1st Advantage MortgageAbbeville County (24,420 residents) has a $52,935 median household income and $799 median rent, by the latest Census five-year survey. For a Abbeville County borrower, the useful steps are the same anywhere: price the need, gather three written offers, and check the South Carolina license.
On this page
- Abbeville County, SC: the basics
- How much Abbeville County households make
- The Abbeville County job picture
- How Abbeville County ranks in South Carolina
- Abbeville County housing compared with South Carolina
- Abbeville County next to its neighbors
- Census places in Abbeville County
- People and households in Abbeville County
- $4,411 a month: the Abbeville County median budget
- Reading the Abbeville County data as a borrower
- Steps before you apply in Abbeville County
- South Carolina lender licensing
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Abbeville County, SC: the basics
Roughly 24,420 residents live in Abbeville County, South Carolina, 37th by population among the state's 46 counties and county equivalents. Spread over 491 square miles, that works out to roughly 49.7 residents per square mile. No metropolitan area includes Abbeville County in the 2023 federal delineation, so its numbers stand on their own rather than as part of a metro. Abbeville is the biggest of its 7 Census places, at roughly 4,872 people (20% of the county total).
How much Abbeville County households make
Median household income in Abbeville County: $52,935 (24% below South Carolina, $69,324). Only 25 South Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Abbeville County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.2% | +7.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.0% | -1.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 20.4% | -4.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.4% | -2.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Abbeville County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. Abbeville County counts about 3,824 residents below the poverty line, 15.7% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.488 here. If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Abbeville County median.
The Abbeville County job picture
The biggest employer of Abbeville County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (23%). Relative to South Carolina (13%), manufacturing is 9 points bigger in Abbeville County (23%). Unemployment in Abbeville County, ACS five-year: 4.0%; South Carolina: 4.9%. 27% of Abbeville County workers get to work in under 15 minutes, while 16% need 45 or more. No car: 6.6% of Abbeville County households.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Abbeville County | Gap to South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 22.6% | +9.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.6% | +0.4 pts |
| Construction | 9.4% | +2.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 5.6% | -6.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.1% | -4.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
How Abbeville County ranks in South Carolina
Out of every South Carolina county, Abbeville County is most unusual on these measures.
- The share of renters paying 30% or more of income for rent: 42% in Abbeville County. Only 1 of 46 South Carolina counties are lower. Rents are manageable for most, which can leave space for savings.
- Abbeville County ranks 7th lowest of 46 South Carolina counties for the ACS unemployment rate: 4.0%, against 4.9% statewide. Low unemployment does not lower your rate; your credit does.
- Few South Carolina counties match Abbeville County on homeownership: 78% here, 72% for the state, ranking 9th highest of 46. An owner-heavy county means repairs are a common reason to borrow.
Abbeville County housing compared with South Carolina
Renters in Abbeville County pay a median of $799 a month, 32% below the South Carolina figure of $1,180. Cost-burdened renters, paying 30%-plus of income: 42% in Abbeville County, 52% statewide. Abbeville County homes are worth $178,800 at the median, a 3.4-to-1 ratio to income. 78% of Abbeville County households own their home and 22% rent. Nationally, Abbeville County's $799 rent is 9% below the middle county.
| Measure | Abbeville County | South Carolina | Gap |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rent-burdened renters | 42% | 52% | -10.2 pts |
| Owners | 78% | 72% | +6.3 pts |
| Vacant units | 17% | 13% | +4.0 pts |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 26% | +3.7 pts |
| Median gross rent | $799/mo | $1,180/mo | 32% lower |
| Median home value | $178,800 | $259,000 | 31% lower |
Because most Abbeville County households own, home repairs are a frequent reason to borrow. An unsecured personal loan leaves the house out of the deal, while a HELOC uses it as collateral.
