CountyScore

Williamsburg County

South Carolina · SC

#34 in South Carolina
66.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Williamsburg County, South Carolina

Williamsburg ranks above the national median

Williamsburg County's composite score of 66.5 places it at the 33rd percentile nationally, meaningfully above the U.S. median of 50.0. This suggests solid livability fundamentals, particularly around affordability and tax burden.

Slightly below average for South Carolina

With a composite score of 66.5 against South Carolina's state average of 68.2, Williamsburg ranks just below the statewide middle. Among South Carolina's counties, it represents a lower-tier but still competitive livability option.

Housing affordability leads the profile

Williamsburg boasts a Cost Score of 86.1 with a median home value of just $95,100 and rent at $769/month, making it one of the most accessible housing markets. A Tax Score of 83.6 and effective tax rate of 0.662% further support affordability, though higher than some peers.

Income and health lag behind regional peers

The Income Score of 11.8 reflects a median household income of $43,471, the second-lowest among these counties and a significant economic constraint. The Health Score of 57.7 indicates room for improvement in health outcomes and healthcare access.

Ideal for retirees and low-income families

Williamsburg County suits retirees on fixed Social Security, low-income families seeking affordable housing, and those willing to prioritize cost over income growth. It works best for people comfortable in rural communities with limited economic dynamism but genuine housing affordability.

Score breakdown

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

Tax83.6Cost86.1SafetyComing SoonHealth57.7SchoolsComing SoonIncome11.8Risk17.9WaterComing Soon
🏛83.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠86.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼11.8
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤57.7
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡17.9
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 Williamsburg County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Seminole County
Georgia
66.5
Median income: $49,559
Monroe County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $101,635
White County
Illinois
66.5
Median income: $53,097
Cass County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $61,657
Crawford County
Iowa
66.5
Median income: $65,039

Deep Dives

Williamsburg County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Williamsburg County

via TaxByCounty

Williamsburg has South Carolina's highest rate

Williamsburg's 0.662% effective rate is the highest among the six counties and still sits below the national median of 0.86%, putting it in the bottom 45% nationally. The median property tax of $630 remains just 23% of the national median of $2,690.

Notably above South Carolina average

At 0.662%, Williamsburg's rate exceeds the state average of 0.542% by 22%, ranking it among the higher-taxed counties in South Carolina. The median tax of $630 falls below the state median of $939 due to lower home values.

Highest rate in the rural cluster

Williamsburg's 0.662% outpaces all five peers, including Spartanburg (0.563%), Saluda (0.568%), Sumter (0.539%), and Union (0.558%). This makes Williamsburg the steepest-taxed county in this group despite low property values.

Williamsburg home owners pay $630 median

With a median home value of $95,100, Williamsburg residents pay approximately $630 annually in property taxes—about $53 per month. Including mortgage escrow, the typical bill reaches $884 per year.

Appeal could lower your assessment significantly

Williamsburg residents should carefully review their assessments, especially given the county's higher rate relative to state average. A successful appeal could result in meaningful tax savings on properties across the county.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Williamsburg County

via CostByCounty

Williamsburg rents burden low-income households

Williamsburg County's 21.2% rent-to-income ratio exceeds the national average, with renters paying $769 monthly on a median household income of just $43,471. The county's low wages amplify housing cost burden despite competitive rents.

Williamsburg ranks among SC's affordability challenges

At 21.2%, Williamsburg's rent-to-income ratio surpasses South Carolina's state average of 20.1%, reflecting above-average housing strain. Its median rent of $769 sits below the state average, yet the county's depressed median income of $43,471 creates proportional stress.

Williamsburg competes on price with Union

Williamsburg's $769 median rent nearly ties Union County at $770, making both among the cheapest rental options in the region. However, Williamsburg's median household income of $43,471 exceeds Union's $41,200, offering slightly better affordability odds despite higher rents.

Housing absorbs over one-fifth of income

Williamsburg renters spend $769 monthly while homeowners pay $561, drawing from a median household income of $43,471. Renters here allocate roughly 21% of household income to housing—a significant burden that limits savings and discretionary spending.

