The Town Files

25 Small Towns in South Carolina With the Fewest Tornadoes Since 1950

Ranked by tornadoes within 10 mi since 1950 among 98 towns of 500–10,000 people in South Carolina. #1 is Ridgeland, SC (5 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950).

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Numbers match the ranking.

  1. 25North Hartsville, South Carolina

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    North Hartsville is a community of 2,775 people in Darlington County, South Carolina. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F3 on April 18, 1969.

    2,775 people · Darlington County · median home $110,600 · income $59,744 · Jan low 32°F · 1 in snow

    Full North Hartsville, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of North Hartsville by decade'503'601'701'804'901'003'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  2. 24Hollywood, South Carolina

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hollywood is a town of 5,339 people in Charleston County, South Carolina. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on September 24, 2015.

    5,339 people · Charleston County · median home $460,100 · income $73,693 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Hollywood, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hollywood by decade'50'60'702'80'904'001'106'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  3. 23Burton, South Carolina

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Burton is a community of 6,777 people in Beaufort County, South Carolina. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF1 on July 7, 2021.

    6,777 people · Beaufort County · median home $247,600 · income $68,063 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Burton, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Burton by decade'50'601'70'801'907'001'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  4. 22Clinton, South Carolina

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Clinton is a city of 7,633 people in Laurens County, South Carolina. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on October 8, 2017.

    7,633 people · Laurens County · median home $173,400 · income $44,522 · Jan low 32°F · 2 in snow

    Full Clinton, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Clinton by decade'501'601'70'803'904'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  5. 21Murrells Inlet, South Carolina

    13 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Murrells Inlet is a community of 9,740 people in Georgetown County, South Carolina. 13 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on April 13, 2020.

    9,740 people · Georgetown County · median home $366,000 · income $77,438 · Jan low 37°F

    Full Murrells Inlet, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Murrells Inlet by decade1'501'603'701'801'901'002'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  6. 20Belton, South Carolina

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Belton is a city of 4,335 people in Anderson County, South Carolina. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F2 on April 13, 1980.

    4,335 people · Anderson County · median home $133,500 · income $49,107 · Jan low 31°F · 1 in snow

    Full Belton, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Belton by decade1'501'601'702'802'903'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  7. 19Laurel Bay, South Carolina

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Laurel Bay is a community of 5,082 people in Beaufort County, South Carolina. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF1 on July 7, 2021.

    5,082 people · Beaufort County · median home $231,800 · income $54,345 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Laurel Bay, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Laurel Bay by decade'50'60'70'80'907'002'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  8. 18Laurens, South Carolina

    12 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Laurens, South Carolina
    Photo: Unknown authorUnknown author or not provided (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Laurens is a city of 9,335 people in Laurens County, South Carolina. 12 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on October 8, 2017.

    9,335 people · Laurens County · median home $180,700 · income $49,246 · Jan low 30°F · 1 in snow

    Full Laurens, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Laurens by decade'501'601'701'802'902'004'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  9. 17Lake City, South Carolina

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lake City is a city of 5,903 people in Florence County, South Carolina. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F2 on September 16, 1996.

    5,903 people · Florence County · median home $144,300 · income $33,600 · Jan low 34°F · 2 in snow

    Full Lake City, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lake City by decade'501'60'701'807'902'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  10. 16Hardeeville, South Carolina

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Hardeeville is a city of 7,473 people in Jasper County, South Carolina. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on March 15, 2008.

    7,473 people · Jasper County · median home $488,900 · income $78,365 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Hardeeville, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Hardeeville by decade'50'60'702'801'904'002'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  11. 15Georgetown, South Carolina

    11 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Georgetown is a city of 8,403 people in Georgetown County, South Carolina. 11 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F2 on October 11, 2002.

    8,403 people · Georgetown County · median home $168,100 · income $56,981 · Jan low 37°F

    Full Georgetown, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Georgetown by decade1'50'601'70'801'903'002'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  12. 14Bishopville, South Carolina

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Bishopville is a city of 3,024 people in Lee County, South Carolina. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on March 15, 2008.

    3,024 people · Lee County · median home $128,200 · income $39,276 · Jan low 33°F · 0 in snow

    Full Bishopville, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Bishopville by decade'503'601'701'80'904'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  13. 13Litchfield Beach, South Carolina

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Litchfield Beach is a community of 8,370 people in Georgetown County, South Carolina. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on April 13, 2020.

    8,370 people · Georgetown County · median home $459,000 · income $76,351 · Jan low 37°F

    Full Litchfield Beach, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Litchfield Beach by decade2'501'603'70'80'901'00'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  14. 12Lancaster, South Carolina

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lancaster is a city of 8,460 people in Lancaster County, South Carolina. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F1 on September 7, 2004.

