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Dillon County, South Carolina — County Report Card

SC

#29 in South Carolina

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Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers MarketsView on Map
40.3
County Score
Cost of Living 92.6Water Quality 86Property Tax 85.4

County Report Card

About Dillon County, South Carolina

Dillon Trails National Livability Median

Dillon County earns a composite score of 40.3, placing it below the national median of 50.0. This score reflects a significant gap in socioeconomic and safety metrics compared to many U.S. counties.

Struggling Against the State Average

The county's overall score of 40.3 sits below the South Carolina average of 42.8. It ranks in the lower tier of the state, primarily due to economic challenges that outweigh its affordability.

Exceptional Affordability and Utility Standards

A cost score of 92.6 and a water score of 86.0 make Dillon one of the most affordable regions in the state. Median gross rent sits at just $692 per month, while a tax score of 85.4 benefits from a low 0.504% effective rate.

Significant Hurdles in Income and Safety

Economic mobility remains a challenge with an income score of only 6.1 and a median household income of $44,038. Safety is also a primary concern, reflected in a score of 1.7, which is among the lowest in the state.

A Budget-Friendly Choice with Caveats

This county best suits individuals prioritizing low housing costs and minimal taxes over economic opportunity. Families will need to weigh the extreme affordability against the very low scores for schools and safety.

Score breakdown

Tax85.4Cost92.6Safety1.7Health9.4Schools14.3Income6.1Risk15.7Water86Weather53.4
🏛85.4
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠92.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼6.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡1.7
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
CrimeByCounty →
❤9.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓14.3
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
SchoolsByCounty →
⚡15.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧86
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades
WaterByCounty →
🌤53.4
Weather & Climate
Average temperatures, precipitation, and extreme weather events
WeatherByCounty →
🪨23
Soil Quality
Soil composition, pH, drainage, and organic matter content
SoilByCounty →
🌱36.4
Lawn Care
Lawn difficulty score based on climate, soil, and grass suitability
LawnByCounty →
🛒
Farmers Markets
Local market density, SNAP/EBT acceptance, and product variety
MarketsByCounty →
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Nearby counties

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Deep Dives

Dillon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 10 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Dillon County

via TaxByCounty

Dillon's taxes rank among nation's lowest

At 0.504%, Dillon's effective property tax rate sits well below the national median of 0.87%, placing the county in the bottom 15% nationally. Homeowners here pay roughly $425 annually in property tax—far less than the national median of $2,690—reflecting both lower home values and lighter tax burdens.

Below-average rate in South Carolina

Dillon's 0.504% effective rate ranks slightly below South Carolina's state average of 0.542%, meaning residents shoulder less of the tax burden than the typical South Carolinian. The county's median property tax of $425 is less than half the state average of $939.

Dillon holds its own regionally

Among nearby counties, Dillon's rate is competitive—slightly lower than Fairfield County (0.529%) and Greenville County (0.528%), though higher than Georgetown County's 0.426%. The median home value of $84,400 is the lowest in the region, which partly explains the lower overall tax bills.

Median home, modest tax bill

A typical Dillon County home valued at $84,400 generates an estimated annual property tax of $425. With a mortgage, homeowners report paying $600 annually; without, the figure drops to $356.

Check if you're overassessed

Many South Carolina homeowners discover their properties are assessed above market value. Even in a low-tax county like Dillon, filing an appeal can yield meaningful savings—it's worth a review if your home's assessed value exceeds recent comparable sales.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Dillon County

via CostByCounty

Dillon's rent stays below national strain

Renters in Dillon spend 18.9% of their income on housing—well below the national pain point and outpacing South Carolina's state average of 20.1%. This county ranks among the most affordable rental markets when measured against the nation's median household income of $74,755.

A South Carolina affordability bright spot

Dillon's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio places it among the state's most affordable counties. Median rents here run just $692 per month, compared to South Carolina's state average of $945, creating real breathing room in household budgets.

Cheaper than nearby Florence and Greenwood

Dillon's $692 median rent undercuts Florence County ($908) and Greenwood County ($880) by $200-plus monthly. Nearby Edgefield County ($854) offers marginally higher rents but still positions Dillon as a value outlier in the Pee Dee region.

