Baxter Village
unincorporated, York County · 4,542 peopleStrongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
C+Cost–SafetyA+SchoolsAHealthA−JobsA−WalkB+Hazards
South Carolina rankings · 2026
Best small towns in South Carolina
Baxter Village ranks first of South Carolina’s 103 graded small towns (2,500–9,999 residents), with an A+: schools (A+) and health (A) are its strongest grades; cost of living (C+) is its lowest. 8 of the 103 (8%) grade A− or better nationally, against 25% of U.S. towns.
The overall grade, sorted: cost of living, safety, schools, health, jobs & income, walkability and hazard risk, from Census, FBI, state, CDC, EPA and FEMA data. How grades work
A+
#6Clover
York County · 7,659 peopleStrongest: schools A+, hazard risk A·lowest: health B−
B+CostBSafetyA+SchoolsB−HealthBJobsB−WalkAHazards
India Hook
unincorporated, York County · 3,960 peopleStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
B+Cost–SafetyB−SchoolsAHealthA+JobsC−WalkBHazards
Where they are: Five of the top 10 are in York County.
All 103 small towns
Overall score, highest first. The score (0–100) blends the seven livability grades and sets the order; the letter places that score among every U.S. town of 2,500+, and A+ is the top 5%, so neighbors on the list often share a letter. Each town links to its page, where the grade sheet shows every subject. The rank is the town’s place among all 167 South Carolina towns.
103 towns ranked. Not here? See why a town may be missing.
#TownScoreGradeWhat drives it
2Baxter Villageunincorporated, York County · 4,542 people74.7top 1.6%A+Strongest: schools A+, health A·lowest: cost of living C+
6CloverYork County · 7,659 people68.9top 8.6%AStrongest: schools A+, hazard risk A·lowest: health B−
7India Hookunincorporated, York County · 3,960 people68.7top 9.0%AStrongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: walkability C−
8Lesslieunincorporated, York County · 3,077 people68.4top 9.4%AStrongest: cost of living A+, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability B−
10Newportunincorporated, York County · 4,121 people68.2top 9.8%AStrongest: cost of living A−, jobs & income A−·lowest: walkability C
11RavenelCharleston County · 2,728 people67.8top 10.6%AStrongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: hazard risk D−
15Northlakeunincorporated, Anderson County · 4,390 people65.3top 16.1%A−Strongest: jobs & income A−, schools B+·lowest: walkability C
19CentralPickens County · 5,298 people63.5top 20.4%A−Strongest: walkability A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
22Lake Murray of Richlandunincorporated, Richland County · 7,023 people61.5top 25.5%B+Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A·lowest: cost of living D
24Isle of PalmsCharleston County · 4,377 people60.6top 27.9%B+Strongest: jobs & income A+, health A+·lowest: hazard risk D−
25Lugoffunincorporated, Kershaw County · 9,786 people60.5top 28.1%B+Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability C−
27Keowee Keyunincorporated, Oconee County · 3,351 people60.1top 29.2%B+Strongest: jobs & income A−, health A−·lowest: walkability C−
29Forestbrookunincorporated, Horry County · 7,479 people58.7top 32.8%B+Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk D
30Travelers RestGreenville County · 9,135 people58.4top 33.4%B+Strongest: walkability A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income C−
31LymanSpartanburg County · 7,103 people58.3top 33.7%B+Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability C
34PendletonAnderson County · 3,739 people57.5top 36.0%BStrongest: schools A+, cost of living B+·lowest: safety C
36Valley Fallsunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 8,239 people56.9top 37.5%BStrongest: schools A+, health B−·lowest: jobs & income C+
37WoodruffSpartanburg County · 6,026 people56.8top 37.9%BStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health C−
39Golden Groveunincorporated, Greenville County · 2,913 people56.2top 39.5%BStrongest: jobs & income A, schools A·lowest: walkability D
40LibertyPickens County · 3,344 people55.8top 40.7%BStrongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A−·lowest: walkability C−
41Welcomeunincorporated, Greenville County · 6,527 people55.6top 41.0%BStrongest: schools A, cost of living B·lowest: health C−
