Dorchester County, South Carolina

Dorchester County, South Carolina
Seal
Location in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1897
Seat	St. George
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	577 sq mi (1,494 km²) 575 sq mi (1,489 km²) 2 sq mi (5 km²), 0.34%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	136,555 168/sq mi (65/km²)
Website	www.dorchestercounty.net

Dorchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2010 census recorded its population to be 136,555. Its county seat is St. George.

As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, Dorchester County is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area.

History

Dorchester county is named for its first settlement area, which was established by Congregationalists in 1696. These settlers applied the name "Dorchester" after their last residence in Dorchester, Massachusetts.

Dorchester was not established as a separate county until 1897, however, when it was separately established from parts of the neighboring Colleton and Berkeley counties.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 577 square miles (1,494.4 km²), of which 575 square miles (1,489.2 km²) is land and 2 square miles (5.2 km²) (0.34%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• Bamberg County, South Carolina - west
• Berkeley County, South Carolina - east
• Charleston County, South Carolina - southeast
• Colleton County, South Carolina - southwest
• Orangeburg County, South Carolina - northwest

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	16,294		—
1910	17,891		9.8%
1920	19,459		8.8%
1930	18,956		−2.6%
1940	19,928		5.1%
1950	22,601		13.4%
1960	24,383		7.9%
1970	32,276		32.4%
1980	58,761		82.1%
1990	83,060		41.4%
2000	96,413		16.1%
2010	136,555		41.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 96,413 people, 34,709 households, and 26,309 families residing in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile (65/km²). There were 37,237 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 71.05% White, 25.08% Black or African American, 0.73% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 34,709 households out of which 40.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 14.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.90% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $43,316, and the median income for a family was $50,177. Males had a median income of $35,423 versus $24,405 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,840. About 7.10% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Government and infrastructure

The South Carolina Department of Corrections operates the Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville in Dorchester County. The prison houses the state's male death row.

Cities - Towns - Areas

• Grover - A village located south of Saint George, near the Edisto River
• Harleyville
• North Charleston - A city part in Charleston County, Berkely County and Dorchester County.
• Reevesville
• Ridgeville
• St. George
• Summerville - A town part in Charleston County, Berkely County and Dorchester County.
• Ladson- A census defined area partly divided between Charleston, Dorchester and Berkeley Counties.

See also

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

External links

• US Census Bureau Data
• Dorchester County website