Chesterfield County, South Carolina

Chesterfield County
County
Old Chesterfield County Courthouse
Flag Seal
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°38′N80°10′W / 34.64°N 80.16°W / 34.64; -80.16
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1785
Named for	Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield
Seat	Chesterfield
Largest community	Cheraw
Area
• Total	805.66 sq mi (2,086.6 km2)
• Land	798.99 sq mi (2,069.4 km2)
• Water	6.67 sq mi (17.3 km2)  0.83%
Population  (2020)
• Total	43,273
• Estimate  (2023)	44,031
• Density	54.16/sq mi (20.91/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	7th
Website	www.chesterfieldcountysc.com

Chesterfield County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 43,273. ^[1] Its county seat is Chesterfield. ^[2] The largest community in the county is Cheraw. It is located north of the Midlands, in the Pee Dee region, on its border with North Carolina.

History

The county is named for Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield, a British politician who opposed the Stamp Act of 1765, which was deeply unpopular in South Carolina, and who was known for always speaking up for the rights of the colonists while he was serving in the British Parliament and when he served as British Secretary of State. ^[3]

The county was formed in 1785, but was part of what was then known as Cheraws District until 1800, at which time Chesterfield became a district itself. In the 1700s, the area that would become Chesterfield County was settled primarily by immigrants from England and Wales, as well as by smaller numbers of immigrants from County Antrim, Ireland, in what has since become Northern Ireland. Northern Irish immigrants were overwhelmingly Presbyterians of Scottish descent, due to the fact that they were from Ireland but were of Scottish origins. They were referred to by the rest of colonial society as "Scotch-Irish" however this was not a term they self-applied, preferring to refer to themselves as "Ulstermen" or "Irish Presbyterians." ^[4] Under the post-American Civil War (1861–1865) state constitution of 1867, passed during the Reconstruction era, South Carolina districts became counties with home rule.

On April 10, 2020, a case of Influenza A virus subtype H7N3 was confirmed in what The Post and Courier described as "a commercial turkey flock" which resulted in the disinfecting & quarantine of the farm. ^[5] This is the 1st confirmed case of H7N3 in the United States since another case was found in Lincoln County, Tennessee on March 5, 2017. ^[6] Four days later on April 14, a second case was confirmed at a turkey farm in Jefferson, South Carolina resulting in the euthanization of 32,000 turkeys. ^[7] Clemson University released the map of the control area for the first turkey farm infected by the virus on May 4. ^[8]

Geography

Interactive map of Chesterfield County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 805.66 square miles (2,086.6 km²), of which 798.99 square miles (2,069.4 km²) is land and 6.67 square miles (17.3 km²) (0.83%) is water. ^[9]

National protected area

• Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge

State and local protected areas

• Angelus Wildlife Management Area ^[10]
• Campbells Crossroads Wildlife Management Area ^[10]
• Cheraw State Park
• H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area
• McBee Wildlife Management Area ^[10]
• Sand Hills State Forest
• Sand Hills State Forest Wildlife Management Area ^[10]
• Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation Area

Major water bodies

• Black Creek
• Great Pee Dee River
• Lake Juniper
• Lake Robinson
• Little Carr Creek
• Lynches River

Adjacent counties

• Anson County, North Carolina – north
• Richmond County, North Carolina – northeast
• Union County, North Carolina – northwest
• Marlboro County – east
• Darlington County – southeast
• Kershaw County – southwest
• Lancaster County – west

Major highways

• US 1
• US 52
• 
  US 52 Truck
• US 601
• SC 9
• 
  SC 9 Truck
• SC 102
• SC 109
• SC 145
• SC 151
• 
  SC 151 Bus. (Jefferson)
• 
  SC 151 Bus. (Pageland)
• SC 207
• SC 265
• SC 268
• SC 903

Major infrastructure

• Cheraw Municipal Airport
• Pageland Airport

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1800	5,216		—
1810	5,564		6.7%
1820	6,645		19.4%
1830	8,472		27.5%
1840	8,574		1.2%
1850	10,790		25.8%
1860	11,834		9.7%
1870	10,584		−10.6%
1880	16,345		54.4%
1890	18,468		13.0%
1900	20,401		10.5%
1910	26,301		28.9%
1920	31,969		21.6%
1930	34,334		7.4%
1940	35,963		4.7%
1950	36,236		0.8%
1960	33,717		−7.0%
1970	33,667		−0.1%
1980	38,161		13.3%
1990	38,577		1.1%
2000	42,768		10.9%
2010	46,734		9.3%
2020	43,273		−7.4%
2023 (est.)	44,031	[1]	1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [11] 1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13] 1990–2000 [14] 2010 [15] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Chesterfield County racial composition ^[16]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	25,829	59.69%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	13,150	30.39%
Native American	184	0.43%
Asian	269	0.62%
Pacific Islander	4	0.01%
Other/Mixed	1,751	4.05%
Hispanic or Latino	2,086	4.82%

