Hampton
South Carolina

What stands out

Against every county in America, Hampton County is unusual in three ways: home internet speed is among the fastest in America (331 Mbps), the average commute is in the top 2% of American counties (35 minutes), and the share working from home is in the bottom 4% of American counties (2%). Within South Carolina it ranks 1st of 46 counties for home internet speed.

Where you are

You live in Hampton County, South Carolina. 18,890 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.1% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +49).

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 $40,157 a year, lower than 94% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $50,768. Unemployment runs 2.9%, lower than 69% of American counties. 2% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 35 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 2.8% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,126 a year.

Home

The median home costs $165K, cheaper than 78% of American counties, about 1.8 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $719 a month. Property tax is 0.78% of home value, roughly $729 a year on that median home, lower than 57% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.6 per 1,000 residents, higher than 85% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 18 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 70.3 years, shorter than 95% of American counties. There are 9 active physicians in the county, about 4.8 per 10,000 people. 14.3% 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 73% of American counties. 81% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 7 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 65°F, highs near 77 and lows near 54, warmer than 83% of American counties. About 42 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 77 out of 100, riskier than 77% of American counties; the county has had 25 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 331 Mbps down, faster than almost every county in America. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.