Cherokee County
SC · Pop. 56,299 · Mixed County
Cherokee County, South Carolina covers 393 square miles with a population of 56,299 and a density of 143.3 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat, soybeans. The median home price is $135,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.44%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F and average winter lows of 27.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Cherokee Medical Center is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.44% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $135,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Cherokee Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- 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 poverty rate of 18.5% 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
Cherokee County, SC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $135k
- Property tax
- 0.44%
- Growing season
- 183 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.3"
- Broadband
- 94.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Cherokee Medical Center, 3.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cherokee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cherokee County?
- Cherokee County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 183-day growing season, average summer highs of 87.3°F, and average winter lows of 27.9°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $135,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.44%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 94.4% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Cherokee Medical Center is 3.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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 Cherokee 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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