County · South Carolina
Marlboro County, South Carolina
Marlboro County, South Carolina. Marlboro County had 25,488 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 4.4% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. It holds 6 places (5 cities, villages and boroughs and 1 census-designated) and 8 census tracts. GEOID 45069.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
25,488
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 26,667 · ACS 2020-2024: 25,975
Median household income
$34,301
±$2,981 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$82,000
±$6,245 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$689
±$46 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Marlboro County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 26,667 residents in Marlboro County. The Census Bureau estimates 25,488 for July 1, 2025, down 4.4% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 25,975 over 480 square miles of land.
| Measure | Marlboro County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 25,975 | 5,296,225 | −778 |
| Households | 9,789±374 | 2,117,989 | no clear change |
| Average household size | 2.40±0.09 | 2.44 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,077±86 | 2,443,039 | no clear change |
Marlboro County's population since 2000
From 28,818 in 2000 to 25,488 in 2025: down 11.6%. 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 Marlboro County?
Marlboro County holds 6 places: 5 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 1 census-designated place. The largest is Bennettsville with 7,565 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bennettsville | 7,020 | $37,115 |
|---|---|---|
| McColl | 2,070 | $26,638 |
| WallaceGEOID 4574140 | 843 | $32,703 |
| Clio | 608 | $36,359 |
| BlenheimGEOID 4506850 | 115 | $49,167 |
| TatumGEOID 4571305 | 76 | $53,125 |
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 Marlboro County?
The median resident of Marlboro County is 41.7 years old; 19.9% are under 18 and 19.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic Black residents at 47.7%, then non-Hispanic white residents at 38.2%. 2.1% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Marlboro County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7±0.4 | 40.2 | +1.4 |
| Under 18 years | 19.9% | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 19.1%±0.3 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.7% | 7.4% | −0.6 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 38.2%±0.7 pts | 61.9% | −0.9 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 47.7%±1.4 pts | 24.6% | −2.7 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 0.4%±0.4 pts | 1.7% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 3.0%±0.5 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 | 7.2%±1.5 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 2.1%±0.6 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 2.7%±0.7 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 5.9%±0.9 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 20.3%±1.9 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 12.6%±1.9 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 79.1%±2.2 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 9.0%±1.4 pts | 32.1% | no clear change |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 2.9%±0.8 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.6%±0.9 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 Marlboro County earn?
Half of Marlboro County's 9,789 households earn less than $34,301 a year (±$2,981), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $41,334 in 2024 dollars, so it fell by $7,033 after inflation. 28.5% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Marlboro County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $34,301±$2,981 | $69,324 | −$7,033 |
| Mean household income | $51,818±$3,705 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $21,486±$1,597 | $39,236 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 28.5%±3.1 pts | 14.1% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 39.3%±6.1 pts | 19.4% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 23.0%±3.3 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 70.9%±3.0 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 Marlboro County?
Owners occupy 63.0% of Marlboro County's occupied homes and renters 37.0%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $82,000 by its owner (±$6,245). The median renter pays $689 a month including utilities, and 44.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Marlboro County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $82,000±$6,245 | $259,000 | no clear change |
| Median gross rent | $689±$46 | $1,180 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 44.6%±7.3 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,090±$74 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 63.0%±3.6 pts | 71.9% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 12,077±86 | 2,443,039 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 3.0%±1.6 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 7.0%±4.0 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 62.0%±3.0 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 25.9%±2.7 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 0.3%±0.2 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 9.3%±1.8 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 Marlboro County building?
Builders took permits for 6 new housing units across Marlboro County in 2025 (6 single-family), 0.2 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 Marlboro County get to work?
83.6% of Marlboro County's workers drive alone and 3.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 26.9 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 9.9%.
| Measure | Marlboro County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 45.7%±2.6 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 9.9%±2.0 pts | 4.9% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 83.6%±3.5 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 11.0%±2.9 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.3%±0.5 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.9%±0.7 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 3.2%±1.4 pts | 11.5% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 26.9 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 Marlboro County's census tracts?
Marlboro County is divided into 8 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $21,328 (Tract 9602.02) to $49,183 (Tract 9606).
| Tract 960145069960100 | 2,827±369 | $32,818 |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 9602.0145069960201 | 3,690±552 | $29,423 |
| Tract 9602.0245069960202 | 1,538±233 | $21,328 |
| Tract 9603.0145069960301 | 3,637±531 | $36,298 |
| Tract 9603.0245069960302 | 4,945±408 | $48,056 |
| Tract 960445069960400 | 5,029±619 | $32,587 |
| Tract 960545069960500 | 2,027±397 | $32,813 |
| Tract 960645069960600 | 2,282±369 | $49,183 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Marlboro County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 36th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 44th of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 29th of 46 |
| Median household income | 45th of 46 |
| Median home value | 45th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 43rd of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 2nd of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 46th of 46 |
| Median age | 24th 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 Marlboro 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.