Renting · Section 8
Data from November 2026
Renting in Barnwell County, South Carolina
Barnwell County has a HUD fair market rent of $892 a month for 2 bedrooms (Fiscal year 2027). Renter households here pay a typical rent of $740 a month (Average 2020–2024). Paying the fair market rent without going over 30% of income takes $17.15 an hour, full time.
Four numbers to start with
- Fair market rent, 2 bedrooms
- $892
- a month, HUD, Fiscal year 2027
- 36% less than in South Carolina
- Typical rent
- $740
- a month, Census, Average 2020–2024
- 37% less than in South Carolina
- Wage needed
- $17.15
- an hour, 2 bedrooms
- Or $35,680 a year, to spend no more than 30% of income on rent.
- Rent-burdened households
- 47%
- spend 30% or more of income on rent
- 10% less than in South Carolina
Only here
Renting in Barnwell County: what sets it apart
What this place has that others do not, from public data, most unusual first.
-
22% of households in Barnwell County have no internet at home, against 8% in South Carolina.
Sources: U.S. Census Bureau (Average 2020–2024).
Fair market rent
What HUD sets for each size
Every year HUD (the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development) publishes a Fair Market Rent (FMR) for each home size in Barnwell County. It is used to work out how much a Section 8 voucher covers. The table shows what you need to earn to pay it without spending more than 30% of income.
The fair market rent covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone. HUD generally sets it at the 40th percentile: 4 in 10 standard-quality homes rented recently cost less. 24 CFR §888.113(a)
| Size | Fair rent per month | Hourly wage | Income needed per year |
|---|---|---|---|
| Studio | $648 | $12.46 | $25,920 |
| 1 bedroom | $682 | $13.12 | $27,280 |
| 2 bedrooms | $892 | $17.15 | $35,680 |
| 3 bedrooms | $1,063 | $20.44 | $42,520 |
| 4 bedrooms | $1,172 | $22.54 | $46,880 |
HUD area: Barnwell County, SC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2027
By ZIP code
The fair market rent for your ZIP code
HUD also publishes fair market rents by ZIP code (Small Area FMRs) for 7 ZIP codes in Barnwell County (Fiscal year 2027). Type yours to see it.
For 2 bedrooms they run from $890 in 29812 to $1,000 in 29853. 5 ZIP codes are above the county's fair market rent ($892).
Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses. 24 CFR §982.503(a)(1)
| 29812 | Allendale County, SC | $640 | $750 | $890 | $1,100 | $1,160 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29812 | Barnwell County, SC | $640 | $750 | $890 | $1,100 | $1,160 |
| 29817 | Bamberg County, SC | $730 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,320 |
| 29817 | Barnwell County, SC | $730 | $770 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,320 |
| 29826 | Barnwell County, SC | $730 | $780 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,340 |
| 29853 | Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC | $730 | $790 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,350 |
| 29853 | Barnwell County, SC | $730 | $790 | $1,000 | $1,200 | $1,350 |
- 29812 · Allendale County, SC $890$1,100
- 29812 · Barnwell County, SC $890$1,100
- 29817 · Bamberg County, SC $1,000$1,200
- 29817 · Barnwell County, SC $1,000$1,200
- 29826 · Barnwell County, SC $1,000$1,200
- 29853 · Augusta-Richmond County, GA-SC $1,000$1,200
- 29853 · Barnwell County, SC $1,000$1,200
Source: Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) Fiscal year 2027 Small Area Fair Market Rents (HUD) (external site)
Rent burden
How many households spend too much
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Barnwell County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).
Paying too much rent leaves little for food, transportation and savings. If that is you, the agencies below can guide you for free.
47%
of renter households spend 30% or more of their income on rent.
2,359 households rent in Barnwell County
- Spend half or more of their income 25%
- Spend 30% or more, but less than half 22%
- Spend less than 30% 53%
Compared with the state and the country
- Barnwell 47%
- South Carolina 52%
- United States 51%
Low-income apartments
Low-income apartments in Barnwell County
HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Barnwell County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest.
- with tax credits (LIHTC)
- 6
- HUD-assisted
- 5
- public housing
- 3
620 homes in all; 619 of them low-income, according to HUD.
