In 2022, government transfers accounted for 22.4% of total income in South Carolina, an alarming 15.1% surge from 7.3% in 1970, and a 1% increase over 2012’s 21.4%, according to information from the Economic Innovation Group. On a per capita basis, this equates to $12,028 per resident in 2022, up from $9,394 in 2012 and $1,382 in 1970.
Among South Carolina’s counties, Allendale County saw the largest increase in transfer dependency over the past 10 years, surging 9.1% from 33.2% in 2012 to 42.3% in 2022, and up 29.1% from just 13.2% in 1970. In dollar terms, government transfers per capita in Allendale County jumped from $11,051 in 2012 to $17,191 in 2022, a stark contrast to the $1,770 recorded in 1970.
Dorchester County followed with the second-largest increase in transfer dependency, increasing 5.7% from 19.1% in 2012 to 24.8% in 2022, and an overall increase of 16.8% from 1970’s 8% transfer dependency. This trend is reflected in per capita amounts, with residents of Dorchester County receiving an average of $11,830 in transfer income in 2022, up from $8,027 in 2012 and more than double the $1,770 recorded in 1970.
Additionally, Allendale County had the highest percentage of income derived from government transfers, at 42.3% in 2022, making it the county with the highest overall transfer dependency. McCormick County and Bamberg County followed closely behind, with transfer dependency rates of 41.9% and 39.8% in 2022, respectively.
Compared to 1970, Allendale County increased by 29.1%, while McCormick County and Bamberg County have increased by 28.8% and 28.3%, respectively, showing sustained reliance on government transfers. Residents in Allendale County received an average of $17,191 in transfers per capita, with McCormick County and Bamberg County close behind at $19,290 and $15,906, respectively.
For comparison, the statewide average was 22.4% in 2022, showing a higher dependency than the national average of 17.6%. On a per capita level, this translates to $12,028 per resident in 2022, compared to $11,542 nationwide.
Government transfer payments are non-repayable funds provided by federal, state, or local governments to support individuals in need. These payments aim to stabilize economic conditions and provide financial support during hardships. Key programs include Social Security transfers (retirement benefits), Medicare transfers (healthcare for seniors), Medicaid transfers (healthcare for low-income individuals), and income maintenance transfers (financial assistance for basic needs).
In South Carolina, reliance on government transfers was just 7.3% (or $1,382 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970. This has since increased to 22.4% (or $12,028 per capita) in 2022, reflecting a total increase of 15.1% since 1970. This shift is largely influenced by increased healthcare costs, and economic transformations that have reshaped income sources across the U.S.
In 2022, the primary government transfer programs in South Carolina included:
- Social Security: $4,408 per capita (36.6% of total transfers)
- Medicare: $3,103 per capita (25.8% of total transfers)
- Medicaid: $1,479 per capita (12.3% of total transfers)
- Income Maintenance Programs: $1,317 per capita (11% of total transfers)
With 18.9% of the population aged 65 and older, South Carolina has a significant demand for programs like Social Security and Medicare. However, counties with higher poverty rates also show elevated Medicaid and income maintenance participation.
Government transfers have long been a modest financial safety net, historically comprising only a small fraction of Americans’ income. However, since the 1970s—sometimes dubbed the “Great Transfer-mation”—dependency has surged from 8.2% (or $2,022 per capita in inflation-adjusted 2022 dollars) in 1970 to 17.6% (or $11,542 per capita) in 2022 nationwide. In South Carolina, reliance on government transfers has similarly increased from 7.3% (or $1,382 per capita) in 1970 to 22.4% (or $12,028 per capita) in 2022, reflecting broader national trends.
According to the Economic Innovation Group’s analysis, these trends are not merely short-term responses to economic pressures but rather reflect a profound, long-term transformation in how government support is integrated into American life. The study illustrates that structural shifts—from rising healthcare expenses and demographic changes to stagnant wages—have significantly increased dependency on government transfers.
