Marlboro County
SC · Pop. 26,285 · Suburban County
Marlboro County, South Carolina covers 480 square miles with a population of 26,285 and a density of 54.8 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, soybeans, wheat. A median home price of $75,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.64% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 34.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 39.1 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mcleod Health Cheraw is 15.1 miles away, though without an in-county emergency room. Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 220-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.64% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $75,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 99.7% 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.
- The nearest hospital, Mcleod Health Cheraw, is 15.1 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
- A poverty rate of 26.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
At a glance
Marlboro County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 73/100
- Median home price
- $75k
- Property tax
- 0.64%
- Growing season
- 220 days (zone 8a)
- Annual rainfall
- 39.1"
- Broadband
- 99.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Mcleod Health Cheraw, 15.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Marlboro County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Marlboro County?
- Marlboro County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 220-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 34.2°F. The established crops are cotton, soybeans, wheat.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $75,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.64%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 99.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mcleod Health Cheraw is 15.1 miles away, without an in-county emergency room.
Explore South Carolina Resources
Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you
LandWatch
Browse rural land, farms, and ranches for sale across every state.
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
All South Carolina countiesNearby counties
The closest counties to Marlboro 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.
Your brand here — Reach our audience of professional directory owners and boost your sales.