Lancaster
South Carolina

What stands out

If you had to describe Lancaster County in numbers, start here: population growth is in the top 2% of American counties (+3.3% a year), the share working from home is in the top 12% of American counties (13%), and homeownership is in the top 12% of American counties (82%). Within South Carolina it ranks 4th of 46 counties for population growth.

Where you are

You live in Lancaster County, South Carolina. 97,611 people live here with you. The population grew 3.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +3,280).

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 $72,186 a year, higher than 78% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $64,550. Unemployment runs 3.6%, higher than 57% of American counties. 13% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 27 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.9% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,795 a year.

Home

The median home costs $389K, pricier than 84% of American counties, about 3.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $768 a month. Property tax is 0.51% of home value, roughly $1,397 a year on that median home, lower than 86% of American counties. 82% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 71% 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 75.4 years, shorter than 55% of American counties. There are 127 active physicians in the county, about 13.0 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 10.2% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.85 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 59% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 25 points. 69% 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 62°F, highs near 73 and lows near 50, warmer than 73% of American counties. About 37 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 73 out of 100, riskier than 73% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 261 Mbps down, faster than 79% of American counties. There are 3 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.5 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.