Marion County
SC · Pop. 28,900 · Suburban County
Marion County is a suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 489 square miles with 28,900 residents at a density of 59.1 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on soybeans, corn, cotton. A median home price of $87,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.46% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 224-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F and average winter lows of 34.3°F. Annual rainfall averages 49.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. MUSC Health Marion Medical Center is 7.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 224-day growing season in USDA zone 8b 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 $87,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- MUSC Health Marion Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 7.3 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.
- A poverty rate of 27.3% 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
Marion County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 90/100
- Median home price
- $87k
- Property tax
- 0.46%
- Growing season
- 224 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 49.2"
- Broadband
- 95.3%
- Nearest hospital
- MUSC Health Marion Medical Center, 7.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marion County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marion County?
- Marion County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 224-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.6°F, and average winter lows of 34.3°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $87,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.46%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 95.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- MUSC Health Marion Medical Center is 7.3 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 Marion 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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