RANK #148 / 996 NAT · #4 / 24 SC · POP 105,199
1YR FORECAST: +2.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +34%
Sumter County, South Carolina, is perhaps best known as home to Shaw Air Force Base, a major military installation that significantly influences the local community. Located in the Midlands region, Sumter County is near the geographic center of the state, offering access to both the coast and mountains within a few hours' drive. The county seat, Sumter, is approximately 40 miles east of Columbia, the state capital, with an average commute time of under 20 minutes for local residents. The area features natural attractions like Swan Lake Iris Gardens, noted for its Japanese irises and all eight known swan species, and outdoor recreation opportunities in Manchester State Forest and Poinsett State Park, which offer trails for hiking, biking, and ATV riding.
Life in Sumter County is characterized by a family-oriented atmosphere and a lower cost of living compared to the national average. The presence of Shaw Air Force Base draws a diverse population, including military families who often return to the area after assignments due to the quality of life. The local economy, historically agricultural, has diversified to include manufacturing and service industries. Recent economic developments show continued investment in manufacturing, with companies establishing and expanding facilities for producing goods such as plastic containers and energy storage systems. The Sumter School District serves over 14,000 students across 25 schools.
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.2x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Penny for Progress Continuation (Various Infrastructure Projects)
Sumter County Government
|
$76M | Under Construction |
|
Georg Utz, Inc. Manufacturing Facility
Georg Utz, Inc.
|
$40M | Planned |
|
2024 Capital Projects Sales Tax Referendum (Proposed Infrastructure)
Sumter County Government
|
$38M | Proposed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Sumter County ranks #148 out of 996 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 85/100. The composite score reflects long-term strength — housing, income, and migration patterns — but near-term hiring is soft (employment is down 1.1% year-over-year). Median household income here is $53,970.
By national standards, Sumter County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $146,300, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.37 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $995/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Sumter County's job market is contracting (-1.1% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.3% change). Home values are +0.0% 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 2.64% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Sumter County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.