Lee County
SC · Pop. 16,330 · Suburban County
Lee County is a suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 410 square miles with 16,330 residents at a density of 39.8 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on cotton, corn, soybeans. A median home price of $102,000 and an effective property tax rate of 0.57% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F and average winter lows of 32.4°F. Annual rainfall averages 44.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Lee Correctional Institution Infirmary is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes. On the hazard side, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.57% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $102,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Lee Correctional Institution Infirmary, with an emergency room, is just 3.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- A poverty rate of 23.3% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.
- Wildfire risk is high, so defensible space and fire preparedness should be part of any build plan.
At a glance
Lee County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.
- Homestead score
- 99/100
- Median home price
- $102k
- Property tax
- 0.57%
- Growing season
- 215 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 44.4"
- Broadband
- 98.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Lee Correctional Institution Infirmary, 3.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Lee County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Lee County?
- Lee County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 89.8°F, and average winter lows of 32.4°F. The established crops are cotton, corn, soybeans.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $102,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.57%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Lee Correctional Institution Infirmary is 3.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore South Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in South Carolina
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The closest counties to Lee County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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