RANK #414 / 1001 NAT · #8 / 24 SC · POP 104,725
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
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.
Sumter County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — weaker than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +0.9% matches the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 9.0x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
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 1001 counties.
Sumter County scores 58/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#414). Median household income is $56,693 and job growth is running at +0.2%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Sumter County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $165,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.34, with rents averaging $1,057/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Sumter County are both close to flat — population -0.1% YoY and jobs +0.2%. Home values shifted +0.9% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.39% 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.