Marion County, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
 | |
 Seal  Logo | |
| Motto: "It's just right!" | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofSouth Carolina | |
 South Carolina's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:34°05′N79°21′W / 34.08°N 79.35°W /34.08; -79.35 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  South Carolina |
| Founded | 1798 |
| Named after | Francis Marion |
| Seat | Marion |
| Largest community | Marion |
| Area | |
• Total | 494.17 sq mi (1,279.9 km2) |
| • Land | 489.37 sq mi (1,267.5 km2) |
| • Water | 4.80 sq mi (12.4 km2) 0.97% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 29,183 |
• Estimate (2024) | 28,368 |
| • Density | 59.634/sq mi (23.025/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | 7th |
| Website | www |
Marion County is acounty located in the coastal plain of theU.S. state ofSouth Carolina. As of the2020 census, its population was 29,183.[1] Itscounty seat isMarion.[2] It is amajority-minority county.
Early European traders in the Carolinas settled along thePee Dee River from the 17th century, including in an isolated area called Sandy Bluff. They did business with numerous tribes, including theChoctaw andChickasaw to the South. Crossed by several rivers, the county was organized by European Americans in 1785 soon after theAmerican Revolutionary War and was originally known as Liberty County. However, four years later it was renamed as Marion County, in honor ofBrigadier GeneralFrancis Marion,[3] the famous "Swamp Fox" and a hero of theAmerican Revolutionary War. In 1910, a portion of the county was taken to be organized as adjacentDillon County.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 494.17 square miles (1,279.9 km2), of which 489.37 square miles (1,267.5 km2) is land and 4.80 square miles (12.4 km2) (0.97%) is water.[4]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 6,914 | — | |
| 1810 | 8,884 | 28.5% | |
| 1820 | 10,201 | 14.8% | |
| 1830 | 11,208 | 9.9% | |
| 1840 | 13,932 | 24.3% | |
| 1850 | 17,407 | 24.9% | |
| 1860 | 21,190 | 21.7% | |
| 1870 | 22,160 | 4.6% | |
| 1880 | 34,107 | 53.9% | |
| 1890 | 29,976 | −12.1% | |
| 1900 | 35,181 | 17.4% | |
| 1910 | 20,596 | −41.5% | |
| 1920 | 23,721 | 15.2% | |
| 1930 | 27,221 | 14.8% | |
| 1940 | 30,107 | 10.6% | |
| 1950 | 33,110 | 10.0% | |
| 1960 | 32,014 | −3.3% | |
| 1970 | 30,270 | −5.4% | |
| 1980 | 34,179 | 12.9% | |
| 1990 | 33,899 | −0.8% | |
| 2000 | 35,466 | 4.6% | |
| 2010 | 33,062 | −6.8% | |
| 2020 | 29,183 | −11.7% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 28,368 | [6] | −2.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9] 1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 11,080 | 37.97% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 16,333 | 55.97% |
| Native American | 109 | 0.37% |
| Asian | 128 | 0.44% |
| Other/Mixed | 823 | 2.82% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 710 | 2.43% |
As of the2020 census, there were 29,183 people, 11,600 households, and 7,532 families residing in the county.
At the2010 census, there were 33,062 people, 13,058 households, and 8,881 families living in the county.[13][11] The population density was 67.6 inhabitants per square mile (26.1/km2). There were 14,953 housing units at an average density of 30.6 per square mile (11.8/km2).[14] 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.[13] In terms of ancestry, 7.8% wereAmerican, 6.3% wereEnglish, and 5.2% wereIrish.[15]
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.[13]
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 thepoverty line, including 36.8% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.[16]
At the2000 census,[17] there were 35,466 people, 13,301 households, and 9,510 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 72 people per square mile (28 people/km2). There were 15,143 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.35%Black orAfrican American, 41.69%White, 0.25%Native American, 0.28%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.90% fromother races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population wereHispanic orLatino 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. Theper capita income for the county was $13,878. About 18.90% of families and 23.20% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 33.30% of those under age 18 and 23.50% of those age 65 or over.
