1st Advantage MortgageColleton County households have a median income of $51,114 and median rent of $949 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 Colleton County
- What it costs to live in Colleton County
- Income in Colleton County compared with South Carolina
- Jobs and commutes in Colleton County
- Colleton County towns compared
- Colleton County and the counties next door
- Budget math at the Colleton County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Colleton County
- More Colleton County figures
- Checklist for Colleton County applicants
- Checking a lender's license in South Carolina
- Nearby and statewide guides
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Colleton County
With an estimated 38,783 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Colleton County ranks 26th of 46 in South Carolina for population. Spread over 1,056 square miles, that works out to roughly 36.7 residents per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Colleton County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 8 Census places inside Colleton County, Walterboro leads by population with about 5,480; 6 of the 8 are incorporated.
What it costs to live in Colleton County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $949 in Colleton County versus $1,180 statewide. 55% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $162,500, a typical Colleton County house costs 3.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 73% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1987.
| Home costs | Colleton County | South Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $949/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $162,500 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 73% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 55% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 35% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 35.8% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 18% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Colleton 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. Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Income in Colleton County compared with South Carolina
Colleton County households have a median income of $51,114 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 30th of 46 in South Carolina.
| Household income | Colleton County | vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 35.9% | +11.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.4% | -1.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 18.3% | -6.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 5.4% | -3.5 pts |
The spread is wide: 24% of Colleton County households make $100,000 or more, and 36% make less than $35,000. Census counts 19.6% of Colleton County residents in poverty, against 14.1% across South Carolina. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.465 (0 is perfect equality). A household earning below the $51,114 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Jobs and commutes in Colleton County
Education and health care employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Construction stands out: 13% of workers here, versus 7% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 9.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 36% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 6% work from home.
| Industry | Share of Colleton County workers | vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 19.7% | -2.4 pts |
| Manufacturing | 12.7% | -0.4 pts |
| Construction | 12.6% | +5.4 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.5 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | -1.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.9% | -0.2 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Colleton County towns compared
8 Census places fall mainly inside Colleton County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 8,453 residents, leaving about 78% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $56,457 in Walterboro to $85,521 in Edisto Beach. No Colleton County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Walterboro | city | 5,480 | $56,457 | $965 | 4 mi |
| Cottageville | town | 1,196 | $80,938 | $934 | 12 mi |
| Edisto Beach | town | 1,092 | $85,521 | $1,136 | 31 mi |
| Jacksonboro | CDP | 336 | $113,242 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Williams | town | 100 | n/a | n/a | 17 mi |
| Lodge | town | 98 | $36,750 | n/a | 23 mi |
| Smoaks | town | 95 | $84,583 | n/a | 19 mi |
| Islandton | CDP | 56 | $26,458 | n/a | 17 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Colleton County and the counties next door
Dorchester County is closest, 22 miles from center to center; the sixth, Orangeburg County, is 41 miles off. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Colleton County; Beaufort County is highest at $86,573 and Bamberg County lowest at $44,370.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Colleton County | - | $51,114 | $949/mo | 73% |
| Dorchester County, SC | 22 mi | $78,198 | $1,463/mo | 76% |
| Hampton County, SC | 29 mi | $44,711 | $843/mo | 73% |
| Bamberg County, SC | 34 mi | $44,370 | $815/mo | 70% |
| Beaufort County, SC | 34 mi | $86,573 | $1,653/mo | 76% |
| Jasper County, SC | 36 mi | $65,613 | $1,328/mo | 77% |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 41 mi | $45,675 | $841/mo | 67% |
Budget math at the Colleton County median
Here is the Colleton County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Monthly gross at the median, Colleton County: $4,260
- Rent at the median, $949, takes 22% of that
- $584: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $949, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Colleton County
Where the Colleton County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 15% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Keeping the car running. At 36% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Colleton County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- Manufactured homes. 36% of Colleton County housing units are mobile homes, and their repairs are often paid with unsecured loans. Get the quote in writing.
- Free help first. 20% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
More Colleton County figures
Degree holders: 17% of adults over 25. About 15% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Colleton County | South Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 17.4% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 15.3% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 15.0% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.4% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 6.3% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 19.6% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Colleton County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.2% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.7% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.7% |
| 60+ min | 25.2% |
Checklist for Colleton County applicants
Steps that save money for Colleton County residents:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Checking a lender's license in South Carolina
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Colleton County borrowers answers to 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. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. More on South Carolina: South Carolina personal loans.
Nearby and statewide guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Colleton County household make?
About $51,114 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 26% below the South Carolina median.
Is Colleton County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $949 against $1,180 statewide, and 55% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Walterboro?
Yes, along with the other 7 Census places in Colleton County, such as Cottageville, Edisto Beach, Jacksonboro.
Will a Colleton County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming South Carolina as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Colleton County?
Start with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.