Up 66% in 5 years, led by Panhandle
Sunday, December 25, 2016
Per-capita income in Lancaster County has shot up in the past five
years, propelled mostly by gains in the fast-growing Panhandle.
The county was last in the state on the 2011 income list, at $22,897
per person. This year’s figure is $38,043, up 66 percent in five years,
according to a new report from the S.C. Department of Revenue and
Towncharts.com.
Lancaster now ranks ninth-highest among the 46 S.C. counties and well above the state average of $32,505.
“This is fantastic and clearly shows that Lancaster County is growing
and is a very desirable place for companies with high-paying jobs to
locate,” said County Administrator Steve Willis. “I wish that it was
spread more evenly over the county.”
The more prosperous Panhandle’s average was $48,880.
The city of Lancaster came in at $37,440, followed by Kershaw at $35,235 and Heath Springs at $34,112.
“Pockets within any community will have income disparity,” said Jamie
Gilbert, the county’s economic development director. “That’s not unusual
or alarming.”
Kershaw’s average was helped by Haile Gold Mine’s good-paying jobs, Willis said.
“The gold mine itself is spending a lot of money with local vendors and suppliers in the Kershaw area,” he said.
The top ten counties in the state are Charleston, Beaufort, Greenville,
Lexington, Richland, Georgetown, York, Spartanburg, Lancaster and
Oconee. Charleston is the only county over $50,000, at $50,838.
Chester County came in at 32nd with $30,441 and Chesterfield 34th at
$29,962, both below the state average. Kershaw County was 13th with
$37,322. The lowest-earning county was Marlboro at $25,161.
Follow Reporter Mandy Catoe on Twitter @MandyCatoeTLN or contact her at (803) 283-1152.
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