Allendale
South Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Allendale County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the median home price is among the cheapest in America ($76K), the home price against local income is in the bottom 2% of American counties (1.2 years of income), and the share working from home is in the bottom 3% of American counties (2%). Within South Carolina it ranks 1st of 46 counties for the median home price, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Allendale County, South Carolina. 8,073 people live here with you, so most faces are familiar. The population shrank 0.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +33).

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 $37,096 a year, lower than 95% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,102. Unemployment runs 5.7%, higher than 95% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 2.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $967 a year.

Home

The median home costs $76K, cheaper than almost every county in America, about 1.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $630 a month. Property tax is 0.87% of home value, roughly $540 a year on that median home, higher than 51% of American counties. 67% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 94% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 24 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 69.5 years, shorter than 97% of American counties. There are 10 active physicians in the county, about 12.4 per 10,000 people. 11.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.10 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 97% of American counties. 79% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 45 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 51% 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 65°F, highs near 77 and lows near 53, warmer than 82% of American counties. About 41 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 65 out of 100, riskier than 65% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 223 Mbps down, faster than 60% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.