Barnwell County
SC · Pop. 20,565 · Suburban County
Barnwell County sits in South Carolina across 548 square miles, home to 20,565 people at 37.5 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on cotton, hay, corn. The median home price is $97,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.74%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 227-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F and average winter lows of 35.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Allendale County Hospital is 23.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 227-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.74% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $97,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- The nearest hospital, Allendale County Hospital, is 23.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 28.5% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
At a glance
Barnwell County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 71/100
- Median home price
- $97k
- Property tax
- 0.74%
- Growing season
- 227 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.3"
- Broadband
- 94.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Allendale County Hospital, 23.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Barnwell County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Barnwell County?
- Barnwell County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 227-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.4°F, and average winter lows of 35.9°F. The established crops are cotton, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $97,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.74%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Allendale County Hospital is 23.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore South Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in South Carolina
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The closest counties to Barnwell County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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