Saluda County, South Carolina

Saluda County, South Carolina
Location in the state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1896
Seat	Saluda
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	462 sq mi (1,197 km²) 452 sq mi (1,171 km²) 9 sq mi (23 km²), 2.01%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	19,875 44/sq mi (17/km²)
Website	www.saludacounty.sc.gov

Saluda County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census recorded its population to be 19,875. Its county seat is Saluda. Saluda County was formed from northern and eastern portions of Edgefield County on 14 September 1895 and named thus two days later.

Saluda County is part of the Columbia, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 462 square miles (1,200 km²), of which 452 square miles (1,170 km²) is land and 9 square miles (23 km²) (2.01%) is water.

Adjacent Counties

• Newberry County, South Carolina - north
• Lexington County, South Carolina - east
• Aiken County, South Carolina - south
• Edgefield County, South Carolina - southwest
• Greenwood County, South Carolina - northwest

National protected area

• Sumter National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1900	18,966		—
1910	20,943		10.4%
1920	22,088		5.5%
1930	18,148		−17.8%
1940	17,192		−5.3%
1950	15,924		−7.4%
1960	14,554		−8.6%
1970	14,528		−0.2%
1980	16,150		11.2%
1990	16,357		1.3%
2000	19,181		17.3%
2010	19,875		3.6%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 19,181 people, 7,127 households, and 5,295 families residing in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16/km²). There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 65.80% White, 29.99% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 7.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,127 households out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,774, and the median income for a family was $41,603. Males had a median income of $29,221 versus $21,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,328. About 12.00% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.40% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

• Batesburg-Leesville (Part)
• Ridge Spring
• Mount Willing, a populated place which lost to what is now Saluda to be designated the county seat of Saluda County
• Saluda
• Ward

See also

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

External links

• Saluda County Official Website
• Saluda County Chamber of Commerce