42Centervilleunincorporated, Anderson County · 7,049 people55.5top 41.3%BStrongest: hazard risk B+, jobs & income B+·lowest: walkability C−
43Sans Souciunincorporated, Greenville County · 7,665 people55.5top 41.4%BStrongest: schools A, walkability A−·lowest: health C
45Belvedereunincorporated, Aiken County · 5,180 people55.1top 42.3%BStrongest: hazard risk A, cost of living A−·lowest: health C
46BeltonAnderson County · 4,631 people55.1top 42.5%BStrongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income C−
48Homewoodunincorporated, Horry County · 2,708 people54.7top 43.5%BStrongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk D
50Roebuckunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 2,902 people54.5top 43.9%BStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living A−·lowest: walkability C
51BlythewoodRichland County · 7,233 people54.2top 44.8%BStrongest: jobs & income A−, schools B+·lowest: cost of living D
52Burtonunincorporated, Beaufort County · 6,912 people53.9top 45.6%B−Strongest: schools B+, cost of living B·lowest: hazard risk D−
54LandrumSpartanburg County · 2,865 people53.7top 46.0%B−Strongest: hazard risk A, schools A·lowest: health C−
55Piedmontunincorporated, Anderson County · 5,462 people53.4top 47.0%B−Strongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: walkability C−
58East Camdenunincorporated, Kershaw County · 4,194 people52.7top 49.2%B−Strongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B·lowest: walkability C−
60White Knollunincorporated, Lexington County · 8,310 people52.6top 49.5%B−Strongest: schools A−, jobs & income B·lowest: walkability D
61PacoletSpartanburg County · 2,644 people52.4top 50.0%B−Strongest: cost of living A+, schools A−·lowest: walkability D
62Duneanunincorporated, Greenville County · 3,668 people51.2bottom 46.9%B−Strongest: schools A, walkability A−·lowest: health C−
65WilliamstonAnderson County · 4,338 people50.6bottom 45.4%B−Strongest: schools A+, cost of living A·lowest: safety D
67BurnettownAiken County · 3,267 people50.4bottom 44.7%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk B+·lowest: walkability D
68Clearwaterunincorporated, Aiken County · 3,319 people50.3bottom 44.4%C+Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D
70Sangareeunincorporated, Berkeley County · 8,681 people49.7bottom 42.6%C+Strongest: cost of living B+, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
72AbbevilleAbbeville County · 4,902 people49.3bottom 41.8%C+Strongest: cost of living A, schools A·lowest: jobs & income D
74HollywoodCharleston County · 5,652 people49.0bottom 40.9%C+Strongest: schools A, jobs & income B·lowest: hazard risk D−
75PickensPickens County · 3,188 people48.7bottom 40.0%C+Strongest: schools A−, cost of living A−·lowest: safety D
77WellfordSpartanburg County · 3,914 people48.5bottom 39.4%C+Strongest: schools A−, safety B+·lowest: health D
78Glovervilleunincorporated, Aiken County · 2,505 people48.3bottom 39.0%C+Strongest: cost of living A−, schools B·lowest: walkability C−
80WalhallaOconee County · 4,320 people48.1bottom 38.2%C+Strongest: cost of living A, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D
82Litchfield Beachunincorporated, Georgetown County · 9,044 people48.0bottom 38.0%C+Strongest: health A−, jobs & income B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
85Woodfieldunincorporated, Richland County · 9,465 people47.4bottom 36.4%C+Strongest: schools B+, walkability B+·lowest: jobs & income C−
87Honea PathAnderson County · 3,950 people47.0bottom 35.3%C+Strongest: schools A, cost of living A−·lowest: jobs & income D−
90SaludaSaluda County · 3,086 people46.5bottom 34.2%CStrongest: cost of living A, walkability A−·lowest: health D
91DuncanSpartanburg County · 4,675 people46.0bottom 32.8%CStrongest: schools A−, hazard risk B·lowest: walkability C−
92Whitneyunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 3,685 people45.8bottom 32.4%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B·lowest: health C−
93InmanSpartanburg County · 3,458 people45.7bottom 32.2%CStrongest: schools A, hazard risk B·lowest: health C−
94Surfside BeachHorry County · 4,392 people45.7bottom 32.1%CStrongest: schools A−, health B+·lowest: hazard risk D
