Chester County, South Carolina

Chester County
County
Chester County Courthouse
Seal
Motto(s):  "Choose Chester County, For Business. For Life."
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°41′N81°10′W / 34.69°N 81.16°W / 34.69; -81.16
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1785
Named for	Chester, Pennsylvania (Chester, England)
Seat	Chester
Largest community	Chester
Area
• Total	586.16 sq mi (1,518.1 km2)
• Land	580.66 sq mi (1,503.9 km2)
• Water	5.50 sq mi (14.2 km2)  0.94%
Population  (2020)
• Total	32,294
• Estimate  (2023)	32,226
• Density	55.62/sq mi (21.48/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	5th
Website	www.chestercounty.org

Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 32,294. ^[1] Its county seat is Chester. ^[2]

Chester County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was founded in 1785 and was named after Chester, Pennsylvania. The largest community and county seat is Chester. The county is also included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

Interactive map of Chester County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 586.16 square miles (1,518.1 km²), of which 580.66 square miles (1,503.9 km²) is land and 5.50 square miles (14.2 km²) (0.94%) is water. ^[3]

National protected area

• Sumter National Forest (part)

State and local protected areas

• Chester State Park
• Landsford Canal Forest Legacy Area ^[4]
• Landsford Canal State Park
• Woods Ferry Recreation Area

Major water bodies

• Broad River
• Catawba River
• Chester Reservoir
• Great Falls Lake
• Fishing Creek Lake

Adjacent counties

• York County – north
• Lancaster County – east
• Fairfield County – south
• Union County – west

Major highways

• I-77
• US 21
• US 321
• 
  US 321 Bus.
• SC 9
• 
  SC 9 Bus.
• SC 49
• SC 72
• SC 97
• SC 99
• SC 121
• SC 215
• SC 223
• SC 901
• SC 909

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1790	6,866		—
1800	8,185		19.2%
1810	11,479		40.2%
1820	14,189		23.6%
1830	17,182		21.1%
1840	17,747		3.3%
1850	18,038		1.6%
1860	18,122		0.5%
1870	18,805		3.8%
1880	24,153		28.4%
1890	26,660		10.4%
1900	28,616		7.3%
1910	29,425		2.8%
1920	33,389		13.5%
1930	31,803		−4.8%
1940	32,579		2.4%
1950	32,597		0.1%
1960	30,888		−5.2%
1970	29,811		−3.5%
1980	30,148		1.1%
1990	32,170		6.7%
2000	34,068		5.9%
2010	33,140		−2.7%
2020	32,294		−2.6%
2023 (est.)	32,226	[1]	−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census [5] 1790–1960 [6] 1900–1990 [7] 1990–2000 [8] 2010 [9] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Chester County racial composition ^[10]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	18,591	57.57%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	11,287	34.95%
Native American	145	0.45%
Asian	146	0.45%
Pacific Islander	14	0.04%
Other/Mixed	1,316	4.08%
Hispanic or Latino	795	2.46%

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,294 people, 12,653 households, and 8,042 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 33,140 people, 12,876 households, and 9,073 families living in the county. ^{[11] [9]} The population density was 57.1 inhabitants per square mile (22.0/km²). There were 14,701 housing units at an average density of 25.3 units per square mile (9.8 units/km²). ^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 59.8% white, 37.4% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. ^[11] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were American, 7.5% were Irish, 5.6% were English, and 5.1% were German. ^[13]

Of the 12,876 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 40.3 years. ^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,743 and the median income for a family was $42,074. Males had a median income of $39,008 versus $27,701 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,687. About 18.6% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over. ^[14]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[15] there were 34,068 people, 12,880 households, and 9,338 families living in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km²). There were 14,374 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 59.93% White, 38.65% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,880 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 18.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,425, and the median income for a family was $38,087. Males had a median income of $30,329 versus $21,570 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,709. About 11.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Law enforcement

In 2021, Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood was found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, deprivation of rights and federal program theft, and sentenced to one year in prison. ^{[16] [17]}

