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Florence County · South Carolina Tax Lien

Florence County Investor Guide

The Pee Dee region's commercial and medical hub, positioned at the crossroads of I-95 and I-20. Florence combines a regional healthcare and logistics economy with meaningful, genuinely accessible delinquent inventory across both the city core and surrounding agricultural communities.

~142K
Population
7–11%
Typical win rate
Moderate
Competition
~71%
Redemption rate
October
Auction month
Data note Figures are estimates. Verify current procedures with the Florence County Delinquent Tax Collector before bidding.
Key Metrics
Annual lien parcels
~1,300–2,000
Moderate volume
Typical win rate
7–11%
Near statutory max
Redemption rate
~71%
Regional hub stability
Flood risk
Moderate
Check Pee Dee River proximity
Strategy
Balanced
Income and ownership both viable
Market Data
Annual Lien Volume — Estimated Parcels
Redemption Rate
Property Type Mix

Auction Mechanics

How Florence County's Tax Sale Works

October Sale

Bid-Down Format, Moderate Competition

Florence County's annual October tax sale follows South Carolina's standard bid-down-the-interest-rate format, starting at the 12% statutory maximum. Winning rates run 7–11%, among the better rates available on a genuine regional-hub county.

Regional Hub Economy

Healthcare and Logistics Anchor Support Redemption

Florence serves as the Pee Dee region's primary healthcare hub (McLeod Health) and a logistics crossroads at the I-95/I-20 interchange. This regional draw supports a ~71% redemption rate and consistent housing demand beyond what the county's population alone would suggest.

12-Month Window

Month-11 Notice Requirement

South Carolina's standard 12-month redemption period applies. If pursuing an ownership-path certificate, statutory notice must be sent via certified mail at month 11 to all interested parties. SC-licensed legal counsel is strongly recommended for ownership-intent certificates.

Florence Draws From a Wider Regional Economy Than Its Population Suggests As the Pee Dee's commercial and medical center, Florence County's economic pull extends well beyond its own population — patients, students, and logistics workers from surrounding rural counties support local housing and commercial demand. This regional draw is part of why Florence's redemption rate runs higher than similarly-sized rural Pee Dee counties.
Check Pee Dee River Flood Proximity on Eastern County Parcels While Florence County overall carries moderate rather than severe flood risk, eastern portions of the county near the Pee Dee River and its tributaries do carry meaningful flood zone exposure. Verify FEMA flood status on any parcel in this area before bidding with ownership intent.

Area-by-Area Assessment

Where to Focus in Florence County

Opportunity

City of Florence — Established Neighborhoods

The county seat's residential neighborhoods carry meaningful delinquency volume at moderate competition. Good ownership-path viability given the city's regional draw.

Opportunity

I-95/I-20 Commercial Corridor

Logistics and commercial parcels near the interstate interchange benefit from Florence's role as a regional transportation hub — verify comparable sales given the commercial-industrial mix.

Opportunity

Rural Western Florence County

Agricultural and large-lot residential parcels away from the Pee Dee River floodplain see minimal institutional interest and lower flood risk than the eastern county.

Caution

Eastern County Near Pee Dee River

Portions of eastern Florence County carry meaningful flood zone exposure. Verify FEMA status before bidding any parcel near the Pee Dee River or its tributaries.

Caution

Smaller Municipalities (Lake City, Timmonsville)

Smaller Florence County towns have thinner comparable sales data — verify market depth and realistic resale timelines before bidding with ownership intent in these areas.

Extra Diligence

Any Commercial Parcel Near I-95/I-20

Logistics and industrial-adjacent commercial parcels may carry specialized use considerations. Standard title and environmental diligence applies but budget extra research time.


County Quick Reference

Florence County Facts

County seatFlorence
Population~141,961
Economic baseMcLeod Health (regional healthcare hub), logistics at I-95/I-20 interchange, agriculture
Annual lien parcels~1,300–2,000 (estimated)
Max interest rate12% per annum (SC Code § 12-51)
Typical win rate7–11%
Auction monthOctober
Redemption period12 months from date of sale
Redemption rate~71% — supported by regional hub economy
Flood riskModerate — check Pee Dee River proximity in eastern county
Primary strategyBalanced — both income and ownership paths viable
Delinquent Tax Collectorflorenceco.org/delinquent-tax →
Governing statuteSC Code § 12-51 →

Due Diligence Resources

Research Tools for Florence County

Tax lien sale

Florence County Delinquent Tax

Annual October sale information, property lists, registration, and bidding procedures.

florenceco.org/delinquent-tax →
Property records

Florence County Assessor

Property assessments, ownership records, and parcel data. Essential first step before any additional diligence on target parcels.

florenceco.org/assessor →
Title & liens

Florence County Register of Deeds

Deed history, mortgages, IRS liens, and all encumbrances. Identify all parties needing notice at month 11 for any ownership-intent certificate.

florenceco.org/rod →
GIS & mapping

Florence County GIS

Interactive parcel maps, aerial imagery, and property data. Use to verify Pee Dee River proximity and rural land use before bidding.

florenceco.org/gis →
Flood zones

FEMA Flood Map Service Center

Check flood zone status on any Florence County parcel near the Pee Dee River or its tributaries, particularly in the eastern county.

msc.fema.gov →
Federal tax liens

IRS Lien Search

Federal liens survive SC's tax sale process. Search county records for IRS filings before bidding commercial or business-associated parcels.

irs.gov/liens →
City building

City of Florence Building Dept.

Building permits, code violations, and inspection records for Florence city addresses. Check before bidding older residential parcels.

cityofflorence.com →
Legal counsel

SC Bar — Attorney Referral

Find a South Carolina real estate attorney for ownership-path certificates. Month-11 notice and quiet title require SC-licensed counsel.

scbar.org/find-a-lawyer →
Environmental

SC DHEC Environmental Records

South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control — search known contaminated sites before bidding commercial or industrial parcels near the I-95/I-20 corridor.

scdhec.gov →
Market data

Florence Regional Board of Realtors

Current sales prices and market conditions across Florence County. Use to calibrate realistic bid ceilings and resale expectations.

Florence Realtors →
Statutory reference

SC Code § 12-51 — Tax Lien Law

South Carolina's governing statute — bid format, 12% max rate, 12-month redemption, month-11 notice requirement, and tax deed procedures.

scstatehouse.gov/code →

Model your Florence County lien strategy before October

Regional hub stability, moderate competition — run the numbers before bidding.

Important disclaimer: Information on this page is for educational purposes only. Florence County sale dates and procedures change annually — verify at florenceco.org/delinquent-tax. Month-11 notice requirement is a strict statutory obligation. Consult a licensed SC real estate attorney before pursuing any tax deed. This is not legal or financial advice.