Homeownership even more affordable here

While renters spend 18.9% of income on housing, homeowners pay just $446 monthly—translating to roughly 12% of the median household income of $44,038. Together, these numbers paint Dillon as genuinely accessible for both tenure types.

Dillon rewards cost-conscious relocators

If you're comparing South Carolina counties for affordability, Dillon's combination of sub-$700 rents and sub-$85,000 home values deserves serious consideration. Your housing dollar stretches further here than in faster-growing peers like Greenville or Georgetown.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Dillon County

via IncomeByCounty

Dillon lags the nation on income

Dillon County's median household income of $44,038 falls 41% below the national median of $74,755, placing it among the lower-income counties nationwide. This gap signals that Dillon households earn substantially less than typical American families, limiting purchasing power and wealth-building capacity. Understanding this disparity is the first step toward economic opportunity in the county.

Among South Carolina's lowest earners

At $44,038, Dillon ranks near the bottom of South Carolina's 46 counties, earning 23% less than the state average of $57,006. The county's per capita income of $23,016 also trails the state average of $32,382 by 29%. Dillon faces steeper economic headwinds than most of its peers statewide.

Neighboring counties earn more

Florence County, just south of Dillon, records a median income of $56,650—28% higher than Dillon's $44,038. Darlington and Marlboro counties, Dillon's other neighbors, similarly outpace the county's income levels. This regional variation suggests opportunity exists within South Carolina's Pee Dee region.

Housing costs remain manageable here

Dillon's rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% is one of the healthiest in the state, meaning housing consumes less than one-fifth of typical household income. Median home values of $84,400 remain affordable relative to income, though low absolute wages still strain family budgets. This affordability advantage is one of the county's genuine economic strengths.

Build assets despite tight budgets

Even modest incomes can grow through disciplined saving and smart financial choices. Dillon households should prioritize building emergency savings first, then explore low-cost investment options like retirement accounts and index funds. Local financial counseling services and credit unions can help residents develop wealth-building plans suited to their income level.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Dillon County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Levels Above National Average

Dillon County faces a total crime rate of 5,298.2 per 100K, which is more than double the national average of 2,385.5. The county maintains a safety score of 91.6 out of 100.

Comparing Dillon to South Carolina Norms

The county's safety score of 91.6 sits below the South Carolina state average of 95.4. This indicates a higher risk profile for local residents compared to many other parts of the state.

Dillon Exceeds Regional Crime Rates

Dillon's total crime rate of 5,298.2 per 100K is significantly higher than the South Carolina average of 2,920.8. It also experiences more frequent incidents per capita than neighboring Florence County.

Violent and Property Crime Analysis

The violent crime rate reaches 1,585.6 per 100K, while property crime stands at 3,712.6. These figures show that property-related offenses are more than 80% higher than the national average.

Secure Your Property in Dillon

High property crime rates make advanced home security systems a vital investment for local families. Strengthening entry points and using smart monitoring can provide peace of mind in this high-activity area.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Health in Dillon County

via HealthByCounty

Life expectancy gap widens for Dillon

Dillon residents live an average of 67.2 years, nearly 8 years shorter than the U.S. average of 76.1 years. Nearly 32% report being in poor or fair health, well above the national median of 18%. This combination signals serious underlying health challenges that demand attention.

Dillon ranks among state's lowest

At 67.2 years, Dillon's life expectancy trails South Carolina's state average of 72.5 years by 5.3 years. The county's poor/fair health rate of 31.9% far exceeds the state average, placing it among the lowest-performing counties in South Carolina. These gaps reflect persistent barriers to care and chronic health conditions.

Dillon faces steeper health challenges

Neighboring Florence County residents live to 70.8 years—3.6 years longer than Dillon's 67.2 years. Dillon also has fewer primary care providers (39 per 100K) compared to Florence (99 per 100K), limiting residents' access to routine preventive care. This provider shortage compounds the county's health disadvantage.

Insurance gaps and provider shortage

Dillon's uninsured rate of 13.2% exceeds the state average of 11.6%, leaving more residents vulnerable to delayed care. With only 39 primary care providers per 100K residents, many Dillon patients struggle to find accessible physicians for basic checkups and disease management.