Politics

United States presidential election results for Chester County, South Carolina ^[18]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	9,030	58.05%	6,353	40.84%	173	1.11%
2020	8,660	54.96%	6,941	44.05%	156	0.99%
2016	7,265	51.19%	6,579	46.36%	348	2.45%
2012	6,367	44.19%	7,891	54.77%	149	1.03%
2008	6,318	45.19%	7,478	53.49%	185	1.32%
2004	5,798	49.43%	5,790	49.36%	141	1.20%
2000	4,986	47.80%	5,242	50.25%	204	1.96%
1996	3,157	34.80%	5,108	56.31%	807	8.90%
1992	3,451	33.54%	5,458	53.05%	1,379	13.40%
1988	3,968	51.21%	3,737	48.23%	43	0.55%
1984	4,441	55.20%	3,559	44.24%	45	0.56%
1980	3,104	37.12%	5,145	61.52%	114	1.36%
1976	2,982	36.31%	5,200	63.32%	30	0.37%
1972	4,724	66.20%	2,352	32.96%	60	0.84%
1968	2,862	33.71%	2,865	33.75%	2,762	32.54%
1964	2,915	42.89%	3,882	57.11%	0	0.00%
1960	1,660	28.03%	4,262	71.97%	0	0.00%
1956	1,007	21.43%	2,951	62.80%	741	15.77%
1952	2,777	49.41%	2,843	50.59%	0	0.00%
1948	48	2.39%	436	21.67%	1,528	75.94%
1944	89	5.48%	1,441	88.68%	95	5.85%
1940	35	1.78%	1,930	98.12%	2	0.10%
1936	11	0.51%	2,155	99.49%	0	0.00%
1932	23	1.13%	2,020	98.87%	0	0.00%
1928	36	2.72%	1,285	97.13%	2	0.15%
1924	12	1.38%	850	97.93%	6	0.69%
1920	0	0.00%	1,237	100.00%	0	0.00%
1916	17	1.42%	1,182	98.42%	2	0.17%
1912	0	0.00%	1,286	98.47%	20	1.53%
1904	8	0.83%	954	99.17%	0	0.00%
1900	20	2.34%	836	97.66%	0	0.00%

Economy

Chester County's economy has an industrial and agricultural base with large areas used for timber production. There are several sawmills in the county and others near it. Forest land ownership is majority family landowners who manage their properties for a variety of uses. Agriculture is also a big segment of the economy with crops consisting of cotton, wheat, oats, rye, beef and dairy cattle, hay, corn, peaches, other vegetables, peanuts, soybeans, and pecans. ^[19]

In 2022, the GDP of Chester County was $1.4 billion (about $43,999 per capita). ^[20] In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $1.1 billion (about $35,382 per capita). ^[21] Throughout 2022 to 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 3.1% and 5.6%. ^[22]

As of April 2024 ^[update] , some of the largest employers in the county include Chester County School District, E & J Gallo Winery, and Walmart. ^[23]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Chester County, South Carolina ^[23]

Industry	Employment Counts	Employment Percentage (%)	Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services	570	6.2	19,136
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	126	1.4	35,048
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting	111	1.2	50,908
Construction	685	7.5	63,908
Finance and Insurance	125	1.4	50,076
Health Care and Social Assistance	781	8.5	46,072
Manufacturing	3,449	37.5	64,584
Other Services (except Public Administration)	180	2.0	30,264
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	211	2.3	103,532
Public Administration	652	7.1	46,748
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	16	0.2	41,704
Retail Trade	875	9.5	26,520
Transportation and Warehousing	369	4.0	53,300
Utilities	120	1.3	74,048
Wholesale Trade	921	10.0	67,392
Total	9,191	100.0%	54,620

Media

• Chester Vision or CSN
• Chester News & Reporter
• WRBK, 90.3 FM, a noncommercial station that primarily features classic oldies

Communities

City

• Chester (county seat and largest community)

Towns

• Fort Lawn
• Great Falls
• Lowrys
• Richburg

Census-designated places

• Eureka Mill
• Gayle Mill

Unincorporated communities

• Blackstock
• Edgemoor
• Lando
• Leeds
• Wilksburg

Notable people

• John Adair, (1757–1840), born in Chester County (although at the time it was believed to be part of Anson County, North Carolina), ^[24] became a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and the 8th governor of Kentucky ^[25]
• Thomas Griffin and Meeks Griffin, were wrongly executed in South Carolina by electric chair in 1915. They were framed in Chester County in 1913 and pardoned in 2009.

See also

• List of counties in South Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chester County, South Carolina
• Tryon County, North Carolina, former county in North Carolina which included modern-day parts of Chester County

References

1. "QuickFacts: Chester 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. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
4. "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
7. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
8. "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 16, 2015.
9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
11. "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.
12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
13. "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.
14. "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.
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
16. "Ex-South Carolina Sheriff is 13th Convicted Since 2010". South Carolina Public Radio. April 25, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
17. Jeffery Collions (October 13, 2021). "Ex-SC sheriff off to prison on 1-year misconduct sentence". ABC News. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
19. "Chester County, South Carolina County Profile" (PDF). Census of Agriculture. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
20. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chester County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
21. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chester County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
22. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Chester County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
23. "Chester County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000023). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
24. "Tryon County, North Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
25. Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.

External links

• Geographic data related to Chester County, South Carolina at OpenStreetMap
• Official website
• Chester County history and images