1st Advantage MortgageDillon County households have a median income of $46,605 and median rent of $679 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Dillon County at a glance
- Jobs and commutes in Dillon County
- What Dillon County households earn
- Renting and owning in Dillon County
- The counties around Dillon County
- Dillon County towns compared
- Dillon County residents: age, schooling, coverage
- Local borrowing considerations for Dillon County
- A Dillon County household budget, worked through
- Steps before you apply in Dillon County
- Lender oversight for Dillon County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Dillon County at a glance
Roughly 27,862 residents live in Dillon County, South Carolina, 33rd by population among the state's 46 counties and county equivalents. Packed into 405 square miles, that is close to 69 residents for every square mile of land. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Dillon County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 7 Census places inside Dillon County, Dillon leads by population with about 6,354; 3 of the 7 are incorporated.
Jobs and commutes in Dillon County
By the Census industry count, 23% of employed Dillon County residents work in education and health care and 19% in manufacturing. The sharpest difference from the state is in manufacturing, at 19% locally and 13% for South Carolina. The survey's unemployment rate for Dillon County averages 9.0% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 80% drive to work alone and 19% have trips of 45 minutes or more. Only 9.8% of homes here go without a vehicle.
| Sector | Dillon County | Compared with South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.4% | +1.3 pts |
| Manufacturing | 19.2% | +6.1 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +1.6 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 8.4% | +2.7 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.6% | -5.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 6.1% | -3.0 pts |
Where long drives are the norm, a car repair is one of the most common surprise bills. A small repair fund can keep a breakdown from turning into a loan.
What Dillon County households earn
The median household income in Dillon County is $46,605; statewide it is $69,324, so Dillon County runs 33% below South Carolina as a whole.
| Yearly household income | Dillon County | Gap to South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 38.8% | +14.1 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 42.7% | +0.7 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 15.8% | -8.6 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -6.2 pts |
The spread is wide: 18% of Dillon County households make $100,000 or more, and 39% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 27.7%, 14 points higher than the state's 14.1%. Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.453 here. None of these numbers decides a Dillon County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Renting and owning in Dillon County
Median gross rent, utilities included, comes to $679 in Dillon County versus $1,180 statewide. 46% of renting households spend 30% or more of income on rent, and 23% spend half or more. Home values center on $85,400, or 1.8 years of median income. The ownership rate is 65%. Median construction year: 1984.
| Home costs | Dillon County | South Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $679/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $85,400 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 65% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 46% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 25% | 26% | n/a |
The counties around Dillon County
The six counties whose centers lie closest to Dillon County's, from 21 to 34 miles away. Florence County leads the group on income ($58,305), Marlboro County trails ($34,301), and Dillon County out-earns 4 of the six. Some neighbors are in North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Dillon County resident follows South Carolina rules.
| Nearby county | Center to center | Household income | Gross rent | Owner-occupied |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon County | - | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Marion County, SC | 21 mi | $36,301 | $669/mo | 63% |
| Marlboro County, SC | 23 mi | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
| Robeson County, NC | 23 mi | $41,978 | $805/mo | 66% |
| Florence County, SC | 31 mi | $58,305 | $954/mo | 64% |
| Scotland County, NC | 32 mi | $45,730 | $778/mo | 62% |
| Darlington County, SC | 34 mi | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
Dillon County towns compared
7 Census places fall mainly inside Dillon County; the 7 biggest are below. They account for 11,120 residents, leaving about 60% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Hamer has the highest median household income on the list ($64,300) and Dillon the lowest ($35,891), counting places with at least 500 residents. Rent is cheapest in Dillon ($630) and steepest in Newtown ($978). No Dillon County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 7.
| Town or CDP | Type | People | Median household income | Median gross rent | Miles from center |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon | city | 6,354 | $35,891 | $630 | 2 mi |
| Latta | town | 1,455 | $47,985 | $672 | 5 mi |
| Hamer | CDP | 1,042 | $64,300 | $904 | 6 mi |
| Newtown | CDP | 972 | $42,857 | $978 | 1 mi |
| Lake View | town | 679 | $36,563 | $733 | 12 mi |
| Floydale | CDP | 312 | $25,602 | n/a | 5 mi |
| Little Rock | CDP | 306 | $55,455 | n/a | 6 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Dillon County residents: age, schooling, coverage
College graduates make up 14% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| Indicator | Dillon County | All of South Carolina | U.S. county median |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 38.2 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 13.8% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 19.2% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.5% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 9.8% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 4.0% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 27.7% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.0% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 27.5% |
| 15 to 29 min | 34.0% |
| 30 to 44 min | 19.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.3% |
| 60+ min | 7.9% |
Local borrowing considerations for Dillon County
Where the Dillon County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Uninsured care. 13% lack coverage here; nonprofit hospitals must publish an assistance policy, so ask for it first (guide).
- Vehicle repairs. 19% of Dillon County workers commute 45+ minutes, so a breakdown can cost a paycheck. Get two written estimates.
- Mobile home upkeep. 37% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- 28% below poverty. Emergency aid, payment plans and counseling (list) come first.
A Dillon County household budget, worked through
Dillon County at the medians, through a lender's eyes (what DTI means):
- Median income divided by twelve: $3,884 before taxes
- Less median rent of $679, which is 17% of it
- $719: what a 36% ratio leaves once rent is paid
- With a 43% ceiling, about $991 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Steps before you apply in Dillon County
Steps that save money for Dillon County residents:
- Price the Dillon County expense first and borrow that amount, no more.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Carolina borrowers.
- Pick the shortest term whose payment still fits.
Lender oversight for Dillon County
No county office licenses personal lenders. For Dillon County, check the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. 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. See the South Carolina state guide for the statewide picture.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Dillon County?
$46,605 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 37th of 46 in the state.
Is Dillon County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $679 against $1,180 statewide, and 46% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Does this page cover Dillon?
Yes, along with the other 6 Census places in Dillon County, such as Latta, Hamer, Newtown.
Can Dillon County residents use the questionnaire?
Yes. It asks the same questions in every South Carolina county, lists every requirement up front and does not affect your credit score.
Who regulates personal lenders for Dillon County residents?
The South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions licenses consumer lenders in South Carolina; the CFPB takes complaints about any lender, and the FTC wants to hear about fee-first offers.