Dillon County, South Carolina


Dillon County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 28,292. The county seat is Dillon.

History

Founded in 1910 from a portion of Marion County, both Dillon County and the city of Dillon were named for prosperous local citizen James W. Dillon, an Irishman who settled there and led a campaign to bring the railroad into the community. The result of this effort was the construction of the Wilson Short Cut Railroad, which later became part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad. It stimulated greater prosperity directly linking Dillon County to the national network of railroads.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in South Carolina by area.

State and local protected areas/sites

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 28,292, 11,195 households, and 7,016 families residing within its borders.
The racial makeup of the county was 46.5% White, 45.0% Black or African American, 2.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.9% from some other race, and 4.1% from two or more races, while Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.0% of the population.
The median age was 41.0 years, with 24.0% of residents under the age of 18 and 18.5% of residents 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 87.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 83.6 males age 18 and over.
Of the 11,195 households, 31.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 38.7% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 12,779 housing units, of which 12.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.9% were owner-occupied and 33.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 7.8%.
30.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 70.0% lived in rural areas.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 32,062 people, 11,923 households, and 8,342 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 13,742 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 48.0% white, 46.1% black or African American, 2.5% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 1.5% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.6% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 13.5% were American, 6.5% were English, and 5.4% were Irish.
Of the 11,923 households, 36.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.2% were married couples living together, 23.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.0% were non-families, and 26.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.20. The median age was 36.7 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,818 and the median income for a family was $34,693. Males had a median income of $31,973 versus $22,100 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,684. About 26.2% of families and 30.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 43.8% of those under age 18 and 23.7% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 30,722 people, 11,199 households, and 8,063 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 12,679 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 47% White, 49% Black or African American, 2.21% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 1.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 11,199 households, out of which 34.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.80% were married couples living together, 22.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.71 and the average family size was 3.24.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 29.10% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 87.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,630, and the median income for a family was $32,690. Males had a median income of $26,908 versus $18,007 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,272. About 19.40% of families and 24.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.30% of those under age 18 and 26.60% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Dillon County was one of the few counties nationwide that voted for Hillary Clinton in 2016 and Donald Trump in 2020.

Economy

In 2022, the GDP of Dillon County as $887.9 million. In chained 2017 dollars, the real GDP was $742.1 million. Between 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate of the county has fluctuated between 3.6 and 5.7%.
Food Lion, Harbor Freight Tools, McLeod Health, Perdue Farms, and Walmart comprise some of the largest employers in the county.
IndustryEmployment CountsEmployment Percentage Average Annual Wage
Accommodation and Food Services1,06515.418,460
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services1742.525,792
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1051.540,144
Construction1121.634,424
Finance and Insurance1291.945,396
Health Care and Social Assistance1,10615.943,368
Information300.467,340
Manufacturing1,84426.645,188
Other Services 871.345,136
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services1251.851,896
Public Administration5618.139,624
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing300.435,516
Retail Trade1,39920.230,316
Wholesale Trade1692.466,768
Total6,936100.0%37,311

Attractions

  • Dillon County Museum
  • Dillon Motor Speedway
  • Little Pee Dee State Park
  • South of the Border

    Communities

Cities