Most rural counties in South Carolina

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July 25, 2022
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Most rural counties in South Carolina

A surprising number of U.S. counties have 100% rural land-702, in fact. compiled a list of the most rural counties in South Carolina using data from the . Counties are ranked by the percent of land area that is rural, as of the 2010 Census, with ties broken by residents per square mile, according to 2020 5-year population estimates.

According to the Census Bureau, rural land encompasses any land that isn't an urban area. To be considered an urban area, a place has to have a densely settled core of census tracts or blocks and count at least 2,500 people, at least 1,500 of whom must be residents of non-institutional buildings. Areas with 50,000 people or more are considered urbanized areas, while areas with between 2,500 and 50,000 people are considered urban clusters.

#46. Greenville County

- Rural area: 65.7% (516 square miles)
- Urban area: 34.3% (269 square miles)
- Total land area: 785 square miles
--- #12 largest county in state, #1,099 nationwide

- Population density: 657.4 people / square mile (516,126 residents)
--- #46 lowest density county in state, #2,936 nationwide

#45. Spartanburg County

- Rural area: 73.0% (590 square miles)
- Urban area: 27.0% (218 square miles)
- Total land area: 808 square miles
--- #9 largest county in state, #1,049 nationwide

- Population density: 388.4 people / square mile (313,791 residents)
--- #41 lowest density county in state, #2,813 nationwide

#44. Lexington County

- Rural area: 74.0% (517 square miles)
- Urban area: 26.0% (182 square miles)
- Total land area: 699 square miles
--- #17 largest county in state, #1,327 nationwide

- Population density: 422.1 people / square mile (295,033 residents)
--- #43 lowest density county in state, #2,840 nationwide

#43. Richland County

- Rural area: 74.4% (563 square miles)
- Urban area: 25.6% (194 square miles)
- Total land area: 757 square miles
--- #13 largest county in state, #1,162 nationwide

- Population density: 547.7 people / square mile (414,660 residents)
--- #45 lowest density county in state, #2,903 nationwide

#42. York County

- Rural area: 78.6% (535 square miles)
- Urban area: 21.4% (146 square miles)
- Total land area: 681 square miles
--- #19 largest county in state, #1,379 nationwide

- Population density: 402.4 people / square mile (273,887 residents)
--- #42 lowest density county in state, #2,829 nationwide

#41. Beaufort County

- Rural area: 78.8% (454 square miles)
- Urban area: 21.2% (122 square miles)
- Total land area: 576 square miles
--- #26 largest county in state, #1,718 nationwide

- Population density: 329.2 people / square mile (189,732 residents)
--- #40 lowest density county in state, #2,759 nationwide

#40. Charleston County

- Rural area: 80.7% (739 square miles)
- Urban area: 19.3% (177 square miles)
- Total land area: 916 square miles
--- #7 largest county in state, #803 nationwide

- Population density: 444.9 people / square mile (407,543 residents)
--- #44 lowest density county in state, #2,854 nationwide

#39. Anderson County

- Rural area: 82.5% (590 square miles)
- Urban area: 17.5% (125 square miles)
- Total land area: 715 square miles
--- #15 largest county in state, #1,271 nationwide

- Population density: 279.8 people / square mile (200,183 residents)
--- #37 lowest density county in state, #2,711 nationwide

#38. Pickens County

- Rural area: 85.6% (425 square miles)
- Urban area: 14.4% (71 square miles)
- Total land area: 496 square miles
--- #34 largest county in state, #2,097 nationwide

- Population density: 252.6 people / square mile (125,381 residents)
--- #36 lowest density county in state, #2,677 nationwide

#37. Horry County

- Rural area: 86.3% (979 square miles)
- Urban area: 13.7% (155 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,134 square miles
--- #1 largest county in state, #552 nationwide

- Population density: 303.5 people / square mile (344,186 residents)
--- #39 lowest density county in state, #2,735 nationwide

#36. Sumter County

- Rural area: 90.1% (599 square miles)
- Urban area: 9.9% (66 square miles)
- Total land area: 665 square miles
--- #20 largest county in state, #1,413 nationwide

- Population density: 160.4 people / square mile (106,675 residents)
--- #32 lowest density county in state, #2,502 nationwide

#35. Dorchester County

- Rural area: 90.9% (521 square miles)
- Urban area: 9.1% (52 square miles)
- Total land area: 573 square miles
--- #27 largest county in state, #1,747 nationwide

- Population density: 281.4 people / square mile (161,309 residents)
--- #38 lowest density county in state, #2,712 nationwide

#34. Florence County

- Rural area: 91.9% (735 square miles)
- Urban area: 8.1% (65 square miles)
- Total land area: 800 square miles
--- #10 largest county in state, #1,066 nationwide

