St. George: Economy & Jobs
Earnings in St. George center on a median $33,125 (2.4× below Dorchester County median $78,198; 2.1× below South Carolina median $70,111), with homes at a median value of $113,500. The surrounding county supports 41,444 jobs (avg $53,559).
- $68,380 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income.
Income & Affordability
Median household income $33,125 — below the South Carolina median ($70,110). Poverty rate 28.4% (U.S. average ~12.5%). 49% of renters spend more than half their income on rent ("severely cost-burdened" by HUD definition; U.S. ~24%).
| Affordability · Home Price To Income | 3.4× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Home Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Rent Pct Income | 29.0% |
| Affordability · Rent Affordability | moderate |
| Affordability · Pct Severely Rent Burdened | 49.0% |
| Affordability · Poverty Rate | 28.4% |
| Affordability · Property Tax Pct Income | 3.1% |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $80,370 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $5,495,712 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $68,380 |
| Irs Income · Year | 2022 |
| Income Estimate | $36,407 |
| Median Household Income | $33,125 (vs South Carolina $70,111) |
| Poverty Rate | 28.4% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | mixed |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | lower-income |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $33,125 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 0.2% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 3% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 3.2% |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Primary Mode | drove alone |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 41,444 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $2,219,683,395 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $53,559 |
| Employment · Year | 2024 |
| State Occupation Wages · Year | 2023 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Soc Code | 00-0000 |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Title | All Occupations |
| State Occupation Wages · All Occupations · Employment | 2,222,950 |
| Unemployment Rate | 0.2% (vs South Carolina 5.1%) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 58 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 76,300 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 1,315.50 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Poultry Totals, Grain, Cotton |
| Agriculture · Year | 2022 |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 2,784 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 32,336 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 1,419,564 |
| Business Patterns · Year | 2022 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 22 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 49 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 23 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 3 |
| Local Businesses · Electronics Stores | 6 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 97 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 109 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 9 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 16 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (10)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (3)
| Nearest Snap · Name | Hot Spot 1608 |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 13 |
Sources: USDA SNAP — county FIPS aggregate
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | THE TRI-COUNTY REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $1,018,655,182 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 6,305.90 |
| Federal Spending · Population | 161,540 people |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 75.6% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 4.3% |
| Pct Walked | 3.2% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 41.6 years (vs South Carolina 40.5y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 39.4% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | older population, strong SS base, hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | excellent |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12