Darlington County, SC
Darlington County is included in the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566.25 square miles (1,466.6 km), of which 560.59 square miles (1,451.9 km) is land and 5.66 square miles (14.7 km) (1.00%) is water.
State and local protected areas/sites
- Great Pee Dee River Heritage Preserve Wildlife Management Area
- Kalmia Gardens
- Segars-McKinnon Heritage Preserve
Major water bodies
- Back Swamp
- Black Creek
- Cedar Creek
- Great Pee Dee River
- High Hill Creek
- Lake Robinson
- Lynches River
- Sparrow Swamp
Adjacent counties
- Florence County – southeast
- Marlboro County – northeast
- Chesterfield County – northwest
- Lee County – southwest
- Kershaw County – west
Major highways
I-20
I-95
US 15
US 15 Bus.
US 52- US 52 Bus.
US 401
SC 34
SC 34 Conn.
SC 34 Truck
SC 102
SC 151
SC 151 Bus.
SC 340
SC 403
Major infrastructure
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 7,631 | — | |
| 1810 | 9,047 | 18.6% | |
| 1820 | 10,949 | 21.0% | |
| 1830 | 13,728 | 25.4% | |
| 1840 | 14,822 | 8.0% | |
| 1850 | 16,830 | 13.5% | |
| 1860 | 20,361 | 21.0% | |
| 1870 | 26,243 | 28.9% | |
| 1880 | 34,485 | 31.4% | |
| 1890 | 29,134 | −15.5% | |
| 1900 | 32,388 | 11.2% | |
| 1910 | 36,027 | 11.2% | |
| 1920 | 39,126 | 8.6% | |
| 1930 | 41,427 | 5.9% | |
| 1940 | 45,198 | 9.1% | |
| 1950 | 50,016 | 10.7% | |
| 1960 | 52,928 | 5.8% | |
| 1970 | 53,442 | 1.0% | |
| 1980 | 62,717 | 17.4% | |
| 1990 | 61,851 | −1.4% | |
| 2000 | 67,394 | 9.0% | |
| 2010 | 68,681 | 1.9% | |
| 2020 | 62,905 | −8.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 62,416 | −0.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 | |||
2020 census
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 33,821 | 53.77% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 25,386 | 40.36% |
| Native American | 136 | 0.22% |
| Asian | 290 | 0.46% |
| Pacific Islander | 4 | 0.01% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,872 | 2.98% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 1,396 | 2.22% |
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. The population density was 122.4 inhabitants per square mile (47.3/km). There were 30,297 housing units at an average density of 54.0 per square mile (20.8/km). 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. In terms of ancestry, 9.5% were American, 7.0% were English, and 5.3% were Irish.
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.
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.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, 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/km). There were 28,942 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km). 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
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 17,017 | 56.10% | 12,977 | 42.78% | 337 | 1.11% |
| 2020 | 16,832 | 51.92% | 15,220 | 46.95% | 365 | 1.13% |
| 2016 | 14,989 | 50.51% | 13,888 | 46.80% | 797 | 2.69% |
| 2012 | 14,434 | 47.87% | 15,457 | 51.27% | 259 | 0.86% |
| 2008 | 14,544 | 49.58% | 14,505 | 49.45% | 285 | 0.97% |
| 2004 | 13,416 | 52.71% | 11,829 | 46.47% | 209 | 0.82% |
| 2000 | 11,290 | 51.64% | 10,253 | 46.90% | 320 | 1.46% |
| 1996 | 8,220 | 45.18% | 8,943 | 49.15% | 1,031 | 5.67% |
| 1992 | 8,912 | 44.00% | 9,090 | 44.88% | 2,251 | 11.11% |
| 1988 | 9,854 | 55.23% | 7,625 | 42.73% | 364 | 2.04% |
| 1984 | 11,100 | 58.70% | 7,456 | 39.43% | 354 | 1.87% |
| 1980 | 8,289 | 48.39% | 8,489 | 49.55% | 353 | 2.06% |
| 1976 | 6,678 | 39.52% | 10,165 | 60.16% | 54 | 0.32% |
| 1972 | 11,756 | 72.04% | 4,414 | 27.05% | 149 | 0.91% |
| 1968 | 4,947 | 35.38% | 3,803 | 27.20% | 5,231 | 37.42% |
| 1964 | 6,717 | 57.28% | 5,010 | 42.72% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 3,494 | 42.81% | 4,668 | 57.19% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,597 | 22.47% | 2,908 | 40.91% | 2,603 | 36.62% |
| 1952 | 3,463 | 37.72% | 5,718 | 62.28% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 104 | 3.77% | 726 | 26.30% | 1,930 | 69.93% |
| 1944 | 46 | 2.33% | 1,808 | 91.41% | 124 | 6.27% |
| 1940 | 60 | 4.12% | 1,395 | 95.88% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 12 | 0.60% | 1,995 | 99.40% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 31 | 2.15% | 1,409 | 97.78% | 1 | 0.07% |
