Elgin
RANK #428 / 996 NAT · #10 / 24 SC · POP 65,779
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +25%
Kershaw County, South Carolina, is distinguished by Camden, its county seat and the state's oldest inland city, rich with Revolutionary War history and antebellum architecture. Located in the central part of South Carolina, about 30 miles north of Columbia, the county offers a blend of rural tranquility and access to urban amenities. Commuting to Columbia is common, with an average travel time of 30 minutes. The area is characterized by its Sandhills terrain and pine forests, with outdoor recreation opportunities around Lake Wateree and Goodale State Park, offering boating, fishing, hiking, and equestrian activities.
Life in Kershaw County appeals to families and individuals seeking a community-oriented environment with access to nature. The public school system is rated above average. The local economy is experiencing growth, driven by investments in manufacturing, advanced materials, and logistics. Efforts are underway to create more local job opportunities, as many residents currently commute outside the county for work. The county is also focusing on infrastructure improvements and managed residential growth to maintain its community character.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x 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.
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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Terra Nexus Ventures Data Center
Terra Nexus Ventures
|
$500M | Planned |
|
Solar Farm Projects (Creed and 1802)
Undisclosed
|
$282M | Proposed |
|
Economic Development Projects (New Companies and Expansions)
Various
|
$175M | Planned |
|
Wastewater Treatment Plant Expansion
Kershaw County
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Kershaw County scores 57/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 996 U.S. counties (#428). Median household income is $61,343 and job growth is running at -0.4%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
By national standards, Kershaw County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $173,800, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.35 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $844/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Kershaw County's population is growing — up +1.2% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.4%). Home values shifted +1.8% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.28% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Kershaw County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.