Oconee
South Carolina

What stands out

If you had to describe Oconee County in numbers, start here: the property tax rate is in the bottom 6% of American counties (0.42%). Within South Carolina it ranks 4th of 46 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Oconee County, South Carolina. 78,775 people live here with you. The population grew 1.3% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,437).

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 $56,710 a year, lower than 62% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $57,970. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 7% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 24 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,989 a year.

Home

The median home costs $293K, pricier than 68% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $822 a month. Property tax is 0.42% of home value, roughly $804 a year on that median home, lower than 94% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.0 per 1,000 residents, higher than 57% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 20 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 75.6 years, shorter than 53% of American counties. There are 162 active physicians in the county, about 20.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 14.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.82 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 73% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 52 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 66% 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 61°F, highs near 72 and lows near 49, warmer than 70% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 66 out of 100, riskier than 66% of American counties; the county has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 250 Mbps down, faster than 74% 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, 1 brewery.