1st Advantage MortgageClarendon County households have a median income of $52,401 and median rent of $763 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Clarendon County
- Income in Clarendon County compared with South Carolina
- Jobs and commutes in Clarendon County
- Rent, home values and ownership in Clarendon County
- Places inside Clarendon County
- Clarendon County and the counties next door
- Clarendon County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- What the numbers mean for Clarendon County borrowers
- Budget math at the Clarendon County median
- Checklist for Clarendon County applicants
- Licensing and complaints for Clarendon County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Clarendon County
With an estimated 30,986 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Clarendon County ranks 30th of 46 in South Carolina for population. Land area is 607 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 51 per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. Of the 8 Census places inside Clarendon County, Manning leads by population with about 3,863; 4 of the 8 are incorporated.
Income in Clarendon County compared with South Carolina
Clarendon County households have a median income of $52,401 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 29th of 46 in South Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Clarendon County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.2% | +10.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.4% | +0.4 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 19.4% | -5.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 3.0% | -5.9 pts |
About 35% of households earn under $35,000, while 22% clear $100,000. 15.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). Income from any regular source can count, including Social Security, pensions and disability benefits, as long as you can document it.
Jobs and commutes in Clarendon County
By the Census industry count, 21% of employed Clarendon County residents work in education and health care and 14% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in agriculture, forestry and mining, at 5% locally and 1% for South Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Clarendon County averages 6.8% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). 21% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 7% work from home. 10.1% of households have no vehicle.
| Top industries | Clarendon County share | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 20.8% | -1.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.7% | +2.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.3% | +0.2 pts |
| Construction | 9.5% | +2.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.4% | -0.6 pts |
| Public administration | 6.4% | +2.1 pts |
If your hours swing with the season or with overtime, size a loan payment against your base pay, not your best month.
Rent, home values and ownership in Clarendon County
A typical Clarendon County rental runs $763 a month including utilities, which is 35% below South Carolina. 54% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 21% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $158,000, about 3.0 times the median household income. 73% of Clarendon County households own their home and 27% rent.
| Measure | Clarendon County | South Carolina | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $763/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $158,000 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 54% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 28% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 34.2% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 23% | 13% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare). Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Places inside Clarendon County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Clarendon County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 10,796 people, so roughly 65% of residents live outside any named place. Wyboo has the highest median household income on the list ($59,074) and Manning the lowest ($28,569), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Summerton ($488) and steepest in Wyboo ($788). None of the 8 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Manning | city | 3,863 | $28,569 | $594 | 2 mi |
| Wyboo | CDP | 3,639 | $59,074 | $788 | 7 mi |
| Turbeville | town | 925 | $50,268 | $625 | 19 mi |
| Summerton | town | 803 | $40,469 | $488 | 9 mi |
| North Santee | CDP | 649 | $46,328 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Alcolu | CDP | 459 | n/a | n/a | 7 mi |
| Paxville | town | 453 | $58,958 | $825 | 10 mi |
| Foreston | CDP | 5 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
CDP: census-designated place, an unincorporated community mapped for statistics.
Clarendon County and the counties next door
Six nearby counties, 20 to 37 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $44,760 in Lee County to $84,358 in Berkeley County; 3 of these neighbors top Clarendon County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Clarendon County | - | $52,401 | $763/mo | 73% |
| Sumter County, SC | 20 mi | $56,693 | $1,057/mo | 68% |
| Williamsburg County, SC | 29 mi | $46,213 | $765/mo | 76% |
| Calhoun County, SC | 32 mi | $58,682 | $1,052/mo | 85% |
| Lee County, SC | 34 mi | $44,760 | $823/mo | 70% |
| Berkeley County, SC | 35 mi | $84,358 | $1,654/mo | 75% |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 37 mi | $45,675 | $841/mo | 67% |
Clarendon County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 18% of the adult population. About 9% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Clarendon County | South Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 45.9 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 18.2% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.7% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.1% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.5% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 15.4% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.8% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Clarendon County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 29.4% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.1% |
| 60+ min | 11.4% |
What the numbers mean for Clarendon County borrowers
What the Clarendon County figures suggest, and what to check first:
- Vehicle repairs. 21% of Clarendon County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 34% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Benefit income. With half of residents older than 46, lenders often see pension and Social Security income, which counts like wages.
- Rent squeeze. 54% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
Budget math at the Clarendon County median
How much room does a median Clarendon County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,367 before taxes
- Less median rent of $763, which is 17% of it
- At 35%, room after rent is $765 a month
- 45% debt-to-income limit: $1,202 left for all other debt payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Checklist for Clarendon County applicants
Quick steps for Clarendon County:
- Price the Clarendon County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Clarendon County-area credit union.
- Confirm the lender is licensed in South Carolina.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Licensing and complaints for Clarendon County
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's South Carolina license. South Carolina also has the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions for consumer credit. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. The South Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Related local guides
The South Carolina guide covers the whole state.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Clarendon County household make?
About $52,401 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 24% below the South Carolina median.
How does Clarendon County rent compare with South Carolina?
$763 locally versus $1,180 for the state, 35% below.
Does this page cover Manning?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Clarendon County, such as Wyboo, Turbeville, Summerton.
Does my county matter to the questionnaire?
Only your state does. Whether you live in Clarendon County or elsewhere in South Carolina, the same rules apply.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Clarendon County?
Start with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.