avoid any heavy pruning or fertilizing during the driest months.

Selecting the Toughest Turf for 8b

Only the most drought-hardy grasses like Bermuda or Bahia can thrive in Orangeburg's intense heat. Because spring arrives early here, you can typically begin planting safely after the last frost on March 15th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Orangeburg County's county score?
Orangeburg County, South Carolina has a composite county score of 36 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 Orangeburg County rank among counties in South Carolina?
Orangeburg County ranks #42 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 Orangeburg County, South Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Orangeburg County is $749, with an effective tax rate of 0.65%. This earns Orangeburg County a tax score of 66.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Orangeburg County?
The median household income in Orangeburg County, South Carolina is $45,675 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Orangeburg County earns an income score of 6.3/100 on CountyScore.
Is Orangeburg County, South Carolina a good place to live?
Orangeburg County scores 36/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #42 in South Carolina. The best way to evaluate Orangeburg 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 Orangeburg County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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