1st Advantage MortgageAbout 77% of Lexington County homes are owner-occupied, and the median household income is $77,408. Use those as context only. A lender looks at your own documented income and debts; compare APR and total repaid on every Lexington County offer.
On this page
- Lexington County at a glance
- Rent, home values and ownership in Lexington County
- How much Lexington County households make
- Where Lexington County differs from the rest of South Carolina
- Jobs and commutes in Lexington County
- Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
- Lexington and the rest of Lexington County
- What the numbers mean for Lexington County borrowers
- Age, degrees and coverage in Lexington County
- Debt-to-income, Lexington County edition
- Checklist for Lexington County applicants
- South Carolina lender licensing
- Keep exploring
- Frequently asked questions
Lexington County at a glance
With an estimated 304,887 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Lexington County ranks 6th of 46 in South Carolina for population. It covers 699 square miles of land, or about 436 people per square mile. The federal metro definitions (OMB, July 2023) place it in the Columbia, SC metropolitan area. Of the 18 Census places inside Lexington County, Lexington leads by population with about 24,585; 12 of the 18 are incorporated.
Rent, home values and ownership in Lexington County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $1,178 in Lexington County versus $1,180 statewide. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 48% of renter households here. Lexington County homes are worth $234,500 at the median, a 3.0-to-1 ratio to income. In Lexington County, 77% of occupied homes are owned by the people living in them.
| Lexington County | South Carolina | Difference | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $1,178/mo | $1,180/mo | level |
| Median home value | $234,500 | $259,000 | 9% lower |
| Owners | 77% | 72% | +5.5 pts |
| Rent-burdened renters | 48% | 52% | -3.9 pts |
| Burdened owners | 21% | 26% | -4.9 pts |
With 77% of Lexington County homes owner-occupied, equity is a real alternative for many readers; just remember a missed HELOC payment puts the home at risk.
How much Lexington County households make
Lexington County households have a median income of $77,408 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 7th of 46 in South Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Lexington County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 19.9% | -4.8 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.7% | +1.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 28.0% | +3.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 8.5% | -0.4 pts |
The spread is wide: 36% of Lexington County households make $100,000 or more, and 20% make less than $35,000. Lexington County counts about 33,869 residents below the poverty line, 11.1% of the population. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.429 here. None of these numbers decides a Lexington County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Where Lexington County differs from the rest of South Carolina
Out of every South Carolina county, Lexington County is most unusual on these measures.
- On the poverty rate, Lexington County sits near the bottom of South Carolina at 11.1%, 5th lowest of 46. Even here, a fee-first loan offer is a scam.
- The housing vacancy rate: 8% in Lexington County. Only 4 of 46 South Carolina counties are lower. Few vacant units can mean a tight housing market.
- Population: 304,887 in Lexington County. Only 5 of 46 South Carolina counties are higher. A big county has more local lenders, so shopping around is easier.
- Few South Carolina counties match Lexington County on the share of adults with a bachelor's degree: 34% here, 32% for the state, ranking 6th highest of 46. Student loan payments count in a debt-to-income ratio, so list them.
Jobs and commutes in Lexington County
Top Lexington County industry by residents employed: education and health care, 22%; second, professional and administrative services, 12%. Lexington County over-indexes on public administration: 6% versus 4% in South Carolina. ACS puts five-year average unemployment at 4.5% in Lexington County. About 77% drive to work alone and 13% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 5,518 Lexington County households, 4.5%, have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Lexington County | Gap to South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 22.4% | +0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 11.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.7% | -0.5 pts |
| Manufacturing | 10.2% | -2.9 pts |
| Construction | 8.5% | +1.3 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.3% | -1.8 pts |
Seasonal work is common in many Lexington County industries; if that is you, show a full year of income rather than one strong month.
