1st Advantage MortgageIn Marion County, South Carolina, the typical household earns $36,301 a year and the typical rent is $669. A loan makes sense only if its total cost beats your alternatives and the payment fits your budget. Check the lender's South Carolina license first.
On this page
- Getting oriented in Marion County
- How much Marion County households make
- Marion County housing compared with South Carolina
- The Marion County job picture
- How Marion County compares with nearby counties
- Towns and communities in Marion County
- What a median Marion County budget can carry
- Marion County households compared
- Borrowing situations common in Marion County
- Lender oversight for Marion County
- Steps before you apply in Marion County
- More guides for Marion County
- Frequently asked questions
Getting oriented in Marion County
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Marion County's population at 28,664; only 31 of South Carolina's 46 county-level areas are larger. Land area is 489 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 59 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Marion County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 8 Census places inside Marion County, Marion leads by population with about 6,206; 4 of the 8 are incorporated.
How much Marion County households make
Marion County households have a median income of $36,301 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 44th of 46 in South Carolina.
| Income band | Share in Marion County | Difference from South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 49.2% | +24.5 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 39.0% | -3.0 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 9.1% | -15.3 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 2.7% | -6.1 pts |
About 49% of households earn under $35,000, while 12% clear $100,000. 30.0% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). The Gini index of income inequality is 0.494 (0 is perfect equality). None of these numbers decides a Marion County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Marion County housing compared with South Carolina
A typical Marion County rental runs $669 a month including utilities, which is 43% below South Carolina. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. With a median value of $93,200, a typical Marion County house costs 2.6 times what the median household earns in a year. 63% of Marion County households own their home and 37% rent.
| Home costs | Marion County | South Carolina | U.S. middle county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $669/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $93,200 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 38% | 26% | n/a |
| Mobile homes | 32.3% | 14.2% | n/a |
| Vacant units | 16% | 13% | n/a |
The Marion County job picture
The biggest employer of Marion County residents, by industry, is education and health care at 24% of workers, followed by manufacturing (14%). Transportation, warehousing and utilities stands out: 10% of workers here, versus 6% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Marion County averages 7.2% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). About 86% drive to work alone and 21% have trips of 45 minutes or more. 8.3% of households have no vehicle.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Marion County | Gap to South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 23.8% | +1.7 pts |
| Manufacturing | 14.0% | +0.9 pts |
| Retail trade | 11.2% | 0.0 pts |
| Transportation, warehousing and utilities | 9.7% | +4.0 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 8.3% | -0.8 pts |
| Construction | 7.7% | +0.5 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
How Marion County compares with nearby counties
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (21 to 40 miles). 5 of the six report a higher median household income than Marion County; Horry County is highest at $66,880 and Marlboro County lowest at $34,301.
| County | Distance | Median income | Median rent | Owners |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County | - | $36,301 | $669/mo | 63% |
| Florence County, SC | 21 mi | $58,305 | $954/mo | 64% |
| Dillon County, SC | 21 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Horry County, SC | 25 mi | $66,880 | $1,255/mo | 77% |
| Williamsburg County, SC | 38 mi | $46,213 | $765/mo | 76% |
| Darlington County, SC | 39 mi | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
| Marlboro County, SC | 40 mi | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
Towns and communities in Marion County
8 Census places fall mainly inside Marion County; the 8 biggest are below. They account for 11,165 residents, leaving about 61% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Live in one of these Marion County communities, or between them? This is your local guide.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion | city | 6,206 | $30,662 | $651 | 7 mi |
| Mullins | city | 3,914 | $34,908 | $628 | 10 mi |
| Daviston | CDP | 262 | $21,917 | n/a | 14 mi |
| Nichols | town | 240 | $40,208 | n/a | 16 mi |
| Sellers | town | 192 | $32,614 | $473 | 15 mi |
| Centenary | CDP | 191 | $13,668 | n/a | 4 mi |
| Rains | CDP | 84 | n/a | n/a | 2 mi |
| Zion | CDP | 76 | $2,499 | n/a | 12 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
What a median Marion County budget can carry
Here is the Marion County median household run through a simple DTI check. Your numbers will differ.
- Start: $3,025 gross per month ($36,301 / 12)
- Rent at the median, $669, takes 22% of that
- Under a 43% cap, $1,301 total minus rent leaves $632
Car, student loan and card payments come out of that room first. Try your own numbers in the calculator.
Marion County households compared
14% of Marion County adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or more. About 14% go without health insurance.
| Marion County | South Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.6 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 14.5% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 13.8% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 13.7% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 8.3% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 5.2% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 30.0% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 7.2% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Minutes to work | Marion County workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 25.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 25.6% |
| 30 to 44 min | 28.4% |
| 45 to 59 min | 11.9% |
| 60+ min | 9.0% |
Borrowing situations common in Marion County
A few patterns in the Marion County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 14% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Keeping the car running. At 21% with long commutes, repairs are a frequent Marion County emergency; first decide if the car is worth fixing.
- 32% 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. 30% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Lender oversight for Marion County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Marion County borrowers answers to 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. Federal complaints: consumerfinance.gov. Statewide data and rules: South Carolina guide.
Steps before you apply in Marion County
Four checks before you sign anything:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Ask each lender for the APR and all fees in writing.
- Only work with lenders licensed for South Carolina borrowers.
- Ask a Marion County credit union about member loans.
More guides for Marion County
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is Marion County a high-income county?
Its $36,301 median ranks 44th of 46 South Carolina counties and compares with $65,681 for the median U.S. county.
Is Marion County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $669 against $1,180 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
What are the biggest places in Marion County?
By population: Marion, Mullins, Daviston, Nichols, Sellers. The county has 8 Census places in all.
Will a Marion County address affect my match?
Beyond confirming South Carolina as your state, no. Your answers about amount, credit, income and payments are all that count.
Where can someone in Marion County check a lender's license?
With the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. If a lender is unlicensed or asks for a fee before funding, walk away.