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, down from 32,062 in 2010. The county seat is Dillon.

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 , of which is land and (0.4%) 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

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 highways

* (Concurrency with US 501)
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Major infrastructure

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

Demographics

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

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 32,062 people, 11,923 households, and 8,342 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 13,742 housing units at an average density of . 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

As of the census of 2000, there were 30,722 people, 11,199 households, and 8,063 families living in the county. The population density was 76 people per square mile (29/km²). There were 12,679 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km²). 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.

Government and politics

Attractions

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

Communities

Cities

* Dillon (county seat and largest city)

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

See also

* List of counties in South Carolina
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Dillon County, South Carolina
* South Carolina State Parks

References

External links

Dillon County Official Website

1905 Reprint of Bishop Gregg's ''History of the Old Cheraws''
with additional material as an appendix. (Google Books pdf)

Dillon County History and Images

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1910 establishments in South Carolina
Populated places established in 1910
Majority-minority counties in South Carolina