| 1928 | 48 | 4.06% | 1,135 | 95.94% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 3 | 0.31% | 956 | 98.96% | 7 | 0.72% |
| 1920 | 18 | 1.41% | 1,262 | 98.59% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 5 | 0.34% | 1,462 | 99.46% | 3 | 0.20% |
| 1912 | 0 | 0.00% | 883 | 99.77% | 2 | 0.23% |
| 1904 | 42 | 2.79% | 1,464 | 97.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1900 | 83 | 6.32% | 1,230 | 93.68% | 0 | 0.00% |
Economy
In 2022, the GDP of Darlington County was $3.3 billion (approx. $52,531 per capita). In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $2.7 billion (approx. $42,579 per capita). Between 2022 and 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2.4-4.2% within the county.
As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county include Coker University, Duke Energy Progress Inc, Sonoco, and Walmart.
| Industry | Employment Counts | Employment Percentage (%) | Average Annual Wage ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 1,654 | 8.1 | 17,212 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 1,066 | 5.2 | 39,832 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 150 | 0.7 | 34,424 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 277 | 1.4 | 18,304 |
| Construction | 1,400 | 6.9 | 53,872 |
| Educational Services | 1,577 | 7.7 | 40,248 |
| Finance and Insurance | 345 | 1.7 | 60,008 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,801 | 13.7 | 46,072 |
| Information | 49 | 0.2 | 93,028 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 92 | 0.5 | 67,392 |
| Manufacturing | 3,849 | 18.9 | 86,164 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 503 | 2.5 | 34,112 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 331 | 1.6 | 48,620 |
| Public Administration | 1,424 | 7.0 | 39,364 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 99 | 0.5 | 61,880 |
| Retail Trade | 2,370 | 11.6 | 30,992 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 940 | 4.6 | 50,596 |
| Utilities | 736 | 3.6 | 107,744 |
| Wholesale Trade | 740 | 3.6 | 73,684 |
| Total | 20,403 | 100.0% | 52,075 |
Communities
Cities
- Darlington (county seat)
- Hartsville (largest community)
Towns
Census-designated places
Other unincorporated communities
Notable people
- Harry G. Byrd, Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers. He was born in Darlington. SC 151 in Darlington is named Harry Byrd Highway in his honor.
- William G. Farrow, lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps who participated in the Doolittle Raid; born in Darlington in 1918
- Albert Haynesworth, a professional football player who played primarily for the Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins; born in Hartsville
- W. W. Hicks, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Webster Parish, 1900 to 1904; born in Darlington County in 1843
- Orlando Hudson, former Major League baseball player; born in Darlington
- Jordan Lyles, Major League baseball player; born in Hartsville.
- Bobo Newsom, Major League Baseball pitcher with the Tigers, Senators, Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, and Red Sox. He compiled a 211–222 record over 20 seasons, including a 21–5 season in 1940. SC 151 in Hartsville is named Bobo Newsom Highway in his honor.
- James E. Williams, sailor of the United States Navy during the 1950s and 1960s. He was the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the United States Navy and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
See also
- List of counties in South Carolina
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Darlington County, South Carolina
References
- ^ "QuickFacts: Darlington County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ 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.
- ^ "Darlington County" (PDF). Community Profiles (4000031). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Veteran Tributes". veterantributes.org. Retrieved April 11, 2017.
Further reading
- Gregg, Alexander (1905). History of the Old Cheraws. State Company.
External links
Geographic data related to Darlington County, South Carolina at OpenStreetMap- Official website
- Darlington County School District
- Old Darlington District Chapter, SC Genealogical Society
- Darlington County history and images
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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