Edgefield County, South Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Edgefield County
state = South Carolina




map size = 200
founded = 1785
seat = Edgefield | area_total_sq_mi =507
area_land_sq_mi =502
area_water_sq_mi =5
area percentage = 0.92%
census yr = 2000
pop = 24595
density_km2 =19
web = www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov
|

Edgefield County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 24,595; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 25,528. [cite web | url=http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-45.xls | title=Annual Estimates of the Population for Counties of South Carolina: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2005 | format=XLS | publisher=United States Census Bureau] Its county seat is EdgefieldGR|6.

History

It is not clear what the origin of the name Edgefield was. The South Carolina State Library's information on the county's history suggests that the name "is usually described as 'fanciful.'"cite web | url=http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/edgefield-county.html | title="Edgefield County" | accessdate=2007-12-02 | author= [http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/component/option,com_comprofiler/Itemid,0/task,userProfile/user,78/ Morgan, Mary] | date=2007-03-22 | publisher= [http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/ South Carolina State Library] ]

Edgefield County was created in 1785.cite web | url=http://www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/history/history.htm | title="The Edgefield County Court House: A Brief History, 1785-1997" | publisher= [http://www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/ County of Edgefield] | accessdate=2007-12-02] cite web |url=http://www.edgefieldcountychamber.org/ |title=Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce Home Page |accessdate=2007-12-02 |publisher= [http://www.edgefieldcountychamber.org/ Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce] ] It was formed from the southern section of the former Ninety-Six District when it was divided into smaller districts or counties by an act of the state legislature. Parts of the county were later used in the formation of other neighboring counties, specifically:
* Aiken in 1871;
* Saluda in 1895;
* Greenwood in 1897;
*and, McCormick in 1916.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 507 square miles (1,312 km²), of which, 502 square miles (1,300 km²) of it is land and 5 square miles (12 km²) of it (0.92%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

*Saluda County, South Carolina - northeast
*Aiken County, South Carolina - east
*Richmond County, Georgia - southwest
*Columbia County, Georgia - southwest
*McCormick County, South Carolina - west
*Greenwood County, South Carolina - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 24,595 people, 8,270 households, and 6,210 families residing in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19/km²). There were 9,223 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.77% White, 41.51% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 2.05% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 8,270 households out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 15.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.90% were non-families. 22.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.12.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.10% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 32.10% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 10.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 112.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 114.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,146, and the median income for a family was $41,810. Males had a median income of $32,748 versus $23,331 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,415. About 13.00% of families and 15.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.60% of those under age 18 and 18.40% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

*Edgefield
*Johnston
*Murphys Estates
*Trenton

References

External links

* [http://www.edgefieldcounty.sc.gov/ Edgefield County Government]
* [http://www.edgefieldcountychamber.org/ Edgefield County Chamber of Commerce]