Abbeville County, South Carolina

Abbeville County
County
Abbeville County Courthouse
Seal
Motto:  "A Great Place to Live."
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°14′N82°27′W / 34.23°N 82.45°W / 34.23; -82.45
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1785
Named for	Abbeville, France
Seat	Abbeville
Largest community	Abbeville
Area
• Total	511.74 sq mi (1,325.4 km2)
• Land	491.19 sq mi (1,272.2 km2)
• Water	20.55 sq mi (53.2 km2)  4.02%
Population  (2020)
• Total	24,295
• Estimate  (2023)	24,434
• Density	49.46/sq mi (19.10/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	www.abbevillecountysc.com

Abbeville County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 24,295. ^[1] Its county seat is Abbeville. ^[2] It is the first county (or county equivalent) in the United States alphabetically. Abbeville County included in the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC Combined Statistical Area, known colloquially as the Upstate or the Upcountry. ^[3]

History

Both Abbeville County and the county seat, Abbeville, get their name from the town of Abbeville, France, the native home of an early settler. ^{[4] [5]} The county was originally part of Ninety-Six District, South Carolina, but was designated Abbeville County in 1785, with parts of the county later going to the creation of the counties of Greenwood and McCormick. ^[5] Abbeville County was settled by mostly Scotch Irish and French-Huguenot farmers in the mid-18th century. ^[5]

The Treaty of Dewitt's Corner, a historic peace negotiation with the Cherokee Indians, was signed in Dewitt's Corner (which is now known as Due West) in the county. ^[5] As a result of the treaty, the Cherokee tribe broke into two factions, one of which, the Chickamauga Cherokee, continued fighting area settlers for another 30 years.

Abbeville County was a hotbed of secession before the Civil War and was also where the last Confederate council of war was held. ^[5]

In 1950 Abbeville County had a population of 22,456. ^[6] As of the 2020 census, this has grown to 24,295 people. ^[7]

Lynchings

There were nine documented lynchings in Abbeville, SC.

1. Dave Roberts known as "David Roberts","Robert Dane", 1882. ^[8]
2. Tut Danford, 1889. ^[9]
3. Jake "Jacob" Davis, August 21, 1893. ^[10]
4. Will Lawton, December 6, 1893. ^[11]
5. James A. Nelson known as "James Macon","James Mason", 1894. ^[12]
6. Allen Pendleton, 1905. ^[13]
7. Will Lozier, 1915. ^[14]
8. Anthony Crawford, a prominent landowner, farmer, businessman lynched for not selling his cotton at the price demanded. 1916. ^[15]
9. Mark "Max" Smith, 1919. ^[16]

Geography

Interactive map of Abbeville County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511.74 square miles (1,325.4 km²), of which 491.19 square miles (1,272.2 km²) is land and 20.55 square miles (53.2 km²) (4.02%) is water. ^[17] Abbeville County is in the Savannah River basin and the Saluda River basin.

National protected area

• Sumter National Forest (part)

State and local protected areas/sites

• Calhoun Falls State Park
• Cedar Springs Historic District
• Long Cane Scenic Area
• McCalla Wildlife Management Area ^[18]

Major water bodies

• Lake Russell
• Saluda River
• Savannah River
• Lake Secession

Adjacent counties

• Greenville County – north
• Anderson County – north
• Laurens County – northeast
• Greenwood County – east
• McCormick County – southeast
• Elbert County, Georgia – west

Major highways

• 
  US 25 Bus.
• US 178
• SC 20
• 
  SC 20 Conn.
• SC 28
• 
  SC 28 Conn.
• SC 71
• 
  SC 71 Truck
• SC 72
• SC 81
• SC 184
• SC 185
• SC 203
• 
  SC 203 Truck
• SC 284

