1st Advantage MortgageFlorence County households have a median income of $58,305 and median rent of $954 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
- Who lives in Florence County
- Income in Florence County compared with South Carolina
- Rent, home values and ownership in Florence County
- Work, industries and travel time in Florence County
- Florence County next to its neighbors
- The communities that make up Florence County
- Budget math at the Florence County median
- Local borrowing considerations for Florence County
- More Florence County figures
- A Florence County borrower's checklist
- Checking a lender's license in South Carolina
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Florence County
Florence County is home to about 137,117 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 13th most populous of 46 county-level areas in South Carolina. Land area is 801 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 171 per square mile. It is one of the counties that make up the Florence, SC metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). The Census Bureau counts 10 places in the county (9 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Florence, with about 40,408 residents, or 29% of the county.
Income in Florence County compared with South Carolina
At $58,305, the typical Florence County household income is 11% below the median U.S. county ($65,681). That places it 22nd among South Carolina's 46 county-level areas.
| Households earning | Florence County | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 32.1% | +7.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 40.8% | -1.3 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 21.0% | -3.4 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.2% | -2.7 pts |
The spread is wide: 27% of Florence County households make $100,000 or more, and 32% make less than $35,000. 18.7% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.487 here. For a borrower in Florence County, the county median is only context: a lender looks at the income you can document, so pay stubs, benefit letters or tax returns matter more than any average.
Rent, home values and ownership in Florence County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $954 in Florence County versus $1,180 statewide. 51% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 28% spend half or more. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $177,900, about 3.1 times the median household income. The ownership rate is 64%. Median construction year: 1986.
| Home costs | Florence County | South Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $954/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $177,900 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 64% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 51% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 17.7% | 14.2% | n/a |
When half or more of renters are already stretched, a new payment needs a stress test: what happens if a paycheck is a week late?
Work, industries and travel time in Florence County
Education and health care employs 28% of working residents, the largest share; manufacturing is next with 13%. Education and health care stands out: 28% of workers here, versus 22% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 5.6% of the labor force was out of work and looking. 10% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 9% work from home. Households without a car make up 7.6% of the total (5.7% statewide).
| Top industries | Florence County share | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 28.1% | +6.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 13.1% | 0.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.0% | -0.2 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 9.2% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 8.2% | -3.3 pts |
| Finance, insurance and real estate | 6.6% | +0.4 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Florence County next to its neighbors
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Florence County's, from 21 to 38 miles away. None of the six report a higher median household income than Florence County; Clarendon County is highest at $52,401 and Marion County lowest at $36,301.
| Neighbor | Distance | Income | Rent | Own |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence County | - | $58,305 | $954/mo | 64% |
| Marion County, SC | 21 mi | $36,301 | $669/mo | 63% |
| Darlington County, SC | 25 mi | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
| Williamsburg County, SC | 28 mi | $46,213 | $765/mo | 76% |
| Dillon County, SC | 31 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Lee County, SC | 32 mi | $44,760 | $823/mo | 70% |
| Clarendon County, SC | 38 mi | $52,401 | $763/mo | 73% |
The communities that make up Florence County
Here are the 10 most populous of the county's 10 Census places, with income and rent from the same 2020 to 2024 survey. About 40% of Florence County residents live in one of the 10. Quinby has the highest median household income on the list ($66,458) and Scranton the lowest ($27,344), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Pamplico ($589) and steepest in Florence ($992). No Florence County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 10.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | city | 40,408 | $56,143 | $992 | 11 mi |
| Lake City | city | 5,988 | $33,600 | $702 | 11 mi |
| Timmonsville | town | 2,045 | $34,630 | $891 | 15 mi |
| Johnsonville | city | 1,251 | $44,830 | $825 | 21 mi |
| Pamplico | town | 1,134 | $34,545 | $589 | 8 mi |
| Quinby | town | 858 | $66,458 | $933 | 14 mi |
| Coward | town | 853 | $35,375 | $883 | 4 mi |
| Olanta | town | 806 | $54,464 | $845 | 14 mi |
| Scranton | town | 733 | $27,344 | $829 | 8 mi |
| Danwood | CDP | 392 | $100,278 | n/a | 5 mi |
Budget math at the Florence County median
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Florence County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $4,859 before taxes
- Less median rent of $954, which is 20% of it
- $1,135: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
If your rent is above $954, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Local borrowing considerations for Florence County
Where the Florence County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Repairs on manufactured housing. With 18% of homes here, compare a personal loan with any dealer or park repair program.
- 19% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
- Rent squeeze. 51% of renters spend 30%+ of income on rent; borrow only if the loan cuts what you pay overall.
More Florence County figures
24% of Florence County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. 9.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Measure | Florence County | South Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.4 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 24.4% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 12.0% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.6% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 9.1% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 18.7% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 5.6% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Florence County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 43.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 15.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.0% |
| 60+ min | 4.8% |
A Florence County borrower's checklist
Before you apply, wherever you live in Florence County:
- Size the loan to the bill, not to the most a lender offers.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A South Carolina license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
Checking a lender's license in South Carolina
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's South Carolina license. The Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions handles consumer-credit questions as well. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. 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 is the median household income in Florence County?
$58,305 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 22nd of 46 in the state.
Is Florence County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $954 against $1,180 statewide, and 51% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Which towns does the Florence County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 10 Census places: Florence, Lake City, Timmonsville, Johnsonville, Pamplico.
Is the fit check different in Florence County?
No. It is identical everywhere, and it never looks at your neighborhood.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Florence County?
Start with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.