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 (1826–1913), 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 406.82 sqmi, of which 405.07 sqmi is land and 1.75 sqmi (0.43%) is water. It is the fifth-smallest county in South Carolina by area.

State and local protected areas/sites

 * Bass Community Park
 * Dillon County Museum
 * Little Pee Dee State Park
 * Little Pee Dee State Park Bay Heritage Preserve

Major water bodies

 * Cud Swamp
 * Great Pee Dee River
 * Little Pee Dee River
 * Lumber River
 * Maidendown Swamp
 * Reedy Creek

Adjacent counties

 * Robeson County, North Carolina – north
 * Columbus County, North Carolina – north
 * Horry County – east
 * Marion County – south
 * Florence County – southwest
 * Marlboro County – west

Major infrastructure

 * Dillon County Airport
 * Dillon Station
 * Inland Port Dillon, major rail depot in the county

2020 census
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 28,292 people, 11,029 households, and 7,016 families residing in the county.

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 79.2 PD/sqmi. There were 13,742 housing units at an average density of 33.9 /sqmi. 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 76 /mi2. There were 12,679 housing units at an average density of 31 /mi2. 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.

Economy
In 2022, the GDP of Dillon County as $887.9 million (about $32,055 per capita). In chained 2017 dollars, the real GDP was $742.1 million (about $27,808 per capita). Between 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate of the county has fluctuated between 3.6-5.7%.

Food Lion, Harbor Freight Tools, McLeod Health, Perdue Farms, and Walmart comprise some of the largest employers in the county.

Attractions

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

Cities

 * Dillon (county seat and largest community)

Towns

 * Lake View
 * Latta

Census-designated places

 * Floydale
 * Hamer
 * Little Rock
 * Newtown

Other unincorporated communities

 * Bass Crossroads
 * Berrys Crossroads
 * Bingham
 * Bronson Crossroads
 * Bunker Hill
 * Carmichael Crossroads
 * Carolina
 * Carter Landing
 * Centerville
 * Cotton Valley
 * Dalcho
 * Dothan
 * Dunbarton
 * Five Forks
 * Fork
 * Forrest Hills
 * Gaddys Crossroads
 * Gaddys Mill
 * Galavon
 * Hayestown
 * High Hill Crossroads
 * Jacksonville
 * Judson
 * Kemper
 * Kentyre
 * Linkside
 * Mallory
 * Mallory Beach
 * Manning Crossroads
 * May Hilltop
 * McCormick Crossroads
 * Minturn
 * Mount Calvary
 * Newtown
 * Oak Grove
 * Oakland Crossroads
 * Oliver Crossroads
 * Pittman Corner
 * Riverdale
 * Selma
 * Sinclair Crossroads
 * South of the Border
 * Squires
 * Squires Curve
 * Temperance Hill