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  • 21 Aug, 2019

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Barnwell County
Barnwell County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 20,589. It is located in the Central Savannah River Area. Its county seat is Barnwell.

History

The Barnwell District was created in 1797 (effective in 1800) from the southwestern portion of the Orangeburg District, along the Savannah River. It was named after John Barnwell, a local figure in the Revolutionary War.

In 1868, under the South Carolina Constitution revised during Reconstruction, South Carolina districts became counties. The government was made more democratic, with county officials to be elected by male citizens at least 21 years old, rather than by the state legislature as done previously.

In 1871, the legislature took the northwestern portion of the county to form part of the new Aiken County, the only county organized during the Reconstruction era. In 1874, the border with Aiken County was slightly adjusted. Aiken and Barnwell, with nearly equal, populations of Black and white people, had extensive violence in the months before the 1874 and 1876 elections, as groups of paramilitary Red Shirts rode to disrupt Black Republican meetings and intimidate voters to suppress Black voting. More than 100 Black men were killed in Aiken County during the violence, especially at Ellenton, South Carolina.

In 1895, white Democrats in the state legislature passed a new constitution, disfranchising most Blacks for more than 60 years by raising barriers to voter registration.

In 1897, the eastern third of the county was taken to form the new Bamberg County. In 1919, most of the southern half of the county was taken to form most of the new Allendale County, thus reducing Barnwell County to its present size.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 557.26 square miles (1,443.3 km), of which 548.38 square miles (1,420.3 km) is land and 8.88 square miles (23.0 km) (1.59%) is water.

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18007,376—
181012,28066.5%
182014,75020.1%
183019,23630.4%
184021,47111.6%
185026,60823.9%
186030,74315.5%
187035,72416.2%
188039,85711.6%
189044,61311.9%
190035,504−20.4%
191034,209−3.6%
192023,081−32.5%
193021,221−8.1%
194020,138−5.1%
195017,266−14.3%
196017,6592.3%
197017,176−2.7%
198019,86815.7%
199020,2932.1%
200023,47815.7%
201022,621−3.7%
202020,589−9.0%
2023 (est.)20,447−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010 2020

2020 census

Barnwell County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 10,352 50.28%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 8,785 42.67%
Native American 61 0.3%
Asian 161 0.78%
Pacific Islander 14 0.07%
Other/Mixed 696 3.38%
Hispanic or Latino 520 2.53%

As of the 2020 census, there were 20,589 people, 8,360 households, and 5,260 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 22,621 people, 8,937 households, and 6,055 families living in the county. The population density was 41.2 inhabitants per square mile (15.9/km). There were 10,484 housing units at an average density of 19.1 units per square mile (7.4 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 52.6% white, 44.3% Black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.7% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 11.5% were American, 5.7% were German, and 5.4% were English.

Of the 8,937 households, 34.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.8% were married couples living together, 20.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.2% were non-families, and 28.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 38.8 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,816 and the median income for a family was $41,764. Males had a median income of $35,957 versus $30,291 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,592. About 20.8% of families and 25.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 39.6% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 23,478 people, 9,021 households, and 6,431 families living in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km). There were 10,191 housing units at an average density of 19 units per square mile (7.3 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 55.18% White, 42.55% Black or African American, 0.35% Native American, 0.39% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 1.39% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 9,021 households, out of which 34.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.40% were married couples living together, 19.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% 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 3.08.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 28.10% under the age of 18, 8.70% from 18 to 24, 27.90% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,591, and the median income for a family was $35,866. Males had a median income of $31,161 versus $21,904 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,870. About 17.90% of families and 20.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.30% of those under age 18 and 24.40% of those age 65 or over.

Government and politics

Prior to 1948, Barnwell County was a Democratic Party stronghold similar to the rest of the Solid South, with Democratic presidential candidates receiving near-unanimous margins of victory in most years. The twenty years from 1948 to 1968 were a highly transitional time for the politics of South Carolina & Barnwell County, largely in part due to the Democratic Party's increasing support for African-American civil rights & enfranchisement. Segregationist candidates Strom Thurmond & George Wallace won the county in those aforementioned years, bookended by Democratic wins in 1952 & 1956 & Republican wins in 1960 & 1964. From 1972 on, the county has primarily Republican, but has become more of a swing county in recent years, backing the national winner in every presidential election from 2000 on except for 2020.