Nearby counties: income, rent, ownership
Six nearby counties, 23 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $47,885 in Fairfield County to $70,609 in Aiken County; none of these neighbors top Lexington County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington County | - | $77,408 | $1,178/mo | 77% |
| Richland County, SC | 23 mi | $63,784 | $1,228/mo | 60% |
| Saluda County, SC | 27 mi | $51,009 | $851/mo | 79% |
| Aiken County, SC | 31 mi | $70,609 | $1,062/mo | 77% |
| Calhoun County, SC | 32 mi | $58,682 | $1,052/mo | 85% |
| Newberry County, SC | 33 mi | $61,780 | $872/mo | 73% |
| Fairfield County, SC | 36 mi | $47,885 | $938/mo | 75% |
Lexington and the rest of Lexington County
18 Census places fall mainly inside Lexington County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 117,390 residents, leaving about 61% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Pine Ridge ($95,000) and Edmund ($43,494) mark the top and bottom of Lexington County's income range among larger places. Rent is cheapest in Edmund ($852) and steepest in Chapin ($1,570). None of the 18 has its own city guide, so this page covers all of them.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lexington | town | 24,585 | $87,126 | $1,545 | 8 mi |
| West Columbia | city | 17,963 | $56,912 | $1,201 | 12 mi |
| Seven Oaks | CDP | 15,921 | $62,955 | $1,246 | 13 mi |
| Oak Grove | CDP | 12,256 | $74,554 | $1,045 | 9 mi |
| Irmo | town | 11,813 | $80,489 | $1,477 | 15 mi |
| Red Bank | CDP | 11,314 | $68,004 | $1,160 | 3 mi |
| White Knoll | CDP | 8,310 | $80,246 | $1,180 | 2 mi |
| Springdale | town | 2,742 | $77,722 | $1,291 | 10 mi |
| Pine Ridge | town | 2,596 | $95,000 | $1,113 | 10 mi |
| South Congaree | town | 2,075 | $59,539 | $933 | 8 mi |
| Gaston | town | 1,803 | $60,000 | $995 | 11 mi |
| Chapin | town | 1,394 | $79,922 | $1,570 | 19 mi |
| Edmund | CDP | 1,161 | $43,494 | $852 | 5 mi |
| Pelion | town | 985 | $59,455 | $888 | 7 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
What the numbers mean for Lexington County borrowers
- 17% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- 48% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
- Combining balances. It helps when total cost falls and the cards stay paid down (consolidation).
Age, degrees and coverage in Lexington County
Bachelor's degree or higher: 34% of Lexington County adults. 8.7% of residents have no health coverage.
| Residents | Lexington County | Difference from South Carolina | Difference from middle U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 39.8 | -0.4 yrs | -1.7 yrs |
| Bachelor's or higher | 34.1% | +1.9 pts | +11.9 pts |
| No high school diploma | 8.0% | -1.9 pts | n/a |
| No health insurance | 8.7% | -1.0 pts | +0.8 pts |
| No vehicle | 4.5% | -1.2 pts | -0.9 pts |
| Work from home | 11.9% | +0.4 pts | +3.2 pts |
| Poverty rate | 11.1% | -3.0 pts | -2.1 pts |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 4.5% | -0.4 pts | +0.1 pts |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 20.7% |
| 15 to 29 min | 42.9% |
| 30 to 44 min | 23.1% |
| 45 to 59 min | 8.1% |
| 60+ min | 5.3% |
Debt-to-income, Lexington County edition
Lexington County's $77,408 median income, run through a debt-to-income check:
- Start: $6,451 gross per month ($77,408 / 12)
- Median rent: $1,178, or 18 cents of every gross dollar
- With a 36% ceiling, about $1,144 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
- With a 43% ceiling, about $1,596 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Two-income households and single earners in Lexington County land in very different places on this math, so run it for your own budget.
Checklist for Lexington County applicants
Before you apply, wherever you live in Lexington County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Carolina borrowers.
- Ask about early-payoff penalties.
South Carolina lender licensing
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. Nationally, Lexington County residents can file with the CFPB. The South Carolina guide covers state rules in more detail.
Keep exploring
Next step up from Lexington County:
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Lexington County earn?
The median is $77,408; 36% earn $100,000 or more and 20% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
What is the median rent in Lexington County, SC?
$1,178 a month, utilities included, or $14,136 a year.
Can Lexington County owners borrow against a $234,500 home?
Many can, through a home equity loan or line. It is secured by the house, so compare it with an unsecured personal loan before choosing.
Which towns does the Lexington County guide cover?
Every community in the county, unincorporated areas included. The largest of its 18 Census places: Lexington, West Columbia, Seven Oaks, Oak Grove, Irmo.
Will a Lexington 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.