Barnwell County, South Carolina

Barnwell County, South Carolina
Location in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1798
Seat	Barnwell
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	557 sq mi (1,443 km²) 548 sq mi (1,419 km²) 9 sq mi (23 km²), 1.59%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	23,478 44/sq mi (17/km²)
Website	www.barnwellcountysc.com

Barnwell County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 census recorded its population to be 23,478, while a 2005 the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 23,345. Its county seat is Barnwell.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 557 square miles (1,442.6 km²), of which 548 square miles (1,419.3 km²) is land and 9 square miles (23.3 km²) (1.59%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• Aiken County, South Carolina - north
• Bamberg County, South Carolina - east
• Orangeburg County, South Carolina - east
• Allendale County, South Carolina - southeast
• Burke County, Georgia - southwest

History

Barnwell County Courthouse

The Barnwell District was created in 1798 (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, with officials elected by male citizens at least 21-years old, rather than by state officials as done previously. In 1871 the northwestern portion of the county was taken to form part of the new Aiken County. In 1874 the border with Aiken County was adjusted slightly. 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 bringing Barnwell county down to its present size.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 23,478 people, 9,021 households, and 6,431 families residing in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17/km²). There were 10,191 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). 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.

Cities and towns

• Barnwell
• Blackville
• Elko
• Hilda
• Kline
• Snelling
• Williston

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Barnwell County, South Carolina

External links

• Barnwell County
• The Barnwell Web