1st Advantage MortgageBamberg County households have a median income of $44,370 and median rent of $815 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's South Carolina license first.
On this page
- A quick profile of Bamberg County
- Paychecks and income spread in Bamberg County
- What it costs to live in Bamberg County
- Employment and commuting in Bamberg County
- Towns and communities in Bamberg County
- Regional comparison for Bamberg County
- What a median Bamberg County budget can carry
- Who lives in Bamberg County, in numbers
- Before borrowing in Bamberg County
- South Carolina rules that apply in Bamberg County
- Steps before you apply in Bamberg County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
A quick profile of Bamberg County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Bamberg County's population at 13,042; only 43 of South Carolina's 46 county-level areas are larger. It covers 393 square miles of land, or about 33 people per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Bamberg County is not part of any metropolitan area. Denmark is the biggest of its 5 Census places, at roughly 3,117 people (24% of the county total).
Paychecks and income spread in Bamberg County
Half of Bamberg County households take in less than $44,370 a year and half take in more, 36% below the South Carolina median of $69,324. Only 41 South Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Households earning | Bamberg County | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 40.2% | +15.6 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 41.5% | -0.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 17.1% | -7.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.2% | -7.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Bamberg County households make $100,000 or more, and 40% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 24.3%, 10 points higher than the state's 14.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.475 here. Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
What it costs to live in Bamberg County
Renters in Bamberg County pay a median of $815 a month, 31% below the South Carolina figure of $1,180. 56% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 26% spend half or more. With a median value of $97,800, a typical Bamberg County house costs 2.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 70% of homes. The median home was built in 1978, so roofs, wiring and heating systems are a common source of repair bills.
| Home costs | Bamberg County | South Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $815/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $97,800 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 33% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 29% | 13% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Employment and commuting in Bamberg County
By the Census industry count, 27% of employed Bamberg County residents work in manufacturing and 23% in education and health care. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 27% locally and 13% for South Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Bamberg County averages 15.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). 25% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 12.9% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Bamberg County share | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 27.0% | +13.8 pts |
| Education and health care | 23.2% | +1.1 pts |
| Construction | 11.1% | +3.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 7.8% | -3.4 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.2% | -3.9 pts |
| Public administration | 4.9% | +0.6 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.
Towns and communities in Bamberg County
The table lists the 5 largest of 5 Census places in Bamberg County, by population. Together all 5 hold about 6,686 people, so roughly 49% of residents live outside any named place. None of the 5 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Denmark | city | 3,117 | $27,451 | $806 | 9 mi |
| Bamberg | town | 2,996 | $49,531 | $817 | 7 mi |
| Ehrhardt | town | 389 | $34,868 | $607 | 8 mi |
| Olar | town | 139 | $27,500 | $1,188 | 8 mi |
| Govan | town | 45 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
Regional comparison for Bamberg County
Orangeburg County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Calhoun County, is 36 miles off. Income ranges from $32,328 in Allendale County to $58,682 in Calhoun County; 5 of these neighbors top Bamberg County's median.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bamberg County | - | $44,370 | $815/mo | 70% |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 22 mi | $45,675 | $841/mo | 67% |
| Barnwell County, SC | 22 mi | $46,626 | $740/mo | 71% |
| Allendale County, SC | 24 mi | $32,328 | $662/mo | 62% |
| Hampton County, SC | 30 mi | $44,711 | $843/mo | 73% |
| Colleton County, SC | 34 mi | $51,114 | $949/mo | 73% |
| Calhoun County, SC | 36 mi | $58,682 | $1,052/mo | 85% |
What a median Bamberg County budget can carry
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Bamberg County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,698 before taxes
- Rent at the median, $815, takes 22% of that
- Under a 36% cap, $1,331 total minus rent leaves $516
Two-income households and single earners in Bamberg County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Who lives in Bamberg County, in numbers
Degree holders: 18% of adults over 25. 12.4% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Bamberg County | South Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.3 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.9% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 22.1% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.4% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 12.9% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 7.2% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 24.3% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 15.0% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 35.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 24.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 9.5% |
| 60+ min | 15.1% |
Before borrowing in Bamberg County
Based on the Bamberg County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Health costs. With 12% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 25% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Bamberg County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 22% of Bamberg County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Lower-cost alternatives. In a county with 24% in poverty, nonprofit credit counseling may beat a loan (options).
South Carolina rules that apply in Bamberg County
Before sharing details with a lender, a Bamberg County resident can confirm its license with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. South Carolina also has the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions for consumer credit. Banks and credit unions have their own regulators, and the CFPB takes complaints about any lender. See the South Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
Steps before you apply in Bamberg County
Before you apply, wherever you live in Bamberg County:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Keep a small cushion so one surprise bill does not mean another loan.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Bamberg County a high-income county?
Its $44,370 median ranks 42nd of 46 South Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
How does Bamberg County rent compare with South Carolina?
$815 locally versus $1,180 for the state, 31% below.
I own my home in Bamberg County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 70% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
What are the biggest places in Bamberg County?
By population: Denmark, Bamberg, Ehrhardt, Olar, Govan. The county has 5 Census places in all.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Bamberg County or elsewhere in South Carolina, the same rules apply.