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Spartanburg County

SC · Pop. 338,096 · Mixed County

53/100Homestead Score

Spartanburg County sits in South Carolina across 808 square miles, home to 338,096 people at 418.4 per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, soybeans. A median home price of $216,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.56% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 30.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 48.4 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Spartanburg Medical Center is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.56%
Growing Season: 195 days
Broadband: 96.3%
Density: 418.4/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 195-day growing season in USDA zone 8a supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.56% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Spartanburg Medical Center, with an emergency room, is just 3.8 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.
  • Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
  • At 418.4 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.

At a glance

Spartanburg County, SC is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.

Homestead score
53/100
Median home price
$216k
Property tax
0.56%
Growing season
195 days (zone 8a)
Annual rainfall
48.4"
Broadband
96.3%
Nearest hospital
Spartanburg Medical Center, 3.8 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.56%
Median Household Income$64,195
Poverty Rate14.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$216K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8a
Growing Season195 days
Annual Rainfall48.4 inches
Avg Summer High89.8°F
Avg Winter Low30.9°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Soybeans

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought7/10
Wildfire6/10
Tornado9/10
Flood10/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalSpartanburg Medical Center (3.8 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities6

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage96.3%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate4.6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Spartanburg County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Spartanburg County?
Spartanburg County is in USDA hardiness zone 8a with a 195-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 30.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, soybeans.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $216,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.56%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 96.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Spartanburg Medical Center is 3.8 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 6 hospitals in the county.

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Nearby counties

The closest counties to Spartanburg 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.