Marlboro County, South Carolina

Marlboro County
Marlboro County Courthouse in Bennettsville
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°36′N 79°41′W / 34.60°N 79.68°W / 34.60; -79.68
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1785
Named afterJohn Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough
SeatBennettsville
Largest communityBennettsville
Area
  Total
485.46 sq mi (1,257.3 km2)
  Land479.87 sq mi (1,242.9 km2)
  Water5.59 sq mi (14.5 km2)  1.15%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
26,667
  Estimate 
(2023)
25,704
  Density55/sq mi (21/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitemarlborocounty.sc.gov

Marlboro County is a county located in the Pee Dee region on the northern border of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 26,667. Its county seat is Bennettsville. The Great Pee Dee River runs through it.

Marlboro County is home to the Pee Dee Indian Tribe, a relatively small American Indian tribe that has occupied the Pee Dee region for several centuries. The tribe was officially recognized by the government of South Carolina around the beginning of the 21st century, and they have been seeking federal acknowledgment since 1976. While today the tribe consists of just over 200 enrolled members, they were once a significant cultural and political power in the region. Their influence and continual presence gave the region its Pee Dee name. Since 1976, the tribe's official seat of government has operated on land awarded to the tribe in Marlboro County.