Pickens
South Carolina

What stands out

If you had to describe Pickens County in numbers, start here: the property tax rate is in the bottom 5% of American counties (0.40%), population growth is in the top 12% of American counties (+1.5% a year), and the overdose death rate is in the top 15% of American counties (30 per 100,000). Within South Carolina it ranks 2nd of 46 counties for the property tax rate, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Pickens County, South Carolina. 131,106 people live here with you. The population grew 1.5% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +2,176).

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 $57,628 a year, lower than 59% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,824. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 8% of workers work from home.

South Carolina takes 3.5% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,036 a year.

Home

The median home costs $309K, pricier than 71% of American counties, about 2.6 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $868 a month. Property tax is 0.40% of home value, roughly $784 a year on that median home, lower than 95% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 54% 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 74.9 years, shorter than 61% of American counties. There are 203 active physicians in the county, about 15.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 12.0% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.02 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 56% of American counties. 87% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 53 points, among the most lopsided counties in the country. 58% 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 50, warmer than 71% of American counties. About 47 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 59 out of 100, riskier than 59% of American counties; the county has had 26 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 264 Mbps down, faster than 80% of American counties. There are 2 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.8 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people.