According to the 2010 U.S. Religious Census, residents of Marion County are predominatelyProtestant. But the county had the highest concentration of followers of theBaháʼí Faith of any county in the United States, at 5.5%.[18]
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1900 | 119 | 8.41% | 1,296 | 91.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1904 | 49 | 3.15% | 1,507 | 96.85% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 3 | 0.41% | 710 | 98.07% | 11 | 1.52% |
| 1916 | 3 | 0.29% | 1,019 | 99.12% | 6 | 0.58% |
| 1920 | 1 | 0.12% | 808 | 99.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 2 | 0.32% | 616 | 99.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 51 | 6.96% | 682 | 93.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 12 | 1.25% | 948 | 98.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 5 | 0.41% | 1,219 | 99.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 18 | 2.45% | 716 | 97.55% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 9 | 0.97% | 858 | 92.86% | 57 | 6.17% |
| 1948 | 14 | 0.91% | 301 | 19.62% | 1,219 | 79.47% |
| 1952 | 2,313 | 58.96% | 1,610 | 41.04% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 417 | 13.20% | 1,390 | 43.99% | 1,353 | 42.82% |
| 1960 | 1,646 | 40.71% | 2,397 | 59.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 3,197 | 60.98% | 2,046 | 39.02% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 2,512 | 36.85% | 2,821 | 41.38% | 1,484 | 21.77% |
| 1972 | 4,719 | 64.66% | 2,545 | 34.87% | 34 | 0.47% |
| 1976 | 3,076 | 34.12% | 5,927 | 65.74% | 13 | 0.14% |
| 1980 | 3,321 | 37.73% | 5,379 | 61.12% | 101 | 1.15% |
| 1984 | 4,698 | 48.07% | 5,043 | 51.60% | 32 | 0.33% |
| 1988 | 4,403 | 46.42% | 5,008 | 52.79% | 75 | 0.79% |
| 1992 | 3,647 | 35.15% | 5,843 | 56.31% | 886 | 8.54% |
| 1996 | 3,595 | 34.40% | 6,359 | 60.85% | 497 | 4.76% |
| 2000 | 4,687 | 38.58% | 7,358 | 60.56% | 104 | 0.86% |
| 2004 | 5,589 | 41.38% | 7,767 | 57.50% | 151 | 1.12% |
| 2008 | 5,416 | 35.69% | 9,608 | 63.32% | 150 | 0.99% |
| 2012 | 5,164 | 34.46% | 9,688 | 64.65% | 134 | 0.89% |
| 2016 | 5,444 | 38.13% | 8,569 | 60.02% | 263 | 1.84% |
| 2020 | 5,711 | 38.84% | 8,872 | 60.34% | 121 | 0.82% |
| 2024 | 5,906 | 44.11% | 7,316 | 54.65% | 166 | 1.24% |
Marion County is stronglyDemocratic in presidential elections, having not voted for a Republican presidential candidate sinceRichard Nixon in 1972. In 2024, Marion County saw one of the strongest Republican shifts in the state, marking the closest election since 1988, despite DemocratKamala Harris still carrying the county.[20]
In 2022, theGDP was $728.2 million (about $25,545 per capita),[21] and thereal GDP was $610.4 million (about $21,413 per capita) inchained 2017 dollars.[22]
As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county includeCoca-Cola Consolidated, the city ofMullins,Domtar,Goodyear Tire and Rubber Company, andWalmart.[23]
| Industry | Employment Counts | Employment Percentage (%) | Average Annual Wage ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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 (except Public Administration) | 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 |
Geographic data related toMarion County, South Carolina atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Marion County, South Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ||||||||||||||||
Municipalities and communities ofMarion County, South Carolina,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Cities |  | |
| Towns | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
| Other | |
