Population
28,242
2025
−2.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Marion County, SC growth snapshot
Marion County had an estimated 28,242 residents in 2025, down 2.9% (846 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 136th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
−112
2025
−4.0 per 1,000 residents
−52 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.
Jobs
6,847
2025
−0.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average annual employment covered by unemployment insurance.
Average weekly wage
$920
2025
+35.3% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
6.2%
2025
+1.6 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
71
2025
+1.4% since 2021
2.5 per 1,000 residents
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$36,301
2020–24
+17.9% since 2016–20
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020–24. American Community Survey 5-year estimate.
Private-sector employment
4,965
2023
−12.9% since 2018
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023. Paid employees of private employers in mid-March (County Business Patterns).
What the numbers say
Net domestic migration was negative in 2025: 112 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in.
Employers counted 6,847 jobs in 2025, −0.8% since 2020 (120th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $920.
Unemployment averaged 6.2% in 2025, 1.6 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 71 new homes in 2025, or 2.5 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $36,301 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +17.9% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,665th.
Marion County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 28,242 | −262 |
| 2024 | 28,504 | −40 |
| 2023 | 28,544 | +31 |
| 2022 | 28,513 | −352 |
| 2021 | 28,865 | −223 |
| 2020 | 29,088 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Marion County
Marion County lost 846 people since 2020; the biggest drag was natural change (−827).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −146 | −827 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | −5 | +17 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | −112 | −52 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +1 | +16 | |
| Total change | −262 | −846 |
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.
How it ranks
| Measure | In South Carolina | Among U.S. counties |
|---|---|---|
| Population growth | 41st of 46 | 2,665th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 44th of 46 | 2,451st of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 43rd of 46 | 2,911th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 44th of 46 | 3,073rd of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 42nd of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 43rd of 46 | 2,932nd of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 36th of 46 | 1,307th of 3,005 |
1st = highest (lowest for unemployment). Counties are ranked only against others with a figure for the same period.
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Neighbouring counties
Over 2020–25, Marion County's population change (−2.9%) was ahead of 1 of its 5 neighbouring counties, behind 3 and level with Dillon County.
Its median household income ($36,301, 2020–24) is lower than in all 5 of its neighbouring counties.
| County | Population2025 | Population change2020–25 | Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents2025 | Homes permitted per 1,000 residents2025 | Median household income2020–24 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marion County, SC This county | 28,242 | −2.9% | −4.0 | 2.5 | $36,301 |
| Florence County, SC | 138,504 | +1.2% | 1.3 | 5.0 | $58,305 |
| Dillon County, SC | 27,458 | −2.9% | −1.1 | 1.5 | $46,605 |
| Horry County, SC | 427,551 | +20.9% | 33.3 | 15.2 | $66,880 |
| Williamsburg County, SC | 29,662 | −4.0% | 0.9 | 1.2 | $46,213 |
| Georgetown County, SC | 65,912 | +3.8% | 3.5 | 5.7 | $68,713 |
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
Questions
What is the population of Marion County?
About 28,242 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Marion County growing?
No. Its population fell 2.9% between 2020 and 2025, about 846 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 136th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Marion County?
On net, none in 2025: about 112 more people moved out to other U.S. counties than moved in (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Marion County?
Employers there reported 6,847 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −0.8% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $920 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Marion County?
It averaged 6.2% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Marion County?
Building permits authorized 71 new housing units in 2025, 2.5 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Marion County?
$36,301 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Marion County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 41st of 46 for population growth; 44th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 43rd of 46 for private-sector job growth; 44th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 2,665th of 3,107 counties for population growth.
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Sources and method
- U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025)
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics
- U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates
- U.S. Census Bureau, County Business Patterns
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.