- Population density: 172.8 people / square mile (138,237 residents)
--- #33 lowest density county in state, #2,542 nationwide

#33. Aiken County

- Rural area: 92.0% (985 square miles)
- Urban area: 8.0% (86 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,071 square miles
--- #4 largest county in state, #601 nationwide

- Population density: 158.7 people / square mile (169,947 residents)
--- #31 lowest density county in state, #2,496 nationwide

#32. Greenwood County

- Rural area: 92.3% (420 square miles)
- Urban area: 7.7% (35 square miles)
- Total land area: 455 square miles
--- #38 largest county in state, #2,253 nationwide

- Population density: 155.4 people / square mile (70,672 residents)
--- #30 lowest density county in state, #2,488 nationwide

#31. Lancaster County

- Rural area: 93.2% (512 square miles)
- Urban area: 6.8% (38 square miles)
- Total land area: 549 square miles
--- #30 largest county in state, #1,901 nationwide

- Population density: 173.7 people / square mile (95,378 residents)
--- #34 lowest density county in state, #2,545 nationwide

#30. Berkeley County

- Rural area: 94.2% (1,035 square miles)
- Urban area: 5.8% (64 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,099 square miles
--- #3 largest county in state, #580 nationwide

- Population density: 202.1 people / square mile (222,103 residents)
--- #35 lowest density county in state, #2,600 nationwide

#29. Oconee County

- Rural area: 94.7% (593 square miles)
- Urban area: 5.3% (33 square miles)
- Total land area: 626 square miles
--- #23 largest county in state, #1,537 nationwide

- Population density: 125.0 people / square mile (78,314 residents)
--- #28 lowest density county in state, #2,387 nationwide

#28. Cherokee County

- Rural area: 95.1% (373 square miles)
- Urban area: 5.0% (19 square miles)
- Total land area: 393 square miles
--- #44 largest county in state, #2,563 nationwide

- Population density: 145.4 people / square mile (57,110 residents)
--- #29 lowest density county in state, #2,463 nationwide

#27. Darlington County

- Rural area: 95.5% (536 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.5% (25 square miles)
- Total land area: 561 square miles
--- #28 largest county in state, #1,847 nationwide

- Population density: 119.1 people / square mile (66,858 residents)
--- #27 lowest density county in state, #2,364 nationwide

#26. Kershaw County

- Rural area: 95.7% (695 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.3% (31 square miles)
- Total land area: 727 square miles
--- #14 largest county in state, #1,221 nationwide

- Population density: 90.7 people / square mile (65,926 residents)
--- #25 lowest density county in state, #2,185 nationwide

#25. Georgetown County

- Rural area: 96.0% (781 square miles)
- Urban area: 4.0% (33 square miles)
- Total land area: 814 square miles
--- #8 largest county in state, #1,038 nationwide

- Population density: 76.4 people / square mile (62,150 residents)
--- #23 lowest density county in state, #2,055 nationwide

#24. Orangeburg County

- Rural area: 97.1% (1,074 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.9% (32 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,106 square miles
--- #2 largest county in state, #571 nationwide

- Population density: 78.6 people / square mile (86,953 residents)
--- #24 lowest density county in state, #2,082 nationwide

#23. Laurens County

- Rural area: 97.4% (695 square miles)
- Urban area: 2.6% (19 square miles)
- Total land area: 714 square miles
--- #16 largest county in state, #1,280 nationwide

- Population density: 93.8 people / square mile (66,990 residents)
--- #26 lowest density county in state, #2,206 nationwide

#22. Union County

- Rural area: 98.2% (505 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 514 square miles
--- #32 largest county in state, #2,024 nationwide

- Population density: 53.1 people / square mile (27,325 residents)
--- #14 lowest density county in state, #1,743 nationwide

#21. Dillon County

- Rural area: 98.2% (398 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 405 square miles
--- #42 largest county in state, #2,502 nationwide

- Population density: 75.3 people / square mile (30,473 residents)
--- #22 lowest density county in state, #2,041 nationwide

#20. Marlboro County

- Rural area: 98.3% (471 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.8% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 480 square miles
--- #37 largest county in state, #2,156 nationwide

- Population density: 55.0 people / square mile (26,376 residents)
--- #16 lowest density county in state, #1,779 nationwide

#19. Marion County

- Rural area: 98.3% (481 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.7% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 489 square miles
--- #36 largest county in state, #2,130 nationwide

- Population density: 63.3 people / square mile (30,954 residents)
--- #21 lowest density county in state, #1,888 nationwide

#18. Newberry County

- Rural area: 98.6% (621 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.5% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 630 square miles
--- #22 largest county in state, #1,525 nationwide

- Population density: 60.8 people / square mile (38,329 residents)
--- #20 lowest density county in state, #1,854 nationwide

