Population
27,458
2025
−2.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Dillon County had an estimated 27,458 residents in 2025, down 2.9% (816 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 135th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
27,458
2025
−2.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
−30
2025
−1.1 per 1,000 residents
−369 in total, 2021–2025
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. People moving in from other U.S. counties minus people moving out.
9,422
2025
+3.1% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
$850
2025
+26.6% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
6.0%
2025
+1.8 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
41
2025
−2.4% since 2021
1.5 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
$46,605
2020–24
+27.9% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
7,209
2023
+8.5% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 30 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Employers counted 9,422 jobs in 2025, +3.1% since 2020 (95th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $850.
Unemployment averaged 6.0% in 2025, 1.8 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 41 new homes in 2025, or 1.5 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $46,605 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +27.9% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,660th.
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 27,458 | −123 |
| 2024 | 27,581 | −127 |
| 2023 | 27,708 | −55 |
| 2022 | 27,763 | −218 |
| 2021 | 27,981 | −293 |
| 2020 | 28,274 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
Dillon County lost 816 people since 2020; the biggest drag was natural change (−587).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −117 | −587 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | +23 | +148 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −30 | −369 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +1 | −8 | |
| Total change | −123 | −816 |
Census Bureau population estimates, components of change, each year July 1 to June 30. The components add up to the change in the estimate; the Census adjustment is the small balancing figure the Bureau publishes.
| Measure | In South Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 40th of 46 | 2,660th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 43rd of 46 | 2,092nd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 16th of 46 | 833rd of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 37th of 46 | 2,883rd of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 44th of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 40th of 46 | 2,894th of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 40th of 46 | 1,803rd of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
The quarterly County Growth Report for Dillon County, SC as a PDF: growth, jobs, wages, permits, announcements, sales where allowed, ranks against peer counties and a methods page. Pay once, no subscription.
See a sample report (PDF) · Other counties and options
Every purchase also includes a CSV of every table in the report, ready for a spreadsheet.
Refund terms: Terms. · How we compute every number
Over 2020–25, Dillon County's population change (−2.9%) was ahead of 1 of its 6 neighbouring counties, behind 4 and level with Marion County.
3 of its 6 neighbouring counties had a higher median household income than Dillon County's $46,605 (2020–24).
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dillon County, SC This county | 27,458 | −2.9% | −1.1 | 1.5 | $46,605 |
| Marlboro County, SC | 25,488 | −3.8% | 1.6 | 0.2 | $34,301 |
| Robeson County, NC | 119,941 | +3.4% | −1.4 | 3.3 | $41,978 |
| Marion County, SC | 28,242 | −2.9% | −4.0 | 2.5 | $36,301 |
| Florence County, SC | 138,504 | +1.2% | 1.3 | 5.0 | $58,305 |
| Horry County, SC | 427,551 | +20.9% | 33.3 | 15.2 | $66,880 |
| Columbus County, NC | 50,487 | +0.0% | 5.3 | 1.1 | $49,442 |
Census Bureau population estimates and building permits, American Community Survey 5-year income. Rates per 1,000 residents. – means no figure, or a base too small for a change or rate (it would swing on a few people). A figure from another period shows its year and is left out of the comparison.
All 46 South Carolina counties · All Carolinas counties and metros
About 27,458 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
No. Its population fell 2.9% between 2020 and 2025, about 816 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 135th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
On net, none in 2025: about 30 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
Employers there reported 9,422 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, +3.1% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $850 in 2025.
It averaged 6.0% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
Building permits authorized 41 new housing units in 2025, 1.5 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
$46,605 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 40th of 46 for population growth; 43rd of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 16th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 37th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 2,660th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
Beacon CRE maps growth, permits, workforce, flood risk, opportunity zones, listings and recent sales for every county and census tract in the Carolinas, with grades that explain themselves.
Card required, cancel anytime before the trial ends. Prefer an invoice? Request a pilot.
One email a month: the NC and SC counties gaining people, jobs and new homes fastest, with the numbers behind them. Free. Unsubscribe anytime.
Each number shows its own period. Changes compare the latest period with five years earlier (or the earliest period available). Beacon CRE last refreshed these figures on 2026-11-05. Figures come from public federal statistics and are informational only, not investment advice. Check the source before relying on a number. Methodology: how we compute every number. More on every layer: data sources and licences.