Lee County, SC

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Population

17,897

1.61% decline

Median Age

41.7


Median Household Income

$31,963

2.55% growth

Poverty Rate

26.4%


Number of Employees

6,005

1.26% growth

Median Property Value

$69,800

2.5% growth

About

Economy

Health

Diversity

Housing & Living

About

In 2017, Lee County, SC had a population of 17.9k people with a median age of 41.7 and a median household income of $31,963. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Lee County, SC declined from 18,189 to 17,897, a -1.61% decrease and its median household income grew from $31,169 to $31,963, a 2.55% increase.

The population of Lee County, SC is 62.6% Black or African American Alone, 32.6% White Alone, and 2.34% Hispanic or Latino. N/A% of the people in Lee County, SC speak a non-English language, and 99.8% are U.S. citizens.

The median property value in Lee County, SC is $69,800, and the homeownership rate is 74.8%. Most people in Lee County, SC commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 26.3 minutes. The average car ownership in Lee County, SC is 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Sunset on Hilton Head Island

Photo by Lee Coursey

United StatesSouth Carolina

Economy

The economy of Lee County, SC employs 6.01k people. The largest industries in Lee County, SC are Manufacturing (1,254 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (856 people), and Retail Trade (817 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($47,143), Transportation & Warehousing ($37,171), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($36,250).

Median household income in Lee County, SC is $31,963. Males in Lee County, SC have an average income that is 1.37 times higher than the average income of females, which is $40,985. The income inequality in Lee County, SC (measured using the Gini index) is 0.46, which is lower than than the national average.

Wages

Median Household Income

$31,963

2017 value

± $2,552

2.55%

1 Year Growth

± 9.88%

Households in Lee County, SC have a median annual income of $31,963, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $31,169 in 2016, which represents a 2.55% annual growth.

Look at the chart to see how the median household income in Lee County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

$56,080

Average Male Salary

± $1,419

$40,985

Average Female Salary

± $1,018

In 2017, full-time male employees in South Carolina made 1.37 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

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Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity

  1. Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander

    $49,597 ± $53,271

  2. Asian

    $47,877 ± $7,789

  3. White

    $47,332 ± $1,044

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of South Carolina workers was Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander. These workers were paid 1.04 times more than Asian workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in South Carolina by number of full-time employees.

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Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Lee County, SC is from South Carolina.

0.46

2017 Wage GINI

0.456

2016 Wage GINI

In 2017, the income inequality in South Carolina was 0.46 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.695% growth from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even.

The 2017 the GINI for South Carolina was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in South Carolina in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in South Carolina across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

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Income by Location

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Highest Median Household Income (Total)

  1. Census Tract 9204

  2. Census Tract 9201

  3. Census Tract 9205

In 2017, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Lee County, SC was Census Tract 9204 with a value of $35,168, followed by Census Tract 9201 and Census Tract 9205, with respective values of $35,054 and $33,750.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Lee County, SC colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

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Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 35 - 44

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

26.4% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Lee County, SC (4.31k out of 16.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 35 - 44, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Females < 5.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

  1. Black

    3,359 ± 370

  2. White

    761 ± 151

  3. Two Or More

    184 ± 120

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Lee County, SC is Black, followed by White and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

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Occupations

Employment by Occupations

6.01k

2017 Value

± 478

1.26%

1 Year growth

± 10.9%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Lee County, SC grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 5.93k employees to 6.01k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Lee County, SC, are Production Occupations (989 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (956 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (589 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Lee County, SC.

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Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Lee County, SC, by number of employees, are Production Occupations (989 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (956 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (589 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Lee County, SC has an unusually high number of residents working as Production Occupations (2.84 times higher than expected), Material Moving Occupations (1.85 times), and Health Technologists & Technicians (1.63 times).

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Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Lee County, SC, by median earnings, are Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($85,380), Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($82,063), and Computer, Engineering, & Science Occupations ($62,292).

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Industries

Employment by Industries

6.01k

2017 Value

± 478

1.26%

1 Year growth

± 10.9%

From 2016 to 2017, employment in Lee County, SC grew at a rate of 1.26%, from 5.93k employees to 6.01k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Lee County, SC, are Manufacturing (1,254 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (856 people), and Retail Trade (817 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Lee County, SC, though some of these residents may live in Lee County, SC and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

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Most Common

The most common industries in Lee County, SC, by number of employees, are Manufacturing (1,254 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (856 people), and Retail Trade (817 people).

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Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Lee County, SC has an unusually high number of Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (3.66 times higher than expected), Utilities (2.78 times), and Manufacturing (2.06 times) industries.

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Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Lee County, SC, by median earnings, are Information ($47,143), Transportation & Warehousing ($37,171), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting ($36,250).

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Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

  1. Plastics/rubber

    $17.8B

  2. Machinery

    $17.1B

  3. Electronics

    $12.6B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina product (by dollars) was Plastics/rubber with $17.8B, followed by Machinery ($17.1B) and Electronics ($12.6B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound South Carolina products.

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Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for South Carolina state.

$178B

2020 Value

$244B

Projected 2045 Value

37% growth

In 2020, total outbound South Carolina trade was $178B. This is expected to increase 37% to $244B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound South Carolina trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

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Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from South Carolina to other states, or from other states to South Carolina.

Most Common Trade Partners

  1. North Carolina

    $24.2B

  2. Georgia

    $14.4B

  3. Tennessee

    $6.22B

In 2015, the top outbound South Carolina domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was North Carolina with $24.2B, followed by Georgia with $14.4B and Tennessee and $6.22B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that South Carolina shares with each state (excluding itself).

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Health

88.3% of the population of Lee County, SC has health coverage, with 34.8% on employee plans, 27.8% on Medicaid, 11.1% on Medicare, 12.1% on non-group plans, and 2.49% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in the county of Lee County, SC was $7,311 in 2014. This is a 4.15% increase from the previous year ($7,020).

