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Kershaw County, SC

RANK #616 / 996  ·  POP 65,779  ·  SC

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%

Kershaw County shows below-average economic momentum. Growth signals are flat or softening.

[01] Why Kershaw County?

Kershaw County, South Carolina, is distinguished by Camden, its county seat and the state's oldest inland city, rich with Revolutionary War history and antebellum architecture. Located in the central part of South Carolina, about 30 miles north of Columbia, the county offers a blend of rural tranquility and access to urban amenities. Commuting to Columbia is common, with an average travel time of 30 minutes. The area is characterized by its Sandhills terrain and pine forests, with outdoor recreation opportunities around Lake Wateree and Goodale State Park, offering boating, fishing, hiking, and equestrian activities.

Life in Kershaw County appeals to families and individuals seeking a community-oriented environment with access to nature. The public school system is rated above average. The local economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in manufacturing, advanced materials, and logistics. Efforts are underway to create more local job opportunities, as many residents currently commute outside the county for work. The county is also focusing on infrastructure improvements and managed residential growth to maintain its community character.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.3x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+10.1%

Well above national median

Home Prices
+1.8%

Above national median

Climate & Terrain
0.3

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
9x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Kershaw County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
65,779
+1.22% YoY
Median Household Income
$61,343
Median Home Value
$173,800
+1.84% 12mo
Median Rent
$844
Average Annual Pay
$49,084
+6.7% YoY
Employment
18,335
-0.4% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.353
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
4.28%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Building Permits (2024)
474
Single-Family Permits
368

[05] Capital Investment

$1,007M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Terra Nexus Ventures Data Center
Terra Nexus Ventures
$500M Planned
Solar Farm Projects (Creed and 1802)
Undisclosed
$282M Proposed
Economic Development Projects (New Companies and Expansions)
Various
$175M Planned
Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Kershaw County
$50M Under Construction

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +10.1% 98 percentile
Population Growth +1.2% 77 percentile
Income Growth +8.7% 54 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.4% 98 percentile
Home Price Change +1.8% 57 percentile
Rent Growth +1.3% 23 percentile
Price/Rent 9x 97 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Kershaw County, SC a good place to move to?

Kershaw County has a Boom Town Index score of 38/100, ranking #616 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.4% and a median household income of $61,343, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Kershaw County affordable?

The median home value in Kershaw County is $173,800 with median rent at $844/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.353, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Kershaw County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.2% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.4%. Home values changed +1.8% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Kershaw County?

Yes — 4.28% of Kershaw County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

McMinn County, TN 48 Montgomery County, VA 48 Bullitt County, KY 48 Cumberland County, NC 48 Licking County, OH 48 Walker County, GA 48 Monroe County, IN 48 Darlington County, SC 48