Williamsburg offers low costs, tight margins

Relocating to Williamsburg means accessing South Carolina's lowest housing costs—$769 monthly rent and $95,100 median home value—but income levels are also among the state's lowest. Move here only if job prospects justify the median income ceiling, or if you seek rural affordability.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Williamsburg County

via IncomeByCounty

Williamsburg significantly below national mark

Williamsburg County's median household income of $43,471 falls 42% short of the U.S. median of $74,755, the second-lowest among these six counties. The substantial gap reflects deep economic challenges in this rural South Carolina community.

Second-lowest earner in state study

Williamsburg's $43,471 median household income ranks near the bottom of South Carolina counties, trailing the state average of $57,006 by 24%. The county's per capita income of $24,533 represents the lowest among the six counties examined.

Williamsburg among the county's poorest

Williamsburg's $43,471 median income ranks above only Union County ($41,200) among the six counties studied. It significantly trails neighbors like Sumter County ($55,990) to the north and Saluda County ($52,957) to the northwest.

Housing costs strain families

Williamsburg's rent-to-income ratio of 21.2% pushes close to the 30% affordability ceiling, indicating housing cost burdens for many residents. The median home value of $95,100 remains among the lowest in the region.

Williamsburg: Overcoming economic barriers

Williamsburg residents face significant income constraints but can benefit from community-based programs and microfinance options designed for low-income families. Focus on skills training and education that lead to higher-wage employment while accessing free or sliding-scale financial counseling services.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Williamsburg County

via HealthByCounty

Williamsburg struggles with chronic disease

Williamsburg County's life expectancy of 70.4 years falls 2.0 years below the national average of 68.4 years, but its 25.0% poor or fair health rate significantly exceeds the U.S. average of 21%, reflecting high rates of chronic illness. With only 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Williamsburg has among the lowest primary care capacity nationally. The county faces substantial public health challenges.

Second-lowest in South Carolina

Williamsburg's life expectancy of 70.4 years trails South Carolina's 72.5-year average by 2.1 years, ranking it second-worst in the state. Its 25.0% poor or fair health rate is the state's highest, tied with Union County, revealing widespread chronic disease. The 11.0% uninsured rate is just below the state average, suggesting coverage is not the primary barrier to care access.

Acute provider shortage amid regional disparities

Williamsburg's 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents rank it lowest in the region, behind even Saluda (16 per 100K) when adjusted for actual capacity ratios. The county's 70.4-year life expectancy lags all nearby peers, with York County ahead by 5.9 years. Mental health capacity at 137 per 100,000 provides basic coverage but trails most regional counterparts.

Severe primary care access crisis

Williamsburg's 20 primary care providers per 100,000 residents create a critical shortage—the worst in the six-county region—making routine care nearly inaccessible for many families. The 25.0% poor or fair health rate suggests untreated chronic conditions like diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease are pervasive and likely linked to provider shortages. Mental health support at 137 per 100,000 offers moderate capacity, though may be insufficient given underlying health needs.

Connect to care despite barriers

Williamsburg residents face the steepest provider shortage in the region, making community health centers and telehealth options essential tools. Visit HealthCare.gov or call 211 to explore coverage options and locate federally qualified health centers offering discounted or sliding-scale care. Getting covered ensures you can access the limited providers available and seek care in neighboring counties when necessary.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Williamsburg County

via RiskByCounty

Williamsburg faces above-average national disaster risks

Williamsburg County's composite risk score of 82.06 places it in the "Relatively Moderate" category, above the national average. The county's risk profile reflects heightened vulnerability to hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires.

Among the highest-risk counties in South Carolina

At 82.06, Williamsburg's score exceeds the state average of 70.75 by more than 11 points, placing it among the upper tier of South Carolina counties by disaster risk. Only a few counties statewide face comparable overall exposure.

Riskier than most neighboring counties

Williamsburg's 82.06 risk score significantly outpaces nearby communities, reflecting the county's unique vulnerability profile. The county's coastal-adjacent geography and wildfire exposure set it apart from inland upstate peers.

Hurricanes and wildfires dominate Williamsburg hazards

Hurricane risk (95.16) is Williamsburg's top hazard—among the highest in the state—followed by earthquake risk (91.79) and wildfire risk (87.25). These three hazards alone account for the county's significantly elevated risk profile.

Williamsburg residents need comprehensive coverage

Hurricane and wind/hail insurance are essential in Williamsburg, where the county's 95.16 hurricane risk is among South Carolina's highest. Earthquake coverage and wildfire considerations should complement standard homeowners policies for complete protection.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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