Population
25,488
2025
−3.8% since 2020
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program (Vintage 2025), 2025. Resident population, July 1 estimate.
Marlboro County, SC growth snapshot
Marlboro County had an estimated 25,488 residents in 2025, down 3.8% (1,006 fewer people) since 2020. That is slower than South Carolina as a whole (+8.5%), and the 140th fastest growth of 146 counties in the Carolinas.
Data as of 2025 · updated
Headline numbers
Net domestic migration
+41
2025
1.6 per 1,000 residents
−290 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
5,404
2025
−16.3% 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
$1,041
2025
+26.9% since 2020
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2025. Average weekly wage, all covered jobs.
Unemployment rate
7.3%
2025
+2.7 pts since 2019
Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics, 2025. Annual average unemployment rate.
New homes permitted
6
2025
0.2 per 1,000 residents
Small base: the change swings on a few homes or people, so we don't show it.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2025. Housing units authorized by building permits in the year.
Median household income
$34,301
2020–24
+8.8% 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
4,718
2023
−6.1% 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 added 41 people in 2025: more people moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out.
Employers counted 5,404 jobs in 2025, −16.3% since 2020 (144th of 146 Carolinas counties for job growth); the average weekly wage was $1,041.
Unemployment averaged 7.3% in 2025, 2.7 points higher than in 2019 (before the pandemic).
Builders were authorized to start 6 new homes in 2025, or 0.2 per 1,000 residents.
Median household income was $34,301 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey, +8.8% since 2016–20.
Across the 3,107 U.S. counties with a comparable estimate, its population growth ranks 2,799th.
Marlboro County population by year
| Year | Population | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 25,488 | −56 |
| 2024 | 25,544 | −201 |
| 2023 | 25,745 | −207 |
| 2022 | 25,952 | −125 |
| 2021 | 26,077 | −417 |
| 2020 | 26,494 | – |
Census Bureau population estimates, July 1 of each year.
What drove the change in Marlboro County
Marlboro County lost 1,006 people since 2020; the biggest drag was natural change (−721).
| Component | 2025 | 2020–25 | Share |
|---|---|---|---|
| Natural changebirths minus deaths | −88 | −721 | |
| International migrationfrom and to other countries | −10 | +21 | |
| Domestic migrationfrom and to other U.S. counties | +41 | −290 | |
| Census adjustmentbalancing residual | +1 | −16 | |
| Total change | −56 | −1,006 |
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 | 43rd of 46 | 2,799th of 3,107 |
| Net domestic migration per 1,000 residents | 36th of 46 | 1,633rd of 3,108 |
| Private-sector job growth | 37th of 46 | 2,580th of 3,092 |
| Median household income | 45th of 46 | 3,085th of 3,107 |
| Average weekly wage | 26th of 46 | – |
| Lowest unemployment rate | 45th of 46 | 3,041st of 3,108 |
| New homes permitted per 1,000 residents | 46th of 46 | 2,621st 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
Marlboro County lost population faster than all 8 of its neighbouring counties (−3.8%, 2020–25).
Its median household income ($34,301, 2020–24) is lower than in all 8 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Marlboro County, SC This county | 25,488 | −3.8% | 1.6 | 0.2 | $34,301 |
| Dillon County, SC | 27,458 | −2.9% | −1.1 | 1.5 | $46,605 |
| Scotland County, NC | 33,322 | −0.3% | −7.7 | 1.8 | $45,730 |
| Darlington County, SC | 62,888 | +0.1% | 5.7 | 3.3 | $48,581 |
| Chesterfield County, SC | 44,740 | +3.4% | 5.9 | 2.6 | $49,235 |
| Richmond County, NC | 42,041 | −1.6% | 0.8 | 2.6 | $44,883 |
| Robeson County, NC | 119,941 | +3.4% | −1.4 | 3.3 | $41,978 |
| Florence County, SC | 138,504 | +1.2% | 1.3 | 5.0 | $58,305 |
| Anson County, NC | 21,758 | −2.1% | 11.4 | 2.4 | $47,302 |
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 Marlboro County?
About 25,488 people, according to the U.S. Census Bureau's population estimate for July 1, 2025.
Is Marlboro County growing?
No. Its population fell 3.8% between 2020 and 2025, about 1,006 fewer people (Census Bureau population estimates). South Carolina as a whole changed +8.5% over the same years. That ranks 140th of 146 Carolinas counties for population growth.
How many people moved to Marlboro County?
On net, about 41 people in 2025: that many more moved in from other U.S. counties than moved out (Census Bureau net domestic migration estimate).
How many jobs are in Marlboro County?
Employers there reported 5,404 jobs covered by unemployment insurance in 2025, −16.3% since 2020 (BLS Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages). The average weekly wage was $1,041 in 2025.
What is the unemployment rate in Marlboro County?
It averaged 7.3% in 2025 (BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, annual average).
How many new homes are being built in Marlboro County?
Building permits authorized 6 new housing units in 2025, 0.2 per 1,000 residents (Census Bureau Building Permits Survey). Permits count homes authorized, not finished.
What is the median household income in Marlboro County?
$34,301 in the 2020–24 American Community Survey 5-year estimates.
How does Marlboro County compare with other South Carolina counties?
Among South Carolina counties it ranks 43rd of 46 for population growth; 36th of 46 for net domestic migration per 1,000 residents; 37th of 46 for private-sector job growth; 45th of 46 for median household income. Nationally it ranks 2,799th 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.