Darlington County, South Carolina

Last updated

Darlington County
Courthouse Darlington County, SC, US.jpg
Darlington County Courthouse
Darlington County Seal.png
Motto(s): 
"Experience Darlington County, South Carolina, At The Speed Of Life"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Darlington County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina in United States.svg
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°20′N79°58′W / 34.33°N 79.96°W / 34.33; -79.96
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of South Carolina.svg  South Carolina
Founded1785
Named for Unknown; possibly Darlington, England
Seat Darlington
Largest community Hartsville
Area
  Total
566.25 sq mi (1,466.6 km2)
  Land560.59 sq mi (1,451.9 km2)
  Water5.66 sq mi (14.7 km2)  1.00%
Population
 (2020)
  Total
62,905
  Estimate 
(2023)
62,416 Decrease2.svg
  Density110/sq mi (43/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
  Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 7th
Website www.darcosc.com

Darlington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 62,905. [1] Its county seat is Darlington. [2] Hartsville is the largest community in the county. Darlington County is home to the Darlington Raceway, which hosts the annual NASCAR Southern 500. Darlington County is also home to Coker College in Hartsville. Darlington County was named by an act in March 1785. Darlington County is included in the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Contents

History

The county was founded in 1785. While no records exist regarding the namesake of the county, it could possibly be named after Darlington, England. The county seat is Darlington and the largest community is Hartsville.

Geography

Darlington County, South Carolina
Interactive map of Darlington County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566.25 square miles (1,466.6 km2), of which 560.59 square miles (1,451.9 km2) is land and 5.66 square miles (14.7 km2) (1.00%) is water. [3]

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1800 7,631
1810 9,04718.6%
1820 10,94921.0%
1830 13,72825.4%
1840 14,8228.0%
1850 16,83013.5%
1860 20,36121.0%
1870 26,24328.9%
1880 34,48531.4%
1890 29,134−15.5%
1900 32,38811.2%
1910 36,02711.2%
1920 39,1268.6%
1930 41,4275.9%
1940 45,1989.1%
1950 50,01610.7%
1960 52,9285.8%
1970 53,4421.0%
1980 62,71717.4%
1990 61,851−1.4%
2000 67,3949.0%
2010 68,6811.9%
2020 62,905−8.4%
2023 (est.)62,416 [1] −0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]
1790–1960 [6] 1900–1990 [7]
1990–2000 [8] 2010 [9] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Darlington County racial composition [10]
RaceNum.Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)33,82153.77%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)25,38640.36%
Native American 1360.22%
Asian 2900.46%
Pacific Islander 40.01%
Other/Mixed 1,8722.98%
Hispanic or Latino 1,3962.22%

As of the 2020 census, there were 62,905 people, 24,801 households, and 17,344 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 68,681 people, 26,531 households, and 18,552 families living in the county. [11] The population density was 122.4 inhabitants per square mile (47.3/km2). There were 30,297 housing units at an average density of 54.0 per square mile (20.8/km2). [12] The racial makeup of the county was 55.9% white, 41.6% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population. [11] In terms of ancestry, 9.5% were American, 7.0% were English, and 5.3% were Irish. [13]

Of the 26,531 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.1% were non-families, and 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 39.6 years. [11]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,379 and the median income for a family was $46,894. Males had a median income of $40,089 versus $29,255 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,096. About 14.6% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over. [14]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, [15] there were 67,394 people, 25,793 households, and 18,441 families living in the county. The population density was 120 inhabitants per square mile (46/km2). There were 28,942 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.98% White, 41.70% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25,793 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.30% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,087, and the median income for a family was $37,662. Males had a median income of $30,947 versus $20,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,283. About 16.40% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.70% of those under age 18 and 22.10% of those age 65 or over.

According to the 2000 census, Darlington County was classified as 41% urban and 59% rural. It contains the two urbanized areas of Hartsville (2000 pop. 14,907) and Darlington (12,066). The county's population is included within the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government and politics

United States presidential election results for Darlington County, South Carolina [16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.%No.%No.%
2024 17,01756.10%12,97742.78%3371.11%
2020 16,83251.92%15,22046.95%3651.13%
2016 14,98950.51%13,88846.80%7972.69%
2012 14,43447.87%15,45751.27%2590.86%
2008 14,54449.58%14,50549.45%2850.97%
2004 13,41652.71%11,82946.47%2090.82%
2000 11,29051.64%10,25346.90%3201.46%
1996 8,22045.18%8,94349.15%1,0315.67%
1992 8,91244.00%9,09044.88%2,25111.11%
1988 9,85455.23%7,62542.73%3642.04%
1984 11,10058.70%7,45639.43%3541.87%
1980 8,28948.39%8,48949.55%3532.06%
1976 6,67839.52%10,16560.16%540.32%
1972 11,75672.04%4,41427.05%1490.91%
1968 4,94735.38%3,80327.20%5,23137.42%
1964 6,71757.28%5,01042.72%00.00%
1960 3,49442.81%4,66857.19%00.00%
1956 1,59722.47%2,90840.91%2,60336.62%
1952 3,46337.72%5,71862.28%00.00%
1948 1043.77%72626.30%1,93069.93%
1944 462.33%1,80891.41%1246.27%
1940 604.12%1,39595.88%00.00%
1936 120.60%1,99599.40%00.00%
1932 312.15%1,40997.78%10.07%
1928 484.06%1,13595.94%00.00%
1924 30.31%95698.96%70.72%
1920 181.41%1,26298.59%00.00%
1916 50.34%1,46299.46%30.20%
1912 00.00%88399.77%20.23%
1904 422.79%1,46497.21%00.00%
1900 836.32%1,23093.68%00.00%

Economy

In 2022, the GDP of Darlington County was $3.3 billion (approx. $52,531 per capita). [17] In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $2.7 billion (approx. $42,579 per capita). [18] Between 2022 and 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2.4-4.2% within the county. [19]

As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county include Coker University, Duke Energy Progress Inc, Sonoco, and Walmart. [20]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Darlington County, South Carolina [20]
IndustryEmployment CountsEmployment Percentage (%)Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services1,6548.117,212
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services1,0665.239,832
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1500.734,424
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation2771.418,304
Construction1,4006.953,872
Educational Services1,5777.740,248
Finance and Insurance3451.760,008
Health Care and Social Assistance2,80113.746,072
Information490.293,028
Management of Companies and Enterprises920.567,392
Manufacturing3,84918.986,164
Other Services (except Public Administration)5032.534,112
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services3311.648,620
Public Administration1,4247.039,364
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing990.561,880
Retail Trade2,37011.630,992
Transportation and Warehousing9404.650,596
Utilities7363.6107,744
Wholesale Trade7403.673,684
Total20,403100.0%52,075

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts: Darlington 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 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  4. 1 2 "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  7. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 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 17, 2015.
  9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  10. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  11. 1 2 3 "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. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  17. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Darlington County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  18. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Darlington County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  19. U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Darlington County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  20. 1 2 "Darlington County" (PDF). Community Profiles (4000031). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
  21. "Veteran Tributes". veterantributes.org. Retrieved April 11, 2017.

Further reading