#17. Chesterfield County

- Rural area: 98.6% (788 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (11 square miles)
- Total land area: 799 square miles
--- #11 largest county in state, #1,069 nationwide

- Population density: 57.4 people / square mile (45,833 residents)
--- #19 lowest density county in state, #1,810 nationwide

#16. Bamberg County

- Rural area: 98.6% (388 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.4% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 393 square miles
--- #43 largest county in state, #2,560 nationwide

- Population density: 36.2 people / square mile (14,236 residents)
--- #7 lowest density county in state, #1,373 nationwide

#15. Edgefield County

- Rural area: 98.7% (494 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 500 square miles
--- #33 largest county in state, #2,080 nationwide

- Population density: 54.0 people / square mile (27,021 residents)
--- #15 lowest density county in state, #1,755 nationwide

#14. Jasper County

- Rural area: 98.7% (647 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.3% (8 square miles)
- Total land area: 655 square miles
--- #21 largest county in state, #1,438 nationwide

- Population density: 45.1 people / square mile (29,558 residents)
--- #12 lowest density county in state, #1,582 nationwide

#13. Chester County

- Rural area: 98.8% (574 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.2% (7 square miles)
- Total land area: 581 square miles
--- #25 largest county in state, #1,695 nationwide

- Population density: 55.6 people / square mile (32,260 residents)
--- #17 lowest density county in state, #1,786 nationwide

#12. Hampton County

- Rural area: 99.0% (554 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 560 square miles
--- #29 largest county in state, #1,855 nationwide

- Population density: 34.3 people / square mile (19,223 residents)
--- #5 lowest density county in state, #1,328 nationwide

#11. Abbeville County

- Rural area: 99.1% (486 square miles)
- Urban area: 1.0% (5 square miles)
- Total land area: 490 square miles
--- #35 largest county in state, #2,123 nationwide

- Population density: 50.1 people / square mile (24,582 residents)
--- #13 lowest density county in state, #1,695 nationwide

#10. Colleton County

- Rural area: 99.2% (1,048 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.8% (9 square miles)
- Total land area: 1,056 square miles
--- #5 largest county in state, #616 nationwide

- Population density: 35.6 people / square mile (37,624 residents)
--- #6 lowest density county in state, #1,353 nationwide

#9. Clarendon County

- Rural area: 99.3% (603 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 607 square miles
--- #24 largest county in state, #1,603 nationwide

- Population density: 55.8 people / square mile (33,865 residents)
--- #18 lowest density county in state, #1,788 nationwide

#8. Barnwell County

- Rural area: 99.3% (545 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.7% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 548 square miles
--- #31 largest county in state, #1,903 nationwide

- Population density: 38.6 people / square mile (21,170 residents)
--- #9 lowest density county in state, #1,440 nationwide

#7. Williamsburg County

- Rural area: 99.4% (928 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (6 square miles)
- Total land area: 934 square miles
--- #6 largest county in state, #763 nationwide

- Population density: 33.0 people / square mile (30,810 residents)
--- #4 lowest density county in state, #1,293 nationwide

#6. Fairfield County

- Rural area: 99.4% (682 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (4 square miles)
- Total land area: 686 square miles
--- #18 largest county in state, #1,367 nationwide

- Population density: 32.6 people / square mile (22,406 residents)
--- #3 lowest density county in state, #1,288 nationwide

#5. Lee County

- Rural area: 99.4% (408 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 410 square miles
--- #40 largest county in state, #2,463 nationwide

- Population density: 41.8 people / square mile (17,144 residents)
--- #10 lowest density county in state, #1,514 nationwide

#4. Allendale County

- Rural area: 99.4% (406 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.6% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 408 square miles
--- #41 largest county in state, #2,479 nationwide

- Population density: 21.5 people / square mile (8,789 residents)
--- #1 lowest density county in state, #942 nationwide

#3. Saluda County

- Rural area: 99.5% (450 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.5% (2 square miles)
- Total land area: 453 square miles
--- #39 largest county in state, #2,260 nationwide

- Population density: 44.8 people / square mile (20,292 residents)
--- #11 lowest density county in state, #1,570 nationwide

#2. Calhoun County

- Rural area: 100.0% (381 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 381 square miles
--- #45 largest county in state, #2,596 nationwide

- Population density: 38.3 people / square mile (14,608 residents)
--- #8 lowest density county in state, #1,432 nationwide

#1. McCormick County

- Rural area: 100.0% (359 square miles)
- Urban area: 0.0% (0 square miles)
- Total land area: 359 square miles
--- #46 largest county in state, #2,657 nationwide

- Population density: 26.4 people / square mile (9,495 residents)
--- #2 lowest density county in state, #1,109 nationwide

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