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Dorchester County, South Carolina

FIPS 45035

Juniper

Dorchester County is in the highest 6% nationally for FEMA risk score. It also sits in the highest 8% nationally for median rent. And it sits in the highest 15% nationally for typical home value.

Typical Home Valuemedian home value (ACS), re-priced to today on the FHFA index

$388,277

Higher than 85% of U.S. counties
Home Price Growth, Past Five Years

60%

Higher than 69% of U.S. counties
FEMA Risk Score0–100; 0 = lowest modelled risk, 100 = highest, vs places of the same type

93.7

Higher than 94% of U.S. counties

The boundary of Dorchester County.

The basics

Total Population

167,201

Median Age

38

Population Density

294.16

Home values & property tax

Median Property Tax

$1,851

Property Tax Rateyearly tax as a share of home value

0.56%

Cost of living & affordability

Home Price vs Incomeyears of income to buy a typical home

4.21×

Higher than 83% of U.S. counties
Median Income

$78,198

Higher than 79% of U.S. counties
Median Rent

$1,463

Higher than 92% of U.S. counties

Home prices & appreciation

Home Price Growth, Past Year

1.8%

Lower than 71% of U.S. counties
Pandemic Price Run-Up2019–20 low → 2022–23 peak

51%

2008 Crash: Peak-to-Trough Drophow far prices fell, 2007 → 2011

21%

Climate & weather

Summer Avg High (°F)

89.3

Winter Avg Low (°F)

37.4

Avg Temperature (°F)

64.5

Hot Days/yr (>90°F)

70.7

Freezing Days/yr (<32°F)

39.1

Annual Precipitation (in)

51.9

Annual Snowfall (in)

0.3

Flood & disaster risk

Coastal Flood Loss per $1,000

$0.02

The full report

Six pillars — each with percentile benchmarks, 16-year trends, and per-metric detail.

  • People

  • Work & Money

  • Housing

  • Amenities

  • Climate

  • Environment & Risk

Dorchester County: frequently asked questions

What is the typical home value in Dorchester County?
The estimated median home value in Dorchester County today is $388,277, higher than 85% of U.S. counties.
How much is property tax in Dorchester County?
The median annual property tax in Dorchester County is $1,851, an effective rate of 0.56% of home value.
Is Dorchester County expensive to live in?
Homes in Dorchester County cost about 4.21× the median household income, higher than 83% of U.S. counties.
What is the average rent in Dorchester County?
The median gross rent in Dorchester County is $1,463 a month, higher than 92% of U.S. counties.
How much have home prices grown in Dorchester County?
Home prices in Dorchester County have moved 60% over the past five years (1.8% in the past year), per the FHFA House Price Index.
How many people live in Dorchester County?
Dorchester County has a population of 167,201, about 294.16 people per square mile, per the U.S. Census American Community Survey. The median age is 38.
What is the weather like in Dorchester County?
Dorchester County averages 64.5°F year-round, summer highs near 89.3°F, winter lows around 37.4°F (NOAA 1991–2020 normals). It sees about 0.3 inches of snow a year.
Is Dorchester County at risk of flooding or natural disasters?
Dorchester County's FEMA National Risk Index score is 93.7 (higher than 94% of U.S. counties). Its greatest modeled natural hazard is hurricane. Expected annual loss from flooding is $0.02 per $1,000 of building value.

Sources: U.S. Census ACS, FEMA National Risk Index, FHFA House Price Index, OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), EPA. Explore the map →

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