Dillon, South Carolina
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Dillon is a city located in Dillon County, South Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 6,316. It is the county seat of Dillon CountyTemplate:GR.
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Geography
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Location of Dillon, South Carolina
The City of Dillon is located at 34°25'4" North, 79°22'5" West (34.417765, -79.367975)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²). 12.5 km² (4.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.21% is water.
Dillon had the good fortune of being located along a frequently-used railway line, and was at one time a prosperous town, as evidenced by its large and ornate courthouse. Its economy was based on the profitable tobacco- and cotton-production and sales industries, a source of income that has slowly shrunk over the years as production and transport systems for these commodities have become more efficient and less centralized. Now, outside of service industry and state jobs, gainful employment is scarce in Dillon. Despite this, the city infrastructure is well-maintained and there is a large, modern hosital and medical complex--Saint Eugene Hospital.
Dillon High School has about 1000 students. Its mascot is the Dillon Wildcats, and its colors are black and gold. Football is the most popular sport; in the early 1990s the Wildcats' performance was lackluster at best, but the arrival of former assistant sixth grade PE coach Jackie Hayes, in 1994, launched a football juggernaut. Shortly after taking over the football team at Dillon High School, Jackie Hayes was elected the State Representative for Dillon County.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 6,316 people, 2,511 households, and 1,649 families residing in the city. The population density is 505.9/km² (1,310.2/mi²). There are 2,837 housing units at an average density of 227.3/km² (588.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 53.70% White, 43.40% African American, 1.35% Native American, 0.74% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,511 households out of which 30.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.4% are married couples living together, 22.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 34.3% are non-families. 30.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.12.
In the city the population is spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 24.2% from 25 to 44, 23.5% from 45 to 64, and 16.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 80.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 72.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $25,267, and the median income for a family is $34,758. Males have a median income of $26,897 versus $19,031 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,075. 26.0% of the population and 20.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 36.2% of those under the age of 18 and 26.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.