Pickens County, South Carolina

Pickens County, South Carolina
Location in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1868
Seat	Pickens
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	512 sq mi (1,326 km²) 497 sq mi (1,287 km²) 15 sq mi (39 km²), 2.92%
Population  - (2000)  - Density	110,757 223/sq mi (86/km²)
Website	www.co.pickens.sc.us

Pickens County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 census recorded its population to be 110,757. In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population had reached 113,575. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau found the population to be 119,224, a 7.6% increase form 2000. Its county seat is Pickens. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 512 square miles (1,326 km²), of which 497 square miles (1,287 km²) is land and 15 square miles (39 km²) (2.92%) is water. The county also contains the highest natural point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain, with an elevation of 3560 feet (1085 m). Table Rock State Park (South Carolina) is in Pickens County.

Adjacent counties

• Transylvania County, North Carolina - north
• Greenville County, South Carolina - east
• Anderson County, South Carolina - south
• Oconee County, South Carolina - west

Major highways

US 76 US 123 US 178

History

Pickens County was formed in 1826. It was named for Andrew Pickens, a militia leader during the American Revolution and a member of the United States Congress.

Demographics

Pickens County Courthouse, Pickens

As of the census of 2000, there were 110,757 people, 41,306 households, and 28,459 families residing in the county. The population density was 223 people per square mile (86/km²). There were 46,000 housing units at an average density of 93 per square mile (36/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% White, 6.82% Black or African American, 0.16% Native American, 1.18% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.70% from other races, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 27.9% were of American, 11.8% English, 11.6% Irish, 10.3% German and 5.0% Scotch-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.

There were 41,306 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 17.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,214, and the median income for a family was $44,507. Males had a median income of $31,795 versus $22,600 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,434. About 7.80% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

Schools

Pickens School District ranked the highest in the state with an "A-" transparency score from Sunshine Review.

Universities

• Clemson University
• Southern Wesleyan University

Cities and Towns

• Arial (CDP)
• Central
• Clemson (territory in Pickens and Anderson Counties)
• Dacusville, South Carolina
• Easley (territory in Pickens and Anderson Counties)
• Liberty
• Norris
• Pickens
• Sunset
• Six Mile

Notable residents and natives

• Shoeless Joe Jackson, baseball player, born in Pickens County. July 16, 1888.
• Sam Wyche, former NFL football player and coach, resides in Pickens County.
• Harold Alexander, Appalachian State University alumni and former NFL football punter, resides in Pickens
• Stanley Morgan, former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots was born in Pickens County in the City of Easley on February 17, 1955. His 10,352 receiving yards with the Patriots set their franchise record and he still holds the Patriots single-season records for receiving yards (1,491 in 1986) and receiving touchdowns (12 in 1979). He also holds the all-purpose yards record for the University of Tennessee (which stands at 4,642). On August 27, 2007, Morgan was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

See also

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

External links

• Life on Lake Keowee in Pickens, SC