Bolthole Index

Bolthole Index · South Carolina

Best Places to Live in South Carolina

Every South Carolina county scored on the Bolthole Index for seclusion, self-sufficiency, administrative boringness, durability, property autonomy, and carry cost. Barnwell County leads at 68/100. Use the rankings to compare counties by score, factor strength, and local constraints.

Nationally, South Carolina ranks #30 for homesteading and #45 for off-grid living.

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Counties by Index Score

    Off-grid & homestead laws in South Carolina

    How South Carolina treats the things that matter for living off-grid or homesteading. State law also feeds each county’s admin, autonomy, and carry factors; rules often vary by county.

    General guidance, not legal advice. Off-grid, building, and land-use rules are often set at the county level and change often. Verify with your county and state before acting. Data reviewed 2026-06-26.

    All 46 South Carolina counties, ranked

    1. 1Barnwell County68
    2. 2Georgetown County68
    3. 3Williamsburg County67
    4. 4McCormick County66
    5. 5Abbeville County64
    6. 6Colleton County64
    7. 7Greenwood County63
    8. 8Fairfield County62
    9. 9Bamberg County62
    10. 10Berkeley County62
    11. 11Hampton County62
    12. 12Florence County61
    13. 13Chester County61
    14. 14Edgefield County60
    15. 15Marion County60
    16. 16Clarendon County59
    17. 17Allendale County59
    18. 18Orangeburg County59
    19. 19Calhoun County59
    20. 20Union County58
    21. 21Saluda County58
    22. 22Lancaster County58
    23. 23Sumter County58
    24. 24Chesterfield County58
    25. 25Jasper County57
    26. 26Beaufort County57
    27. 27Laurens County57
    28. 28Marlboro County57
    29. 29Aiken County57
    30. 30Kershaw County56
    31. 31Horry County56
    32. 32York County56
    33. 33Lee County56
    34. 34Darlington County55
    35. 35Cherokee County55
    36. 36Anderson County54
    37. 37Oconee County54
    38. 38Dillon County54
    39. 39Lexington County53
    40. 40Pickens County52
    41. 41Newberry County52
    42. 42Charleston County51
    43. 43Dorchester County50
    44. 44Spartanburg County50
    45. 45Richland County49
    46. 46Greenville County49

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