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	9,197		—
1800	13,553		47.4%
1810	21,156		56.1%
1820	23,167		9.5%
1830	28,149		21.5%
1840	29,351		4.3%
1850	32,318		10.1%
1860	32,385		0.2%
1870	31,129		−3.9%
1880	40,815		31.1%
1890	46,854		14.8%
1900	33,400		−28.7%
1910	34,804		4.2%
1920	27,139		−22.0%
1930	23,323		−14.1%
1940	22,931		−1.7%
1950	22,456		−2.1%
1960	21,417		−4.6%
1970	21,112		−1.4%
1980	22,627		7.2%
1990	23,862		5.5%
2000	26,167		9.7%
2010	25,417		−2.9%
2020	24,295		−4.4%
2023 (est.)	24,434	[1]	0.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [19] 1790–1960 [20] 1900–1990 [21] 1990–2000 [22] 2010 [23] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Abbeville County racial composition ^[7]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	16,744	68.92%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	6,184	25.45%
Native American	44	0.18%
Asian	71	0.29%
Pacific Islander	7	0.03%
Other/Mixed	822	3.38%
Hispanic or Latino	423	1.74%

As of the 2020 census there were 24,295 people, 9,660 households, and 6,248 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 25,417 people, 9,990 households, and 6,939 families living in the county. ^{[24] [23]} The population density was 51.8 inhabitants per square mile (20.0/km²). There were 12,079 housing units at an average density of 24.6 units per square mile (9.5 units/km²). ^[25] The racial makeup of the county was 69.6% white, 28.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. ^[24] In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were American, 10.9% were Irish, 9.7% were English, 7.6% were German, and 5.6% were Scotch-Irish. ^[26]

Of the 9,990 households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.5% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 41.6 years. ^[24]

The median income for a household in the county was $33,143 and the median income for a family was $45,147. Males had a median income of $39,217 versus $29,199 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,653. About 16.3% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over. ^[27]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[28] there were 26,167 people, 10,131 households, and 7,284 families living in the county. The population density was 52 people per square mile (20 people/km²). There were 11,656 housing units at an average density of 23 units per square mile (8.9 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.33% White, 30.29% Black or African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.23% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.31% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.1% were of American, 9.7% Irish, 6.7% English, 5.5% German and 5.3% Scotch-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 10,131 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,635, and the median income for a family was $38,847. Males had a median income of $30,452 versus $21,045 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,370. About 10.10% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

William C. Norris is the chairman of the Abbeville County Council, who also represents district 4. ^[29] The other members and their districts are as following:

• Brandon Johnson – district 1 ^[29]
• Christine Long – district 2 ^[29]
• Charles Goodwin – district 3 ^[29]
• James McCord – district 5 ^[29]
• Rick Campbell – district 6 ^[29]
• Bryan McClain – district 7 ^[29]

Law enforcement

In 2013, long-time Abbeville County Sheriff Charles Goodwin pled guilty to misconduct in office. He was put on probation for five years, sentenced to 100 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $4,500 in restitution. ^[30]

Politics

Abbeville County was a typical "Solid South" county in its voting patterns until 1948 when it voted for Dixiecrat candidate and South Carolina native Strom Thurmond against Democratic candidate Harry Truman regarding his support for Civil Rights, most importantly racial integration. It resumed voting Democratic until 1968 when a majority voted for American Independent Party candidate & southern segregationist George Wallace. In 1972 the county voted overwhelmingly for Richard Nixon, and since then Abbeville has showed strong endorsement towards the Republican Party. The last Democrat to carry Abbeville County was Bill Clinton in 1992 and 1996.

