Pee Dee facts for kids
The Pee Dee region of South Carolina is the northeastern corner of the state. It is the area of the lower watershed of the Pee Dee River, named after the Pee Dee Native American tribe. Its center is Florence. It also encompasses the Grand Strand, which includes the beaches running from the North Carolina state border to the Winyah Bay in Georgetown County in South Carolina.
On the coast, the area is predominantly involved in tourism and resorts with beaches, amusement parks, shopping, fishing, and golf. The area has become a major retirement center in the United States, in part because of its low cost of living and its many golf courses. Inland is a belt featuring rivers, marshes, carolina bays and sandy rises where forestry is predominant, with pine plantations and baldcypress timbering.
Further inland, on higher ground, but still of only slight relief, is an agricultural belt of tobacco, cotton, soybeans and produce.
Florence, founded as a railroad center, is a small, but growing center of production of pharmaceuticals, and other light industry. It is also known as a center of medical and dental care. The Pee Dee Region also produces paper, steel, and recreational vehicles.
Contents
Regional extent
There is no agreed definition on which of South Carolina's counties are included in the region. The region takes its name from the Pee Dee River and the counties in the Pee Dee region are located, either entirely or partially, within the river's watershed.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1950 | 510,179 | — | |
| 1960 | 532,450 | 4.4% | |
| 1970 | 524,091 | −1.6% | |
| 1980 | 624,669 | 19.2% | |
| 1990 | 683,840 | 9.5% | |
| 2000 | 777,839 | 13.7% | |
| 2010 | 871,876 | 12.1% | |
| 2012 (est.) | 881,395 | 1.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Always included
Usually included
Rarely included
Cities
Primary cities
(population figures is from 2010 census estimates)
- Florence- 37,056
- Myrtle Beach- 27,109
Cities with a population of at least 5,000
- Bennettsville- 9,425
- Cheraw- 9,069
- Conway- 15,584
- Darlington- 6,720
- Dillon- 6,316
- Georgetown- 8,950
- Hartsville- 7,556
- Lake City- 6,478
- Marion- 7,042
- North Myrtle Beach- 15,516
Economy
The region's largest city is Florence. It encompasses the Grand Strand, which includes the beaches running from the North Carolina state border to the Winyah Bay in Georgetown County in South Carolina. On the coast, the economy is dominated by tourism, and features beaches, amusement parks, shopping, fishing, and golf. The area has become a major retirement center in the United States, in part because of its low cost of living, mild weather, and its many golf courses. Inland is a belt featuring rivers, marshes, carolina bays, and sandy rises where forestry is predominant. There are pine plantations and baldcypress timbering. Further inland, on higher ground, but still of only slight relief, is an agricultural belt of cultivation of tobacco, cotton, soybeans and produce.
Higher education
4-year colleges
- Coastal Carolina University- Conway
- Coker University- Hartsville
- Francis Marion University- Florence
2-year or specialized colleges
- Florence-Darlington Technical College-Florence
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College- Conway
- Northeastern Technical College- Cheraw
- Williamsburg Technical College- Kingstree
- Webster University- Myrtle Beach