| County | Dependency on Transfers (%) | Change Since 2012 | Change Since 1970 | Per Capita Amount (2022) | Per Capita Change Since 2012 | Per Capita Change Since 1970 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Abbeville County | 34.1% | 2% | 24.8% | $13,588 | $2,793 | $12,103 |
| Aiken County | 24.3% | 1.9% | 17.9% | $12,534 | $2,650 | $11,165 |
| Allendale County | 42.3% | 9.1% | 29.1% | $17,191 | $6,140 | $15,421 |
| Anderson County | 25.2% | 0.2% | 17.3% | $12,034 | $2,083 | $10,563 |
| Bamberg County | 39.8% | 3.5% | 28.3% | $15,906 | $3,522 | $14,295 |
| Barnwell County | 37.5% | 5.3% | 27% | $14,685 | $3,530 | $12,971 |
| Beaufort County | 19% | 1.2% | 15.3% | $13,685 | $3,633 | $12,676 |
| Berkeley County | 17.9% | -0.2% | 13.3% | $9,080 | $1,729 | $8,257 |
| Calhoun County | 26.9% | -0.1% | 17.8% | $13,341 | $2,643 | $11,902 |
| Charleston County | 13.3% | -0.3% | 8.7% | $10,152 | $1,789 | $9,061 |
| Cherokee County | 32.1% | 2.4% | 24.4% | $12,442 | $2,236 | $11,145 |
| Chester County | 33.8% | 1.8% | 24.2% | $13,987 | $3,059 | $12,492 |
| Chesterfield County | 33.5% | 1.3% | 24% | $13,083 | $2,851 | $11,567 |
| Clarendon County | 37.3% | 3.1% | 24.8% | $16,889 | $5,106 | $15,403 |
| Colleton County | 37.3% | 4.4% | 25.7% | $15,655 | $4,238 | $13,955 |
| Darlington County | 30.6% | 1.9% | 21.2% | $14,583 | $3,640 | $13,057 |
| Dillon County | 39.7% | 3.7% | 27.5% | $15,532 | $4,821 | $13,993 |
| Dorchester County | 24.8% | 5.7% | 16.8% | $11,830 | $3,803 | $10,255 |
| Edgefield County | 27.5% | 3.8% | 19.2% | $13,486 | $4,874 | $12,147 |
| Fairfield County | 32.4% | 3% | 20.4% | $16,217 | $5,036 | $14,644 |
| Florence County | 26.5% | 1% | 17.2% | $13,791 | $3,059 | $12,217 |
| Georgetown County | 28.5% | 1.6% | 17.5% | $16,295 | $3,845 | $14,633 |
| Greenville County | 18.1% | 0.8% | 11.4% | $10,268 | $1,862 | $8,897 |
| Greenwood County | 30.7% | 2.3% | 22.9% | $13,421 | $2,596 | $11,848 |
| Hampton County | 36.5% | 4.7% | 24.8% | $14,735 | $4,583 | $12,858 |
| Horry County | 31.2% | 3.7% | 22.7% | $14,637 | $4,095 | $13,134 |
| Jasper County | 29.6% | 0.6% | 17.4% | $12,162 | $3,600 | $10,436 |
| Kershaw County | 26.3% | 3% | 18.8% | $13,853 | $3,910 | $12,412 |
| Lancaster County | 22.2% | -2.1% | 15.8% | $12,236 | $1,922 | $11,078 |
| Laurens County | 35.6% | 2.1% | 27.3% | $15,193 | $3,192 | $13,743 |
| Lee County | 38.1% | 2.8% | 26.2% | $15,593 | $4,221 | $14,207 |
| Lexington County | 19.1% | 2.2% | 14.1% | $10,916 | $2,988 | $9,805 |
| McCormick County | 41.9% | 2.4% | 28.8% | $19,290 | $5,348 | $17,558 |
| Marion County | 39.5% | 3.4% | 26.8% | $16,221 | $4,796 | $14,442 |
| Marlboro County | 38% | 2.5% | 26% | $14,387 | $3,825 | $12,669 |
| Newberry County | 28.8% | 2% | 19.4% | $13,661 | $3,058 | $11,991 |
| Oconee County | 25.6% | 0% | 17.2% | $13,905 | $2,745 | $12,352 |
| Orangeburg County | 36.6% | 4.5% | 26.3% | $15,043 | $3,965 | $13,499 |
| Pickens County | 24.4% | 0.7% | 18.2% | $11,183 | $2,083 | $10,044 |
| Richland County | 20.4% | 2.8% | 14.6% | $11,015 | $2,859 | $9,735 |
| Saluda County | 26% | -0.7% | 16.3% | $11,397 | $1,424 | $9,853 |
| Spartanburg County | 20.5% | -0.6% | 12.7% | $10,810 | $1,512 | $9,317 |
| Sumter County | 30% | 4.9% | 22.9% | $13,982 | $3,698 | $12,742 |
| Union County | 39% | 3.3% | 28% | $14,885 | $2,912 | $13,108 |
| Williamsburg County | 38.4% | 2.1% | 26.3% | $14,765 | $3,238 | $13,316 |
| York County | 16% | -0.6% | 8.4% | $9,432 | $1,642 | $8,067 |
