Published county profile · Official data · FIPS 45013

Beaufort County, South Carolina

County-level income, housing, jobs, education, health, and population with transparent statewide comparisons and source periods.

Population195,289
Household income$86,573
Unemployment3.8%
Life expectancy80.6 years

County overview

Living metrics at a glance

Beaufort County has 195,289 residents and ranks #10 by population among South Carolina county equivalents. Median household income is $86,573. The annual-average unemployment rate is 3.8%. Its clearest relative strength is life expectancy. Its county population is above the state county median. Every figure below stays at county scope.

Within South Carolina

County population range

The marker places this county between the smallest and largest county populations in the state.

State rank#10 of 46
Smallest county195,289 residentsGreenville County

Relocation guide

Moving to Beaufort County: what to check

Data narrows the search; municipality, neighborhood, commute, schools, and current listings complete the decision.

Before moving

Before moving, compare municipalities inside Beaufort County, because county averages do not describe every neighborhood. Review current housing inventory, commute destinations, school districts, healthcare access, and job locations. Its clearest relative strength is life expectancy.

Cost and housing

Housing benchmarks are $455,600 median home value and $1,653/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $86,573, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

Who it may suit

Beaufort County may be worth a closer look for movers prioritizing life expectancy, bachelor’s degree or higher, and median household income. College attainment is 46% and life expectancy is 80.6 years.

Potential advantages

  • Life expectancy: 80.6 years, rank #1 of 46 available South Carolina counties.
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 46%, rank #2 of 46 available South Carolina counties.
  • Median household income: $86,573, rank #3 of 46 available South Carolina counties.

Trade-offs to check

  • Median home value: $455,600, rank #45 of 46; investigate local variation before moving.
  • Median gross rent: $1,653/mo, rank #45 of 46; investigate local variation before moving.
  • Uninsured: 11%, rank #18 of 46; investigate local variation before moving.

Income, housing, jobs, education & health

County metrics within South Carolina

Rank and range use only counties in South Carolina with that field available. A lower rank number is stronger when the metric has a clear direction.

Median household income $86,573

$86,573; above the state county median of $57,158.

State rank #3 of 46 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Median home value $455,600

$455,600; above the state county median of $172,700.

State rank #45 of 46 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Median gross rent $1,653/mo

$1,653/mo; above the state county median of $897/mo.

State rank #45 of 46 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Unemployment rate 3.8%

3.8%; below the state county median of 4.6%.

State rank #7 of 46 · U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — Local Area Unemployment Statistics
Bachelor’s degree or higher 46%

46%; above the state county median of 23.4%.

State rank #2 of 46 · U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey
Life expectancy 80.6 years

80.6 years; above the state county median of 72.7 years.

State rank #1 of 46 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Poor or fair health 13.8%

13.8%; below the state county median of 19.7%.

State rank #3 of 46 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Uninsured 11%

11%; below the state county median of 11.5%.

State rank #18 of 46 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Primary care access 1 per 1,442 residents

1 per 1,442 residents; below the state county median of 1 per 2,188 residents.

State rank #6 of 46 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
Mental health access 1 per 502 residents

1 per 502 residents; below the state county median of 1 per 665 residents.

State rank #13 of 46 · County Health Rankings & Roadmaps

Common questions

Beaufort County FAQ

Is Beaufort County a good place to live?

Beaufort County may be worth a closer look for movers prioritizing life expectancy, bachelor’s degree or higher, and median household income. College attainment is 46% and life expectancy is 80.6 years.

What should I know before moving to Beaufort County?

Start with housing, employment, commute, schools, healthcare access, and the specific municipality. Housing benchmarks are $455,600 median home value and $1,653/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $86,573, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

What is the population of Beaufort County?

Beaufort County has 195,289 residents in the 2020–2024 ACS 5-year dataset.

What is the FIPS code for Beaufort County?

The five-digit county FIPS code is 45013; the parent state FIPS is 45.

What is the median household income in Beaufort County?

The ACS median household income is $86,573.

How much does housing cost in Beaufort County?

Housing benchmarks are $455,600 median home value and $1,653/mo median gross rent. Set those costs against a median household income of $86,573, while remembering that household circumstances and municipalities vary.

What is the unemployment rate in Beaufort County?

The BLS LAUS annual-average unemployment rate is 3.8%.

Similar population

Nearby counties in the state ranking

Source and gate

Methodology and source periods

All records join by five-digit FIPS. Profiles publish when ACS county population is at least 100,000 or the county is the state’s largest. Missing source values remain unavailable and are excluded from ranks. Runtime data was generated 2026-07-26.

Continue exploring

See the state context