Chesterfield County
SC · Pop. 43,575 · Suburban County
Chesterfield County is a suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 799 square miles with 43,575 residents at a density of 54.5 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $101,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F and average winter lows of 32°F. Annual rainfall averages 47 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mcleod Health Cheraw is 14.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.1% 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.
Pros
- A long 209-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.46% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $101,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
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 poverty rate of 20.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Chesterfield County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 78/100
- Median home price
- $101k
- Property tax
- 0.46%
- Growing season
- 209 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47"
- Broadband
- 98.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Mcleod Health Cheraw, 14.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chesterfield County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chesterfield County?
- Chesterfield County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 209-day growing season, average summer highs of 91°F, and average winter lows of 32°F. The established crops are hay, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $101,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mcleod Health Cheraw is 14.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in South Carolina
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The closest counties to Chesterfield 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.