Florence, South Carolina
Florence is a city of 40,408 people in Florence County, South Carolina.
Why visit Florence
Townapedia lists 16 museums and landmarks, 26 parks and trails, 173 places to eat, 29 places to stay and 7 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Julia Cinemas, Swamp Fox Cinemas, Poynor School and Bonnie Shade.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 92°F; January lows average 36°F.
Weather in Florence
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Florence
Florence () is a city in and the county seat of Florence County, South Carolina, United States. It lies at the intersection of Interstates 20 and 95 and is the eastern terminus of the former. It is the primary city within the Florence metropolitan area. The area forms the core of the historical Pee Dee region of South Carolina, which includes the eight counties of northeastern South Carolina, along with sections of southeastern North Carolina.
From the Wikipedia article Florence, South Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do7
Museums and landmarks16
Poynor School
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Historic school building in Florence, South Carolina
301 South Dargan Street, Florence
Bonnie Shade
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.5 mi
Historic house in South Carolina, United States
Florence Downtown Historic District
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.0 mi
Historic district in Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A.
Florence National Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Historic veterans cemetery in Florence County, South Carolina
Florence Public Library
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Historic library building located in Florence, South Carolina, U.S.A.
U. S. Post Office
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Former government building in Florence, South Carolina
Young Farm
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.7 mi
Listed on the NRHP in South Carolina
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Florence Stockade
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
War Between the States Museum
Museum · 1.4 mi
107 South Guerry Street, Florence
4 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds26
Eats on the Creek Food Truck Park
Park · 1.5 mi
2402 West Palmetto Street, Florence
14 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes173
New China Buffet
Restaurant · Chinese · 1.5 mi
714 South Irby Street
Su, Tu-Th 11:00-21:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-22:00
Dash-N-Dogz
Restaurant · Hot Dog, Burger, Fries · 2.2 mi
200 East Darlington Street, Florence
Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00; Sa-Su off
161 more on the map.
History
The City of Florence was chartered in 1871 by the Reconstruction government and incorporated in 1890 following the 1888 creation of Florence County. Prior to its charter, the city was part of one of the original townships laid out by the Lords Proprietors in 1719. The area was gradually settled through the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Early settlers practiced subsistence farming and produced indigo, cotton, naval stores, and timber, which were shipped down the Great Pee Dee River to the port at Georgetown and exported. In the mid-19th century, two intersecting railroads were built, the Wilmington and Manchester (W&M) and the Northeastern. General William Harllee, the president of the W&M, built his home at the junction, and named the community "Florence", after his daughter.
From the History section of Florence, South Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay29
Churches and places of worship111
Greek Orthodox Church of Transfiguration
Church · Greek Orthodox · 2.2 mi
2990 South Cashua Drive, Florence
Kingdom Hall of Jehovah’s Witnesses
Place of worship · Jehovahs Witness · 2.5 mi
1215 Alligator Road, Effingham
Family Worship Center
Church · Nondenominational · 2.8 mi
3215 South Cashua Drive, Florence
Central United Methodist Church
Church · Methodist · 1.8 mi
167 South Irby Street, Florence
Ebenezer Baptist Church
Church · Baptist · 3.4 mi
524 South Ebenezer Road, Florence
The Church Of Jesus Christ
Church · Mormon · 1.6 mi
307 West Palmetto Street, Florence
Shopping40
Gas and EV charging22
Schools, colleges and libraries51
Healthcare10
Map of Florence
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 57°F | 36°F | 3.1 in |
| Feb | 61°F | 39°F | 3.0 in |
| Mar | 68°F | 44°F | 3.2 in |
| Apr | 77°F | 52°F | 3.0 in |
| May | 84°F | 61°F | 3.7 in |
| Jun | 89°F | 69°F | 4.6 in |
| Jul | 92°F | 72°F | 5.8 in |
| Aug | 90°F | 71°F | 4.9 in |
| Sep | 85°F | 66°F | 4.5 in |
| Oct | 77°F | 54°F | 3.4 in |
| Nov | 67°F | 44°F | 2.6 in |
| Dec | 59°F | 38°F | 3.5 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Florence Rgnl Ap (4 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Florence County has had 24 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-23: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-09-29: Tropical Storm Debby (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-08-05: Hurricane Debby (Tropical Storm)
- 2023-08-31: Hurricane Idalia (Hurricane)
- 2022-11-21: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Florence Regional Airport (FLO) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 4 miles away.
- Quinby 5 mi northeast, about 8 min by car
- Danwood 6 mi south, about 10 min by car
- Darlington 9 mi northwest, about 15 min by car
- Timmonsville 9 mi west, about 15 min by car
- Coward 14 mi south, about 23 min by car
- Lamar 16 mi west, about 25 min by car
- Laurinburg 44 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Conway 49 mi southeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Red Hill 52 mi southeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
- Lumberton 54 mi northeast, about 1 h 30 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Aerial view of Western Florence, South Carolina, Florence Conventions and Visitors Bureau, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Florence Public Library, Robert Thomas Mckenzie Jr, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Greetings from Florence, South Carolina - Large Letter Postcard (8877345904), Steve Shook from Moscow, Idaho, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Roger McGuinn solo performing in Florence, South Carolina (May 24, 2024), Dcameron814, CC BY 4.0
- Florence - Evans Street, Paul E. Trouche, Charleston, South Carolina (publisher), Public domain
- Florence - Dargan Street, Unknown author, Public domain
- Fairfield Inn - Florence, South Carolina, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
- TownePlace Suites - Florence, South Carolina, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Sears - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016 - 27663054563, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sears - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Rue Guy - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sears - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016 - 28200158711, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016 - 28244097946, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- 19990205 38 CTC Express Florence SC (6620531233), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 19990205 38 CTC Express, Florence, SC (6620531233), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- 19990205 39 USPS Century Express, Florence, SC, davidwilson1949, CC BY 2.0
- 19990205 39 USPS Century Express, Florence, SC (6620531335), David Wilson from Oak Park, Illinois, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Residence Inn - Florence, South Carolina, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Magnolia Mall, Florence, South Carolina, Mike Kalasnik from Charlotte, USA, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Food Court - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- JCPenney - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- JCPenney - Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016 - 27663052193, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Magonia Mall Florence, SC May 2016 - 27663057573, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- SpringHill Suites - Florence, South Carolina, Farragutful, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Western Sizzlin Florence, SC 7, Mike Kalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- FLORENCE DOWNTOWN HISTORIC DISTRICT, FLORENCE COUNTY, SC, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- BONNIE SHADE, FLORENCE COUNTY, SC, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- YOUNG FARM, FLORENCE COUNTY, SC, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- Florence - U.S. Post Office and Court House, E. C. Kropp. Co., Milwaukee (publisher), Public domain
- FLORENCE STOCKADE, FLORENCE COUNTY, SC, JERRYE & ROY KLOTZ, M.D., CC BY-SA 4.0
- A White Dog, Ghostcrowe, CC BY-SA 4.0
- ISS062-E-139478 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-139286 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS043-E-140053 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-138673 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-138672 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-139477 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-138671 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS013-E-36177 - View of North Carolina, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS062-E-138670 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit, NASA Johnson Space Center, Public domain
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