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Newberry County

SC · Pop. 38,121 · Suburban County

81/100Homestead Score

Newberry County sits in South Carolina across 630 square miles, home to 38,121 people at 60.5 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, wheat, corn. A median home price of $158,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.69% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 218-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F and average winter lows of 32.7°F. Annual rainfall averages 48 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Newberry County Memorial Hospital is 0.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.69%
Growing Season: 218 days
Broadband: 94.6%
Density: 60.5/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 218-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.69% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $158,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Newberry County Memorial Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 0.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • 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

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

Homestead score
81/100
Median home price
$158k
Property tax
0.69%
Growing season
218 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
48"
Broadband
94.6%
Nearest hospital
Newberry County Memorial Hospital, 0.4 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.69%
Median Household Income$59,670
Poverty Rate16%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$158K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season218 days
Annual Rainfall48 inches
Avg Summer High90.3°F
Avg Winter Low32.7°F
Top CropsHay, Wheat, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado9/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalNewberry County Memorial Hospital (0.4 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage94.6%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.4%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Newberry County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Newberry County?
Newberry County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 218-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.3°F, and average winter lows of 32.7°F. The established crops are hay, wheat, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $158,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.69%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 94.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Newberry County Memorial Hospital is 0.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Newberry 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.