Beaufort County’s spending habits place it among the top counties in South Carolina for per capita expenditures, but questions arise about whether taxpayers are getting their money’s worth. According to the South Carolina Association of Counties’ 2024 County Profiles, Beaufort County’s per capita expenditures for Fiscal Year (FY) 2022 were $1,211 — well above the state average of approximately $1,000. This figure also surpasses many other counties, including those with similar or larger populations.
How Beaufort Compares
Here’s how Beaufort County’s per capita spending (FY22) stacks up against other counties:
- Beaufort County: $1,211
- Berkeley County: $694
- Charleston County: $1,542
- Greenville County: $766
- Lexington County: $813
- Richland County: $985
- Spartanburg County: $926
- State Average: Approximately $1,000
Among these counties, Charleston and Richland — which manage significant urban centers and larger populations — spend less or comparable amounts per capita while maintaining a high level of services. Meanwhile, Lexington County, which has a growing population and similar suburban characteristics, spends 33% less per capita than Beaufort County. Berkeley and Spartanburg Counties are the closest to Beaufort in terms of revenues but spend much less per capita than Beaufort.
What Drives the High Spending?
Beaufort County’s spending is driven by several factors:
- A robust focus on infrastructure and public services.
- Higher-than-average employee salaries and benefits.
- Investments in tourism-driven projects and amenities.
While some of this spending is aimed at maintaining the county’s quality of life and attracting visitors, it raises the question: Is the expenditure sustainable, and are taxpayers seeing a proportional return on their investment?
Population and Tax Base Comparison
Beaufort County’s estimated population in 2023 was 198,979, ranking it as the seventh-largest county in South Carolina. Here’s how it compares to some other counties:
- Beaufort County: 198,979
- Berkeley County: 255,217
- Charleston County: 424,367
- Greenville County: 558,036
- Lexington County: 309,528
- Richland County: 425,138
- Spartanburg: 356,698
Despite being smaller than these counties, Beaufort County’s revenue per capita is significantly higher than most comparable counties. This reflects its high-value real estate market, bolstered by its status as a coastal community with a strong tourism economy.
- Beaufort County Revenue (FY 2022): $300.9 million ($1,608 per capita)
- Berkeley County: $346.8 million ($1,509 per capita)
- Charleston County: $1.0 billion ($2,512 per capita)
- Greenville County: $328.9 million ($626 per capita)
- Lexington County: $278.8 million ($948 per capita)
- Richland County: $497.5 million ($1,196 per capita)
- Spartanburg County: $368.2 million ($1,123 per capita)
This disparity highlights Beaufort’s reliance on its affluent tax base, but it also raises concerns about affordability and the distribution of tax burdens.
Beaufort County’s Debt Burden
Beaufort County’s financial decisions extend beyond operational spending. The county’s total debt outstanding for FY 2024 stands at $164,524,853, or $783 per resident. Here’s how that compares to other counties:
- Beaufort County: $783 per capita
- Berkeley County: $505 per capita
- Charleston County: $966 per capita
- Greenville County: $496 per capita
- Lexington County: $43 per capita
- Richland County: $577 per capita
- Spartanburg County: $204 per capita
This debt level raises red flags about long-term fiscal health, especially when paired with the county’s higher operational spending.
Administrative and Employee Spending
Beaufort County dedicates a notable portion of its budget to salaries, benefits, and administrative costs. According to the data, Beaufort spends more per capita on general government operations than many other counties:
- Beaufort County General Government Spending (FY 2024): $812 per capita
- Berkeley County: $543 per capita
- Charleston County: $795 per capita
- Greenville County: $407 per capita
- Lexington County: $621 per capita
- Richland County: $526 per capita
This higher expenditure could indicate a more robust local government workforce or potentially less efficient management compared to peer counties.
High Income, High Expectations
Beaufort County’s per capita personal income is $72,142, significantly higher than the state average ($53,668). While this affords residents the capacity to bear higher taxes, it also heightens expectations for accountability and prudent fiscal management.
Beaufort County’s comparatively high spending raises questions about budget priorities. The county’s expenditures might reflect its commitment to quality public services, but they also suggest potential inefficiencies or misaligned priorities when compared to peers.
Beaufort County residents and stakeholders should ask:
- Are funds being spent efficiently?
- Could the county achieve the same outcomes with less expenditure?
- Are future taxpayers being burdened by today’s spending decisions?
Beaufort County’s financial trajectory offers both a challenge and an opportunity: to align its investments with actual community needs while ensuring fiscal sustainability for generations to come.
Data from South Carolina Association of Counties:
2. Per Capita Revenues and Expenditures by County, FY 2022
