Saluda County, South Carolina

Saluda County
County
Saluda Theatre
Seal
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°01′N81°44′W / 34.01°N 81.73°W / 34.01; -81.73
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1895
Named for	Saluda River
Seat	Saluda
Largest community	Saluda
Area
• Total	461.64 sq mi (1,195.6 km2)
• Land	452.72 sq mi (1,172.5 km2)
• Water	8.92 sq mi (23.1 km2)  1.93%
Population  (2020)
• Total	18,862
• Estimate  (2023)	19,123
• Density	41.66/sq mi (16.09/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	3rd
Website	saludacounty.sc.gov

Saluda County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,862. ^[1] Its county seat is Saluda. ^[2] The county was formed from northern and eastern portions of Edgefield County. ^[3]

Saluda County is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was founded in 1895 with portions of Edgefield County and was named after the nearby Saluda River. The largest community and county seat is Saluda.

Geography

Interactive map of Saluda County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 461.64 square miles (1,195.6 km²), of which 452.72 square miles (1,172.5 km²) is land and 8.92 square miles (23.1 km²) (1.93%) is water. ^[4] Saluda County is largely in the Saluda River basin with a small portion of western Saluda in the Savannah River basin.

National protected area

• Sumter National Forest (part)

Major water bodies

• Halfway Swamp Creek
• Lake Murray
• Saluda River

Adjacent Counties

• Newberry County – north
• Lexington County – east
• Aiken County – south
• Edgefield County – southwest
• Greenwood County – northwest
• McCormick County – west

Major highways

• US 1
• US 178
• 
  US 178 Conn.
• US 378
• SC 23
• SC 39
• SC 121
• SC 193
• SC 194
• SC 391
• SC 395
• SC 702

Major infrastructure

• Saluda County Airport ^[5]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1900	18,966		—
1910	20,943		10.4%
1920	22,088		5.5%
1930	18,148		−17.8%
1940	17,192		−5.3%
1950	15,924		−7.4%
1960	14,554		−8.6%
1970	14,528		−0.2%
1980	16,150		11.2%
1990	16,357		1.3%
2000	19,181		17.3%
2010	19,875		3.6%
2020	18,862		−5.1%
2023 (est.)	19,123	[1]	1.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [6] 1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8] 1990–2000 [9] 2010 [10] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Saluda County racial composition ^[11]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	11,264	59.72%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	4,028	21.36%
Native American	44	0.23%
Asian	35	0.19%
Other/Mixed	479	2.54%
Hispanic or Latino	3,012	15.97%

As of the 2020 census, there were 18,862 people, 7,094 households, and 5,132 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 19,875 people, 7,527 households, and 5,393 families living in the county. ^{[12] [10]} The population density was 43.9 inhabitants per square mile (16.9/km²). There were 9,289 housing units at an average density of 20.5 per square mile (7.9/km²). ^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 61.1% white, 26.3% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 10.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.4% of the population. ^[12] In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were American, 14.7% were German, 8.6% were English, and 8.2% were Irish. ^[14]

Of the 7,527 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 39.6 years. ^[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,508 and the median income for a family was $45,173. Males had a median income of $31,264 versus $28,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,717. About 11.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over. ^[15]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, ^[16] there were 19,181 people, 7,127 households, and 5,295 families living in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16 people/km²). There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.80% White, 29.99% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 7.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,127 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,774, and the median income for a family was $41,603. Males had a median income of $29,221 versus $21,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,328. About 12.00% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.40% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Law enforcement

In 2012, Saluda County Sheriff Jason Booth pled guilty to charges of misuse of office after using an inmate to make improvements at his home. ^[17]

