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.

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 494.17 sqmi, of which 489.37 sqmi is land and 4.80 sqmi (0.97%) is water.

National protected area

 * Waccamaw National Wildlife Refuge (part)

State and local protected areas

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

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

2020 census
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. The population density was 67.6 PD/sqmi. There were 14,953 housing units at an average density of 30.6 /sqmi. 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 72 /mi2. There were 15,143 housing units at an average density of 31 /mi2. 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%.

Government and politics
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), and the real GDP was $610.4 million (about $21,413 per capita) 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.

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