Find affordable coverage for Dillon

If you're among Dillon's uninsured, healthcare.gov or your state marketplace can connect you to plans matching your budget. Local health departments and federally qualified health centers also offer sliding-scale care regardless of insurance status. Taking this step today protects your family's health tomorrow.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Schools in Dillon County

via SchoolsByCounty

Rural School Infrastructure in Dillon County

Dillon County supports an educational network of 12 public schools serving a total of 5,386 students. The infrastructure includes six elementary schools, two middle schools, and four high schools distributed across three distinct districts. This rural-focused system provides the primary framework for local student development.

Graduation Rates Meet State Standards

The county achieves an 84.2% graduation rate, matching the South Carolina state average though trailing the national benchmark of 87.0%. Per-pupil expenditure sits at $5,650, which is significantly lower than the state average of $7,165 and the national median of $13,000. These figures suggest local schools are working to match state outcomes with more limited fiscal resources.

Dillon 04 Leads Local Education

Dillon 04 stands as the largest district in the county, managing eight schools and 3,880 students. Dillon 03 follows with 1,506 students across three campuses, while no charter schools currently operate within the county. This traditional district structure centralizes educational oversight for the community.

Small-Town Feel in Rural Classrooms

The county features a mix of seven rural schools and five town-based campuses, with an average enrollment of 490 students per school. Dillon High serves as the largest institution with 869 students, while Latta Middle maintains a smaller community of 471 students. Most families experience a close-knit educational environment typical of South Carolina’s smaller towns.

Find a Home Near Dillon Schools

Families looking for a small-town lifestyle often prioritize locations near established campuses like Latta Elementary. As you explore housing options in Dillon County, consider how school district proximity affects long-term property value. Our local listings help you find the right balance between community character and educational access.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Dillon County

via RiskByCounty

Dillon faces above-average disaster risk

Dillon County scores 84.32 on the composite risk scale, well above the national average and significantly higher than South Carolina's 70.75 state average. This rating places the county in the relatively moderate risk category, meaning residents face meaningful exposure to multiple natural hazards.

Among the riskiest in South Carolina

Dillon ranks as one of South Carolina's highest-risk counties, with its 84.32 composite score placing it firmly in the upper tier of state risk profiles. This elevated standing reflects the county's particular vulnerability to several hazard types that affect the Pee Dee region.

Dillon's risk compared to neighbors

Dillon's 84.32 score exceeds nearby Florence County (89.57) slightly and outpaces Greenwood County (72.74) by a substantial margin. Among its immediate peers, Dillon represents a mid-to-high risk zone that demands serious preparedness.

Hurricanes and earthquakes top Dillon's threats

Hurricane risk reaches 96.33 in Dillon County—nearly the highest in the state—while earthquake risk scores 85.43, reflecting the county's sensitivity to distant seismic and tropical storm activity. Wildfire risk also registers at 81.27, making vegetation management and evacuation readiness essential for rural properties.

Secure comprehensive coverage now

Dillon residents should prioritize flood and wind insurance, as standard homeowners policies exclude both hurricane and flood damage. Given the county's high hurricane risk score of 96.33, supplemental coverage is not optional—it's a practical necessity for protecting your property investment.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Weather & Climate in Dillon County

via WeatherByCounty

Warm Temperatures in the Pee Dee

Dillon County's annual average of 62.7°F is significantly higher than the national median temperature. It experiences a typical Deep South climate with plenty of sunshine and humidity. The region rarely sees prolonged freezing temperatures.

A Perfect Match for State Averages

Dillon's 62.7°F average and 48.6 inches of rain are nearly identical to the South Carolina state averages. It serves as a middle-ground climate for the state, neither the hottest nor the wettest. This consistency makes it a stable representative of the region's weather.

More Moderate Than Coastal Peers

Dillon is cooler than Charleston (66.1°F) and experiences 10 fewer extreme heat days than Darlington. It receives 48.6 inches of rain, which is much less than Clarendon's 55.7 inches. It occupies a more temperate niche in the eastern part of the state.

