Sumter County
SC · Pop. 104,853 · Mixed County
Sumter County is a mixed rural-suburban county in South Carolina, spanning 665 square miles with 104,853 residents at a density of 157.7 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on corn, soybeans, cotton. The median home price is $160,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.54%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 227-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F and average winter lows of 33.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 46.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A long 227-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
- A low effective property tax rate of 0.54% holds annual carrying costs down.
- A median home price of $160,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 2.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
Cons
- Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
- Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
At a glance
Sumter County, SC is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 68/100
- Median home price
- $160k
- Property tax
- 0.54%
- Growing season
- 227 days (zone 8b)
- Annual rainfall
- 46.9"
- Broadband
- 97.5%
- Nearest hospital
- Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital, 2.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Sumter County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Sumter County?
- Sumter County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 227-day growing season, average summer highs of 89°F, and average winter lows of 33.8°F. The established crops are corn, soybeans, cotton.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $160,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.54%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.5% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Prisma Health Tuomey Hospital is 2.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore South Carolina Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in South Carolina
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The closest counties to Sumter 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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