As of the 2020 census, there were 43,273 people, 17,900 households, and 12,399 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 46,734 people, 18,173 households, and 12,494 families living in the county. ^{[17] [15]} The population density was 58.5 inhabitants per square mile (22.6/km²). There were 21,482 housing units at an average density of 26.9 per square mile (10.4/km²). ^[18] The racial makeup of the county was 62.8% white, 32.6% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.6% of the population. ^[17] In terms of ancestry, 16.3% were American, 6.8% were English, 6.0% were German, and 5.9% were Irish. ^[19]

Of the 18,173 households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 39.3 years. ^[17]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,979 and the median income for a family was $41,225. Males had a median income of $35,965 versus $26,881 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,162. About 17.6% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over. ^[20]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[21] there were 42,768 people, 16,557 households, and 11,705 families living in the county. The population density was 54 people per square mile (21 people/km²). There were 18,818 housing units at an average density of 24 per square mile (9.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 64.34% White, 33.22% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 1.04% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. 2.27% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 16,557 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 16.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,483, and the median income for a family was $36,200. Males had a median income of $30,205 versus $20,955 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,233. About 16.70% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 24.20% of those age 65 or over.

Law and Government

Politics

After the 2020 Redistricting Cycle, the South Carolina House of Representatives, Chesterfield County is located in South Carolina's 53rd, 54th, and 65th House districts and is represented by Republican Richie Yow in the 53rd, Democrat Representative Patricia Moore "Pat" Henegan in the 54th, and Republican Representative Cody Mitchell in the 65th. In the South Carolina Senate, Chesterfield is located in Senate district 27 and 29. It was represented by Democrat, and former 2010 candidate for governor, Vincent Sheheen, in District 27 until 2020. The district is now represented by Republican Penry Gustavson. ^{[22] [23] [24]}

In the US House of Representatives, Chesterfield County is entirely located in South Carolina's 7th Congressional District . As of the 2022 House elections, it is represented by Republican Russell Fry, who comes from Horry County. Chesterfield County was formerly located in South Carolina's 5th Congressional District which was one of the seats that the Democrats lost to the Republicans during the 2010 election; before the 2010 election, congressman John M. Spratt had represented the district since 1983 but was defeated 55% to 45% by Republican Mick Mulvaney in 2010.

United States presidential election results for Chesterfield County, South Carolina ^[25]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	11,682	63.52%	6,520	35.45%	189	1.03%
2020	11,297	59.85%	7,431	39.37%	148	0.78%
2016	9,312	56.16%	6,858	41.36%	411	2.48%
2012	8,490	51.16%	7,958	47.96%	146	0.88%
2008	8,325	50.89%	7,842	47.94%	192	1.17%
2004	7,252	51.62%	6,729	47.90%	68	0.48%
2000	6,266	50.02%	6,111	48.79%	149	1.19%
1996	4,028	38.11%	5,734	54.25%	807	7.64%
1992	4,183	37.31%	5,691	50.76%	1,338	11.93%
1988	4,999	51.35%	4,699	48.27%	37	0.38%
1984	5,451	54.15%	4,593	45.62%	23	0.23%
1980	3,478	34.88%	6,393	64.11%	101	1.01%
1976	2,537	24.77%	7,687	75.04%	20	0.20%
1972	5,230	63.56%	2,938	35.70%	61	0.74%
1968	2,564	25.47%	3,180	31.59%	4,324	42.95%
1964	2,449	34.58%	4,634	65.42%	0	0.00%
1960	1,372	23.57%	4,450	76.43%	0	0.00%
1956	795	15.94%	3,559	71.35%	634	12.71%
1952	1,776	27.56%	4,668	72.44%	0	0.00%
1948	31	1.24%	912	36.51%	1,555	62.25%
1944	15	0.46%	3,222	98.77%	25	0.77%
1940	20	0.69%	2,880	99.31%	0	0.00%
1936	18	0.56%	3,192	99.44%	0	0.00%
1932	23	1.08%	2,109	98.92%	0	0.00%
1928	23	1.66%	1,362	98.34%	0	0.00%
1924	11	0.71%	1,539	99.23%	1	0.06%
1920	14	0.67%	2,066	99.33%	0	0.00%
1916	3	0.16%	1,883	99.63%	4	0.21%
1912	0	0.00%	1,178	99.58%	5	0.42%
1904	12	1.03%	1,158	98.97%	0	0.00%
1900	56	4.09%	1,314	95.91%	0	0.00%

Law enforcement

As of 2023, the current sheriff is Cambo Streater. ^[26] In 2014, Sheriff Sam Parker was found guilty of charges that he used inmates for personal work and provided them contraband such as alcohol and an iPad. He was sentenced to two years of prison. ^{[27] [28] [29]}

