RANK #323 / 1001 NAT · #6 / 24 SC · POP 137,117
1YR FORECAST: +1.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +31%
Florence County, South Carolina, is often recognized for its central location in the Pee Dee region and its historical ties to the railroad, which established the city of Florence as a transportation hub in the 1800s. Situated in east-central South Carolina, it's about an hour's drive from the beaches of Myrtle Beach and the state capital, Columbia, making it accessible for both coastal recreation and city amenities. The county offers a mix of urban and rural settings, with the Lynches River and Great Pee Dee River providing opportunities for outdoor activities like kayaking, fishing, and hiking in parks such as Lynches River County Park.
Life in Florence County is characterized by a balance of affordability and access to necessary services. The public school system is generally rated as above average, with four school districts serving the county. Commute options include local bus services provided by the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority, though personal vehicles are common. The economy is experiencing growth, attracting new residents with its lower cost of living. Major investments are flowing into sectors such as industrial, logistics, and manufacturing, contributing to job creation and a growing labor market. Healthcare and education also represent significant employment sectors in the county.
Florence County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +3.8% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 6.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
AESC EV Battery Gigafactory
AESC
|
$3,120M | Under Construction |
|
Cheney Brothers Distribution Facility
Cheney Brothers
|
$66M | Under Construction |
|
Florence County Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Various (Cypress Creek Renewables, Coronal Energy, NARENCO, SolRiver Capital LLC)
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Pamplico Natural Gas Pipeline (River Neck to Kingsburg)
Dominion Energy
|
$50M | Under Construction |
|
Innovative Construction Group Facility
Innovative Construction Group (ICG), a subsidiary of PulteGroup, Inc.
|
$36M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 68/100, Florence County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +1.2%, and median household income stands at $58,305 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in SC.
Housing in Florence County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $177,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $954/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Florence County are hiring — job growth of +1.2% — but the population is close to flat (+0.1% YoY). Home values moved +3.8% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.67% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Florence County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.