United States presidential election results for Barnwell County, South Carolina
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 5,492 53.21% 4,720 45.73% 109 1.06%
2016 4,889 51.54% 4,400 46.39% 196 2.07%
2012 4,659 46.95% 5,188 52.28% 76 0.77%
2008 4,769 48.67% 4,931 50.33% 98 1.00%
2004 4,606 53.03% 3,982 45.85% 97 1.12%
2000 4,521 54.63% 3,661 44.24% 94 1.14%
1996 3,808 48.98% 3,620 46.57% 346 4.45%
1992 4,026 49.24% 3,344 40.90% 807 9.87%
1988 4,467 63.14% 2,564 36.24% 44 0.62%
1984 4,346 60.45% 2,811 39.10% 32 0.45%
1980 3,228 48.14% 3,399 50.69% 78 1.16%
1976 2,569 38.62% 4,083 61.38% 0 0.00%
1972 3,955 71.71% 1,560 28.29% 0 0.00%
1968 1,849 31.25% 1,716 29.01% 2,351 39.74%
1964 3,670 72.64% 1,382 27.36% 0 0.00%
1960 1,842 58.05% 1,331 41.95% 0 0.00%
1956 520 17.28% 1,914 63.61% 575 19.11%
1952 657 29.14% 1,598 70.86% 0 0.00%
1948 28 1.36% 115 5.57% 1,921 93.07%
1944 8 0.53% 1,482 98.41% 16 1.06%
1940 13 0.70% 1,845 99.30% 0 0.00%
1936 2 0.09% 2,157 99.91% 0 0.00%
1932 15 0.79% 1,877 99.21% 0 0.00%
1928 34 3.20% 1,028 96.80% 0 0.00%
1924 23 2.64% 847 97.13% 2 0.23%
1920 25 3.35% 721 96.65% 0 0.00%
1916 21 1.42% 1,454 98.51% 1 0.07%
1912 15 1.29% 1,139 98.27% 5 0.43%
1904 35 2.44% 1,401 97.56% 0 0.00%
1900 57 4.03% 1,356 95.97% 0 0.00%

Economy

In 2022, Barnwell County's GDP was $556.3 million (approx. $27,018 per capita). In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $448.3 million (approx. $21,774 per capita). From 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate for the county has fluctuated from a high of 6.3% in January 2022 and a low of 3.2% in April 2023.

As of April 2024, Walmart is one of the largest employers in the county.

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Barnwell County, South Carolina
Industry Employment Counts Employment Percentage (%) Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services 372 7.8 16,900
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 83 1.7 54,080
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 68 1.4 39,884
Construction 172 3.6 62,972
Educational Services 613 12.8 41,392
Finance and Insurance 64 1.3 40,716
Health Care and Social Assistance 715 14.9 36,296
Information 9 0.2 32,188
Manufacturing 1,039 21.7 59,956
Other Services (except Public Administration) 161 3.4 36,348
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 108 2.3 50,024
Public Administration 422 8.8 38,948
Retail Trade 797 16.6 26,624
Transportation and Warehousing 134 2.8 57,512
Wholesale Trade 33 0.7 47,164
Total 4,790 100.0% 41,546

Communities

City

  • Barnwell (county seat and largest community)

Towns

Education

School districts in the county include:

A portion is not in any school district, labeled by the 2010 U.S. Census as "School District Not Defined". This corresponds with the Savannah River Site.

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ^ "QuickFacts: Barnwell County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on July 12, 2012. 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 20, 2015.
  4. ^ Federal Writers' Project (1941). Palmetto Place Names. Sloane Printing Co. p. 12.
  5. ^ The Governor: Powers, Practices, Roles and the South Carolina Experience Archived February 4, 2012, at the Wayback Machine, from the website of the USC South Carolina Governance Project. Retrieved February 5, 2010.
  6. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. ^ "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  8. ^ "Georges Creek (in Barnwell County, SC)". southcarolina.hometownlocator.com. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  9. ^ "Par Pond Savannah River Site SRS". SCIWAY. Retrieved July 18, 2022.
  10. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  11. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  12. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  13. ^ "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.
  14. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  15. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  16. ^ "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.
  17. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  18. ^ "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.
  19. ^ "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.
  20. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  21. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  22. ^ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Barnwell County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  23. ^ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Barnwell County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  24. ^ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Barnwell County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 30, 2024.
  25. ^ "Barnwell County" (PDF). Community Profiles. Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
  26. ^ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Barnwell County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list
  27. ^ "SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP (2010 CENSUS): Barnwell County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Text list
  28. ^ "General Highway System Barnwell County South Carolina" (PDF). South Carolina Department of Transportation. May 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2024. - Compare to the school district map.
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