Cheraw SC Zip Code: What You Actually Need to Know About 29520

Cheraw SC Zip Code: What You Actually Need to Know About 29520

If you’re looking for the zip code for Cheraw SC, you only need one number: 29520.

That’s it. It covers the "Prettiest Town in Dixie," the sprawling golf courses, the jazz history, and the quiet residential streets lined with ancient oaks. But honestly, if you're just here for the five digits, you're missing the weird, localized quirks of how mail and geography actually work in this corner of Chesterfield County. Cheraw isn't just a dot on a map. It’s a hub.

People often get confused because Cheraw feels bigger than it is, or they wonder if the surrounding rural stretches—places like Patrick, Ruby, or even across the Great Pee Dee River into Marlboro County—share the code. They don't. 29520 is its own beast. It’s a code that carries a lot of weight for a town of about 5,000 people.

Why 29520 is More Than a Mailing Label

Most folks typing "zip code for Cheraw SC" into a search bar are either moving here, sending a package to a relative, or trying to figure out tax jurisdictions. South Carolina tax law is notoriously picky about where you live. If you’re in 29520, you’re in Chesterfield County. This matters. A lot.

If you accidentally list your address as Cheraw but you're actually sitting in the 29512 area (Bennettsville), you're going to have a headache with the DMV. Trust me.

The 29520 zip code covers a surprising amount of ground. It stretches from the heart of the historic district—where Dizzy Gillespie was born—all the way out to the fringes of the Cheraw State Park. It's a massive geographic footprint. You can be standing in a high-tech manufacturing facility like Schaeffler (INA) or deep in the pines of a state forest, and you're still in 29520.

The Logistics of the Cheraw Post Office

The main hub is at 160 2nd St, Cheraw, SC 29520. It's an old-school building that feels like the heartbeat of the town.

Living here means you get used to the rhythm of the Pee Dee region. Mail doesn't always move at light speed, but it gets there. When you're shipping to 29520, remember that "Cheraw" is the only acceptable city name for this code. Don't try to get fancy with neighborhood names. The automated sorters at the regional facility in Florence—which is where your mail likely goes first—won't care about your subdivision name.

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Real Estate and the 29520 Boundary

If you’re browsing Zillow or Redfin, the zip code for Cheraw SC is your primary filter. But here is the thing: the 29520 boundary is fuzzy when it comes to "lifestyle."

Some people want the 29520 address for the prestige of being near the historic downtown, while others are looking for acreage out toward the Sandhills. The prices vary wildly. You might find a sprawling 19th-century Victorian for $400,000 in the 29520 historic district, or a modest rancher for half that just a few miles away.

  • Downtown Living: High walkability, historic preservation rules, 29520 code.
  • Rural Chesterfield: More land, septic tanks instead of city sewer, still 29520.
  • The State Park Area: Quiet, secluded, and yes, still 29520.

The school situation is also tied to this. Cheraw High School—home of the Braves—serves the 29520 area. If you move across the line into 29584 (Patrick), you're looking at different bus routes and different Friday night lights.

The Dizzy Gillespie Factor

You can't talk about 29520 without talking about jazz. Cheraw is the birthplace of Dizzy Gillespie. Every year, people descend on the zip code for Cheraw SC for the South Carolina Jazz Festival.

This isn't just a fun fact. It actually impacts the local economy and how the town presents itself. When you visit, you'll see the statue downtown. You'll feel the pride. For a small Southern town, having a global icon attached to your zip code is a big deal. It keeps the 29520 area on the international map in a way that neighboring towns just don't have.

Common Mistakes People Make with Cheraw Addresses

I've seen it a hundred times. Someone tries to send a package to Cheraw and uses a different zip code because they think the "South Cheraw" area has its own. It doesn't.

Another big one? Getting the county wrong. Because Cheraw is so close to the North Carolina border and the Marlboro County line, people get confused. Cheraw is strictly Chesterfield County. If you’re filling out government forms or voting registrations, remember: 29520 = Chesterfield.

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  • Wrong Zip: 29512 (That's Bennettsville).
  • Wrong Zip: 29709 (That's Chesterfield—the town, not the county).
  • Wrong Zip: 29584 (That's Patrick).

It’s also worth noting that while the town is small, the 29520 zip code is essential for the industrial parks. Large employers rely on this specific routing for logistics. When a massive truck is hauling components for the automotive industry, that 29520 designation on the bill of lading is what keeps the regional supply chain moving.

What to Do if You're Moving to 29520

Changing your address to the zip code for Cheraw SC is pretty straightforward, but there are a few local "insider" tips.

First, go to the post office in person if you can. The staff there knows everyone. It’s that kind of town. Second, make sure you clarify if your new home is within the city limits or just in the "unincorporated" part of the zip code. This affects your trash pickup, your water bill, and your taxes. City residents get different services than those out in the county, even though both have 29520 on their envelopes.

Also, check your cell service. Most of 29520 is well-covered by major carriers, but as you head out toward the Sandhills State Forest or the deeper parts of the state park, bars start to drop.

The Economic Reality of 29520

Cheraw isn't a wealthy metropolis, but it's stable. The 29520 zip code has a mix of manufacturing jobs, healthcare workers (thanks to McLeod Health), and educators.

The cost of living here is significantly lower than in places like Charlotte or Charleston. Your dollar goes further in 29520. You can get a decent meal at a local spot like The River’s Edge or a quick biscuit at a gas station without breaking the bank. It's a place where "lifestyle" means slowing down, not spending more.

Actionable Steps for 29520 Residents and Visitors

If you're interacting with the zip code for Cheraw SC, here is your checklist for success.

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Verify Your Exact Location: Use the official USPS Look-Up tool to confirm if your specific street address falls under the Cheraw city service or rural delivery. This impacts who you call when a power line goes down or who plows the road after a rare Carolina snow.

Update Your Voter Registration: If you've just moved to 29520, don't wait. Chesterfield County elections are often decided by small margins. Get your paperwork in order at the board of elections office or online via the DMV.

Explore the Park: If you live in or are visiting 29520, you're doing yourself a disservice if you don't spend a day at Cheraw State Park. It's one of the oldest in the state, built by the CCC, and it’s the crown jewel of the zip code.

Support Local: Skip the big chains for a day. Go to the downtown shops. Buy a coffee. Talk to the owners. The 29520 community thrives on these small interactions. It’s what keeps the town from becoming just another nameless exit on the highway.

Check the Maps: If you're a business owner, ensure your Google Business Profile is accurately pinned within the 29520 boundary. Search engines use the zip code to determine local relevance, and being slightly off can cost you customers.

Cheraw is a place defined by its history and its people, not just a five-digit number. But getting that number right is the first step to being part of the story. Whether you're mailing a letter or moving a life, 29520 is the key.