1st Advantage MortgageThe median Marlboro County household earns $34,301, and 29% of residents live below the poverty line. 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
- Marlboro County at a glance
- Rent, home values and ownership in Marlboro County
- Paychecks and income spread in Marlboro County
- Work, industries and travel time in Marlboro County
- Places inside Marlboro County
- Counties near Marlboro County
- Debt-to-income at Marlboro County's medians
- Before borrowing in Marlboro County
- Marlboro County households compared
- Licensing and complaints for Marlboro County
- Steps before you apply in Marlboro County
- Related local guides
- Frequently asked questions
Marlboro County at a glance
The latest five-year Census estimate puts Marlboro County's population at 25,975; only 35 of South Carolina's 46 county-level areas are larger. Packed into 480 square miles, that is close to 54 residents for every square mile of land. It sits outside every metropolitan statistical area in the July 2023 OMB delineation. The Census Bureau counts 6 places in the county (5 incorporated, 1 census-designated); the largest is Bennettsville, with about 7,751 residents, or 30% of the county.
Rent, home values and ownership in Marlboro County
Renters in Marlboro County pay a median of $689 a month, 42% below the South Carolina figure of $1,180. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 52% of renter households here. With a median value of $82,000, a typical Marlboro County house costs 2.4 times what the median household earns in a year. The ownership rate is 63%. Half the housing stock was built before 1977.
| Marlboro County | South Carolina | U.S. county median | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $689/mo | $1,180/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $82,000 | $259,000 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 63% | 72% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 52% | 52% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 37% | 26% | n/a |
Rent pressure is real here, so run any payment through the debt-to-income calculator before you apply.
Paychecks and income spread in Marlboro County
Marlboro County households have a median income of $34,301 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 45th of 46 in South Carolina.
| Band | Marlboro County | Compared with South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 51.1% | +26.4 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 35.5% | -6.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 11.6% | -12.8 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 1.9% | -7.0 pts |
The spread is wide: 13% of Marlboro County households make $100,000 or more, and 51% make less than $35,000. 28.5% of residents fall below the federal poverty line (statewide: 14.1%). Income inequality, measured by the Gini index, comes to 0.499 here. None of these numbers decides a Marlboro County application. Lenders weigh your own documented income against your own debts.
Work, industries and travel time in Marlboro County
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Marlboro County residents work in manufacturing and 22% in education and health care. Manufacturing stands out: 30% of workers here, versus 13% statewide. The survey's unemployment rate for Marlboro County averages 9.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 4.9%). Long commutes are common here: 18% of workers spend 45 minutes or longer getting to work.
| Industry (employed residents 16+) | Marlboro County | Gap to South Carolina |
|---|---|---|
| Manufacturing | 29.6% | +16.4 pts |
| Education and health care | 21.6% | -0.5 pts |
| Retail trade | 10.2% | -1.0 pts |
| Construction | 7.3% | +0.1 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 6.1% | -5.5 pts |
| Arts, lodging and food service | 5.5% | -3.6 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.
Places inside Marlboro County
6 Census places fall mainly inside Marlboro County; the 6 biggest are below. They account for 11,618 residents, leaving about 55% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. Incomes vary by place: $37,115 at the median in Bennettsville, $26,638 in McColl. Rent is cheapest in McColl ($456) and steepest in Bennettsville ($671). No Marlboro County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 6.
| Community | Type | Residents | Household income (median) | Rent (median) | Distance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bennettsville | city | 7,751 | $37,115 | $671 | 2 mi |
| McColl | town | 2,200 | $26,638 | $456 | 9 mi |
| Clio | town | 840 | $36,359 | $575 | 8 mi |
| Wallace | CDP | 665 | $32,703 | n/a | 12 mi |
| Blenheim | town | 82 | $49,167 | n/a | 7 mi |
| Tatum | town | 80 | $53,125 | n/a | 6 mi |
CDPs are unincorporated communities the Census Bureau defines for counting.
Counties near Marlboro County
Six nearby counties, 20 to 33 miles away by the straight-line distance between their centers. Income ranges from $41,978 in Robeson County to $49,235 in Chesterfield County; all six of these neighbors top Marlboro County's median. Some neighbors are in North Carolina. Lender licensing is state by state, so a loan for a Marlboro County resident follows South Carolina rules.
| County | Miles | Median household income | Median rent | Homeownership |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlboro County | - | $34,301 | $689/mo | 63% |
| Scotland County, NC | 20 mi | $45,730 | $778/mo | 62% |
| Dillon County, SC | 23 mi | $46,605 | $679/mo | 65% |
| Darlington County, SC | 25 mi | $48,581 | $896/mo | 71% |
| Chesterfield County, SC | 27 mi | $49,235 | $762/mo | 73% |
| Richmond County, NC | 28 mi | $44,883 | $724/mo | 66% |
| Robeson County, NC | 33 mi | $41,978 | $805/mo | 66% |
Debt-to-income at Marlboro County's medians
How much room does a median Marlboro County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $2,858 before taxes
- Housing at the median rent of $689 uses 24%
- $540: what a 43% ratio leaves once rent is paid
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
Before borrowing in Marlboro County
A few patterns in the Marlboro County data, and the practical point behind each:
- Health costs. With 13% of the county uninsured, an interest-free hospital payment plan usually beats a loan (medical bills).
- Commuter costs. 18% drive 45 minutes or more. Compare shop financing with a loan, and keep a small repair fund.
- Mobile home upkeep. 26% of units fall in this category; roof, skirting and HVAC jobs are common reasons to borrow.
- Free help first. 29% of residents live below the poverty line; utility, rent and food programs cost nothing to repay (free options).
Marlboro County households compared
College graduates make up 9% of the adult population. About 13% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Marlboro County | South Carolina | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 41.7 | 40.2 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 9.0% | 32.1% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 20.9% | 9.9% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 12.6% | 9.6% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 15.5% | 5.7% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 3.2% | 11.5% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 28.5% | 14.1% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 9.9% | 4.9% | 4.4% |
| Commute length | Marlboro County |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 23.0% |
| 15 to 29 min | 38.1% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.9% |
| 45 to 59 min | 10.9% |
| 60+ min | 7.1% |
Licensing and complaints for Marlboro County
Licensing happens at the state level, so a lender working with Marlboro County borrowers answers to the South Carolina State Board of Financial Institutions. South Carolina also has the Consumer Finance Division of the State Board of Financial Institutions for consumer credit. A CFPB complaint gets forwarded to the company for a response. Statewide data and rules: South Carolina guide.
Steps before you apply in Marlboro County
A short checklist for Marlboro County borrowers:
- Write down what the expense costs; a smaller loan costs less.
- Compare the total repaid on every offer, not just the payment.
- Look the lender up with the state regulator first.
- Ask a Marlboro County credit union about member loans.
Related local guides
For statewide rules and data, see the South Carolina guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Marlboro County?
$34,301 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $69,324 for South Carolina. It ranks 45th of 46 in the state.
What do renters pay in Marlboro County?
$689 a month at the median, about 24% of median household income.
What are the biggest places in Marlboro County?
By population: Bennettsville, McColl, Clio, Wallace, Blenheim. The county has 6 Census places in all.
Does living in Marlboro County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Marlboro County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.
Where can someone in Marlboro 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.