Dillon County

History of Dillon County
Dillon County is a located in the northeast section of the state of South Carolina and borders North Carolina to the north.  Based on the 2020 census, the county’s population was 30,479. The county seat is the City of Dillon. Founded in 1910 from a portion of Marion County, Dillon is named for local booster J.W. Dillon.

The County was founded in 1910 from a portion of Marion County.  The County and the City of Dillon are named for for prosperous local citizen James W. Dillon (1826-1913), an Irishman who settled there and led a campaign to bring the railroad into the community. The result of this effort was the construction of the later became part of the Atlantic Coast Line Railroad, and which brought greater prosperity to the area by directly linking Dillon County to the national network of railroads

For many decades, residents of Dillon County were farmers growing cotton and tobacco.  Timber harvesting remains a major industry in the County.  Dillon County has seen a growth in manufacturing and distribution centers over the past 20 years due in part to Interstate 95 which runs through the County north-south.  Harbor Freight Tools operates over 1 million square feet of distribution space in the County and Dillon is also home to the SC State Ports Authority Inland Port Dillon.

A Great Place To Raise A Family
Rich American history and Southern culture, Dillon County is a homeplace worth hearing about. With good jobs in growing industries, Dillon County represents a fresh, safe start for families wanting to make a life and a living. The beautiful beaches of Myrtle Beach are just over an hour’s drive away from the Dillon County border.  Our state’s oldest city, Charleston, sits just under three hours south on well-built highways.

Low Cost of Living
Well below the national average, Dillon County has one of the lowest costs of living of any county in South Carolina or the nation. Affordability means the opportunity to save for the future and enjoy a more comfortable lifestyle in the present.

100=National Average
Source:  BestPlaces.net (2019)

Arts and Preservation
Art, history, crafts and culture, it’s all on the scene in Dillon County. Dillon boasts a collection of homes and buildings on the National Register of Historic Places, from a 200-year-old working farm to one of the country’s last remaining examples of Spanish Colonial architecture, the Dillon County Theater.

At the Dillon County Theater, the McArthur Avenue Players, a local group of actors, put on an annual docket of p lays.  This year, the Dillon County Theater partnered with the Smithsonian Institute to help young South Carolinians tell their stories digitally using state-of-the-art film equipment.

Another example of Dillon County’s dedication to the arts is the Ellis Performing Arts Center, which seats an audience of over 450 people and hosts a vast array of cultural events. Check out more about the features of the Dillon County art scene – visit dilloncountytheatre.com and ellispac.org.

Indoor Recreation
The Dillon County Wellness Center is a 40,000 square foot indoor sports and fitness complex, complete with walking track and gymnasium.  The $4.1 million facility hosts receptions, banquets, tournaments and corporate meetings. Both the City of Dillon and Dillon County operate indoor and outdoor recreational facilities for citizens young and old alike. To learn more visit these websites:

City of Dillon Department of Parks & Recreation: 

Outdoor Recreation
Welcome to the great outdoors!  If you thought the coast of the Carolinas was lovely, Dillon County has an untouched beauty that will take your breath away. Ancient oaks draped in moss, herons hunting off shadowy banks, rivers meandering through the forests, Dillon County is brimming with opportunities for hunting, fishing on the Pee Dee River, hiking, and camping enthusiasts. There are several state parks and recreational areas in and within a short drive of Dillon County.

Regional Recreation & Leisure
Not only does Dillon County provide residents with outstanding quality of life opportunities, there are also several great places to visit within just a short drive of the County.

Florence
Located less than 30 minutes from Dillon County is the City of Florence.  This mid-sized Southern city is large enough to boast a performance theater, symphony orchestra, many ballet companies, museums, festivals, and the world-class recreation complex Freedom Florence. Still, the City is small enough to preserve a small-town feeling with a number of tree-lined streets and parks, all of which add to the pleasant lifestyle that citizens enjoy. Residents exude a strong sense of community pride and Southern hospitality. Nearby Darlington is home of Darlington National Raceway and one of NASCAR racing’s oldest and most prestigious races The Southern 500.

For more information about attractions, news, or events please visit the City of Florence website at: www.visitflo.com

Myrtle Beach Grand Strand
Hundreds of thousands of vacationers travel through Dillon County each year to get to the Atlantic Coast and the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand.  Dillon County residents are approximately one hour from this vacation mecca.

As one of the premier family and beach vacation destinations in the United States, Myrtle Beach offers an endless array of lodging options including resorts, hotels, beach homes, vacation rentals and campgrounds. With endless attractions, events and dining options, Myrtle Beach is a perfect destination for family vacations, getaways for couples of all ages, group and business travel.

And if you love to play golf, there are more than 100 golf courses in the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand area to choose from. Visit www.visitmyrtlebeach.com to learn more.

Wilmington, North Carolina
The City of Wilmington, NC is within 2 hours of Dillon County via I-95 and U.S. Highway 74. If you’re looking for a great family fun spot with lots of things to do, look no further than Wilmington, North Carolina. Located on the Cape Fear Coast, on the bluffs overlooking the Cape Fear River, and just ten miles west of the Atlantic Ocean, Wilmington is a year-round playground for anyone interested in history, attractions, beaches, and shopping.  Today you can visit many historic homes and buildings in downtown Wilmington, climb aboard the World War II battleship USS North Carolina, explore a Civil War-era fort and tour a real movie studio. Museums, gardens, and shopping are plentiful, and then, of course, there’s the beach!   Go to www.wilmingtonandbeachs.com to learn more.

