Darlington County
SC · Pop. 62,754 · Mixed County
Darlington County is a mixed rural-suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 561 square miles with 62,754 residents at a density of 111.9 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated strong, built on cotton, soybeans, corn. The median home price is $141,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.43%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F and average winter lows of 32.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.8% 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 217-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.43% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $141,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 8.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
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 20.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Darlington County, SC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $141k
- Property tax
- 0.43%
- Growing season
- 217 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.2"
- Broadband
- 92.8%
- Nearest hospital
- Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, 8.2 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Darlington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Darlington County?
- Darlington County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 217-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.5°F, and average winter lows of 32.9°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $141,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.43%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is 8.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore South Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in South Carolina
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The closest counties to Darlington 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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