United States presidential election results for Abbeville County, South Carolina ^[31]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	8,509	70.63%	3,399	28.21%	140	1.16%
2020	8,215	66.07%	4,101	32.98%	117	0.94%
2016	6,763	62.77%	3,741	34.72%	271	2.52%
2012	5,981	56.05%	4,543	42.57%	147	1.38%
2008	6,264	56.94%	4,593	41.75%	144	1.31%
2004	5,436	54.77%	4,389	44.22%	100	1.01%
2000	4,450	53.14%	3,766	44.97%	158	1.89%
1996	3,054	43.01%	3,493	49.20%	553	7.79%
1992	3,317	39.76%	3,968	47.56%	1,058	12.68%
1988	3,738	50.51%	3,629	49.03%	34	0.46%
1984	3,798	55.24%	3,051	44.38%	26	0.38%
1980	2,361	35.60%	4,049	61.05%	222	3.35%
1976	1,791	27.46%	4,700	72.06%	31	0.48%
1972	3,266	68.95%	1,349	28.48%	122	2.58%
1968	1,213	20.77%	1,425	24.40%	3,201	54.82%
1964	1,448	35.00%	2,689	65.00%	0	0.00%
1960	845	21.62%	3,064	78.38%	0	0.00%
1956	339	9.47%	2,985	83.36%	257	7.18%
1952	970	25.89%	2,776	74.11%	0	0.00%
1948	23	2.16%	254	23.87%	787	73.97%
1944	19	2.32%	789	96.34%	11	1.34%
1940	32	3.08%	1,007	96.92%	0	0.00%
1936	23	1.79%	1,265	98.21%	0	0.00%
1932	9	0.75%	1,184	99.16%	1	0.08%
1928	65	5.99%	1,020	94.01%	0	0.00%
1924	19	2.58%	681	92.40%	37	5.02%
1920	13	1.48%	868	98.52%	0	0.00%
1916	8	0.88%	900	98.79%	3	0.33%
1912	9	0.81%	1,095	98.83%	4	0.36%
1904	21	3.06%	665	96.94%	0	0.00%
1900	8	0.58%	1,366	99.42%	0	0.00%

Economy

In 1999, Abbeville County had the highest level of economic development and job creation per capita in all of South Carolina. ^[32] Factors contributing to Abbeville's economic growth include some of the lowest electricity operating costs in South Carolina and the broader southeastern region of the United States, right-to-work laws forcing the cost of labor down, and direct workforce training through the Piedmont Technical College. ^[33]

Throughout 2023 and early 2024, the unemployment rate of Abbeville has fluctuated around 4%. ^{[34] [35]} In 2022, the GDP of Abbeville County was $666.9 million (roughly $27,450 per capita). ^[36] In chained 2017 dollars, its per-capita real GDP was $22,685. ^[37] According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Abbeville has 417 employment establishments (private and public organizations covered by unemployment insurance). ^[38] As of Q3 2023, some of the top 20 employers in the state include the city of Abbeville, Erskine College, Hardee's, Ingles, Prysmian Group, Sage Automotive Interiors, and Wayfair. ^[34]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Abbeville County, South Carolina ^[34]

Industry	Employment Counts	Employment Percentage (%)	Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services	337	6.5	16,380
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	223	4.3	35,880
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting	35	0.7	31,200
Construction	127	2.4	46,800
Educational Services	683	13.1	41,028
Finance and Insurance	75	1.4	49,504
Health Care and Social Assistance	484	9.3	59,072
Information	122	2.3	78,000
Manufacturing	1,784	34.3	62,036
Other Services (except Public Administration)	96	1.8	35,724
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	111	2.1	101,660
Public Administration	478	9.2	42,588
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	14	0.3	36,504
Retail Trade	439	8.4	21,788
Transportation and Warehousing	65	1.3	55,380
Utilities	47	0.9	80,860
Wholesale Trade	77	1.5	62,660
Total	5,197	100.0%	49,729

Education

School districts

Most Abbeville County schools are part of the Abbeville County School District. ^[39] The following schools are within the district:

• Abbeville County Adult Education ^[39]
• Abbeville High School (grades 9–12) ^[39]
• Abbeville County Career Center (supplementary career education - grades 10–12) ^[39]
• Cherokee Trail Elementary (grades K–7) ^[39]
• Diamond Hill Elementary (grades K–7) ^[39]
• Dixie High School (grades 8–12) ^[39]
• John C. Calhoun Elementary (grades K-5) ^[39]
• Long Cane Primary (grades K–2) ^[39]
• Westwood Elementary (grades 3–5) ^[39]
• Wright Middle School (grades 6–8) ^[39]

Other schools

• Calhoun Falls Charter School (part of the South Carolina Public Charter School District, whereby students from any part of the state may attend)

Colleges and universities

• Erskine College, a four-year Christian liberal arts college, with 575 undergraduates, is located in Due West, South Carolina
• Piedmont Technical College, hosts a branch campus in Abbeville, SC

Communities

City

• Abbeville (county seat and largest community)

Towns

• Calhoun Falls
• Donalds
• Due West
• Honea Path (mostly in Anderson County)
• Lowndesville
• Ware Shoals (mostly in Greenwood County; partly in Laurens County)

Census-designated places

• Antreville
• Lake Secession

Notable people

Portrait of John C. Calhoun, famous politician from Abbeville County.

• John C. Calhoun (1782–1850), born in the Abbeville District, U.S. congressman and U.S. senator from South Carolina, secretary of war, secretary of state, and vice president of the United States ^[40]
• Langdon Cheves (1776–1857), born in Abbeville County at Rocky River, banker and U.S. congressman from South Carolina ^[40]
• Anthony Crawford (c. 1865–1916), prominent landowner, farmer, and businessman who was lynched for not selling his cotton at the price demanded
• Francis Alanson Cunningham (1804–1864), born in the Abbeville District, physician and United States Congressman from Ohio ^[40]
• Leomont Evans (born 1974), former American football player in the NFL and the first iteration of the XFL ^[41]
• Joshua Hill (1812–1891), born in the Abbeville District, U.S. senator from Georgia ^[40]
• Thomas D. Howie (1908–1944), American army officer, killed during the Battle of Normandy during World War II, while trying to capture the French town of Saint-Lô. He is known as "The Major of St. Lo"
• Abner Smith Lipscomb (1816–1890), born in the Abbeville District, member of the Alabama Legislature and Supreme Court Justice of both Alabama and Texas ^[40]
• James L. Petigru (1789–1863), born in the Abbeville District, was the attorney general of South Carolina and a member of the South Carolina House of Representatives. He was the leader of the anti-nullificationalists in the state house ^[40]

See also

• List of counties in South Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Abbeville County, South Carolina

References

1. "QuickFacts: Abbeville County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 9, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01, Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget. July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
4. Federal Writers' Project (1941). Palmetto Place Names. Sloane printing co. p. 11.
5. Mary Morgan (March 19, 2007). "Abbeville County". Archived from the original on August 20, 2007. Retrieved October 15, 2007.
6. Encyclopædia Britannica Atlas, 1959 Edition, p. 298
7. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
8. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
9. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
10. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
11. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
12. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
13. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
14. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
15. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
16. "CSDE Lynching Database". lynching.csde.washington.edu. Retrieved September 9, 2017.
17. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
18. "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
19. "U.S. Decennial Census QuickFacts, Abbeville County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 23, 2022.
20. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
21. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
22. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
23. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
24. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
25. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
26. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
27. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
28. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
29. "County Council" . Retrieved November 10, 2011.
30. Mitch Weiss (January 18, 2013). "Former sheriff pleads guilty". Post and Courier. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
31. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
32. "Overview". abbevillechamber.org. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
33. "About Abbeville County". abbevillechamber.org. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
34. "Abbeville County" (PDF). Community Profile. Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce: Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
35. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Abbeville County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
36. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Abbeville County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 27, 2024.
37. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Abbeville County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
38. "County Employment and Wages in South Carolina — Third Quarter 2023 : Southeast Information Office : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics". Bureau of Labor Statistics. Retrieved April 28, 2024.
39. "Abbeville County School District Listing" . Retrieved November 10, 2011.
40. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
41. "Leomont Evans returns to Canton — site of scary injury — for Dawkins' induction | Sports | indexjournal.com". August 11, 2018.

External links

• Geographic data related to Abbeville County, South Carolina at OpenStreetMap
• Official website