    8,460 people · Lancaster County · median home $239,100 · income $46,311 · Jan low 33°F · 2 in snow

    Full Lancaster, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lancaster by decade2'501'60'701'801'903'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  15. 11York, South Carolina

    10 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    York is a city of 8,503 people in York County, South Carolina. 10 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F2 on May 24, 1973.

    8,503 people · York County · median home $198,600 · income $56,176 · Jan low 30°F · 1 in snow

    Full York, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of York by decade'501'602'702'802'901'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  16. 10Andrews, South Carolina

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Andrews is a town of 2,575 people in Georgetown County, South Carolina. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF1 on April 13, 2020.

    2,575 people · Georgetown County · median home $116,400 · income $57,247 · Jan low 35°F

    Full Andrews, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Andrews by decade'50'60'70'802'901'003'103'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  17. 9Saluda, South Carolina

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Saluda is a town of 3,122 people in Saluda County, South Carolina. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F3 on November 22, 1992.

    3,122 people · Saluda County · median home $77,700 · income $42,506 · Jan low 32°F · 0 in snow

    Full Saluda, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Saluda by decade'50'60'70'805'902'001'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  18. 8East Camden, South Carolina

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    East Camden is a community of 3,215 people in Kershaw County, South Carolina. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F3 on September 7, 2004.

    3,215 people · Kershaw County · median home $183,100 · income $53,715 · Jan low 31°F · 0 in snow

    Full East Camden, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of East Camden by decade'502'60'70'803'904'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  19. 7Marion, South Carolina

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Marion is a city of 6,448 people in Marion County, South Carolina. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F2 on June 10, 1982.

    6,448 people · Marion County · median home $137,300 · income $30,662 · Jan low 34°F · 1 in snow

    Full Marion, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Marion by decade1'502'60'702'801'901'00'102'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  20. 6Camden, South Carolina

    9 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Camden is a city of 7,788 people in Kershaw County, South Carolina. 9 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F3 on September 7, 2004.

    7,788 people · Kershaw County · median home $265,300 · income $63,576 · Jan low 31°F · 0 in snow

    Full Camden, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Camden by decade'501'60'70'803'905'00'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  21. 5Chester, South Carolina

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Chester, South Carolina
    Photo: Tichnor Brothers, Inc. (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Chester is a city of 5,269 people in Chester County, South Carolina. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on November 16, 2011.

    5,269 people · Chester County · median home $123,000 · income $46,138 · Jan low 30°F · 1 in snow

    Full Chester, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Chester by decade'50'601'701'802'901'002'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  22. 4Lugoff, South Carolina

    8 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lugoff is a community of 9,990 people in Kershaw County, South Carolina. 8 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F3 on September 7, 2004.

    9,990 people · Kershaw County · median home $223,900 · income $69,485 · Jan low 31°F · 0 in snow

    Full Lugoff, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lugoff by decade'50'60'701'802'904'00'101'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  23. 3Lesslie, South Carolina

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Lesslie is a community of 3,068 people in York County, South Carolina. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF2 on November 16, 2011.

    3,068 people · York County · median home $258,400 · income $100,618 · Jan low 33°F · 3 in snow

    Full Lesslie, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Lesslie by decade'501'601'701'801'901'002'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  24. 2Kingstree, South Carolina

    7 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Kingstree, South Carolina
    Photo: Curt Teich & Co. (public domain, Wikimedia Commons)

    Kingstree is a town of 3,244 people in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. 7 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an F2 on May 4, 1978.

    3,244 people · Williamsburg County · median home $177,000 · income $26,322 · Jan low 34°F · 1 in snow

    Full Kingstree, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Kingstree by decade'501'601'701'802'901'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

  25. 1Ridgeland, South Carolina

    5 tornadoes within 10 miles since 1950

    Ridgeland is a town of 3,758 people in Jasper County, South Carolina. 5 tornadoes since 1950 (typical South Carolina town: 17); the strongest was an EF1 on June 11, 2012.

    3,758 people · Jasper County · median home $228,400 · income $62,981 · Jan low 40°F · 0 in snow

    Full Ridgeland, South Carolina profile: weather, storms, schools, jobs →

    Tornadoes within 10 miles of Ridgeland by decade'501'60'70'801'902'001'10'20
    Tornado tracks within 10 miles of the town center, NOAA Storm Events 1950–2026.

More South Carolina rankings

Same ranking, other places

Methodology. We ranked 98 towns of 500–10,000 people in South Carolina (2020 Census population). Only towns better than 60% of their peers on this measure qualify, so lists can be shorter than 25. Sources: