RANK #193 / 996 NAT · #5 / 24 SC · POP 67,456
1YR FORECAST: -0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +32%
Laurens County, South Carolina, distinguishes itself with a blend of small-town character and access to larger urban centers. Locals often point to the historic downtown of Laurens, the county seat, with its courthouse square dating back to the mid-1700s, as a central feature. Situated in the Piedmont region, the county is less than 40 miles from Greenville and under an hour and a half from Columbia, offering commutes to these cities via I-385 and I-26. The area features gently rolling hills and forests, with outdoor recreation opportunities around Lake Rabon and the larger Lake Greenwood, which borders the county.
Life in Laurens County offers a quieter pace, attracting families and those seeking affordability. Public schools in the county are generally above average. While public transportation options are limited, ride-sharing services like Uber are available. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in manufacturing and industrial development. This includes companies expanding existing operations and new businesses establishing a presence, particularly in sectors tied to the automotive industry. The county's economic development efforts focus on creating career pathways and strengthening the tax base.
Above national median
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 4.0x — home prices are low 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: 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 →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Duke Energy Solar Farm (Project Tango)
Duke Energy
|
$60M | Planned |
|
Beaverdam Renewable Energy Center
Undisclosed
|
$41M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Laurens County ranks #193 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 80/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.5% year-over-year). Median household income here is $52,077.
By national standards, Laurens County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $138,600, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $826/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Laurens County's job market is contracting (-1.5% YoY) while population is roughly stable (+0.5% change). Home values are -7.3% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.13% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Laurens County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values fell -7.3% over the past year in Laurens County, bringing the median down to $138,600. A drop of that magnitude usually reflects weakening demand or population outflow — worth watching if you're considering buying here.