True South Carolinians know there’s no better place on Earth they’d rather live. And as it turns out, there’s one unique place in South Carolina where people actually live longer than other parts of the state – in some cases, MUCH longer. And while the sought-after state of immortality cannot be achieved on Earth, the residents of Beaufort County are getting closer to it than the rest of the state.
According to recent research figures, the life expectancy of Beaufort County's residents at birth is 81.3 years.
Still another report breaks that down to a life expectancy for males at 79.47 and females at 81.3. The lowest statistics in the state are in Marlboro County for males — who have a life expectancy of 68.96 years. The differences represent a huge disparity. But why are people living so much longer in Beaufort County than other parts of the state?
But those three areas are well planned with areas to exercise and relax. But researchers don't attribute those things to making the needle go up for life expectancy. They have some other likely reasons for the uptick in Beaufort County.
Researchers also believe the higher numbers are due in part from the influx of affluent, highly-educated people moving to Beaufort County from other parts of the country.
They also believe that the socioeconomic status of Beaufort County's residents plays a large role. The more money you have, the better access you have to healthcare.
While no single factor alone was attributed to the increase in life expectancy, it's easy to see how each could positively affect how long a person lives.
The nationwide study concluded that Beaufort County was one of the top counties in the US to have the highest increase in life expectancy since 1980. Incidentally, in 1980, the county with the highest life expectancy in South Carolina was Pickens County.