- Litchfield Apts Public housing 260 Litchfield St, Barnwell 29812 140 low-income homes · Run by SC Regional Housing Authority No 3 · Average payment: $262 a month · Average wait: 10 months · (803) 259-3588
- Williston Public housing 401 Mattie St, Williston 29853 116 homes, 115 low-income · Run by SC Regional Housing Authority No 3 · Average payment: $308 a month · Average wait: 13 months · Homes at several sites · (803) 259-3588
- Colony West Apts of Barnwell Tax credit (LIHTC) 29 Colony West St, Barnwell 29812 58 low-income homes · 1 bd: 4 · 2 bd: 27 · 3 bd: 21 · 4 bd: 6 · In service since 2005
- Barnwell Arms HUD-assisted 185 Thomas St, Barnwell 29812 50 low-income homes · For older adults · (803) 793-7300
- Hampton Apartments HUD-assisted 834 Hwy 3 Ext, Blackville 29817 36 low-income homes · For families · (803) 793-7300
- West Main Street HUD-assisted West Main ST, Williston 29853 36 low-income homes · For families · (803) 793-7300
- Maple Glen Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 1810 Clinton St, Barnwell 29812 32 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 24 · In service since 2001
- Barnwell IV HUD-assisted 1904 Lemon Park DR, Barnwell 29812 24 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (803) 259-7472
- Blackville Gardens Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 5519 Hilda Rd, Blackville 29817 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 8 · 3 bd: 8 · In service since 1998 · For people with disabilities, families
- Cottonwood Apartments Tax credit (LIHTC) 61 Cottonwood Cir, Williston 29853 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 8 · 2 bd: 16 · In service since 2015 · For families
- Orangeburg New Development Public housing 14 Roy St, Williston 29853 24 low-income homes · Run by SC Regional Housing Authority No 3 · (803) 259-3588
- Williston Elderly Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 25 Camden Ct, Williston 29853 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2005 · For older adults
- Willow Run Apts Tax credit (LIHTC) 55 Harley Rd, Williston 29853 24 low-income homes · 1 bd: 24 · In service since 2010
- Country Trend HUD-assisted 201 Harley Rd, Williston 29853 8 low-income homes · For people with disabilities · (803) 259-7472
Source: HUD, retrieved November 6, 2026. LIHTC database, updated May 14, 2025; Assisted multifamily properties, updated October 23, 2026; Public housing developments, updated October 23, 2026.
Section 8
The Section 8 voucher in Barnwell County
The Housing Choice Voucher (Section 8) pays part of your rent on a home you choose. Your public housing agency runs it. 1 agency serves in Barnwell County. Here is what the rules say:
The rules, with their source
-
You apply at the public housing agency. If you qualify, your name usually goes on a waiting list. Applicants must be U.S. citizens or noncitizens with eligible status as HUD defines it. Source: HUD
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Generally, your family must have very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income, by family size (the middle column of the table). Source: 24 CFR §5.603, §982.201(b)
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Each year, at least 75% of the families an agency admits from its list must have extremely low income (the 30% column). Source: 24 CFR §982.201(b)(2)
-
If the rent is below the payment standard, the family generally pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. If it is above, the family pays more. Source: 24 CFR §982.1(a)(3)
-
When you move in, if the rent is above the payment standard, your share cannot go over 40% of your adjusted monthly income. Source: 24 CFR §982.508
-
Each agency sets a payment standard for each size. Without asking HUD, it can go from 90% to 110% of the fair market rent. Source: 24 CFR §982.503(b), (c)
| People | Extremely low (30%) | Very low (50%) | Low |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $15,960 | $26,150 | $41,800 |
| 2 people | $21,640 | $29,850 | $47,800 |
| 3 people | $27,320 | $33,600 | $53,750 |
| 4 people | $33,000 | $37,300 | $59,700 |
| 5 people | $38,680 | $40,300 | $64,500 |
| 6 people | $43,300 | $43,300 | $69,300 |
| 7 people | $46,300 | $46,300 | $74,050 |
| 8 people | $49,250 | $49,250 | $78,850 |
Area median income: $67,100. HUD income limits by family size, Fiscal year 2026. Area: Barnwell County, SC. Source: HUD, Fiscal year 2026
Possible payment standard
- Studio $583 – $713
- 1 bedroom $614 – $750
- 2 bedrooms $803 – $981
- 3 bedrooms $957 – $1,169
- 4 bedrooms $1,055 – $1,289
The range the rule allows: 90% to 110% of the county's fair market rent. Your agency publishes its own.
