Marion County, South Carolina

County in South Carolina, United States

For counties with a similar name, see Marion County (disambiguation).

County in South Carolina

Marion County

County

Mt. Olive Baptist Church

Seal

Logo

Motto:

"It's just right!"

Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina

South Carolina's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 34°05′N 79°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

(2023)

| 28,508
• Density| 59/sq mi (23/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 7th
Website| www.marionsc.org

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.[1] Its county seat is Marion.[2] It is a majority-minority county.

## History

[edit]

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,[3] 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

[edit]

Interactive map of Marion County

According to the U.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]

### National protected area

[edit]

* Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (part)

### State and local protected areas

[edit]

* Little Pee Dee Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area[5]
* Marsh Wildlife Management Area[5]
* Woodbury Wildlife Management Area[5]

### Major water bodies

[edit]

* Cud Swamp
* Great Pee Dee River
* Lumber River
* Maidendown Swamp
* Waccamaw River

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

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

### Major highways

[edit]

* Future I-73
* US 76
* US 301
* US 378
* US 501

US 501 Bus.
* SC 9
* SC 38
* SC 41

SC 41 Alt.
* SC 57
* SC 576
* SC 908
* SC 917

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population 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%
2023 (est.)| 28,508| [1]| −2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

### 2020 census

[edit]

Marion County racial composition[11] 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 or Latino | 710  | 2.43%

As of the 2020 census, there were 29,183 people, 11,600 households, and 7,532 families residing in the county.

### 2010 census

[edit]

At the 2010 census, there were 33,062 people, 13,058 households, and 8,881 families living in the county.[12][10] 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).[13] 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.[12] In terms of ancestry, 7.8% were American, 6.3% were English, and 5.2% were Irish.[14]

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.[12]

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.[15]

### 2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census,[16] there were 35,466 people, 13,301 households, and 9,510 families living in the county. The population 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 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.

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%.[17]

## Government and politics

[edit]

United States presidential election results for Marion County, South Carolina[18] Year  | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 5,906  | 44.11%  | 7,316  | 54.65% | 166  | 1.24%
2020 | 5,711  | 38.84%  | 8,872  | 60.34% | 121  | 0.82%
2016 | 5,444  | 38.13%  | 8,569  | 60.02% | 263  | 1.84%
2012 | 5,164  | 34.46%  | 9,688  | 64.65% | 134  | 0.89%
2008 | 5,416  | 35.69%  | 9,608  | 63.32% | 150  | 0.99%
2004 | 5,589  | 41.38%  | 7,767  | 57.50% | 151  | 1.12%
2000 | 4,687  | 38.58%  | 7,358  | 60.56% | 104  | 0.86%
1996 | 3,595  | 34.40%  | 6,359  | 60.85% | 497  | 4.76%
1992 | 3,647  | 35.15%  | 5,843  | 56.31% | 886  | 8.54%
1988 | 4,403  | 46.42%  | 5,008  | 52.79% | 75  | 0.79%
1984 | 4,698  | 48.07%  | 5,043  | 51.60% | 32  | 0.33%
1980 | 3,321  | 37.73%  | 5,379  | 61.12% | 101  | 1.15%
1976 | 3,076  | 34.12%  | 5,927  | 65.74% | 13  | 0.14%
1972 | 4,719  | 64.66% | 2,545  | 34.87%  | 34  | 0.47%
1968 | 2,512  | 36.85%  | 2,821  | 41.38% | 1,484  | 21.77%
1964 | 3,197  | 60.98% | 2,046  | 39.02%  | 0  | 0.00%
1960 | 1,646  | 40.71%  | 2,397  | 59.29% | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 417  | 13.20%  | 1,390  | 43.99% | 1,353  | 42.82%
1952 | 2,313  | 58.96% | 1,610  | 41.04%  | 0  | 0.00%
1948 | 14  | 0.91%  | 301  | 19.62%  | 1,219  | 79.47%
1944 | 9  | 0.97%  | 858  | 92.86% | 57  | 6.17%
1940 | 18  | 2.45%  | 716  | 97.55% | 0  | 0.00%
1936 | 5  | 0.41%  | 1,219  | 99.59% | 0  | 0.00%
1932 | 12  | 1.25%  | 948  | 98.75% | 0  | 0.00%
1928 | 51  | 6.96%  | 682  | 93.04% | 0  | 0.00%
1924 | 2  | 0.32%  | 616  | 99.68% | 0  | 0.00%
1920 | 1  | 0.12%  | 808  | 99.88% | 0  | 0.00%
1916 | 3  | 0.29%  | 1,019  | 99.12% | 6  | 0.58%
1912 | 3  | 0.41%  | 710  | 98.07% | 11  | 1.52%
1904 | 49  | 3.15%  | 1,507  | 96.85% | 0  | 0.00%
1900 | 119  | 8.41%  | 1,296  | 91.59% | 0  | 0.00%

