1st Advantage MortgageLee County households have a median income of $44,760 and median rent of $823 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
- Lee County by the numbers
- Household income in Lee County
- Housing costs in Lee County
- How Lee County residents earn a living
- Towns and communities in Lee County
- Counties near Lee County
- What a median Lee County budget can carry
- Borrowing situations common in Lee County
- More Lee County figures
- Lender oversight for Lee County
- A Lee County borrower's checklist
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Lee County by the numbers
Lee County is home to about 16,166 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 42nd most populous of 46 county-level areas in South Carolina. It covers 410 square miles of land, or about 39 people per square mile. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 8 places in the county (2 incorporated, 6 census-designated); the largest is Bishopville, with about 2,910 residents, or 18% of the county.
Household income in Lee County
Half of Lee County households take in less than $44,760 a year and half take in more, 35% below the South Carolina median of $69,324. Only 39 South Carolina counties post a higher median.
| Income band | Share in Lee County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 41.9% | +17.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 44.9% | +2.8 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 12.4% | -12.0 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 0.8% | -8.0 pts |
Some 42% of households here live on less than $35,000 a year; 13% have six-figure incomes. 25.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.450 here. A household earning below the $44,760 median should test any payment carefully; one earning above it should still pick the shortest term it can manage.
Housing costs in Lee County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $823 in Lee County versus $1,180 statewide. 53% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 31% spend half or more. Home values center on $104,600, or 2.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 70% of homes. The median year built is 1983.
| Measure | Lee County | South Carolina | Median U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $823/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $104,600 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 70% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 53% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 40% | 26% | 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?
How Lee County residents earn a living
Manufacturing employs 20% of working residents, the largest share; education and health care is next with 19%. Manufacturing stands out: 20% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 6.7% in Lee County. 22% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 3% work from home. Only 10.4% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Top industries | Lee County share | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 20.3% | +7.2 pts |
| Education and health care | 19.1% | -3.0 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.4% | +0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 8.1% | +3.7 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.3% | -2.7 pts |
| Construction | 6.3% | -0.8 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Lee County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Towns and communities in Lee County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Lee County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 4,716 residents, leaving about 71% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Lee County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bishopville | city | 2,910 | $39,276 | $614 | 4 mi |
| Manville | CDP | 827 | $26,330 | n/a | 3 mi |
| Lynchburg | town | 323 | $17,629 | $833 | 12 mi |
| Elliott | CDP | 230 | $60,167 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Wisacky | CDP | 149 | $52,333 | n/a | 4 mi |
| St. Charles | CDP | 139 | $34,653 | n/a | 6 mi |
| Browntown | CDP | 88 | $20,189 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Ashwood | CDP | 50 | $55,714 | n/a | 4 mi |
Counties near Lee County
Distances run center to center, from Sumter County at 18 miles out to Clarendon County at 34. Income ranges from $48,581 in Darlington County to $68,231 in Kershaw County; all six of these neighbors top Lee County's median.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lee County | - | $44,760 | $823/mo | 70% |
| Sumter County, SC | 18 mi | $56,693 | $1,057/mo | 68% |
| Darlington County, SC | 20 mi | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
| Kershaw County, SC | 23 mi | $68,231 | $971/mo | 82% |
| Florence County, SC | 32 mi | $58,305 | $954/mo | 64% |
| Chesterfield County, SC | 33 mi | $49,235 | $762/mo | 73% |
| Clarendon County, SC | 34 mi | $52,401 | $763/mo | 73% |
What a median Lee County budget can carry
The debt-to-income ratio is the main affordability test lenders use. Applied to Lee County's medians:
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,730 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $823 uses 22%
- Under a 36% cap, $1,343 total minus rent leaves $520
If your rent is above $823, the room shrinks dollar for dollar.
Borrowing situations common in Lee County
Where the Lee County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 10% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Long drives. With 22% of commutes over 45 minutes, tires and repairs are fixed costs in many Lee County budgets.
- Mobile home upkeep. 30% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Assistance before credit. With a 25% poverty rate, check no-cost options before any Lee County loan.
More Lee County figures
Degree holders: 12% of adults over 25. 10.3% of residents have no health coverage.
| Indicator | Lee County | All of South Carolina | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.4 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 11.6% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.5% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 10.3% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.4% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 2.9% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 25.0% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Trip time | Share |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 22.9% |
| 15 to 29 min | 32.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 22.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 13.3% |
| 60+ min | 8.6% |
Lender oversight for Lee County
Lee 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. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the South Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
A Lee County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Lee County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Lee County?
$44,760 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 40th of 46 in the state.
What do renters pay in Lee County?
$823 a month at the median, about 22% of median household income.
I own my home in Lee County. Personal loan or HELOC?
A HELOC uses the house as collateral; a personal loan usually does not. With 70% of homes owner-occupied here, many readers can compare both in writing.
Which towns does the Lee County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 8 Census places: Bishopville, Manville, Lynchburg, Elliott, Wisacky.
Can Lee County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every South Carolina county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.