South Carolina has many things to see and do, such as beautiful beaches, famous cities, and cute towns. However, not every part of the Palmetto State is a great place to live.
Some towns have problems like high crime rates, low incomes, bad schools, and other things that make them less popular places to live. Based on the most recent information from the FBI and other sources, we have found the worst place in South Carolina to live in for 2024:
Union
7,719 people are living in Union County, which has the bad title of being the worst place to live in South Carolina. Road Snacks says Union deserves this title for some reasons, such as:
- The rate of unemployment is 10.9%, which is almost twice the national figure.
- A poverty rate of 31.6% means that almost one in three people living there are having trouble with money.
- This area has a median family income of $30,161, which is less than half of the national norm.
- The city has the biggest number of killings per person in the state, with a crime rate 126% higher than the state average.
- Schools with a student-teacher ratio of 16:1 and a completion rate of 77% are not getting enough money and are not doing well.
Union used to be a thriving center for the textile industry, but that has changed a lot in the last few decades, leaving many people without jobs and few possibilities. The city also lacks important features like parks, bars, and places to have fun. The only thing to see in the city is the Union County Museum, which shows off the city’s history and culture.
Some other Contenders
There are many cities in South Carolina with poor quality of life, not just Union. Other cities in the state that could be in the running for the least attractive place to live are
- Dillon has the highest rate of property crime and the second-highest rate of serious crime in the state.
- The most serious crimes happen in Hartsville, which also has the third most property crimes in the state.
- Darlington has the fourth-highest rate of serious crime and the fifth-highest rate of property crime in the state.
- Orangeburg has the second-highest rate of poverty and the sixth-highest rate of serious crime in the state.
- The poverty rate in Florence is the third highest in the state, and the serious crime rate is the seventh highest.
Summary
In summary, Union County has been named the worst area to live in South Carolina in 2024, with difficulties including high unemployment, poverty rates, a low median family income, heightened crime rates, and underperforming educational institutions. Union, formerly a flourishing textile city, has suffered economic deterioration and lacks basic services. Other competitors for less desirable living circumstances include Dillon, Hartsville, Darlington, Orangeburg, and Florence, all of which have unique challenges.