1st Advantage MortgageDarlington County households have a median income of $48,581 and median rent of $896 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Those figures describe the county, not you: compare at least three written offers by APR and total cost, and confirm the lender's license before you apply.
On this page
- Darlington County by the numbers
- How Darlington County residents earn a living
- Paychecks and income spread in Darlington County
- Darlington County housing compared with South Carolina
- Places inside Darlington County
- How Darlington County compares with nearby counties
- Budget math at the Darlington County median
- Darlington County households compared
- What the numbers mean for Darlington County borrowers
- Checking a lender's license in South Carolina
- Before you sign
- More guides for Darlington County
- Frequently asked questions
Darlington County by the numbers
With an estimated 62,558 residents (ACS 2020 to 2024), Darlington County ranks 23rd of 46 in South Carolina for population. Packed into 561 square miles, that is close to 112 residents for every square mile of land. It is one of the counties that make up the Florence, SC metropolitan statistical area (OMB, 2023). Of the 8 Census places inside Darlington County, Hartsville leads by population with about 7,419; 4 of the 8 are incorporated.
How Darlington County residents earn a living
The biggest employer of Darlington County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 25% of workers, followed by manufacturing (18%). Manufacturing stands out: 18% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. Averaged over the five survey years, 6.7% of the labor force was out of work and looking. Long commutes are the exception here: 12% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Top industries | Darlington County share | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 25.0% | +2.9 pts |
| Manufacturing | 18.4% | +5.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 13.1% | +1.9 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.2% | +2.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 7.4% | -1.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 7.3% | -4.2 pts |
Industry shapes paperwork. Salaried and public jobs are easy to verify, while hourly, tipped, commission or contract earners in Darlington County should have bank statements and tax returns ready.
Paychecks and income spread in Darlington County
At $48,581, the typical Darlington County household income is 26% below the median U.S. county ($65,681).
| Households earning | Darlington County | +/- vs South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.6% | +13.9 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.5% | -2.5 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.8% | -8.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.1% | -2.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 22% of Darlington County households make $100,000 or more, and 39% make less than $35,000. 21.1% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.523 here. None of these numbers decides a Darlington County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Darlington County housing compared with South Carolina
A typical Darlington County rental runs $896 a month including utilities, which is 24% below South Carolina. 56% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 30% spend half or more. Home values center on $158,200, or 3.3 years of median income. Owners occupy 71% of homes. Half the housing stock was built before 1984.
| Housing | Darlington County | South Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $896/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $158,200 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 71% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 56% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 29% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 30.2% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 14% | 13% | n/a |
High rent burdens leave little slack. If you are borrowing to consolidate, make sure the new payment is lower than the ones it replaces.
Places inside Darlington County
The table lists the 8 largest of 8 Census places in Darlington County, by population. Together all 8 hold about 20,374 people, so roughly 67% of residents live outside any named place. Among places of 500 or more people, median income runs from $31,918 in Dovesville to $61,192 in Pine Ridge. No Darlington County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 8.
| Place | Type | Population | Median income | Median rent | From county center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hartsville | city | 7,419 | $49,272 | $874 | 7 mi |
| Darlington | city | 6,120 | $33,952 | $840 | 6 mi |
| North Hartsville | CDP | 3,304 | $59,744 | $1,194 | 8 mi |
| Lamar | town | 1,196 | $38,864 | $953 | 13 mi |
| Dovesville | CDP | 1,120 | $31,918 | $866 | 6 mi |
| Pine Ridge | CDP | 637 | $61,192 | $1,063 | 13 mi |
| Society Hill | town | 388 | $32,656 | $825 | 14 mi |
| Lydia | CDP | 190 | n/a | n/a | 9 mi |
How Darlington County compares with nearby counties
Six nearby counties, 20 to 36 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. 3 of the six report a higher median household income than Darlington County; Kershaw County is highest at $68,231 and Marlboro County lowest at $34,301.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Darlington County | - | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
| Lee County, SC | 20 mi | $44,760 | $823/mo | 70% |
| Chesterfield County, SC | 24 mi | $49,235 | $762/mo | 73% |
| Marlboro County, SC | 25 mi | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
| Florence County, SC | 25 mi | $58,305 | $954/mo | 64% |
| Dillon County, SC | 34 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Kershaw County, SC | 36 mi | $68,231 | $971/mo | 82% |
Budget math at the Darlington County median
Lenders compare monthly debt payments with gross monthly income, the debt-to-income ratio. For a Darlington County household at the medians it works out like this; treat it as an illustration only.
- Monthly gross at the median, Darlington County: $4,048
- 22% goes to median rent ($896)
- Under a 43% cap, $1,741 total minus rent leaves $845
Lenders set their own limits and look beyond the ratio. The DTI calculator uses your figures instead of Darlington County's.
Darlington County households compared
College graduates make up 20% of the adult population. The uninsured rate is 9.0%, against 9.6% for South Carolina.
| Measure | Darlington County | South Carolina statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.3 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 19.9% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.0% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 9.0% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 10.4% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.8% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 21.1% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 6.7% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Darlington County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 33.2% |
| 15 to 29 min | 39.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 16.0% |
| 45 to 59 min | 7.4% |
| 60+ min | 4.4% |
What the numbers mean for Darlington County borrowers
Where the Darlington County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- 30% mobile homes. Many are not titled as real estate, so home-equity options may not apply; an unsecured loan is the usual route.
- Free help first. 21% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
- 56% rent-burdened. A payment on top of high rent needs a cushion; size it with the calculator.
Checking a lender's license in South Carolina
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's South Carolina license. Consumer lending in South Carolina is also overseen by the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. Statewide data and rules: South Carolina guide.
Before you sign
Before you apply, wherever you live in Darlington County:
- Know the exact dollar figure you need before talking to a lender.
- Prequalify with soft pulls where offered, then compare in writing.
- A South Carolina license check takes minutes; do it first.
- Confirm the first due date before setting up autopay.
More guides for Darlington County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
How much do households in Darlington County earn?
The median is $48,581; 22% earn $100,000 or more and 39% under $35,000. A lender uses your own documented income, not this figure.
How much is rent in Darlington County?
Median gross rent, utilities included, is $896 a month; 56% of renters spend 30% or more of income on it.
I live in a small Darlington County town. Is this my guide?
Yes. If your town has no city guide, this county page is the local one; it covers Hartsville, Darlington, North Hartsville, Lamar, Dovesville and 3 more.
Are Darlington County applicants treated differently?
No. Everyone answers the same questions and is screened on the same objective points; lending partners set their own criteria under fair-lending laws.
Who do I complain to about a lender in Darlington County?
Start with the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions, then the CFPB complaint portal. Keep copies of every message.