RANK #955 / 996 · POP 67,456 · SC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -3.0%
Laurens County, South Carolina, distinguishes itself with a blend of small-town character and access to larger urban centers. Locals often point to the historic downtown of Laurens, the county seat, with its courthouse square dating back to the mid-1700s, as a central feature. Situated in the Piedmont region, the county is less than 40 miles from Greenville and under an hour and a half from Columbia, offering commutes to these cities via I-385 and I-26. The area features gently rolling hills and forests, with outdoor recreation opportunities around Lake Rabon and the larger Lake Greenwood, which borders the county.
Life in Laurens County offers a quieter pace, attracting families and those seeking affordability. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While public transportation options are limited, ride-sharing services like Uber are available. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in manufacturing and industrial development. This includes companies expanding existing operations and new businesses establishing a presence, particularly in sectors tied to the automotive industry. The county's economic development efforts focus on creating career pathways and strengthening the tax base.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 4.0x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Duke Energy Solar Farm (Project Tango)
Duke Energy
|
$60M | Planned |
|
Beaverdam Renewable Energy Center
Undisclosed
|
$41M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Laurens County has a Boom Town Index score of 4/100, ranking #955 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.5% and a median household income of $52,077, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Laurens County is $138,600 with median rent at $826/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3757, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.5%. Home values changed -7.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.13% of Laurens County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.