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Beaufort County

SC · Pop. 192,123 · Mixed County

52/100Homestead Score

Beaufort County is a mixed rural-suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 576 square miles with 192,123 residents at a density of 333.5 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on corn, hay, sweet corn. A median home price of $408,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.5% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 282-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F and average winter lows of 41°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.8 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Beaufort Memorial Hospital is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.5%
Growing Season: 282 days
Broadband: 96.9%
Density: 333.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 282-day growing season in USDA zone 9a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Beaufort Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 4.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
  • A low poverty rate of 10.5% signals a relatively stable local economy.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • A median home price of $408,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Beaufort County, SC is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
52/100
Median home price
$408k
Property tax
0.5%
Growing season
282 days (zone 9a)
Annual rainfall
47.8"
Broadband
96.9%
Nearest hospital
Beaufort Memorial Hospital, 4.1 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.5%
Median Household Income$84,819
Poverty Rate10.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$408K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone9a
Growing Season282 days
Annual Rainfall47.8 inches
Avg Summer High90.5°F
Avg Winter Low41°F
Top CropsCorn, Hay, Sweet corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire10/10
Tornado9/10
Flood9/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalBeaufort Memorial Hospital (4.1 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities4

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.9%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.2%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Beaufort County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Beaufort County?
Beaufort County is in USDA hardiness zone 9a with a 282-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F, and average winter lows of 41°F. The established crops are corn, hay, sweet corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $408,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.9% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Beaufort Memorial Hospital is 4.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 4 hospitals in the county.

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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.