Darlington County, South Carolina


Darlington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 [United States census|2020 census], its population was 62,905. Its county seat is Darlington. Hartsville is the largest community in the county. Darlington County is home to the Darlington Raceway, which hosts the annual NASCAR Southern 500. Darlington County is also home to Coker College in Hartsville. Darlington County was named by an act in March 1785. Darlington County is included in the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was founded in 1785. While no records exist regarding the namesake of the county, it could possibly be named after Darlington, England. The county seat is Darlington and the largest community is Hartsville.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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Major infrastructure

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 62,905. The median age was 42.9 years. 21.9% of residents were under the age of 18 and 20.3% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 88.5 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 84.8 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 54.2% White, 40.6% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.1% from some other race, and 3.3% from two or more races. Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino] residents of any race comprised 2.2% of the population.
42.9% of residents lived in urban areas, while 57.1% lived in rural areas.
There were 25,649 households in the county, of which 29.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 35.6% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. Of those households, 17,344 were families.
There were 29,379 housing units, of which 12.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.3% were owner-occupied and 29.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.2%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 68,681 people, 26,531 households, and 18,552 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 30,297 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 55.9% white, 41.6% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 9.5% were American, 7.0% were English, and 5.3% were Irish.
Of the 26,531 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.1% were non-families, and 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 39.6 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,379 and the median income for a family was $46,894. Males had a median income of $40,089 versus $29,255 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,096. About 14.6% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 67,394 people, 25,793 households, and 18,441 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 28,942 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 56.98% White, 41.70% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 25,793 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.30% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $31,087, and the median income for a family was $37,662. Males had a median income of $30,947 versus $20,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,283. About 16.40% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.70% of those under age 18 and 22.10% of those age 65 or over.
According to the 2000 census, Darlington County was classified as 41% urban and 59% rural. It contains the two urbanized areas of Hartsville and Darlington. The county's population is included within the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Economy

In 2022, the GDP of Darlington County was $3.3 billion. In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $2.7 billion. Between 2022 and 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2.4-4.2% within the county.
, some of the largest employers in the county include Coker University, Duke Energy Progress Inc, Sonoco, and Walmart.
IndustryEmployment CountsEmployment Percentage Average Annual Wage
Accommodation and Food Services1,6548.117,212
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services1,0665.239,832
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1500.734,424
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation2771.418,304
Construction1,4006.953,872
Educational Services1,5777.740,248
Finance and Insurance3451.760,008
Health Care and Social Assistance2,80113.746,072
Information490.293,028
Management of Companies and Enterprises920.567,392
Manufacturing3,84918.986,164
Other Services 5032.534,112
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services3311.648,620
Public Administration1,4247.039,364
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing990.561,880
Retail Trade2,37011.630,992
Transportation and Warehousing9404.650,596
Utilities7363.6107,744
Wholesale Trade7403.673,684
Total20,403100.0%52,075

Communities

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Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people