Abbeville County next to its neighbors
Distances run center to center, from Greenwood County at 19 miles out to Hart County at 30. Income ranges from $52,830 in Greenwood County to $66,651 in Anderson County; 5 of these neighbors top Abbeville County's median. Some neighbors are in Georgia. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Abbeville County resident follows South Carolina rules.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville County | - | $52,935 | $799/mo | 78% |
| Greenwood County, SC | 19 mi | $52,830 | $898/mo | 67% |
| Anderson County, SC | 23 mi | $66,651 | $989/mo | 75% |
| Elbert County, GA | 23 mi | $58,450 | $844/mo | 71% |
| McCormick County, SC | 24 mi | $55,798 | $696/mo | 88% |
| Lincoln County, GA | 30 mi | $56,907 | $786/mo | 77% |
| Hart County, GA | 30 mi | $59,385 | $844/mo | 78% |
Census places in Abbeville County
10,187 of Abbeville County's 24,420 residents live in its 7 Census places (42%); the 7 largest are listed. Due West has the highest median household income on the list ($53,603) and Calhoun Falls the lowest ($38,715), counting places with at least 500 residents. Median rent ranges from $585 in Calhoun Falls to $1,083 in Due West. Abbeville and every other Abbeville County community use this county guide.
| Place in county | Status | Population (ACS) | Median HH income | Monthly rent | Distance from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville | city | 4,872 | $40,575 | $587 | 6 mi |
| Calhoun Falls | town | 2,049 | $38,715 | $585 | 12 mi |
| Lake Secession | CDP | 1,268 | $51,875 | $889 | 9 mi |
| Due West | town | 1,177 | $53,603 | $1,083 | 8 mi |
| Donalds | town | 355 | $50,909 | $850 | 12 mi |
| Antreville | CDP | 260 | $126,250 | n/a | 8 mi |
| Lowndesville | town | 206 | n/a | $510 | 11 mi |
People and households in Abbeville County
20% of Abbeville County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. The uninsured rate is 10.1%, against 9.6% for South Carolina.
| Abbeville County | vs South Carolina | vs U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor's or higher | 20.4% | -11.8 pts | -1.8 pts |
| Work from home | 4.2% | -7.3 pts | -4.4 pts |
| Median age | 44.0 | +3.8 yrs | +2.5 yrs |
| No high school diploma | 12.6% | +2.8 pts | n/a |
| Poverty rate | 15.7% | +1.6 pts | +2.5 pts |
| No vehicle | 6.6% | +0.9 pts | +1.2 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.0% | -0.9 pts | -0.4 pts |
| No health insurance | 10.1% | +0.5 pts | +2.3 pts |
| Commute length | Abbeville County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 26.8% |
| 15 to 29 min | 36.7% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.8% |
| 60+ min | 5.9% |
$4,411 a month: the Abbeville County median budget
How much room does a median Abbeville County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- $4,411 a month: gross income for a household at the Abbeville County median
- 18% goes to median rent ($799)
- Under a 43% cap, $1,897 total minus rent leaves $1,098
If your rent is above $799, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Reading the Abbeville County data as a borrower
A few patterns in the Abbeville County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Medical bills. 10% of Abbeville County residents are uninsured. Before borrowing for care, ask the provider about financial assistance and payment plans.
- Mobile homes in Abbeville County. At 24% of units, they are a big part of local housing; check whether yours is titled as real or personal property.
- Requirements. Lenders weigh credit history, documented income and existing debt (what to gather).
Steps before you apply in Abbeville County
Quick steps for Abbeville County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Collect three written offers and compare APR and total repaid.
- A South Carolina license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
South Carolina lender licensing
Before sharing details with a lender, a Abbeville County resident can confirm its license with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. A second South Carolina office, the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions, covers consumer credit. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. The South Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Abbeville County household make?
About $52,935 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% below the South Carolina median.
Is Abbeville County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $799 against $1,180 statewide, and 42% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Is Lowndesville covered?
Yes. Lowndesville is one of 7 Census places in Abbeville County, and this guide covers all of them.
Does living in Abbeville County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Abbeville County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Who regulates personal lenders for Abbeville County residents?
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in South Carolina; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.