Marion County
County
Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Mt. Olive Baptist Church
Official seal of Marion County
Seal
Official logo of Marion County
Logo
Motto: 
"It's just right!"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Marion County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°05′01″N 79°21′14″W / 34.08362°N 79.354001°W / 34.08362; -79.354001
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1798
Named forFrancis Marion
SeatMarion
Largest communityMarion
Area
 • Total494.17 sq mi (1,279.9 km2)
 • Land489.37 sq mi (1,267.5 km2)
 • Water4.80 sq mi (12.4 km2)  0.97%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total29,183
 • Estimate 
(2022)
28,450
 • Density59.63/sq mi (23.02/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.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

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

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

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18006,914—
18108,88428.5%
182010,20114.8%
183011,2089.9%
184013,93224.3%
185017,40724.9%
186021,19021.7%
187022,1604.6%
188034,10753.9%
189029,976−12.1%
190035,18117.4%
191020,596−41.5%
192023,72115.2%
193027,22114.8%
194030,10710.6%
195033,11010.0%
196032,014−3.3%
197030,270−5.4%
198034,17912.9%
199033,899−0.8%
200035,4664.6%
201033,062−6.8%
202029,183−11.7%
2022 (est.)28,450[1]−2.5%
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
No. %No. %No. %
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.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts: Marion County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  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. 1 2 3 "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. 1 2 "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. 1 2 3 "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.

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