Orangeburg County · Palmetto Heroes
Help for first-time buyers in Orangeburg County, South Carolina
Orangeburg County is a targeted SC Housing county named in County First, and the $10,000 forgivable DPA is available year-round.
- County seat
- Orangeburg
- Residents
- 83,177
- Income ceiling, 3+
- $134,120
- Highest price
- $450,000
About buying in Orangeburg County
Orangeburg, Holly Hill, North, Santee and Branchville share one school system, the Orangeburg County School District, and the county's public safety work is split between the sheriff's office and the Orangeburg Department of Public Safety.
SC Housing names Orangeburg in its County First Initiative, which adds forgivable DPA and special fixed-rate FHA, USDA or VA loans. USDA financing is worth asking about in the smaller towns.
As a targeted county, Orangeburg only requires that you not own a home at closing, and it uses the default limits of $114,960 / $134,120.
Limits that apply in Orangeburg County
| Households of one or two | Households of three or more | Highest purchase price |
|---|---|---|
| $114,960 | $134,120 | $450,000 |
Orangeburg County uses $114,960 for 1-2 people and $134,120 for 3+, with a $450,000 price cap. You may also consult the statewide table or work out a comfortable price.
Further assistance offered in Orangeburg County
Our research turned up no program run only for Orangeburg County at present. The statewide choices remain open to you; you will find them in the complete list for South Carolina.
Homebuyer classes near Orangeburg County
Nearly every assistance program asks you to complete a homebuyer class before closing. The HUD-approved agencies below, each within reach of Orangeburg County, teach that class or offer counseling before purchase.
| Agency | Location | Miles away | Offered | Languages | How it is taught |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southeastern Housing & Community Development Fka Southeastern Housing Foundation | Orangeburg | 5 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Phone |
| Origin Sc | North Charleston | 55 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
| Charleston Trident Urban League, Inc. | Charleston | 64 mi | homebuyer education class, pre-purchase counseling | English | Face to Face, Phone, Internet |
Taken from HUD’s list of housing counseling agencies. A given program may not accept every class.
Local employers whose staff may qualify
Among the eligible employers in and around Orangeburg County:
- Orangeburg County School District
- Orangeburg County Sheriff's Office
- Orangeburg Department of Public Safety
Orangeburg County School District educators and sheriff and public safety officers fit 2026 roles. The full list of eligible professions
Questions about Orangeburg County
Does County First cover Orangeburg?
Yes. SC Housing lists Orangeburg among County First counties.
Can I use a USDA loan?
SC Housing offers USDA loans, and County First includes special fixed-rate USDA financing. A lender confirms property eligibility.
Do I need to be a first-time buyer?
You can't own a home at closing. There's no 3-year lookback in Orangeburg.
