30 / 100

Georgetown County, SC

Waccamaw Neck

RANK #686 / 996 NAT  ·  #16 / 24 SC  ·  POP 63,594

1YR FORECAST: -0.5%

5YR OUTLOOK: +19%

Our model projects Georgetown County's housing market at -0.5% over the next year, underperforming most U.S. counties.

[01] Why Georgetown County?

Georgetown County, South Carolina, is distinguished by its rich history and abundant natural beauty, particularly around the city of Georgetown, the state's third oldest city. Located on the coast between Myrtle Beach (35 miles north) and Charleston (65 miles south), the county offers a slower pace of life. Its landscape features Atlantic beaches, five rivers converging into Winyah Bay, and extensive marshlands and forests, providing ample opportunities for fishing, kayaking, boating, and golf. The county actively promotes outdoor recreation through initiatives like the Georgetown Outdoor Adventure Trails (GOAT) program and new "GC Calm" spots for mindful nature experiences.

Life in Georgetown County often appeals to those seeking a quieter environment, including many retirees. The Georgetown County School District serves over 8,000 students across 19 schools. Commute options within the county include local bus services provided by Coast RTA, which also connects to Horry County. The local economy is seeing new activity, with recent investments in energy infrastructure projects, including solar farms, and expansions in manufacturing. These developments contribute to job creation and aim to provide long-term economic stability.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.8x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+5.2%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-1.7%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
1.5

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
10x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Top Employers

  1. 1
    Tidelands Health Healthcare
    2,500+
  2. 2
    Georgetown County School District Education
    1,000+
  3. 3
    International Paper Manufacturing
    500+
  4. 4
    Georgetown County Government Government
    250+
  5. 5
    Six Axis LLC Manufacturing
  6. 6
    Interfor Manufacturing
  7. 7
    SafeRack Manufacturing
  8. 8
    Walmart Retail
    100+
  9. 9
    3V Chemical Manufacturing
  10. 10
    Envirosep Manufacturing

Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Georgetown County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
63,594
+0.96% YoY
Median Household Income
$59,782
Median Home Value
$234,600
-1.67% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,046
Average Annual Pay
$50,335
+2.9% YoY
Employment
26,006
+2.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2548
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.18%
of pop. from another state
Bachelor's Degree+
31.0%
of residents (national avg: 33%)

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$484,500
Days on Market
136
Slower market
Months of Supply
7.6
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.3%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
7.5%
Listings w/ Price Drops
18.4%
Building Permits (2024)
327
Single-Family Permits
327

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Crime & Safety

D
SAFETY
GRADE
Homicide Rate
11.1
per 100K · nat avg 6.3
Firearm Fatalities
22.7
per 100K · nat avg 14.8
Injury Deaths
127.8
per 100K · nat avg 76.3
vs National Average
Well above national avg
based on homicide rate

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 →

[06] Capital Investment

$972M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Plantersville Renewable Energy Center (North & South Solar Farms with Battery Storage)
Sunrise Renewables (Copenhagen Infrastructure Partners)
$363M Proposed
Lambert Solar Farm (Phases 1, 2 & 3)
Silicon Ranch
$260M Under Construction
Kingstree East 230 Solar Project
Undisclosed
$249M Planned
Dual-Fuel Simple-Cycle Combustion Turbines
Santee Cooper
$100M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[07] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +5.2% 84 percentile
Population Growth +1.0% 71 percentile
Income Growth +7.3% 22 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.3% 99 percentile
Home Price Change -1.7% 17 percentile
Rent Growth +5.5% 84 percentile
Price/Rent 10x 92 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[08] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Georgetown County, SC a good place to move to?

At 30/100, Georgetown County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $59,782 combined with job growth of +2.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.

Is Georgetown County affordable?

Housing in Georgetown County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $234,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,046/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.

Is Georgetown County growing or shrinking?

Georgetown County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.0% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.2% clip. Home values shifted -1.7% in the past year.

Are people moving to Georgetown County?

There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.18% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Georgetown County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.

[09] Similar Counties by Size & Score

Lexington County, SC 31 Greenwood County, SC 32 Dorchester County, SC 26 Charleston County, SC 24 Horry County, SC 23 Richland County, SC 40 Hood County, TX 30 St. Francois County, MO 30