Quality of Life

History of Dillon County

Dillon County is located in the northeast section of the state of South Carolina and borders North Carolina to the north. According to 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 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 line, which 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 significant industry in the County.  Dillon County has grown in manufacturing and distribution centers over the past 20 years, partly due 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 living costs 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.

COST OF LIVING Dillon South Carolina USA
Overall 72.8 88.5 100
Grocery 92.3 95.8 100
Health 102.2 102.3 100
Housing 34.2 73.6 100
Median Home Cost $95,100 $223,400 $291,700
Utilities 102.4 103.9 100
Transportation 76.1 86.8 100
Miscellaneous 90.5 95.6 100

100=National Average

Source:  BestPlaces.net (2019)

Arts and Preservation

Art, history, crafts, and culture are 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 repertoire of plays.  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 wide array of cultural events. To learn 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 with a 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 Carolinas coast 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 hunting opportunities, fishing on the Pee Dee River, hiking, and camping for enthusiasts. Several state parks and recreational areas are 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, but several great places to visit are within 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, 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 several 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 to 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 yearly 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, and group and business travel.

And if you love to play golf, there are over 100 golf courses in the Myrtle Beach Grand Strand area. 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 many 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, 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 excellent 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 fish species 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:

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