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.[19]

## Economy

[edit]

In 2022, the GDP was $728.2 million (about $25,545 per capita),[20] and the real GDP was $610.4 million (about $21,413 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars.[21]

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.[22]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Marion County, South Carolina - Q3 2023[22] 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

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Marion (county seat and largest community)
* Mullins

### Towns

[edit]

* Nichols
* Sellers

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Centenary
* Daviston
* Rains
* Zion

### Other unincorporated communities

[edit]

* Ariel Crossroad
* Brittons Neck
* Friendship
* Gresham
* Temperance Hill

## See also

[edit]

* List of counties in South Carolina
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Marion County, South Carolina
* Chaloklowa Chickasaw, state-recognized group that resides in the county

## References

[edit]

1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Marion County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. U.S. Government Printing Office. p. 200.
4. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
5. ^ a b c "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
10. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 2, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
12. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
14. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
15. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. ^ Religious Congregations and Membership Study. "2010 Religious Census Data" (PDF). Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved May 7, 2012.
18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
19. ^ https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
20. ^ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Marion County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
21. ^ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Marion County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
22. ^ a b "Marion County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000067). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Gregg, Alexander (1905). History of the Old Cheraws. State Company.
* Sellers, W. W. (William W. ) (1902). A history of Marion county, South Carolina, from its earliest times to the present, 1901. Robert W. Woodruff Library Emory University. Columbia : R.L. Bryan Co.

## External links

[edit]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Marion County, South Carolina.

* Geographic data related to Marion County, South Carolina at OpenStreetMap
* Official website

Places adjacent to Marion County, South Carolina

|  | Dillon County |

|
|

|  |
Florence County |

Marion County, South Carolina

| Horry County
|  |
Williamsburg County | Georgetown County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Marion County, South Carolina, United States

County seat: Marion

Cities|

* Marion
* Mullins

Map of South Carolina highlighting Marion County

Towns|

* Nichols
* Sellers

CDPs|

* Centenary
* Daviston
* Rains
* Zion

Other
communities|

* Ariel Crossroad
* Brittons Neck
* Friendship
* Gresham
* Temperance Hill

* South Carolina portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of South Carolina

Columbia (capital)

Regions|

* Atlantic Coastal Plain
* Blue Ridge Mountains
* Grand Strand
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* Lake Murray Country
* Lowcountry
* Metrolina
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* Ninety-Six District
* Olde English District
* Pee Dee
* Piedmont
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Larger cities|

* Charleston
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* Rock Hill
* Spartanburg

Smaller cities|

* Aiken
* Anderson
* Beaufort
* Bennettsville
* Camden
* Cayce
* Conway
* Easley
* Florence
* Forest Acres
* Gaffney
* Georgetown
* Goose Creek
* Greenwood
* Greer
* Hilton Head Island
* Isle of Palms
* Laurens
* Lexington
* Mauldin
* Myrtle Beach
* North Augusta
* North Myrtle Beach
* Orangeburg
* Simpsonville
* Summerville
* Sumter
* Union
* Walterboro
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* York

Towns|

* Abbeville
* Barnwell
* Batesburg-Leesville
* Bluffton
* Clemson
* Darlington
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* Edgefield
* Fort Mill
* Fountain Inn
* Great Falls
* Hardeeville
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* Newberry
* Ninety Six
* Pageland
* Pendleton
* Pickens
* Seneca
* Sullivan's Island
* Travelers Rest
* Walhalla
* Westminster
* Williamston

CDPs|

* Berea
* Carolina Forest
* Dentsville
* Five Forks
* Gantt
* Garden City
* Ladson
* Parker
* Red Hill
* Saint Andrews
* Seven Oaks
* Socastee
* Taylors
* Wade Hampton

Counties|

* Abbeville
* Aiken
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* Anderson
* Bamberg
* Barnwell
* Beaufort
* Berkeley
* Calhoun
* Charleston
* Cherokee
* Chester
* Chesterfield
* Clarendon
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* Horry
* Jasper
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* Laurens
* Lee
* Lexington
* Marion
* Marlboro
* McCormick
* Newberry
* Oconee
* Orangeburg
* Pickens
* Richland
* Saluda
* Spartanburg
* Sumter
* Union
* Williamsburg
* York

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