Laurens
South Carolina

What stands out

Three things set Laurens County apart from the other 3,142 counties: the property tax rate is in the bottom 7% of American counties (0.44%), the restaurant count per person is in the bottom 8% of American counties (0.4 per 1,000), and the school test score is in the bottom 11% of American counties (2.61 where 3.0 is grade level). Within South Carolina it ranks 7th of 46 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Laurens County, South Carolina. 67,456 people live here with you. The population grew 1.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,143).

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 $52,077 a year, lower than 74% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $51,561. Unemployment runs 3.4%, lower than 52% of American counties. 6% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 3.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,747 a year.

Home

The median home costs $224K, cheaper than 54% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $802 a month. Property tax is 0.44% of home value, roughly $609 a year on that median home, lower than 93% of American counties. 71% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.5 per 1,000 residents, higher than 82% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 28 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 71.9 years, shorter than 88% of American counties. There are 68 active physicians in the county, about 10.1 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 12.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.58 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 89% of American counties. 83% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 41 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 60% 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 74 and lows near 51, warmer than 75% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 64 out of 100, riskier than 64% of American counties; the county has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 225 Mbps down, faster than 61% of American counties. There are 4 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.4 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.