Housing agencies that serve this place
- SC Regional Housing Authority No 3 Public housing and Section 8 vouchers · 584 vouchers · 772 public housing units (803) 259-3588 SC Regional Housing Authority No 3: tstill@scrha3.org
Housing agencies in South Carolina Source: HUD, Retrieved November 6, 2026
Your rights as a tenant in South Carolina
What South Carolina law says about deposits, notices and eviction, with the citation for each rule.
See your rights, rule by ruleCompare these rules with other states →
A summary of state law, not legal advice. Cities may have additional rules.
- When must they return my deposit?
- 30 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-410(a)
- If I fall behind on rent, what notice must I get?
- 5 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-710(B)
- How much notice ends a month-to-month rental?
- 30 days
- S.C. Code §27-40-770(b)
- Only a court order can remove youS.C. Code §27-40-660
- Protection from retaliationS.C. Code §27-40-910(a)
Help
Where to get help with rent in Barnwell County
This is the nearest HUD-approved agency. They counsel for free or at low cost.
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Southeastern Housing & Community Development Fka Southeastern Housing Foundation
986 Doyle St, Orangeburg · 37 miles away
- Budget and financial counseling
- Fair housing pre-purchase workshops
- and 3 more
Tool
How much cash do you need to move in?
It starts with the 2-bedroom fair market rent in Barnwell County. Change the rent, the deposit and the fees to yours: the numbers stay in your browser.
Count power on top of the rent: in South Carolina, the average home bill was $150 a month in 2024 (EIA). See electricity and gas costs
Your move
We use the place's fair market rent and the state's deposit rule.
Adjust advanced details
Let's do the math
Cash to move in
$1,784
What you need before you get the keys.
What adds up
- First month
- $892
- Security deposit
- $892
- Total
- $1,784
When you'll have it
Enter what you can set aside each month to see how long it takes.
What helps
- Ask for a receipt for every payment and keep a copy of the lease.
- On move-in day, walk through the home and take dated photos.
- Never send money for a home you haven't seen or a lease you haven't read.
This is a planning estimate, not a price. What you are asked for depends on the landlord, your lease and your state's and city's rules. It is not legal advice.
Frequently asked questions
What is the fair market rent in Barnwell County?
According to HUD (Fiscal year 2027): Studio: $648; 1 bedroom: $682; 2 bedrooms: $892; 3 bedrooms: $1,063; 4 bedrooms: $1,172. It covers rent plus basic utilities, except the phone.
How much do you need to earn to rent in Barnwell County?
Paying the 2-bedroom fair market rent ($892) without spending more than 30% of income takes $17.15 an hour full time, or $35,680 a year.
Who qualifies for Section 8 in Barnwell County?
Generally, families with very low income: no more than 50% of the area median income. For 4 people, HUD's limit here is $37,300 a year (Fiscal year 2026). The family usually pays 30% of its adjusted monthly income. You apply at the housing agency.
How much does Section 8 pay in Barnwell County?
The voucher pays up to your housing agency's payment standard, minus your share. The rule lets the agency set it between 90% and 110% of the fair market rent: for 2 bedrooms here, between $803 and $981 a month. Your agency publishes its figure.
Does the fair market rent change by ZIP code in Barnwell County?
For 2 bedrooms they run from $890 in 29812 to $1,000 in 29853. Where HUD designates these areas, or where the housing agency chooses to use them, the voucher is figured on the ZIP code's rent instead of the county's. Ask your agency which one it uses.
How many low-income apartments are there in Barnwell County?
HUD lists 14 properties with homes for low-income households in Barnwell County: tax-credit apartments (LIHTC), HUD-assisted buildings and public housing. They run from the most low-income homes to the fewest. For tax-credit apartments and HUD-assisted buildings, you apply directly at the building's management office. They tell you whether units are open and how to apply; HUD does not have that information.
How many households spend too much on rent in Barnwell County?
HUD counts rent as a burden when it reaches 30% of income or more. In Barnwell County, 47% of renter households are in that position; in South Carolina, 52%, and nationwide, 51% (Average 2020–2024, Census).