Primary care physicians in Lee County, SC see 8948 patients per year on average, which represents a 2.44% decrease from the previous year (9172 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 8818 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 928 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (20.1%). Additionally, Lee County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (42.8%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

8,948 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio

Primary care physicians in Lee County, SC see an average of 8,948 patients per year. This represents a 2.44% decrease from the previous year (9,172 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Lee County, SC in comparison to neighboring states.

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Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

  1. West Virginia

    8.26% of the population affected

  2. Arkansas

    8.13% of the population affected

  3. New Hampshire

    7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

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Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

  1. Mississippi

    19.2% of adults

  2. Texas

    17.9% of adults

  3. Louisiana

    17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

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Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for South Carolina.

$7,311

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care 

$4,235

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$5,491

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$10,298

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in South Carolina (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.15%, from $7,020 to $7,311.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

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Health Care Coverage

11.7%

Uninsured

34.8%

Employer Coverage

27.8%

Medicaid

11.1%

Medicare

12.1%

Non-Group

2.49%

Military or VA

Between 2016 and 2017, the percent of uninsured citizens in Lee County, SC declined by 10.4% from 13.1% to 11.7%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Lee County, SC changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

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Health Risks

Data available at the county level.

Most at risk counties

  1. Dillon County

    20.1% prevalence

  2. Williamsburg County

    19.6% prevalence

  3. Barnwell County

    18.7% prevalence

Dillon County has the highest prevalence of diabetes in South Carolina, at 20.1%.

The following map shows the prevalence of diabetes in South Carolina by county over multiple years.

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Diversity

Lee County, SC is home to a population of 17.9k people, from which 99.8% are citizens. As of 2017, 0.536% of Lee County, SC residents were born outside of the country (96 people).

The ethnic composition of the population of Lee County, SC is composed of 11.2k Black or African American Alone residents (62.6%), 5.84k White Alone residents (32.6%), 418 Hispanic or Latino residents (2.34%), 357 Two or More Races residents (1.99%), 63 American Indian & Alaska Native Alone residents (0.352%), 6 Asian Alone residents (0.0335%), 6 Some Other Race Alone residents (0.0335%), and 0 Native Hawaiian & Other Pacific Islander Alone residents (0%).

Age

Age by Nativity

42

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

52

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 5.1

In 2017, the median age of all people in Lee County, SC was 41.7. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 42, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 52. But people in Lee County, SC are getting getting older. In 2016, the average age of all Lee County, SC residents was 41.

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Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

0.536%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

96 people

0.506%

2016 Foreign-Born Population

92 people

As of 2017, 0.536% of Lee County, SC residents (96 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2016, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Lee County, SC was 0.506%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Lee County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for South Carolina.

Most Common Origin

  1. Mexico

    68,828 ± 6,396 people

  2. India

    11,778 ± 2,661 people

  3. Philippines

    9,880 ± 2,438 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of South Carolina was Mexico, the natal country of 68,828 South Carolina residents, followed by India with 11,778 and Philippines with 9,880.

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Citizenship

99.8%

2017 Citizenship

99.8%

2016 Citizenship

As of 2017, 99.8% of Lee County, SC residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2016, the percentage of US citizens in Lee County, SC was 99.8%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Lee County, SC compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Race and Ethnicity

Most Common

  1. Black or African American Alone

    11.2k ± 187

  2. White Alone

    5.84k ± 9

  3. Hispanic or Latino

    418 ± 157

In 2017, there were 1.92 times more Black or African American Alone residents (11.2k people) in Lee County, SC than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.84k White Alone and 418 Hispanic or Latino residents, the second and third most common racial or ethnic groups.

The following bar chart shows the 8 races and ethnicities represented in Lee County, SC as a share of the total population.

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Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

  1. Vietnam

    300 ± 82

  2. Gulf War (2001-)

    187 ± 96

  3. Gulf War (1990s)

    128 ± 57

Lee County, SC has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.6 times greater than any other conflict.

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Housing & Living

The median property value in Lee County, SC was $69,800 in 2017, which is 0.304 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2016 and 2017 the median property value increased from $68,100 to $69,800, a 2.5% increase. The homeownership rate in Lee County, SC is 74.8%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Lee County, SC have an average commute time of 26.3 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Lee County, SC is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$69,800

2017 Median

± $5,610

$68,100

2016 Median

± $4,273

In 2017, the median property value in Lee County, SC grew to to $69,800 from the previous year's value of $68,100.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Lee County, SC compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lee County, SC the largest share of households have a property value in the $100k - $125k range.

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Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$31,963

Median Household Income

± $2,552

6.5k

Number of Households

± 473

In 2017, the median household income of the 6.5k households in Lee County, SC grew to $31,963 from the previous year's value of $31,169.

The following chart displays the households in Lee County, SC distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the < $10k range.

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Property Taxes

< $800

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Lee County, SC distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Lee County, SC the largest share of households pay taxes in the < $800 range.

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Rent vs Own

74.8%

2017 Homeownership

76.3%

2016 Homeownership

In 2017, 74.8% of the housing units in Lee County, SC were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 76.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Lee County, SC compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

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Commute Time

26.3 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Lee County, SC have a longer commute time (26.3 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.1 minutes). Additionally, 2.4% of the workforce in Lee County, SC have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Lee County, SC compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

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Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

  1. Drove Alone

    85.8%

  2. Carpooled

    7.73%

  3. Walked

    2.13%

In 2017, the most common method of travel for workers in Lee County, SC was Drove Alone (85.8%), followed by those who Carpooled (7.73%) and those who Walked (2.13%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

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Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Lee County, SC distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Lee County, SC have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

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