95Homeland Parkunincorporated, Anderson County · 6,632 people45.5bottom 31.5%CStrongest: cost of living A, hazard risk A−·lowest: health D−
97Judsonunincorporated, Greenville County · 2,515 people45.5bottom 31.3%CStrongest: schools A, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
98Laurel Bayunincorporated, Beaufort County · 5,882 people45.3bottom 31.0%CStrongest: health B+, schools B+·lowest: hazard risk D−
101Hilltopunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 2,950 people44.8bottom 29.7%CStrongest: hazard risk A+, schools B·lowest: health D
102Saxonunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 4,085 people44.6bottom 29.2%CStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D−
104GeorgetownGeorgetown County · 8,869 people44.4bottom 28.7%CStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B−·lowest: hazard risk D−
109North Hartsvilleunincorporated, Darlington County · 3,304 people43.3bottom 26.1%CStrongest: cost of living A−, schools B−·lowest: walkability D
111Southern Shopsunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 3,797 people42.2bottom 23.7%C−Strongest: hazard risk A+, schools A−·lowest: health D−
112Arcadiaunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 3,426 people41.7bottom 22.6%C−Strongest: hazard risk A, schools B−·lowest: health C−
113EdgefieldEdgefield County · 4,182 people41.4bottom 21.9%C−Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B+·lowest: health D−
114WinnsboroFairfield County · 3,305 people41.3bottom 21.8%C−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B+·lowest: health D−
115Capitol Viewunincorporated, Richland County · 4,374 people41.3bottom 21.6%C−Strongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: jobs & income C
116LorisHorry County · 2,935 people40.8bottom 20.7%C−Strongest: schools A−, cost of living B+·lowest: hazard risk D
118ChesterChester County · 5,324 people40.4bottom 19.9%C−Strongest: cost of living A, hazard risk B·lowest: health D−
119Arkwrightunincorporated, Spartanburg County · 2,816 people40.4bottom 19.6%C−Strongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: health D
120SenecaOconee County · 9,424 people40.0bottom 18.9%C−Strongest: hazard risk B+, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D
122WestminsterOconee County · 2,504 people39.6bottom 18.3%C−Strongest: hazard risk B+, schools B+·lowest: jobs & income D
123East Gaffneyunincorporated, Cherokee County · 2,824 people39.4bottom 17.9%C−Strongest: cost of living A+, hazard risk B−·lowest: health D−
125SpringdaleLexington County · 2,877 people39.1bottom 17.3%C−Strongest: walkability B+, jobs & income B+·lowest: safety D
127ClintonLaurens County · 7,918 people38.6bottom 16.2%C−Strongest: walkability A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D−
129Batesburg-LeesvilleLexington County · 5,346 people37.8bottom 14.9%DStrongest: hazard risk A−, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D
132Cherryvaleunincorporated, Sumter County · 2,611 people36.3bottom 12.5%DStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B−·lowest: jobs & income D
133Wyboounincorporated, Clarendon County · 3,639 people36.2bottom 12.2%DStrongest: schools B, cost of living C+·lowest: hazard risk D
134LancasterLancaster County · 9,623 people35.4bottom 11.0%DStrongest: schools B+, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D−
137CamdenKershaw County · 9,201 people33.9bottom 9.3%DStrongest: hazard risk B, schools B·lowest: safety D−
138Dalzellunincorporated, Sumter County · 2,946 people33.1bottom 8.3%DStrongest: health B, hazard risk B−·lowest: walkability D
139WillistonBarnwell County · 2,898 people33.1bottom 8.2%DStrongest: cost of living A, walkability B·lowest: jobs & income D−
141RidgelandJasper County · 3,818 people32.5bottom 7.5%DStrongest: cost of living A−, health C·lowest: hazard risk D−
142DenmarkBamberg County · 3,059 people32.1bottom 7.0%DStrongest: walkability B+, schools B·lowest: jobs & income D−
143LaurensLaurens County · 9,327 people32.0bottom 6.9%DStrongest: cost of living B+, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D
144HartsvilleDarlington County · 7,374 people31.0bottom 5.9%DStrongest: walkability A, hazard risk B·lowest: safety D−
