Beaufort County, South Carolina

Beaufort County, South Carolina
Seal
Location in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1769
Seat	Beaufort
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	923 sq mi (2,391 km²) 587 sq mi (1,520 km²) 336 sq mi (870 km²), 36.41%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	162,233 276/sq mi (106.7/km²)
Website	www.bcgov.net

Beaufort County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 162,233. Its county seat is Beaufort.

Beaufort County is one of the South's fastest-growing counties,^{[citation needed]} primarily because of development south of the Broad River clustered along the U.S. Highway 278 corridor. The northern portions of the county have also grown steadily, due in part to the strong military presence around the city of Beaufort. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hilton Head Island–Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area comprises Beaufort and Jasper counties. Beaufort County's population is over 70% urban.

The two portions of the county are physically connected via the Broad River Bridge, which carries South Carolina Highway 170. Despite the connectivity, oftentimes the "north of Broad" and "south of Broad" populations of the county find each other at odds over county-wide issues dealing with growth management.^{[citation needed]}

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 923 square miles (2,390.6 km²), of which 587 square miles (1,520.3 km²) is land and 336 square miles (870.2 km²) (36.41%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Colleton County, South Carolina - north
• Jasper County, South Carolina - west
• Hampton County, South Carolina - northwest

National protected areas

• Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge (part)
• Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1790	18,753		—
1800	20,428		8.9%
1810	25,887		26.7%
1820	32,199		24.4%
1830	37,032		15.0%
1840	35,794		−3.3%
1850	38,805		8.4%
1860	40,053		3.2%
1870	34,359		−14.2%
1880	30,176		−12.2%
1890	34,119		13.1%
1900	35,495		4.0%
1910	30,355		−14.5%
1920	22,269		−26.6%
1930	21,815		−2.0%
1940	22,037		1.0%
1950	26,993		22.5%
1960	44,187		63.7%
1970	51,136		15.7%
1980	65,364		27.8%
1990	86,425		32.2%
2000	120,937		39.9%
2010	162,233		34.1%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 120,937 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per square mile (80/km²). There were 60,509 housing units at an average density of 103 per square mile (40/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.66% White, 23.98% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.84% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 6.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 45,532 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 12.00% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,992, and the median income for a family was $52,704. Males had a median income of $30,541 versus $25,284 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,377. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 census, the population of Beaufort County was 71% urban and 29% rural. It contained the Beaufort (2000 pop.: 44,563), Hilton Head Island (34,407), and Bluffton (19,044) Urban Clusters. The Hilton Head and Bluffton clusters may be merged by the 2010 census. The populations of Beaufort and Jasper Counties are joined as the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Area with a total 2005 estimated population of 159,247 (87% within Beaufort County).

Cities and towns

• Beaufort
• Bluffton

• Hilton Head Island
• Laurel Bay

• Port Royal
• Yemassee

Unincorporated communities

• Burton
• Frogmore
• Shell Point
• Parris Island
• Pocotaligo
• Pritchardville
• Sheldon

Named islands

Some islands are also towns.

• Barataria Island
• Bull Island
• Callawassie Island
• Cane Island
• Coosaw Island
• Dataw Island
• Daufuskie Island
• Fripp Island
• Grays Hill
• Harbor Island
• Hilton Head Island
• Hunting Island

• Lady's Island
• Lemon Island
• Little Capers Island (uninhabited)
• Morgan Island
• Parris Island
• Poppy Hill
• Port Royal
• Pritchard Island (uninhabited research station)
• Saint Helena Island
• Spring Island
• St. Phillips Island
• Warsaw Island

Notable people

• Pat Conroy, author
• Joe Frazier, boxer
• Bob Inglis, politician
• Greg Jones, football player
• James Saxon, football player
• Duncan Sheik, musician
• Wayne Simmons, football player
• Stan Smith, tennis player
• D. J. Trahan, golfer
• Kathryn R. Wall, American author of mystery novels

In popular culture

• The Big Chill
• Forrest Gump
• Platoon
• The Prince of Tides
• Full Metal Jacket
• The Great Santini
• The Rise and Fall of the Confederacy
• The Tara Rumor
• Commandment Keeper Church
• To Live as a Free Man
• Les Marines
• Daughters of the Dust
• The War
• The Jungle Book
• Chasers
• Something to Talk About

• White Squall
• Last Dance
• The Simpsons Movie
• Gone Fishin'
• G.I. Jane
• Animal
• Forces of Nature
• Rules of Engagement
• The Legend of Bagger Vance
• Because of Winn Dixie
• In For a Penny
• And Not a Penny More
• Perdition House
• Judas Island
• Resurrection Road
• Bishop's Reach
• Sanctuary Hill
• The Mercy Oak

See also

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

Further reading

• Lawrence S. Rowland; "The History of Beaufort County, South Carolina"; 1996, University of South Carolina Press, ISBN 1-57003-090-1.

External links

• Beaufort County official website
• History and Nature of Beaufort County, South Carolina – Beaufort County Library
• Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce
• Hilton Head - Bluffton Chamber of Commerce
• Beaufort County Information Page, from SCIway.net
• Beaufort County Library
• Arts Council of Beaufort County
• The Beaufort Gazette - Daily newspaper circulating primarily "north of the Broad"
• The Island Packet - Daily newspaper circulating primarily "south of the Broad"