Marion County, South Carolina

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

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′N79°21′W / 34.08°N 79.35°W / 34.08; -79.35
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1798
Named for	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

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

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

• Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (part)

State and local protected areas

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

Major water bodies

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

Adjacent counties

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

Major highways

• 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

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

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

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

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

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.

Economy

In 2022, the GDP was $728.2 million (about $25,545 per capita), ^[19] and the real GDP was $610.4 million (about $21,413 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars. ^[20]

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. ^[21]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Marion County, South Carolina - Q3 2023 ^[21]

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

Cities

• Marion (county seat and largest community)
• Mullins

Towns

• Nichols
• Sellers

Census-designated places

• Centenary
• Daviston
• Rains
• Zion

Other unincorporated communities

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

See also

• 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

1. "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. "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. "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. "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. 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.
20. 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.
21. "Marion County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000067). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.

Further reading

• 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

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