The TaxLienSimple Index / South Carolina

The TaxLienSimple Index · SC · 2026

South Carolina Tax-Lien & Tax-Deed Investing

What South Carolina statute actually pays — return, redemption and bid method — cross-referenced with the live auction inventory we track. Every figure traces to state law or a county source.

Statutes verified Jul 29, 2026

54 /100
Tier C National rank #22 of 51
The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.
Sale type
Redeemable Deed
Statutory return / penalty
3%–12% (3% for months 1-3, 6% months 4-6, 9% months 7-9, 12% months 10-12), capped at the bid amount
Redemption period
1 year (12 months)
Bid method
premium bid
Sale season
Commonly October through December
What you buy
Tax deed auction with redemption; later FLC resale

Statutory note. Interest is a tiered penalty on the bid that rises each quarter but may never exceed the amount of the winning bid.

1,786live parcels tracked
3counties with inventory
#22of 51 jurisdictions
Read the score correctly. The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.

Remote Investor Snapshot

Verified public-data profile for out-of-area investors — every figure below traces to the cited government source. Blank fields mean the source does not publish that value for this area (we never estimate).

Market & demographics

Population
5,142,750
5-yr population growth
+5.1% growing
Median household income
$63,623
Median age
40
Poverty rate
14.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year 2022

Housing market

Median home value
$216,200
Median gross rent
$1,065/mo
Owner-occupied
70.9% 29.1% renter
Vacancy rate
14.4%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year 2022

Property-tax burden

Median real-estate taxes
$1,138/yr
Effective property-tax rate
0.53% of home value

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year 2022

Natural-hazard risk & safety

Unemployment rate
3.5%

Source: FEMA National Risk Index (2023); U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, LAUS (2023 annual)

Growth & livability signals

New residential permits
42,474 units, 2023
Broadband subscription
85%
Bachelor's degree +
30.6%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey (2023); U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 (household broadband subscription; FCC availability not yet integrated); U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 2022 (educational attainment — school-quality proxy; NCES ratings not yet integrated)

Risk & opportunity flags

Opportunity Zone tracts
135 tax-advantaged
EPA Superfund (NPL) sites
34
EPA Brownfield sites
542

Source: U.S. Treasury CDFI Fund / IRS designated Opportunity Zones; U.S. EPA (SEMS National Priorities List; ACRES Brownfields)

Counties we track in South Carolina

#CountyTaxLienSimple IndexLive parcels
1 Charleston County B 57 1,758
2 Horry County C 53 23
3 Richland County C 52 5

South Carolina tax sale — FAQ

What is the TaxLienSimple Index for South Carolina?

South Carolina scores 54/100 (Tier C), ranked #22 of 51 jurisdictions. The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.

How does redemption and return work in South Carolina?

3%–12% (3% for months 1-3, 6% months 4-6, 9% months 7-9, 12% months 10-12), capped at the bid amount Redemption period: 1 year (12 months). Interest is a tiered penalty on the bid that rises each quarter but may never exceed the amount of the winning bid.

What is South Carolina's statutory return on a tax lien or tax deed purchase?

3%–12% (3% for months 1-3, 6% months 4-6, 9% months 7-9, 12% months 10-12), capped at the bid amount Interest is a tiered penalty on the bid that rises each quarter but may never exceed the amount of the winning bid.

What is the bid method for South Carolina tax sales?

South Carolina uses a premium bid method for its redeemable deed sales.

Does South Carolina use tax-lien auctions or tax-deed sales?

South Carolina uses a redeemable deed system. Interest is a tiered penalty on the bid that rises each quarter but may never exceed the amount of the winning bid.

See the actual parcels in South Carolina

Browse the live tax-lien, deed and foreclosure inventory we track — search by county, redemption window and opening bid.

Browse live auction inventory →  ·  South Carolina tax delinquent property list →  ·  South Carolina state guide →  ·  Set a max bid →  ·  Academy: deed states and redeemable deeds →
The TaxLienSimple Index is a 0–100 research guide built from statutory terms and the inventory we track — not a yield, a guarantee, or investment advice. Realized returns depend on competition, redemption and your own due diligence. Verify every figure with the county before bidding.

© 2026 TaxLienSimple · The TaxLienSimple Index is compiled from state tax statutes and county treasurer/tax-collector offices; live inventory counts reflect parcels currently tracked by TaxLienSimple and update continuously. Nothing here is investment or legal advice.