Skip to content

Kershaw County

SC · Pop. 66,924 · Suburban County

77/100Homestead Score

Kershaw County is a suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 727 square miles with 66,924 residents at a density of 92.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat, soybeans. The median home price is $192,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.49%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 88°F and average winter lows of 31.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.3 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.49%
Growing Season: 215 days
Broadband: 93.6%
Density: 92.1/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.49% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $192,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 5.9 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.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Kershaw County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
77/100
Median home price
$192k
Property tax
0.49%
Growing season
215 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
38.3"
Broadband
93.6%
Nearest hospital
MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center, 5.9 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.49%
Median Household Income$64,343
Poverty Rate14.1%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$192K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season215 days
Annual Rainfall38.3 inches
Avg Summer High88°F
Avg Winter Low31.1°F
Top CropsHay, Wheat, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought3/10
Wildfire7/10
Tornado8/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center (5.9 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage93.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Kershaw County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Kershaw County?
Kershaw County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 88°F, and average winter lows of 31.1°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $192,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.49%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 93.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
MUSC Health Kershaw Medical Center is 5.9 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

Explore South Carolina Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Kershaw 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.