Economy

In 2022, the GDP of Chesterfield County was $1.7 billion (about $38,443 per capita). ^[30] This is a real GDP of $1.4 billion (approx. $31,029 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars. ^[31] In 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2-4.5%. ^[32]

As of April 2024 ^[update] , some of the top employers in the county include Black+Decker, Chesterfield County School District, Crown Holdings, McLeod Health, Northeastern Technical College, and Walmart. ^[33]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Chesterfield County, South Carolina ^[33]

Industry	Employment Counts	Employment Percentage (%)	Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services	974	7.3	15,652
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	584	4.4	49,868
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting	292	2.2	41,236
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation	36	0.3	21,320
Construction	510	3.8	40,560
Finance and Insurance	186	1.4	51,688
Health Care and Social Assistance	1,401	10.5	49,244
Information	149	1.1	60,372
Manufacturing	4,786	35.8	56,888
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction	96	0.7	66,924
Other Services (except Public Administration)	226	1.7	38,324
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	132	1.0	45,448
Public Administration	630	4.7	38,636
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	46	0.3	37,544
Retail Trade	1,232	9.2	28,340
Transportation and Warehousing	1,655	12.4	55,796
Utilities	117	0.9	69,160
Wholesale Trade	300	2.2	56,108
Total	13,352	100.0%	47,713

Education

The county's youth are educated through the Chesterfield County School District. The South Point Christian School is a private school in Pageland that offers Kindergarten through 12th grade.

Northeastern Technical College has branches in Pageland and Cheraw.

High schools

• Central High School, Pageland
• Cheraw High School, Cheraw
• Chesterfield High School, Chesterfield
• McBee High School, McBee

Middle schools

• Chesterfield/Ruby Middle School, Chesterfield/Ruby
• Long Middle School, Cheraw
• New Heights Middle School, Jefferson

Elementary schools

• Cheraw Intermediate School, Cheraw
• Edwards Elementary School, Chesterfield
• Jefferson Elementary School, Jefferson
• McBee Elementary School, McBee
• Pageland Elementary School, Pageland
• Plainview Elementary School, Plainview
• Ruby Elementary School, Ruby

Primary schools

• Cheraw Primary School, Cheraw
• Petersburg Primary School, Pageland

Culture

Chesterfield County supports several fine arts organizations ranging from High School Marching Bands to community theatres to municipal arts commissions.

• The Central High Sound of Central
• The Cheraw Tribe Marching Band
• The Chesterfield Marching Pride
• The Spirit of McBee High Marching Band
• The Cheraw Arts Commission
• The Chesterfield Arts Commission

Recreation

Chesterfield County features many different types of recreation. Although each town varies in its offerings, facilities such as baseball and softball fields, walking tracks, parks, and other outdoor areas are common throughout the area. Golf is extremely popular and many local courses are frequented by visitors from throughout the region. There is a lot of hunting and fishing in the swamps of the Black Creek and Lake Robinson.

Communities

Towns

• Cheraw (largest community; partly in Marlboro County)
• Chesterfield (county seat)
• Jefferson
• McBee
• Mount Croghan
• Pageland
• Patrick
• Ruby

Unincorporated communities

• Angelus
• Cash
• Middendorf
• Minden

See also

• List of counties in South Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chesterfield County, South Carolina
• USS Chesterfield County (LST-551)

References

1. "QuickFacts: Chesterfield 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. History of Chesterfield County, South Carolina by Yates Snowden pg. 3
4. History of Chesterfield County, South Carolina by Yates Snowden pg. 49
5. Pitt, David (April 11, 2020). "Industry scrambles to stop fatal bird flu in SC". The Post and Courier.
6. "Fatal bird flu found on turkey farm in South Carolina". WCMH-TV . April 11, 2020.
7. Worthington, Don (April 14, 2020). "Fatal bird flu strikes flock in Jefferson". www.pagelandprogressive.com.
8. Hallman, Tom (May 4, 2020). "State releases avian influenza control area in Chesterfield County". Clemson University.
9. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
10. "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
11. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
12. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
13. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
14. "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.
15. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
16. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
17. "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.
18. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
19. "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.
20. "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.
21. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
22. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
23. "South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography". www.scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
24. "DRA 2020". Daves Redistricting. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
25. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved January 2, 2018.
26. "Home - Chesterfield County SC Sheriff's Office". www.chesterfieldsheriff.org. Retrieved March 24, 2023.
27. Collins, Jeffrey (April 7, 2014). "Chesterfield County sheriff's trial has colleagues watching". The Greenville News. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
28. Staff, W. I. S. "Indictment: Inmates got alcohol, women and an iPad". WIS News. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
29. "Former Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood, deputies guilty of conspiracy, jury rules". www.msn.com. April 23, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
30. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chesterfield County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
31. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chesterfield County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
32. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Chesterfield County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
33. "Chesterfield County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000025). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.

Further reading

• Gregg, Alexander (1905). History of the Old Cheraws. State Company.

External links

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