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As we step into 2026, the struggle for gender equality continues, with women across the United States facing systemic challenges, including pay disparities, representation gaps in leadership, and a disproportionate burden of unpaid labor at home. In South Carolina, the landscape for women varies significantly from city to city.
With a focus on identifying the cities in South Carolina that present the greatest challenges for women, we have compiled a list of the worst cities for women in the state. Understanding these differences is crucial for women seeking better opportunities and a supportive environment.
Continue reading to discover how your city ranks and the factors that contribute to these unfortunate standings for women.
The 10 Worst Cities For Women In South Carolina
These ten cities illustrate the stark realities that women face in South Carolina. Read on to learn more about the challenges specific to each city, or jump to the end to see which cities offer the best prospects for women.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In South Carolina
Each city was ranked in four categories:
- Percentage Of Women In Management (Lower is worse)
- Percentage Of Women In Poverty (Higher is worse)
- How much women earn per male dollar earned (Lower is worse)
- Uninsured Women (Lower is worse)
To calculate the income gap between women and men by city, we utilized the Census’ American Community Survey. The evaluation of male and female earners involved dividing median male income by median female income to ascertain the earnings ratio.
For the percentage of women in poverty, we referenced ACS data, focusing on women living independently without relatives. This approach captures a demographic that is often younger and potentially underemployed, leading to higher poverty rates among independent women.
We examined the percentage of women in management roles using ACS data to understand women’s progress in leadership positions. This metric is crucial as women in management are more likely to foster opportunities for other women.
Lastly, we assessed the percentage of uninsured women in each city using ACS data, offering insight into health access challenges faced by women.
Only cities in South Carolina with populations exceeding 5,000 were included in this analysis.
1. Georgetown
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women In Management: 32.9%
Women In Poverty: 37.9%
Women Uninsured: 14.4%
Georgetown ranks as the most challenging city for women in South Carolina, marked by low representation in management and high poverty and uninsured rates. These factors create significant hurdles for women striving for equality and opportunity.
2. Greenwood
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.76
Women In Management: 21.6%
Women In Poverty: 36.0%
Women Uninsured: 13.4%
Greenwood follows closely behind Georgetown, with a concerning combination of high poverty rates and low management representation for women.
3. Batesburg-Leesville
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.66
Women In Management: 13.4%
Women In Poverty: 23.9%
Women Uninsured: 11.8%
Batesburg-Leesville presents significant challenges for women, with low representation in management and a notable percentage living in poverty.
4. Red Bank
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.65
Women In Management: 12.4%
Women In Poverty: 14.8%
Women Uninsured: 15.3%
Red Bank ranks as another challenging city for women, with a notable percentage lacking health insurance and living in poverty.
5. Gantt
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women In Management: 31.0%
Women In Poverty: 29.2%
Women Uninsured: 13.8%
Gantt, while slightly better off than the top four cities, still faces serious challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty and management representation.
6. Clover
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.47
Women In Management: 44.4%
Women In Poverty: 22.0%
Women Uninsured: 16.2%
Clover stands out with a higher percentage of women in management, yet it still grapples with a considerable poverty rate among women.
7. Parker
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.90
Women In Management: 29.0%
Women In Poverty: 31.2%
Women Uninsured: 21.2%
Parker is a difficult place for women, with high poverty and uninsurance rates making it challenging to achieve economic security.
8. Red Hill
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.75
Women In Management: 34.8%
Women In Poverty: 27.1%
Women Uninsured: 13.2%
Red Hill poses challenges for women, particularly regarding poverty rates and overall economic participation.
9. Berea
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.68
Women In Management: 46.2%
Women In Poverty: 27.8%
Women Uninsured: 18.6%
Berea has a relatively high percentage of women in management, but the income gap and poverty rates remain concerning.
10. Seneca
How Much Women Make For Male Dollars Earned: $0.53
Women In Management: 45.3%
Women In Poverty: 20.5%
Women Uninsured: 15.1%
Seneca ranks as the tenth worst city for women, showing significant challenges in terms of income and poverty.
Summary Of The Worst Cities For Women In South Carolina
In summary, these cities represent the most challenging environments for women in South Carolina, marked by systemic barriers to equal opportunity and economic security. While each woman’s experience may vary, the data highlights the pervasive challenges that women face in these locations.
In the broader context, while few cities in this analysis show women earning equal to or more than men, the disparities between the worst and best cities underscore the critical need for continued advocacy and reform. Women in these cities must navigate unique obstacles, making it essential to push for change and support.
