RANK #517 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 24 SC · POP 68,666
1YR FORECAST: -1.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
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.
Laurens County is one of 11 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -5.0% runs below the profile's typical -1.1%.
See all 11 Persistent Housing Weakness counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 10.6x — home prices are high 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 →
| 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 1001 counties.
Laurens County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#517). Median household income is $57,623 and job growth is running at +0.5%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Laurens County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $170,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $880/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Laurens County's population is growing — up +1.1% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.5%). Home values shifted -5.0% 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 4.23% 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.