Darlington is a city of about 6,000 in Darlington County, South Carolina, in the Pee Dee region of the state. The city is best known nationally for Darlington Raceway — the oldest asphalt superspeedway in NASCAR, built in 1950 and still hosting major races including the Southern 500. Race weekends transform the town with visitors, but the rest of the year Darlington operates at a distinctly small-city pace. The local economy is anchored by manufacturing, agriculture (tobacco and soybeans have deep roots here), healthcare at McLeod Health, and the school district. Darlington County School District serves local students. Florence, the regional commercial center about 15 miles east, provides the nearest concentration of retail, dining, and medical services, and many Darlington residents commute there for work. Housing in Darlington is extremely affordable — median home prices are well below the state and national averages. The housing stock mixes older Southern homes with tree-lined streets and newer construction on the outskirts. The Darlington Downtown Revitalization Association has worked to maintain the town square's character with local shops and eateries. For people who want a quiet, affordable Southern town with real character and history, Darlington offers an authentic experience that's increasingly hard to find.