Politics

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

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	6,452	71.58%	2,454	27.22%	108	1.20%
2020	6,210	66.96%	2,963	31.95%	101	1.09%
2016	5,526	64.53%	2,813	32.85%	225	2.63%
2012	5,135	59.96%	3,328	38.86%	101	1.18%
2008	5,191	60.34%	3,323	38.63%	89	1.03%
2004	4,537	59.87%	3,001	39.60%	40	0.53%
2000	4,098	59.47%	2,682	38.92%	111	1.61%
1996	2,825	49.56%	2,486	43.61%	389	6.82%
1992	2,968	47.80%	2,393	38.54%	848	13.66%
1988	3,225	61.64%	1,984	37.92%	23	0.44%
1984	3,515	63.90%	1,962	35.67%	24	0.44%
1980	2,450	47.40%	2,651	51.29%	68	1.32%
1976	2,085	43.09%	2,715	56.11%	39	0.81%
1972	3,095	73.85%	1,022	24.39%	74	1.77%
1968	1,466	30.53%	1,200	24.99%	2,136	44.48%
1964	2,524	64.17%	1,409	35.83%	0	0.00%
1960	1,268	48.38%	1,353	51.62%	0	0.00%
1956	341	14.92%	1,080	47.24%	865	37.84%
1952	1,396	46.72%	1,592	53.28%	0	0.00%
1948	15	0.78%	187	9.77%	1,712	89.45%
1944	14	1.30%	924	85.56%	142	13.15%
1940	15	1.33%	1,115	98.67%	0	0.00%
1936	10	0.75%	1,324	99.25%	0	0.00%
1932	7	0.53%	1,307	99.47%	0	0.00%
1928	5	0.62%	796	99.38%	0	0.00%
1924	3	0.27%	1,094	99.55%	2	0.18%
1920	3	0.27%	1,111	99.55%	2	0.18%
1916	1	0.08%	1,227	99.51%	5	0.41%
1912	0	0.00%	850	98.04%	17	1.96%
1904	7	0.74%	938	99.26%	0	0.00%
1900	7	0.55%	1,269	99.45%	0	0.00%

Economy

In 2022, the GDP was $572.2 million (about $29,921 per capita), ^[19] and the real GDP was $495.6 million (about $25,918 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars. ^[20]

As of April 2024, some of the top employers of the county include Food Lion. ^[21]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Saluda County, South Carolina - Q3 2023 ^[21]

Industry	Employment Counts	Employment Percentage (%)	Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services	208	4.6	14,872
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	42	0.9	37,076
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting	443	9.9	53,040
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation	62	1.4	26,208
Construction	136	3.0	44,980
Finance and Insurance	48	1.1	58,448
Health Care and Social Assistance	591	13.2	39,780
Manufacturing	1,921	42.9	49,868
Other Services (except Public Administration)	68	1.5	47,060
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	107	2.4	47,892
Public Administration	336	7.5	44,044
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	24	0.5	38,948
Retail Trade	295	6.6	28,652
Transportation and Warehousing	67	1.5	54,912
Utilities	33	0.7	69,680
Wholesale Trade	96	2.1	52,572
Total	4,477	100.0%	45,016

Communities

Towns

• Batesburg-Leesville (mostly in Lexington County)
• Monetta (mostly in Aiken County)
• Ridge Spring
• Saluda (county seat and largest community)
• Ward

Unincorporated communities

• Mount Willing ^{[22] [23]}

Education

School districts covering sections of the county include: ^[24]

• Saluda County School District
• Aiken County School District
• Lexington School District 3

Notable person

• William B. Travis, Texas lieutenant colonel leading defense in the Battle of the Alamo

See also

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

References

1. "QuickFacts: Saluda County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. "South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies". South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2009. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
4. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
5. "Airport". saludacounty.sc.gov. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
8. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
9. "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 19, 2015.
10. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
11. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
12. "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 11, 2016.
13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
14. "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 11, 2016.
15. "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 11, 2016.
16. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved May 14, 2011.
17. Jeffrey Collins (August 5, 2012). "Ex-Saluda sheriff pleads guilty to misconduct". Post and Courier. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
19. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Saluda County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
20. U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Saluda County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
21. "Saluda County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000081). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
22. "Saluda County Historical Society: Voices from Old Mount Willing". Archived from the original on February 23, 2009.
23. "Mount Willing Populated Place Profile / Saluda County, South Carolina Data". southcarolina.hometownlocator.com.
24. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Saluda County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list

External links

• Geographic data related to Saluda County, South Carolina at OpenStreetMap
• Official website
• Saluda County Chamber of Commerce