Marlboro County, South Carolina Demographics 2026

Population Overview

Marlboro County is located in South Carolina with a total population of 26,285. It is the 36th most populous county out of 46 in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Marlboro County is 41.2 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Marlboro County is $36,293. This is 46% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 54% lower. The poverty rate stands at 26.2%. This is 84% 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 8.4%. This is 69% higher than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $74,500. Housing costs are 69% lower than the state median of $236,700. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Marlboro County is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 12% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Marlboro County is Black or African American, making up 49.1% of the population. White (non-Hispanic) residents account for 37.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (49.1% vs 25.1%). The Hispanic or Latino population (2.7%) is well below the state average of 7.1%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.7%.

Education

8.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 72% 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 81.5%.