Sumter
South Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Sumter County: the school test score is in the bottom 11% of American counties (2.60 where 3.0 is grade level), winter sunshine is in the top 13% of American counties (1.0 on the USDA scale), and natural-hazard risk is in the top 13% of American counties (87 of 100). Within South Carolina it ranks 19th of 46 counties for the school test score, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Sumter County, South Carolina. 105,199 people live here with you. The population held steady at 0.2% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +215).

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 $53,970 a year, lower than 70% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $53,273. Unemployment runs 3.8%, higher than 65% of American counties. 4% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 22 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.4% of that median income in state income tax, about $1,846 a year.

Home

The median home costs $215K, cheaper than 57% of American counties, about 2.2 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $920 a month. Property tax is 0.56% of home value, roughly $822 a year on that median home, lower than 81% of American counties. 66% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 4.2 per 1,000 residents, higher than 66% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 21 people per 100,000 in 2024.

A child born here can expect to live 72.7 years, shorter than 82% of American counties. There are 174 active physicians in the county, about 16.5 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 9.8% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 2.55 where 3.0 is national grade level, lower than 89% of American counties. 89% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Democratic by 5 points. 61% 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 64°F, highs near 76 and lows near 53, warmer than 81% of American counties. About 44 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 87 out of 100, riskier than 87% of American counties; the county has had 28 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 247 Mbps down, faster than 73% 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.