Beaufort
South Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Beaufort County: natural-hazard risk is in the top 2% of American counties (98 of 100), life expectancy is in the top 4% of American counties (81.3 years), and the median home price is in the top 5% of American counties ($558K). Within South Carolina it ranks 3rd of 46 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Beaufort County, South Carolina. 189,071 people live here with you. The population grew 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,420).

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 $81,260 a year, higher than 88% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $54,768. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 60% of American counties. 11% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 4.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,268 a year.

Home

The median home costs $558K, pricier than 95% of American counties, about 4.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,404 a month. Property tax is 0.51% of home value, roughly $1,928 a year on that median home, lower than 87% of American counties. 76% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.3 per 1,000 residents, lower than 80% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 10 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 81.3 years, longer than 96% of American counties. There are 521 active physicians in the county, about 27.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 11.3% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.90 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 55% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 15 points. 67% 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 67°F, highs near 76 and lows near 58, warmer than 88% of American counties. About 40 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 98 out of 100, riskier than 98% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 226 Mbps down, faster than 62% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 2 breweries, 7 museums, 1 National Park Service site.