Explore the detailed list below to see where each city stands.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In South Carolina
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Georgetown | $0.65 |
| 2 | Greenwood | $0.76 |
| 3 | Batesburg-Leesville | $0.66 |
| 4 | Red Bank | $0.65 |
| 5 | Gantt | $0.75 |
| 6 | Clover | $0.47 |
| 7 | Parker | $0.90 |
| 8 | Red Hill | $0.75 |
| 9 | Berea | $0.68 |
| 10 | Seneca | $0.53 |
| 11 | Florence | $0.67 |
| 12 | Lancaster | $0.61 |
| 13 | Spartanburg | $0.71 |
| 14 | Cheraw | $0.53 |
| 15 | Clinton | $0.75 |
| 16 | Sumter | $0.67 |
| 17 | Anderson | $0.60 |
| 18 | Valley Falls | $0.56 |
| 19 | North Charleston | $0.77 |
| 20 | Greenville | $0.70 |
| 21 | Sans Souci | $1.13 |
| 22 | Myrtle Beach | $0.92 |
| 23 | North Myrtle Beach | $0.69 |
| 24 | Lugoff | $0.71 |
| 25 | Moncks Corner | $0.54 |
| 26 | Camden | $0.66 |
| 27 | Aiken | $0.60 |
| 28 | Union | $0.64 |
| 29 | Gaffney | $0.84 |
| 30 | Clemson | $0.82 |
| 31 | Beaufort | $0.82 |
| 32 | Socastee | $0.86 |
| 33 | Rock Hill | $0.73 |
| 34 | Murrells Inlet | $0.96 |
| 35 | Simpsonville | $0.76 |
| 36 | Hartsville | $0.68 |
| 37 | Travelers Rest | $0.56 |
| 38 | West Columbia | $0.96 |
| 39 | Five Forks | $0.49 |
| 40 | Hilton Head Island | $0.80 |
| 41 | Orangeburg | $0.77 |
| 42 | Laurel Bay | $0.61 |
| 43 | Hanahan | $0.77 |
| 44 | York | $0.79 |
| 45 | Bluffton | $0.80 |
| 46 | St. Andrews | $0.96 |
| 47 | Lake Wylie | $0.56 |
| 48 | Powdersville | $0.58 |
| 49 | Summerville | $0.68 |
| 50 | Hardeeville | $0.86 |
| 51 | Goose Creek | $0.73 |
| 52 | Dentsville | $0.82 |
| 53 | Forestbrook | $0.78 |
| 54 | Ladson | $0.83 |
| 55 | Columbia | $0.81 |
| 56 | Dillon | $0.92 |
| 57 | Lake City | $0.87 |
| 58 | Fort Mill | $0.63 |
| 59 | Welcome | $0.89 |
| 60 | Homeland Park | $1.09 |
| 61 | Fountain Inn | $0.80 |
| 62 | Wade Hampton | $0.78 |
| 63 | Easley | $0.76 |
| 64 | Oak Grove | $0.84 |
| 65 | Lake Murray | $0.57 |
| 66 | Piedmont | $0.75 |
| 67 | Hollywood | $0.77 |
| 68 | Newberry | $0.71 |
| 69 | Taylors | $0.67 |
| 70 | Greer | $0.81 |
| 71 | North Augusta | $0.73 |
| 72 | Sangaree | $0.79 |
| 73 | Woodfield | $0.75 |
| 74 | Port Royal | $0.88 |
| 75 | Boiling Springs | $0.53 |
| 76 | Chester | $0.98 |
| 77 | Walterboro | $0.81 |
| 78 | Forest Acres | $0.74 |
| 79 | Burton | $0.82 |
| 80 | Garden | $0.68 |
| 81 | Bennettsville | $0.99 |
| 82 | Charleston | $0.77 |
| 83 | Mount Pleasant | $0.64 |
| 84 | Laurens | $0.83 |
| 85 | Cayce | $0.84 |
| 86 | Mauldin | $0.78 |
| 87 | Tega Cay | $0.67 |
| 88 | Seven Oaks | $0.77 |
| 89 | Centerville | $0.80 |
| 90 | Conway | $0.86 |
| 91 | Lexington | $0.77 |
| 92 | Irmo | $0.88 |
| 93 | James Island | $0.77 |
| 94 | Little River | $0.90 |
| 95 | Darlington | $0.99 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