Charleston
One of the East Coast’s most picturesque cities and a short 2.5 hour drive from Dillon via I-95 and I-26, Charleston is known for its antebellum row homes, Civil War history, beautiful waterfront, nearby beaches and scrumptious Low Country cooking. In addition to being a top travel destination, Charleston is home to several universities and boasts awesome college-town appeal.  An old city that pulses with new energy, Charleston is a rare find and is annually named one of the Friendliest Cities in America. To learn more visit: www.charlestoncvb.com

South Carolina State Parks and Other South Carolina Destinations
Steeped in romance and history; a land of scenic beauty and adventure – the Pee Dee area was originally home to the Pee Dee Indians who lived and hunted in its broad valley. Avid sportsmen are still drawn to the area’s fields and streams, where wildlife is plentiful and various species of fish thrive.

There are several state parks within an easy driving distance of Dillon County.

• Little Pee Dee State Park
• Cheraw State Park
• Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area
• Lee State Natural Area

Information about these parks and other South Carolina parks can be found at: www.southcarolinaparks.com

In addition, South Carolina is small enough that you can be anywhere in the state within 4 hours or less – making weekend getaways possible and seeing and enjoying all that South Carolina has to offer its residents. For more information visit: www.discoversouthcarolina.com

Additional Information:

• SCiway Dillon County Profile: https://www.sciway.net/cnty/dillon.html
• SC Association of Counties Profile: https://www.sccounties.org/county/dillon-county
• Google Map of Dillon County: https://www.google.com/maps/place/Dillon+County,+SC/@34.545173,-79.219821,8z/data=!4m5!3m4!1s0x89aaca95db179acf:0xe33832f883e49375!8m2!3d34.3596012!4d-79.4253776?hl=en
• History of Dillon County From SC Encyclopedia https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/dillon-county/
• Community Profile https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000033.pdf
• South Carolina County Profiles: https://www.sccounties.org/sites/default/files/uploads/resources/countyprofiles2018.pdf
• City Data http://www.city-data.com/city/Dillon-South-Carolina.html
• TownFolio Data: https://townfolio.co/sc/dillon/summary
• S. Census Quick Facts https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/dilloncountysouthcarolina/AFN120212
• Living Wage Data For Dillon County, SC https://livingwage.mit.edu/counties/45033

South Carolina Parks, Recreation &Tourism  www.discoversouthcarolina.com

  Druscilla Blakely, Clerk To Council
Dillon County Administration
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

County Council Meetings
Dillon County Council meets on the 4th Wednesday of each month beginning at 5 p.m. unless otherwise changed due to holidays. From time to time, Council approves a special called meeting. All special called meetings will be advertised in the local press and will also be posted on the County website and at the County Administration Building and Council Chambers.

2024 Dillon County Council Regular Called Meeting Schedule
Council Meets 4th Wednesday at 5 p.m.

Wednesday, January 24, 2024
Wednesday, February 28, 2024
Wednesday, March 27, 2024
Wednesday, April 24, 2024
Wednesday, May 22, 2024
Wednesday, June 26, 2024
Wednesday, July 24, 2024
Wednesday, August 28, 2024
Wednesday, September 25, 2024
Wednesday, October 23, 2024
Wednesday, November 20, 2024
Wednesday, December 18, 2024

County Council Meeting Place
County Council holds all meetings unless specified otherwise at the Dillon County Administration Building, Council Chambers, 109 S 3rd Avenue, Dillon, SC 29536

Requests To Address County Council
Should any person, group or organization request to be heard upon any matter at a regular or special meeting of Council, such person, group or organization shall submit a written request to the Chairman of County Council to place such matter on the agenda for the meeting at least seven (7) days prior to the date set for such meeting. The request shall specifically state the reason for the appearance.

The written request should be sent by USPS mail, hand delivered, or faxed to the Clerk to County Council. To make a request or for more information contact:

Druscilla Blakely, Clerk to Council
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

2024 Council Agendas & Minutes

     February 6, 2024      Agenda  Minutes

2023 Council Agendas & Minutes

2022 Council Agendas & Minutes

 For agendas and minutes prior to 2022 you can click on the link below and go to the Dillon County Council Agendas & Minutes Archive Page.

• Agendas and Minutes Archive

The Dillon County Council has the power to create Boards and Commissions that assist the Council and staff with work important to the citizens of Dillon County.  Dillon County Council appoints members of each Board or Commission. Many Boards, Commissions, or Committees are created so that each of the 7 Council members appoint a member so that each of the 7 Districts of the County are represented.  Each Board, Commission, or Committee has its own mission, rules, and regulations as set and approved by County Council.  

The current Boards & Commission are:

• Dillon County Airport Commission
• Dillon County Library Board of Trustees
• Dillon County Planning Commission
• Dillon County Zoning Board of Appeals
• Dillon County Public-Private Economic Development Partnership Board
• Dillon County Transportation Committee
• Dillon County Conversation District

Interested In Serving On A County Board, Commission or Committee?
Any citizen of Dillon County can request and apply to serve on any of the Boards, Commissions, or Committees.  County Council has final say on those selected for each vacancy, but all applications will be reviewed and considered. If interested in serving on one of the Dillon County Boards, Commissions, or Committees contact your Council member or the Clerk To Council at:

Druscilla Blakely, Clerk To Council
Dillon County Administration
109 S 3rd Avenue
P.O Box 449
Dillon, SC 29536

Phone: (843) 774-1401
Fax: (843) 774-1443
Email: dblakely@dilloncountysc.org

County Council Member Contact Information