CountyScore

Dillon County

South Carolina · SC

#39 in South Carolina
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Dillon County, South Carolina

Dillon outpaces the nation by 31 points

Dillon County's composite score of 65.8 sits well above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the upper third of U.S. counties. This strong performance reflects a county that delivers better-than-average livability across multiple dimensions compared to the typical American county.

Slightly below South Carolina average

At 65.8, Dillon County ranks just below the state average of 68.2, placing it in the middle tier of South Carolina's 46 counties. The county remains solidly competitive within the state's broader livability landscape.

Exceptional affordability and low taxes

Dillon shines in cost and tax dimensions, scoring 89.3 and 88.1 respectively—both well above state standards. Median home values of just $84,400 and rents averaging $692/month make this one of South Carolina's most affordable counties.

Income and employment need attention

Dillon's income score of 12.1 is critically low, with a median household income of just $44,038—about 35% below the South Carolina typical. The county's risk score of 15.7 also signals economic vulnerability that warrants targeted workforce development.

Best for budget-conscious retirees

Dillon County suits individuals and couples seeking maximum affordability with minimal tax burden, particularly those with fixed incomes or modest earning capacity. The trade-off is limited job opportunities and lower household incomes, making it less ideal for growth-focused families.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax88.1Cost89.3SafetyComing SoonHealth46.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome12.1Risk15.7WaterComing Soon
🏛88.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠89.3
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼12.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤46.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡15.7
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Dillon County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
Arkansas
65.8
Median income: $48,552
Kent County
Delaware
65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
Florida
65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
Georgia
65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Dillon County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 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

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

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

ByCounty Network

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