Darlington
South Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Darlington County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (0.42%), life expectancy is in the bottom 7% of American counties (71.0 years), and the overdose death rate is in the top 9% of American counties (35 per 100,000). Within South Carolina it ranks 6th of 46 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Darlington County, South Carolina. 63,025 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.0% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +189).

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 $44,317 a year, lower than 89% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,913. Unemployment runs 3.5%, higher than 56% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.0% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,343 a year.

Home

The median home costs $172K, cheaper than 75% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $803 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $564 a year on that median home, lower than 93% of American counties. 69% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.3 per 1,000 residents, higher than 74% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 35 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 62 active physicians in the county, about 9.8 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 2.0 of 5 stars. 11.0% 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 86% of American counties. 86% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 14 points. 63% 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 75 and lows near 52, warmer than 79% of American counties. About 41 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 78 out of 100, riskier than 78% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 272 Mbps down, faster than 85% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.