145ManningClarendon County · 3,829 people31.0bottom 5.9%DStrongest: walkability B+, cost of living B·lowest: safety D−
146AndrewsGeorgetown County · 2,522 people30.7bottom 5.6%DStrongest: cost of living B+, schools C+·lowest: hazard risk D−
147Brookdaleunincorporated, Orangeburg County · 4,291 people30.6bottom 5.5%DStrongest: cost of living A−, walkability B−·lowest: health D−
148PagelandChesterfield County · 2,518 people29.9bottom 4.7%D−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living B+·lowest: safety D−
151UnionUnion County · 8,077 people29.0bottom 4.0%D−Strongest: cost of living A−, hazard risk A−·lowest: safety D−
152DarlingtonDarlington County · 6,075 people28.2bottom 3.4%D−Strongest: walkability B, hazard risk B−·lowest: safety D−
153BarnwellBarnwell County · 4,619 people25.8bottom 2.0%D−Strongest: cost of living B, walkability B−·lowest: jobs & income D−
154BambergBamberg County · 2,920 people25.5bottom 1.9%D−Strongest: schools B, walkability B−·lowest: safety D−
156CherawChesterfield County · 4,921 people24.4bottom 1.4%D−Strongest: walkability B+, cost of living B−·lowest: safety D−
157Lake CityFlorence County · 5,940 people24.2bottom 1.3%D−Strongest: cost of living B+, walkability B·lowest: safety D−
158DillonDillon County · 6,227 people24.0bottom 1.2%D−Strongest: cost of living A−, walkability C·lowest: safety D−
159BishopvilleLee County · 2,829 people23.4bottom 1.1%D−Strongest: cost of living B, walkability B−·lowest: health D−
160Lakewoodunincorporated, Sumter County · 3,544 people22.7bottom 0.9%D−Strongest: hazard risk B−, cost of living C·lowest: health D
161KingstreeWilliamsburg County · 3,022 people21.9bottom 0.7%D−Strongest: walkability A, cost of living B−·lowest: safety D−
162BennettsvilleMarlboro County · 7,565 people17.6bottom 0.2%D−Strongest: walkability B−, cost of living C+·lowest: safety D−
164HamptonHampton County · 2,598 people16.2bottom 0.1%D−Strongest: schools C+, walkability C−·lowest: safety D−
165MullinsMarion County · 3,838 people15.4bottom 0.1%D−Strongest: cost of living B−, walkability C·lowest: safety D−
166WalterboroColleton County · 5,485 people14.3bottom 0.1%D−Strongest: cost of living C, walkability C·lowest: safety D−
167MarionMarion County · 6,028 people13.3bottom 0.1%D−Strongest: cost of living C, walkability C·lowest: safety D−
Method
How this list is made
Each town’s overall grade blends seven livability grades: cost of living (weight 18), safety (18), schools (16), health (14), jobs & income (12), walkability (8) and hazard risk (4). A town needs 2,500+ residents and three of the first four. Letters are national, so an A here means the same as an A in any state; the list is the same towns in the same order, ranked within South Carolina. Towns without their own FBI figures are graded on the rest and their page says why.
Data years: crime 2023–2025 (FBI), Census ACS 2020–2024, CDC PLACES 2025, state school tests. How grades work
Left off: college campuses
Places where more than half the residents are college students (ACS) are graded like every town but kept off this list, since its figures mostly describe student life.
- C+Arthurtown 56% college students
Quick answers
Questions people ask
What is the best small town in South Carolina?
Among 103 graded towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents, Baxter Village (York County) ranks first, with an A+; schools (A+) and health (A) are its strongest grades; cost of living (C+) is its lowest. Clover and India Hook follow.
How are these towns ranked?
By the overall grade, which blends seven livability grades from public data. The letter is national; the rank is within South Carolina. The full method is on How grades work.
Why isn’t my town on this list?
The list covers towns of 2,500 to 9,999 residents with an overall grade (103 in South Carolina). 94 smaller places have subject grades only; 1 town of 2,500+ lack enough data for a grade; 1 college campus (Arthurtown) is left off. Larger towns are on the best places to live list. Every town is on the South Carolina page.
Go deeper
All South Carolina rankings →More South Carolina lists
Every list ranks the same 2,500+ towns, so a town’s rank means the same thing on each.
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