Barnwell
South Carolina

What stands out

Against every county in America, Barnwell County is unusual in three ways: the share working from home is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2%), life expectancy is in the bottom 6% of American counties (70.8 years), and the median household income is in the bottom 9% of American counties ($42,470). Within South Carolina it ranks 6th of 46 counties for the share working from home, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Barnwell County, South Carolina. 20,653 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved out than in (net -2).

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 $42,470 a year, lower than 91% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $43,379. Unemployment runs 4.7%, higher than 84% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 29 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 2.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,247 a year.

Home

The median home costs $175K, cheaper than 74% of American counties, about 1.5 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $782 a month. Property tax is 0.71% of home value, roughly $692 a year on that median home, lower than 64% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 87% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 70.8 years, shorter than 94% of American counties. There are 8 active physicians in the county, about 3.9 per 10,000 people. 12.6% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.71 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 81% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 16 points. 65% 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 43 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 59 out of 100, riskier than 59% of American counties; the county has had 27 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 225 Mbps down, faster than 61% 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.