1st Advantage MortgageThe median Calhoun County household earns $58,682, and 13% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Calhoun County at a glance
- Income in Calhoun County compared with South Carolina
- Employment and commuting in Calhoun County
- Calhoun County housing compared with South Carolina
- Calhoun County next to its neighbors
- Calhoun County towns compared
- Who lives in Calhoun County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Calhoun County
- A Calhoun County household budget, worked through
- Four steps for Calhoun County borrowers
- Who licenses lenders for Calhoun County residents
- More guides for Calhoun County
- Frequently asked questions
Calhoun County at a glance
With an estimated 14,182 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Calhoun County ranks 43rd of 46 in South Carolina for population. Land area is 381 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 37 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Columbia, SC metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). St. Matthews is the biggest of its 2 Census places, at roughly 1,645 people (12% of the county total).
Income in Calhoun County compared with South Carolina
Calhoun County households have a median income of $58,682 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 21st of 46 in South Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Calhoun County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 33.7% | +9.0 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 38.6% | -3.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 22.5% | -1.9 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.3% | -3.6 pts |
The spread is wide: 28% of Calhoun County households make $100,000 or more, and 34% make less than $35,000. Census counts 12.9% of Calhoun County residents in poverty, against 14.1% across South Carolina. A household earning below the $58,682 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Employment and commuting in Calhoun County
The biggest employer of Calhoun County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 23% of workers, followed by manufacturing (15%). The sharpest difference from the state is in transportation, warehousing and utilities, at 9% locally and 6% for South Carolina. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.8% of the labor force was out of work and looking. About 78% drive to work alone and 15% have trips of 45 minutes or more.
| Sector | Calhoun County | Compared with South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.7% | +1.6 pts |
| Retail trade | 9.7% | -1.5 pts |
| Construction | 9.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.8% | -2.8 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.7% | +3.0 pts |
Shorter commutes usually mean lower vehicle costs, which can leave more room for a payment, or for paying a loan off early.
Calhoun County housing compared with South Carolina
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,052 in Calhoun County versus $1,180 statewide. 41% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 37% spend half or more. Home values center on $172,100, or 2.9 years of median income. Owners occupy 85% of homes. The median year built is 1988.
| Cost | Calhoun County | South Carolina figure | Median county, U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,052/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $172,100 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 85% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 41% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 24% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 29.6% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 13% | 13% | n/a |
In an owner-heavy county like Calhoun County, many borrowers can also choose a home equity loan or line of credit. Those can price lower but put the house on the line, so compare the two in writing; our personal loan vs. HELOC guide walks through it.
Calhoun County next to its neighbors
Orangeburg County is closest, 17 miles from center to center; the sixth, Bamberg County, is 36 miles off. Lexington County leads the group on income ($77,408), Bamberg County trails ($44,370), and Calhoun County out-earns 4 of the six.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calhoun County | - | $58,682 | $1,052/mo | 85% |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 17 mi | $45,675 | $841/mo | 67% |
| Richland County, SC | 25 mi | $63,784 | $1,228/mo | 60% |
| Sumter County, SC | 28 mi | $56,693 | $1,057/mo | 68% |
| Lexington County, SC | 32 mi | $77,408 | $1,178/mo | 77% |
| Clarendon County, SC | 32 mi | $52,401 | $763/mo | 73% |
| Bamberg County, SC | 36 mi | $44,370 | $815/mo | 70% |
Calhoun County towns compared
2 Census places fall mainly inside Calhoun County; the 2 biggest are below. They account for 2,072 residents, leaving about 85% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Calhoun County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Matthews | town | 1,645 | $51,310 | $970 | 1 mi |
| Cameron | town | 427 | $74,886 | $1,034 | 9 mi |
Who lives in Calhoun County, in numbers
College graduates make up 24% of the adult population. 8.1% of residents have no health coverage.
| People and households | Calhoun County | South Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 47.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.5% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.0% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.1% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 5.5% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 10.5% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 12.9% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.8% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Calhoun County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 21.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 31.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 32.6% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.7% |
| 60+ min | 7.0% |
Local borrowing considerations for Calhoun County
Based on the Calhoun County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Mobile home upkeep. 30% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Retirees. At a median age of 47.0, many borrowers here rely on award letters as proof of income; favor no prepayment penalty.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
A Calhoun County household budget, worked through
How much room does a median Calhoun County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $4,890 gross per month ($58,682 / 12)
- 22% goes to median rent ($1,052)
- $660: what a 35% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- Under a 45% cap, $2,201 total minus rent leaves $1,149
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Four steps for Calhoun County borrowers
Steps that save money for Calhoun County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Calhoun County-area credit union.
- Verify the South Carolina license before giving out your Social Security number.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Calhoun County residents
Before sharing details with a lender, a Calhoun County resident can confirm its license with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on South Carolina: South Carolina personal loans.
More guides for Calhoun County
The South Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Calhoun County?
$58,682 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 21st of 46 in the state.
How does Calhoun County rent compare with South Carolina?
$1,052 locally versus $1,180 for the state, 11% below.
Should Calhoun County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 85% of Calhoun County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
What are the biggest places in Calhoun County?
By population: St. Matthews, Cameron. The county has 2 Census places in all.
Are Calhoun County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.