The numbers behind Medicare in Barnwell County
| Barnwell County | South Carolina | |
|---|---|---|
| Residents age 65 and older | 4,105 | 1,037,931 statewide |
| Share of residents age 65+ | 20.1% | 19.3% statewide |
| People with Medicare | 4,955 | 1,294,203 statewide |
| Enrolled in Medicare Advantage | 2,878 | 604,910 statewide |
| Medicare Advantage share | 58.1% | 46.7% statewide |
Figures come from the Census Bureau and CMS (September 2026).
Among South Carolina’s 46 counties, Barnwell County comes in 39th for residents age 65 and up (4,105). Older adults make up 20.1% of the population here; the state figure is 19.3%. Another 1,417 residents are age 60 to 64 and will reach Medicare eligibility within about five years (see our turning 65 guide). Census 2023 estimates show 60% of the 65-plus population is under 75, 31% is 75 to 84 and 9% is 85 or older. CMS data show 58.1% of Barnwell County residents with Medicare chose Medicare Advantage, which is higher than the 46.7% average across South Carolina. Averages cannot choose a plan for you. Medicare Advantage and Original Medicare with a Medigap plan each suit different people, depending on doctors, medicines and how you prefer to handle costs, and we compare both at your ZIP code.
Who has Medicare in Barnwell County
The USDA classifies Barnwell County as: urban population of fewer than 5,000, adjacent to a metro area. With fewer hospitals and clinics close by, the right Medicare plan here is often the one whose network includes the providers you can really reach.
CMS counts 5,314 Medicare beneficiaries in Barnwell County (2023). Their average age is 72, about the same as the South Carolina average of 73. About 12% are “dual eligible,” meaning they have both Medicare and Medicaid, higher than the state figure of 7%. Where many people have both, special plans for dual-eligible members can matter; see our Medicaid and dual eligible guide, since availability varies by plan and area.
Among people in Original Medicare in Barnwell County, CMS reported about 687 emergency room visits and 218 inpatient hospital stays per 1,000 beneficiaries in 2023, which is higher than the state average for emergency visits (563) and close to it for hospital stays (202). About 10% received home health care. These figures describe how people use care under Original Medicare; they do not show what any plan covers or costs.
Sources: CMS Medicare Geographic Variation, 2023; USDA Rural-Urban Continuum Codes, 2023.
Where you live decides which Medicare Advantage and Part D plans you can join, and Barnwell County may have a different set of plans than the counties around it. We are not based in Barnwell County; we help Barnwell County residents by phone or video call.
Hospitals and doctors near Barnwell County
CMS Hospital General Information lists no acute care, critical access or children’s hospital located inside Barnwell County. Residents often use hospitals in neighboring counties, which matters for Medicare Advantage because a plan’s network may include or leave out the hospital you use. We check your hospitals and doctors before you enroll.
Barnwell County: communities and ZIP codes
People in Barnwell County live in communities such as Barnwell (4,577), Williston (2,861), Blackville (1,907), Hilda (422), Snelling (250), Kline (145) (2023 population estimates, counting only the part of each community that lies inside the county).
We look up plans by ZIP code. In Barnwell County, that means areas such as 29812, 29817, 29826, 29853, based on Census ZIP Code Tabulation Areas that lie mostly in the county.
Questions about Medicare in Barnwell County?
Reach out to us: fill out our short form or call (571) 354-0146, and a licensed agent will compare the plans available to you, check your doctors and drugs, and stay with you each year at renewal. For general Medicare information, the federal helpline is 1-800-MEDICARE (1-800-633-4227).
Medicare resources from official sources
- Medicare Plan Finder on Medicare.gov, searchable by ZIP code.
- HealthCare.gov if you are not yet on Medicare.
- Medicare Care Compare for hospitals and doctors.
- Social Security: Medicare to enroll or check status.
- South Carolina Department of Insurance: South Carolina’s insurance regulator, including agent license lookup.
Coverage we offer Barnwell County residents
Here is what we can help Barnwell County residents with, drawing on plans from many insurers: Part D drug plans, ACA health insurance, ICHRA, group health insurance, life insurance, final expense insurance, annuities, Medicare Advantage and Medicare Supplement (Medigap).
Ready to compare plans in Barnwell County?
Tell us your doctors and medicines and we will show you what fits. No cost, no pressure.
Get my plan comparisonPlain-English Medicare answers
- Why a Medicare Advantage plan drops a doctor or drug
- Medicare Parts A, B, C and D explained
- How to read your Medicare Annual Notice of Change
- Does Medicare cover dental, vision and hearing?
Barnwell County compared with similar South Carolina counties
| County | Residents 65+ | Medicare Advantage share | Dual eligible share | Area type |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| McCormick County | 3,987 | 48.4% | 5% | Rural |
| Hampton County | 3,653 | 57.7% | 9% | Rural |
| Lee County | 3,384 | 56.5% | 16% | Rural |
| Bamberg County | 3,162 | 59.1% | 11% | Rural |
| Allendale County | 1,678 | 59.9% | 13% | Rural |
| Clarendon County | 7,974 | 53.2% | 11% | Rural |
See every South Carolina county in our South Carolina directory or go to our South Carolina Medicare hub.