County · South Carolina
Marion County, South Carolina
Marion County, South Carolina. Marion County had 28,242 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 3.2% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. It holds 8 places (4 cities, villages and boroughs and 4 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 45067.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
28,242
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 29,183 · ACS 2020-2024: 28,664
Median household income
$36,301
±$5,615 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$93,200
±$9,215 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$669
±$50 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Marion County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 29,183 residents in Marion County. The Census Bureau estimates 28,242 for July 1, 2025, down 3.2% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 28,664 over 489 square miles of land.
| Measure | Marion County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 28,664 | 5,296,225 | −2,644 |
| Households | 12,177±376 | 2,117,989 | +577 |
| Average household size | 2.34±0.07 | 2.44 | −0.35 |
| Housing units | 14,505±35 | 2,443,039 | −492 |
Marion County's population since 2000
From 35,466 in 2000 to 28,242 in 2025: down 20.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Marion County?
Marion County holds 8 places: 4 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 4 census-designated places. The largest is Marion with 6,028 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Marion | 6,448 | $30,662 |
|---|---|---|
| Mullins | 4,026 | $34,908 |
| DavistonGEOID 4518706 | 417 | $21,917 |
| RainsGEOID 4558930 | 242 | not published |
| NicholsGEOID 4550110 | 234 | $40,208 |
| CentenaryGEOID 4512925 | 191 | $13,668 |
| SellersGEOID 4565005 | 147 | $32,614 |
| ZionGEOID 4579720 | 136 | $2,500 or less |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Marion County?
The median resident of Marion County is 42.6 years old; 22.1% are under 18 and 21.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 54.8%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 38.6%. 1.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Marion County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6±0.7 | 40.2 | +1.9 |
| Under 18 years | 22.1%±1.0 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 21.6%±0.3 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.8% | 7.4% | no clear change |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 38.6%±0.2 pts | 61.9% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 54.8%±1.7 pts | 24.6% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.6%±0.4 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0%±0.2 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.0%±1.6 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 1.4%±0.9 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.0%±0.9 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 6.5%±1.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.5%±1.9 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 13.7%±2.3 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 86.2%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 14.5%±2.0 pts | 32.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 6.2%±1.4 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 1.8%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Marion County earn?
Half of Marion County's 12,177 households earn less than $36,301 a year (±$5,615), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $39,460 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 30.0% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marion County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $36,301±$5,615 | $69,324 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $51,314±$3,981 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $22,884±$1,725 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 30.0%±3.9 pts | 14.1% | +7.3 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 44.2%±8.1 pts | 19.4% | +14.2 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 22.3%±3.0 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 69.4%±4.0 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Marion County?
Owners occupy 62.6% of Marion County's occupied homes and renters 37.4%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $93,200 by its owner (±$9,215). The median renter pays $669 a month including utilities, and 36.5% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marion County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $93,200±$9,215 | $259,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $669±$50 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 36.5%±7.8 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,064±$86 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 62.6%±3.9 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 14,505±35 | 2,443,039 | −492 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 1.5%±1.5 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 59.3%±3.6 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 32.3%±3.9 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.7%±1.0 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 5.9%±1.4 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Marion County building?
Builders took permits for 71 new housing units across Marion County in 2025 (71 single-family), 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Marion County get to work?
86.0% of Marion County's workers drive alone and 5.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 7.2%.
| Measure | Marion County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 48.9%±2.4 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 7.2%±2.2 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 86.0%±3.6 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.4%±2.2 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0%±0.4 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.5%±0.5 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 5.2%±3.2 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.3 min±2.0 | 25.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Marion County's census tracts?
Marion County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $32,700 (Tract 9504) to $47,031 (Tract 9507).
| Tract 950145067950100 | 3,930±546 | $43,057 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 950245067950200 | 6,038±698 | $40,750 |
| Tract 950345067950300 | 2,144±419 | $38,984 |
| Tract 950445067950400 | 3,196±485 | $32,700 |
| Tract 950545067950500 | 3,810±525 | $43,499 |
| Tract 950645067950600 | 5,667±626 | $32,801 |
| Tract 950745067950700 | 1,493±340 | $47,031 |
| Tract 950845067950800 | 2,386±469 | $33,516 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Marion County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 32nd of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 41st of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 27th of 46 |
| Median household income | 44th of 46 |
| Median home value | 43rd of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 45th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 1st of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 38th of 46 |
| Median age | 14th of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Marion County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.