RANK #611 / 996 · POP 105,199 · SC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.3%
Sumter County, South Carolina, is perhaps best known as home to Shaw Air Force Base, a major military installation that significantly influences the local community. Located in the Midlands region, Sumter County is near the geographic center of the state, offering access to both the coast and mountains within a few hours' drive. The county seat, Sumter, is approximately 40 miles east of Columbia, the state capital, with an average commute time of under 20 minutes for local residents. The area features natural attractions like Swan Lake Iris Gardens, noted for its Japanese irises and all eight known swan species, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Manchester State Forest and Poinsett State Park, which offer trails for hiking, biking, and ATV riding.
Life in Sumter County is characterized by a family-oriented atmosphere and a lower cost of living compared to the national average. The presence of Shaw Air Force Base draws a diverse population, including military families who often return to the area after assignments due to the quality of life. The local economy, historically agricultural, has diversified to include manufacturing and service industries. Recent economic developments show continued investment in manufacturing, with companies establishing and expanding facilities for producing goods such as plastic containers and energy storage systems. The Sumter School District serves over 14,000 students across 25 schools.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.2x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Penny for Progress Continuation (Various Infrastructure Projects)
Sumter County Government
|
$76M | Under Construction |
|
Georg Utz, Inc. Manufacturing Facility
Georg Utz, Inc.
|
$40M | Planned |
|
2024 Capital Projects Sales Tax Referendum (Proposed Infrastructure)
Sumter County Government
|
$38M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sumter County has a Boom Town Index score of 39/100, ranking #611 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -1.1% and a median household income of $53,970, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Sumter County is $146,300 with median rent at $995/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3689, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.3% year-over-year. Job growth: -1.1%. Home values changed +0.0% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.64% of Sumter County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.