Cherokee
South Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Cherokee County apart from the other 3,142 counties: life expectancy is in the bottom 7% of American counties (71.0 years), home internet speed is in the top 7% of American counties (292 Mbps), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 8% of American counties (0.45%). Within South Carolina it ranks 14th of 46 counties for life expectancy, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Cherokee County, South Carolina. 56,200 people live here with you. The population grew 1.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +728).

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 $47,011 a year, lower than 85% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,261. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 72% of American counties. 5% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 3.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,483 a year.

Home

The median home costs $187K, cheaper than 69% of American counties, about 1.9 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $776 a month. Property tax is 0.45% of home value, roughly $564 a year on that median home, lower than 92% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 75% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 30 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.0 years, shorter than 93% of American counties. There are 29 active physicians in the county, about 5.2 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 12.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.59 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 90% of American counties. 85% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 59% 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 61°F, highs near 73 and lows near 49, warmer than 70% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 66 out of 100, riskier than 66% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 292 Mbps down, faster than 93% of American counties. There is 1 airport in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 1 National Park Service site.