Hot Summers and Brisk, Clear Winters

Dillon sees 63 days of extreme heat each year, with July averages hitting 81.1°F. Winter is mild at 46.0°F but sees slightly more snow than its neighbors at 0.8 inches. Summer humidity remains the most significant seasonal challenge.

Balance Heat Prep and Moderate Rain

The 63 days of extreme heat require residents to have reliable cooling and plenty of shade. Because rainfall is average at 48.6 inches, standard drainage systems are usually sufficient. Keep a light shovel handy for the occasional 0.8 inches of winter snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Dillon County

via SoilByCounty

Highly Acidic Coastal Plain Soils

Dillon County features an average pH of 5.01, significantly more acidic than the state average of 5.27 and the national median of 6.5. While taxonomic data is limited for this area, the low pH indicates a need for lime to balance soil chemistry for most crops.

Gritty Textures and Rapid Movement

The soil is dominated by 72.0% sand, with 15.7% silt and 10.1% clay rounding out the mix. This sandy profile provides excellent aeration but requires careful management to prevent fertilizers from leaching away too quickly.

Strong Organic Matter, Low Storage

Organic matter content is impressive at 3.03%, far exceeding the state average of 2.05%. However, the available water capacity of 0.109 in/in sits below the state benchmark of 0.115, meaning plants may dry out faster during hot spells.

Managing Water in Sandy Ground

While specific drainage class data is unavailable, the high sand percentage typically facilitates rapid drainage. Farmers and builders here must account for this fast-moving hydrology when planning irrigation or foundation drainage.

Growing in Hardiness Zone 8b

Dillon County's climate and high organic matter are ideal for acid-loving crops like blueberries and sweet potatoes. Local gardeners should supplement with lime to make the most of this 8b hardiness zone.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Dillon County

via LawnByCounty

Managing Dillon's Challenging Pee Dee Lawns

Dillon County earns a lawn difficulty score of 36.4, making it slightly easier to manage than the South Carolina average of 35.1. While it outperforms the state, it remains more difficult than the national median score of 50.0. Gardeners here work within Hardiness Zone 8b, where mild winters meet hot, humid summers.

Ample Rainfall Meets High Heat Intensity

The county receives 48.6 inches of annual precipitation, which sits perfectly within the ideal lawn range of 30-50 inches. However, 63 extreme heat days over 90°F match the state average and can quickly stress cool-season grasses. With 5372 growing degree days, lawns stay active for a significant portion of the year.

Acidic Sands Require Strategic Soil Amendments

The soil is predominantly sandy at 72.0%, which facilitates drainage but loses nutrients rapidly. A very acidic pH of 5.01 falls far below the ideal 6.0-7.0 range, requiring significant lime applications to balance. Local growers must supplement the 10.1% clay content with organic matter to help retain moisture.

Severe Drought Tactics for Sandy Soil

Dillon County faced 16 weeks of drought over the past year, with 65.3% of the area currently under severe drought conditions. Because 100% of the county is at least abnormally dry, homeowners should prioritize deep, infrequent watering to encourage deep root growth. Focus on evening irrigation to minimize evaporation during the peak heat of the day.

Selecting Turf for Dillon’s 8b Climate

Centipede or St. Augustine grasses are the best performers for this warm climate and acidic soil profile. Aim to establish new sod or seed after the last spring frost on March 28 but well before the first fall frost on November 8. Start your lawn projects in late spring to take full advantage of the upcoming long growing season.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Dillon County's county score?
Dillon County, South Carolina has a composite county score of 40.3 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Dillon County rank among counties in South Carolina?
Dillon County ranks #29 among all counties in South Carolina on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Dillon County, South Carolina?
The median annual property tax in Dillon County is $425, with an effective tax rate of 0.50%. This earns Dillon County a tax score of 85.4/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Dillon County?
The median household income in Dillon County, South Carolina is $44,038 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Dillon County earns an income score of 6.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Dillon County, South Carolina a good place to live?
Dillon County scores 40.3/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #29 in South Carolina. The best way to evaluate Dillon County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Dillon County with other counties side by side.

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS, NOAA — informational only.