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Chester County, South Carolina

Coordinates: 34°41′N 81°10′W / 34.69°N 81.16°W / 34.69; -81.16
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Chester County
County
Chester County Courthouse
Chester County Courthouse
Official seal of Chester County
Seal
Motto(s): 
"Choose Chester County, For Business. For Life."
Map of South Carolina highlighting Chester County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°41′N 81°10′W / 34.69°N 81.16°W / 34.69; -81.16
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1785
Named forChester, Pennsylvania (Chester, England)
SeatChester
Largest communityChester
Area
 • Total586.16 sq mi (1,518.1 km2)
 • Land580.66 sq mi (1,503.9 km2)
 • Water5.50 sq mi (14.2 km2)  0.94%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total32,294
 • Estimate 
(2023)
32,226
 • Density55.62/sq mi (21.48/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.chestercounty.org

Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 32,294.[1] Its county seat is Chester.[2]

Chester County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

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The county was founded in 1785 and was named after Chester, Pennsylvania. The largest community and county seat is Chester. The county is also included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

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Map
Interactive map of Chester County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 586.16 square miles (1,518.1 km2), of which 580.66 square miles (1,503.9 km2) is land and 5.50 square miles (14.2 km2) (0.94%) is water.[3]

National protected area

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State and local protected areas

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Major water bodies

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Adjacent counties

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Major highways

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
17906,866—
18008,18519.2%
181011,47940.2%
182014,18923.6%
183017,18221.1%
184017,7473.3%
185018,0381.6%
186018,1220.5%
187018,8053.8%
188024,15328.4%
189026,66010.4%
190028,6167.3%
191029,4252.8%
192033,38913.5%
193031,803−4.8%
194032,5792.4%
195032,5970.1%
196030,888−5.2%
197029,811−3.5%
198030,1481.1%
199032,1706.7%
200034,0685.9%
201033,140−2.7%
202032,294−2.6%
2023 (est.)32,226[1]−0.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010[9] 2020[1]

2020 census

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Chester County racial composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 18,591 57.57%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 11,287 34.95%
Native American 145 0.45%
Asian 146 0.45%
Pacific Islander 14 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,316 4.08%
Hispanic or Latino 795 2.46%

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,294 people, 12,653 households, and 8,042 families residing in the county.

2010 census

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At the 2010 census, there were 33,140 people, 12,876 households, and 9,073 families living in the county.[11][9] The population density was 57.1 inhabitants per square mile (22.0/km2). There were 14,701 housing units at an average density of 25.3 units per square mile (9.8 units/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 59.8% white, 37.4% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were American, 7.5% were Irish, 5.6% were English, and 5.1% were German.[13]

Of the 12,876 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 40.3 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,743 and the median income for a family was $42,074. Males had a median income of $39,008 versus $27,701 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,687. About 18.6% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2000 census

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At the 2000 census,[15] there were 34,068 people, 12,880 households, and 9,338 families living in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km2). There were 14,374 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 59.93% White, 38.65% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,880 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 18.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,425, and the median income for a family was $38,087. Males had a median income of $30,329 versus $21,570 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,709. About 11.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

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Law enforcement

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In 2021, Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood was found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, deprivation of rights and federal program theft, and sentenced to one year in prison.[16][17]

Politics

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United States presidential election results for Chester County, South Carolina[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 8,660 54.96% 6,941 44.05% 156 0.99%
2016 7,265 51.19% 6,579 46.36% 348 2.45%
2012 6,367 44.19% 7,891 54.77% 149 1.03%
2008 6,318 45.19% 7,478 53.49% 185 1.32%
2004 5,798 49.43% 5,790 49.36% 141 1.20%
2000 4,986 47.80% 5,242 50.25% 204 1.96%
1996 3,157 34.80% 5,108 56.31% 807 8.90%
1992 3,451 33.54% 5,458 53.05% 1,379 13.40%
1988 3,968 51.21% 3,737 48.23% 43 0.55%
1984 4,441 55.20% 3,559 44.24% 45 0.56%
1980 3,104 37.12% 5,145 61.52% 114 1.36%
1976 2,982 36.31% 5,200 63.32% 30 0.37%
1972 4,724 66.20% 2,352 32.96% 60 0.84%
1968 2,862 33.71% 2,865 33.75% 2,762 32.54%
1964 2,915 42.89% 3,882 57.11% 0 0.00%
1960 1,660 28.03% 4,262 71.97% 0 0.00%
1956 1,007 21.43% 2,951 62.80% 741 15.77%
1952 2,777 49.41% 2,843 50.59% 0 0.00%
1948 48 2.39% 436 21.67% 1,528 75.94%
1944 89 5.48% 1,441 88.68% 95 5.85%
1940 35 1.78% 1,930 98.12% 2 0.10%
1936 11 0.51% 2,155 99.49% 0 0.00%
1932 23 1.13% 2,020 98.87% 0 0.00%
1928 36 2.72% 1,285 97.13% 2 0.15%
1924 12 1.38% 850 97.93% 6 0.69%
1920 0 0.00% 1,237 100.00% 0 0.00%
1916 17 1.42% 1,182 98.42% 2 0.17%
1912 0 0.00% 1,286 98.47% 20 1.53%
1904 8 0.83% 954 99.17% 0 0.00%
1900 20 2.34% 836 97.66% 0 0.00%

Economy

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Chester County's economy has an industrial and agricultural base with large areas used for timber production. There are several sawmills in the county and others near it. Forest land ownership is majority family landowners who manage their properties for a variety of uses. Agriculture is also a big segment of the economy with crops consisting of cotton, wheat, oats, rye, beef and dairy cattle, hay, corn, peaches, other vegetables, peanuts, soybeans, and pecans.[19]

In 2022, the GDP of Chester County was $1.4 billion (about $43,999 per capita).[20] In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $1.1 billion (about $35,382 per capita).[21] Throughout 2022 to 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 3.1% and 5.6%.[22]

As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county include Chester County School District, E & J Gallo Winery, and Walmart.[23]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Chester County, South Carolina[23]
Industry Employment Counts Employment Percentage (%) Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services 570 6.2 19,136
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 126 1.4 35,048
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 111 1.2 50,908
Construction 685 7.5 63,908
Finance and Insurance 125 1.4 50,076
Health Care and Social Assistance 781 8.5 46,072
Manufacturing 3,449 37.5 64,584
Other Services (except Public Administration) 180 2.0 30,264
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 211 2.3 103,532
Public Administration 652 7.1 46,748
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing 16 0.2 41,704
Retail Trade 875 9.5 26,520
Transportation and Warehousing 369 4.0 53,300
Utilities 120 1.3 74,048
Wholesale Trade 921 10.0 67,392
Total 9,191 100.0% 54,620

Media

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Communities

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City

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  • Chester (county seat and largest community)

Towns

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Census-designated places

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Unincorporated communities

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Notable people

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Chester 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. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  4. ^ "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved March 16, 2015.
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 16, 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 16, 2015.
  9. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "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. ^ "Ex-South Carolina Sheriff is 13th Convicted Since 2010". South Carolina Public Radio. April 25, 2021. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  17. ^ Jeffery Collions (October 13, 2021). "Ex-SC sheriff off to prison on 1-year misconduct sentence". ABC News. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  19. ^ "Chester County, South Carolina County Profile" (PDF). Census of Agriculture. 2017. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  20. ^ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chester County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  21. ^ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chester County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  22. ^ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Chester County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
  23. ^ a b "Chester County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000023). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
  24. ^ "Tryon County, North Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  25. ^ Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896. Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
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