Marion County, South Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Marion County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 28,900. It is the 32nd most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Marion County is 43.0 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Marion County is $34,501. This is 48% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 56% lower. The poverty rate stands at 27.3%. This is 93% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 5.9%. This is 19% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $86,800. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Marion County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 62.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 13% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Marion County is Black or African American, making up 55.7% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 38.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (55.7% vs 25.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.6%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

13.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 56% lower than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 84.0%.