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Dillon County

SC · Pop. 28,031 · Suburban County

81/100Homestead Score

Dillon County, South Carolina covers 405 square miles with a population of 28,031 and a density of 69.2 people per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on soybeans, corn, cotton. The median home price is $84,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.5%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F and average winter lows of 32.5°F. Annual rainfall averages 45.3 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mcleod Medical Center Dillon is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is very high, wildfire risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.5%
Growing Season: 215 days
Broadband: 90.8%
Density: 69.2/sq mi

Pros

  • A long 215-day growing season in USDA zone 8b supports a wide range of crops and multiple plantings.
  • A low effective property tax rate of 0.5% holds annual carrying costs down.
  • A median home price of $84,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
  • Mcleod Medical Center Dillon, with an emergency room, is just 2.2 miles away — strong local healthcare access.

Cons

  • Wildfire risk is very high, requiring defensible space, fire-resistant construction, and an evacuation plan.
  • Tornado risk is very high, so a storm shelter and wind-resistant structures are practical necessities.
  • Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
  • A poverty rate of 29.2% reflects a constrained local economy with limited off-farm income options.

At a glance

Dillon County, SC is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
81/100
Median home price
$84k
Property tax
0.5%
Growing season
215 days (zone 8b)
Annual rainfall
45.3"
Broadband
90.8%
Nearest hospital
Mcleod Medical Center Dillon, 2.2 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.5%
Median Household Income$44,038
Poverty Rate29.2%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$84K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone8b
Growing Season215 days
Annual Rainfall45.3 inches
Avg Summer High90.2°F
Avg Winter Low32.5°F
Top CropsSoybeans, Corn, Cotton

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire9/10
Tornado9/10
Flood7/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMcleod Medical Center Dillon (2.2 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities1

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage90.8%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate6%
Ag EconomyModerate

Homesteading in Dillon County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Dillon County?
Dillon County is in USDA hardiness zone 8b with a 215-day growing season, average summer highs of 90.2°F, and average winter lows of 32.5°F. The established crops are soybeans, corn, cotton.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $84,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.5%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 90.8% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
How close is healthcare?
Mcleod Medical Center Dillon is 2.2 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.

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Data sources

Verified

Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.