Marion County, South Carolina

Marion County is a county located in the coastal plain of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 29,183. Its county seat is Marion. It is a majority-minority county.

WWW marionsc.org

History

Early European traders in the Carolinas settled along the Pee Dee River from the 17th century, including in an isolated area called Sandy Bluff. They did business with numerous tribes, including the Choctaw and Chickasaw to the South. Crossed by several rivers, the county was organized by European Americans in 1785 soon after the American Revolutionary War and was originally known as Liberty County. However, four years later it was renamed as Marion County, in honor of Brigadier General Francis Marion, the famous "Swamp Fox" and a hero of the American Revolutionary War. In 1910, a portion of the county was taken to be organized as adjacent Dillon County.

Geography

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

National protected area

Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge

State and local protected areas

Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
Marsh Wildlife Management Area
Woodbury Wildlife Management Area

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Dillon County – north
Horry County – east
Georgetown County – south
Williamsburg County – southwest
Florence County – west

Major highways

Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 29,183 people, 12,272 households, and 7,532 families residing in the county.
As of the 2020 census, the median age was 44.4 years, with 21.7% of residents under the age of 18 and 21.5% aged 65 years or older. For every 100 females there were 85.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 81.6 males.
As of the 2020 census, the racial makeup of Marion County was 38.4% White, 56.2% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.4% from some other race, and 3.1% from two or more races. [Hispanic and Race (United States Census)|Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino] residents of any race comprised 2.4% of the population.
As of the 2020 census, 40.9% of residents lived in urban areas while 59.1% lived in rural areas.
Of the 12,272 households, 28.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 41.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
As of the 2020 census, there were 14,253 housing units, of which 13.9% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 68.9% were owner-occupied and 31.1% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.7% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.1%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 33,062 people, 13,058 households, and 8,881 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 14,953 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 55.9% black or African American, 40.6% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 7.8% were American, 6.3% were English, and 5.2% were Irish.
Of the 13,058 households, 33.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.0% were married couples living together, 24.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.0% were non-families, and 28.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.09. The median age was 39.9 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,629 and the median income for a family was $38,043. Males had a median income of $32,414 versus $24,929 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,653. About 21.4% of families and 25.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 36.8% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 35,466 people, 13,301 households, and 9,510 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 15,143 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 56.35% Black or African American, 41.69% White, 0.25% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 13,301 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.30% were married living together, 23.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.70% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.16.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.60% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 26.80% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 85.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.40 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $26,526, and the median income for a family was $32,932. Males had a median income of $26,133 versus $18,392 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,878. About 18.90% of families and 23.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.30% of those under age 18 and 23.50% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

According to the 2010 U.S. Religious Census, residents of Marion County are predominately Protestant. But the county had the highest concentration of followers of the Baháʼí Faith of any county in the United States, at 5.5%.

Government and politics

Marion County is strongly Democratic in presidential elections, having not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since Richard Nixon in 1972. In 2024, Marion County saw one of the strongest Republican shifts in the state, marking the closest election since 1988, despite Democrat Kamala Harris still carrying the county.

Economy

In 2022, the GDP was $728.2 million, and the real GDP was $610.4 million in chained 2017 dollars.
As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county include Coca-Cola Consolidated, the city of Mullins, Domtar, Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, and Walmart.

Industry	Employment Counts	Employment Percentage	Average Annual Wage
Accommodation and Food Services	630	10.2	21,944
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	298	4.8	28,600
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting	73	1.2	40,560
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation	19	0.3	7,436
Construction	220	3.6	54,652
Finance and Insurance	317	5.2	58,968
Health Care and Social Assistance	1,681	27.3	51,064
Information	41	0.7	41,548
Management of Companies and Enterprises	26	0.4	57,200
Manufacturing	364	5.9	57,616
Other Services	56	0.9	28,028
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	69	1.1	57,720
Public Administration	551	9.0	39,208
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	57	0.9	48,776
Retail Trade	906	14.7	26,520
Transportation and Warehousing	674	11.0	47,788
Utilities	48	0.8	57,356
Wholesale Trade	120	2.0	52,156
Total	6,150	100.0%	42,496