Aiken
South Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Aiken County: home internet speed is in the top 3% of American counties (313 Mbps), the property tax rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (0.44%), and population growth is in the top 10% of American counties (+1.7% a year). Within South Carolina it ranks 3rd of 46 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Aiken County, South Carolina. 169,865 people live here with you. The population grew 1.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,727).

South Carolina has a two-bracket income tax with a top rate of 5.21% for 2026, does not tax Social Security, and exempts up to $10,000 of retirement income per person. Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% instead of 6%, which keeps property taxes among the lowest in the country. Charleston, Greenville and the coastal counties have drawn heavy in-migration; hurricane exposure runs the length of the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $63,212 a year, higher than 58% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $63,331. Unemployment runs 3.2%, lower than 59% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 23 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.7% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,327 a year.

Home

The median home costs $247K, pricier than 55% of American counties, about 2.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $881 a month. Property tax is 0.44% of home value, roughly $805 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 59% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 29 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 74.2 years, shorter than 68% of American counties. There are 280 active physicians in the county, about 16.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 10.4% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.73 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 84% of American counties. 90% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 26 points. 66% of eligible voters turned out. Under South Carolina law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 64°F, highs near 76 and lows near 53, warmer than 81% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 84 out of 100, riskier than 84% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 313 Mbps down, faster than 97% of American counties. There are 8 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 brewery, 3 museums.