1st Advantage MortgageDorchester County households have a median income of $78,198 and median rent of $1,463 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Whatever your own numbers, compare written offers on APR, fees and total cost, and verify the lender is licensed in South Carolina before sharing details.
On this page
- Dorchester County by the numbers
- Paychecks and income spread in Dorchester County
- Dorchester County housing compared with South Carolina
- Jobs and commutes in Dorchester County
- Regional comparison for Dorchester County
- Places inside Dorchester County
- Who lives in Dorchester County, in numbers
- Reading the Dorchester County data as a borrower
- Budget math at the Dorchester County median
- Who licenses lenders for Dorchester County residents
- A Dorchester County borrower's checklist
- More guides for Dorchester County
- Frequently asked questions
Dorchester County by the numbers
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Dorchester County's population at 167,201; only 11 of South Carolina's 46 county-level areas are larger. It covers 568 square miles of land, or about 294 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan area. The Census Bureau counts 7 places in the county (6 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Summerville, with about 51,654 residents, or 31% of the county.
Paychecks and income spread in Dorchester County
Half of Dorchester County households take in less than $78,198 a year and half take in more, 13% above the South Carolina median of $69,324. In the state ranking that is 6th of 46.
| Band | Dorchester County | Compared with South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 18.6% | -6.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.0% | +0.9 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 29.2% | +4.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 9.2% | +0.3 pts |
Some 19% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 38% have six-figure incomes. 11.4% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.420 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Dorchester County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Dorchester County housing compared with South Carolina
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,463 in Dorchester County versus $1,180 statewide. 56% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 24% spend half or more. With a median value of $329,300, a typical Dorchester County house costs 4.2 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 76% of homes.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,463/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $329,300 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 76% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 27% | 26% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 7% | 13% | n/a |
Because most Dorchester 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. High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Jobs and commutes in Dorchester County
Education and health care employs 21% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 12%. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 7% locally and 4% for South Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Dorchester County averages 4.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are common here: 24% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry | Share of Dorchester County workers | vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 21.2% | -0.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 11.8% | -1.4 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.7% | +0.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.7% | +0.5 pts |
| Construction | 8.6% | +1.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.0% | -1.1 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.
Regional comparison for Dorchester County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Dorchester County's, from 22 to 42 miles away. Income ranges from $44,370 in Bamberg County to $88,494 in Charleston County; 2 of these neighbors top Dorchester County's median.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dorchester County | - | $78,198 | $1,463/mo | 76% |
| Colleton County, SC | 22 mi | $51,114 | $949/mo | 73% |
| Berkeley County, SC | 27 mi | $84,358 | $1,654/mo | 75% |
| Charleston County, SC | 33 mi | $88,494 | $1,620/mo | 64% |
| Orangeburg County, SC | 34 mi | $45,675 | $841/mo | 67% |
| Bamberg County, SC | 38 mi | $44,370 | $815/mo | 70% |
| Clarendon County, SC | 42 mi | $52,401 | $763/mo | 73% |
Places inside Dorchester County
Here are the 7 most populous of the county's 7 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 35% of Dorchester County residents live in one of the 7. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $33,125 in St. George to $81,046 in Summerville. None of the 7 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Summerville | town | 51,654 | $81,046 | $1,526 | 14 mi |
| St. George | town | 2,154 | $33,125 | $703 | 12 mi |
| Ridgeville | town | 1,740 | $55,637 | $1,393 | 6 mi |
| Lincolnville | town | 1,064 | $40,417 | n/a | 15 mi |
| Harleyville | town | 592 | $64,844 | $769 | 9 mi |
| Grover | CDP | 345 | n/a | n/a | 11 mi |
| Reevesville | town | 271 | $77,250 | n/a | 16 mi |
Who lives in Dorchester County, in numbers
Degree holders: 30% of adults over 25. About 10% go without health insurance.
| Measure | Dorchester County | South Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.0 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 29.8% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 7.9% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.2% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 3.5% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 11.2% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.4% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| One-way commute | Share of Dorchester County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 16.3% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 27.3% |
| 45 to 59 min | 12.6% |
| 60+ min | 11.3% |
Reading the Dorchester County data as a borrower
Based on the Dorchester County data above, these borrowing questions are most likely to matter locally.
- Uninsured care. 10% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Vehicle repairs. 24% of Dorchester County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- 56% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Budget math at the Dorchester County median
How much room does a median Dorchester County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Start: $6,516 gross per month ($78,198 / 12)
- Less median rent of $1,463, which is 22% of it
- At 36%, room after rent is $883 a month
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Who licenses lenders for Dorchester County residents
Dorchester County borrowers fall under statewide rules, enforced by 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. Statewide data and rules: South Carolina guide.
A Dorchester County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Dorchester County:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Shop at least three lenders, including one Dorchester County-area credit union.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Carolina borrowers.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
More guides for Dorchester County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What does a typical Dorchester County household make?
About $78,198 a year at the median (ACS 2020-24), 13% above the South Carolina median.
How does Dorchester County rent compare with South Carolina?
$1,463 locally versus $1,180 for the state, 24% above.
I own my home in Dorchester County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 76% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Does this page cover Summerville?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Dorchester County, such as St. George, Ridgeville, Lincolnville.
Will a Dorchester 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.