Clarendon
South Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Clarendon County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the typical two-bedroom rent is in the bottom 8% of American counties ($595 a month), high-school completion is in the bottom 10% of American counties (81%), and the school test score is in the bottom 11% of American counties (2.59 where 3.0 is grade level). Within South Carolina it ranks 1st of 46 counties for the typical two-bedroom rent, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Clarendon County, South Carolina. 31,163 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +307).

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 $48,677 a year, lower than 81% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $41,194. Unemployment runs 4.1%, higher than 72% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 3.2% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,570 a year.

Home

The median home costs $191K, cheaper than 67% of American counties, about 2.0 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $595 a month. Property tax is 0.61% of home value, roughly $817 a year on that median home, lower than 76% of American counties. 74% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.4 per 1,000 residents, higher than 79% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 15 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.2 years, shorter than 86% of American counties. There are 22 active physicians in the county, about 7.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 12.7% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.62 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 89% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 12 points. 62% 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 76 and lows near 53, warmer than 82% of American counties. About 45 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 85 out of 100, riskier than 85% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 167 Mbps down, slower than 64% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.