Marlboro County, South Carolina Population 2026

Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates · 36th-largest in South Carolina

The population of Marlboro County, South Carolina is 26,285 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 36th-largest county in South Carolina. The median household income is $36,293, the median home value is $74,500, and the median age is 41.2.

The population of Marlboro County has declined 11.8% since 2010 (28,918 → 25,498), a -0.90% annualized rate.

Marlboro County within South Carolina · Source: US Census TIGER/Line via us-atlas

26,285

Population

-0.90%

Annual growth

People / sq mi

$36,293

Median Income

$74,500

Median Home Value

Marlboro County covers 480 sq mi of land at 54.8 people per square mile.

About Marlboro County, SC

Marlboro County is a county in South Carolina with a population of 26,285. It ranks #36 among counties in South Carolina by population. The median age is 41.2, older than the national median. The population is 52.6% male and 47.4% female.

The median household income in Marlboro County is $36,293, below the US median of $74,580. 17.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level. Home values sit at a median of $74,500, with monthly rent averaging $686. The homeownership rate of 63.0% is close to the national rate of 64.8%.

Educational attainment in Marlboro County reflects 8.7% of adults 25 and older holding a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national average of 34.3%. Roughly 2.3% of workers primarily work from home, below the national work-from-home rate of 14.2%. The average commute is 26.6 minutes each way.

Marlboro County Population History (2010-2024)

The county of Marlboro County had a population of 28,918 in 2010 and 25,498 in 2024, a -11.8% growth over 14 years. The peak was 28,918 in 2010. Average annual growth rate: -0.89%.

25,498

Population (2024)

28,918

Population (2010)

28,918

Peak (2010)

-0.89%

Avg Annual Growth

Year	Population	Change	Annual %	Source
2010	28,918	-	-	estimate
2011	28,589	-329	-1.14%	estimate
2012	28,263	-326	-1.14%	estimate
2013	28,069	-194	-0.69%	estimate
2014	28,049	-20	-0.07%	estimate
2015	27,594	-455	-1.62%	estimate
2016	27,023	-571	-2.07%	estimate
2017	26,708	-315	-1.17%	estimate
2018	26,413	-295	-1.10%	estimate
2019	26,157	-256	-0.97%	estimate
2020	26,496	+339	+1.30%	estimate
2021	26,106	-390	-1.47%	estimate
2022	26,003	-103	-0.39%	estimate
2023	25,772	-231	-0.89%	estimate
2024	25,498	-274	-1.06%	estimate

Race & Ethnicity

White	38.7%
Black or African American	49.3%
Asian	0.0%
Hispanic or Latino (any race)	6.2%
Two or More Races	0.0%

Age & Sex

41.2

Median Age

47.4%

Female

52.6%

Male

18.6%

Age 65+

Age Distribution

Under 5

5.3%

5–9

4.5%

10–14

6.8%

15–19

4.6%

20–24

6.7%

25–34

13.9%

35–44

12.6%

45–54

12.6%

55–59

7.2%

60–64

7.1%

65–74

11.3%

75–84

5.3%

85+

2.0%

Children (under 15): 16.6% · Seniors (65+): 18.6%

Income & Poverty

Median household income	$36,293$-30,525 vs state
Mean household income	$50,984
Per-capita income	$22,016
Poverty rate	17.4%+7.3% vs state
Unemployment rate	3.9%
Employment-to-population	42.4%

Top Industries by Employment

Manufacturing

30.8%

Professional & business services

19.9%

Education & health care

6.6%

Construction

6.4%

Finance & real estate

5.4%

Public administration

5.1%

Retail trade

4.5%

Arts, entertainment & food

2.0%

The largest employment sector in Marlboro County is manufacturing, accounting for 30.8% of workers.

How residents commute

0.3%

Drive alone

0.9%

Carpool

88.5%

Public transit

2.3%

Work from home

26.6 min

Avg commute

Housing

$74,500$-162,200 vs state

Median home value

$686

Median rent

63.0%

Homeownership rate

12,059

Total housing units

80.7%

Occupied

19.3%

Vacant

37.0%

Renter-occupied

Social & access

85.9%

With health insurance

82.4%

With broadband internet

28.4%

Foreign-born

6.4%

Veterans (18+)

18.6%

With a disability

97.5%

Speak language other than English at home

Education

81.5%

High School+

8.7%

Bachelor's+

Largest cities in South Carolina

Charleston (152,014)Columbia (138,019)North Charleston (117,460)Mount Pleasant (92,662)Rock Hill (74,769)Greenville (71,755)Summerville (51,262)Goose Creek (46,964)Sumter (43,065)Florence (40,205)All South Carolina cities →

Other counties in South Carolina

Greenville County (537,575)Richland County (418,725)Charleston County (414,711)Horry County (368,937)Spartanburg County (338,096)Lexington County (300,370)York County (288,559)Berkeley County (238,723)Anderson County (207,218)Beaufort County (192,123)All South Carolina counties →

Part of South Carolina

South Carolina demographic profile All South Carolina data →

Metro areas in South Carolina

Charlotte (2,712,818)Greenville (945,301)Columbia (839,868)Charleston (817,756)Augusta (618,022)Myrtle Beach (368,937)Spartanburg (365,086)Hilton Head Island (222,781)All US metros →

County rankings

US Counties by Population Richest US Counties by Median Household Income Expensive US Counties by Home Value Educated US Counties Counties With Highest Poverty Rates Youngest US Counties by Median Age Oldest US Counties by Median Age Cheapest US Counties by Median Home Value Racially Diverse US Counties Counties With Largest Hispanic Population All rankings →

Frequently Asked Questions

Marlboro County, South Carolina has a population of 26,285 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 36th-largest county in South Carolina. Population density is 55 people per square mile.

The population of Marlboro County has declined 11.8% since 2010 (28,918 → 25,498), a -0.90% annualized rate.

The median household income in Marlboro County, South Carolina is $36,293, with mean (average) household income of $50,984 and per-capita income of $22,016. 17.4% of residents live below the federal poverty level.

In Marlboro County, the largest racial and ethnic groups are Black or African American (49.3%), White (38.7%), Hispanic or Latino (6.2%). Figures are from the US Census Bureau's 2023 ACS 5-year estimates and reflect self-reported responses.

The median age in Marlboro County, South Carolina is 41.2 years. Residents are 47.4% female and 52.6% male.

The median home value in Marlboro County is $74,500 and median monthly rent is $686. 63.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. The county has 12,059 total housing units, 19.3% of which are vacant.

The largest employment sector in Marlboro County, South Carolina is manufacturing, employing 30.8% of workers. The unemployment rate is 3.9%.

Charleston is among the largest cities associated with Marlboro County, South Carolina, with a population of 152,014.