Bamberg
South Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Bamberg County: high-school completion is in the bottom 4% of American counties (77%), unemployment is in the top 7% of American counties (5.5%), and the average commute is in the top 9% of American counties (29 minutes). Within South Carolina it ranks 1st of 46 counties for high-school completion, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Bamberg County, South Carolina. 13,311 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +97).

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 $43,920 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $46,983. Unemployment runs 5.5%, higher than 93% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 29 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,322 a year.

Home

The median home costs $139K, cheaper than 88% of American counties, about 1.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $775 a month. Property tax is 0.82% of home value, roughly $795 a year on that median home, lower than 54% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 69% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 23 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 71.8 years, shorter than 89% of American counties. There are 5 active physicians in the county, about 3.8 per 10,000 people. 14.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.74 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 79% of American counties. 77% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 16 points. 58% 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 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 62 out of 100, riskier than 63% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 244 Mbps down, faster than 71% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.