Irmo, South Carolina
Irmo, South Carolina | |
---|---|
Motto(s): "Gateway to Lake Murray and Tree City USA" | |
Country | United States |
State | South Carolina |
Counties | Lexington, Richland |
Area | |
• Total | 6.3 sq mi (16.2 km2) |
• Land | 6.3 sq mi (16.2 km2) |
• Water | 0 sq mi (0 km2) |
Elevation | 354 ft (108 m) |
Population (2010) | |
• Total | 11,097 |
• Density | 1,800/sq mi (690/km2) |
Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
ZIP code | 29063 |
Area code | 803 |
FIPS code | 45-35890[1] |
GNIS feature ID | 1231420[2] |
Demonym | Irmite |
Website | www |
Irmo is a town in Lexington and Richland counties, South Carolina, United States and a suburb of Columbia. It is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area and is located 12 miles (19 km) northwest of the city center. The population of Irmo was 11,097 at the 2010 census.[3]
Geography
Irmo is located at 34°05′33″N 81°11′10″W / 34.092629°N 81.186073°W (34.092629, -81.186073).[4]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 6.3 square miles (16.2 km2), all land.[3]
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1900 | 193 | — | |
1910 | 267 | 38.3% | |
1920 | 236 | −11.6% | |
1930 | 365 | 54.7% | |
1940 | 230 | −37.0% | |
1950 | 281 | 22.2% | |
1960 | 359 | 27.8% | |
1970 | 517 | 44.0% | |
1980 | 3,957 | 665.4% | |
1990 | 11,280 | 185.1% | |
2000 | 11,039 | −2.1% | |
2010 | 11,097 | 0.5% | |
2015 (est.) | 12,056 | [5] | 8.6% |
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 11,039 people, 3,911 households, and 3,163 families residing in the town. The population density was 2,670.2 people per square mile (1,032.0/km2). There were 4,066 housing units at an average density of 983.5 per square mile (380.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.76% White, 20.16% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.
There were 3,911 households out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,847, and the median income for a family was $62,005. Males had a median income of $41,054 versus $30,171 for females. The per capita income for the town was $22,312. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
History
Irmo was chartered on Christmas Eve in 1890 in response to the opening of the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad. The name of Irmo was the result of combining the names of Captain C.J. Iredell and Henry Moseley, two important figures in the founding of the town. Despite the town's growth, Irmo does not have an actual downtown area. Rather, it consists of several clusters of suburban neighborhoods. Columbiana Centre mall was built in 1990, which led to the growth of the Harbison area.
The Jacob Wingard Dreher House was listed on the U.S. National Register of Historic Places in 1983.[7]
Festivals
Irmo is home to the annual Okra Strut,[8] a festival and parade. The festival was spawned in 1973 when the Lake Murray-Irmo Women's Club were trying to find a way to raise money for a new Irmo Public Library. Gene McKay, a news anchor and radio personality for WIS, the NBC affiliate in Columbia, came up with the idea to have a festival based on okra. It started out as a modest arts and crafts sale held in Seven Oaks Park, during which the women also sold okra. By 1978, it had grown into a full-fledged festival with rides, food, and dancing, and even pets/farm animals. By 1980, proceeds from the Okra Strut had gained enough money to pay for the Irmo Town Library. Attendance for the 2010 festival was said to be in excess of 50,000. The 2011 Irmo Okra Strut Festival was held at the Irmo Village shopping center on Friday, September 23 and Saturday, 24, 2011.[citation needed]
Notable people
- Ben Bridwell (born 1978), lead singer of the Grammy-nominated indie Band of Horses known for Laredo (song), grew up in Irmo.
- Sam Beam (born 1974), better known by his stage and recording name Iron & Wine, attended Seven Oaks Elementary
- The Movement (reggae band), reggae-rock group; members attended Irmo High School
- Leeza Gibbons (born 1957), talk show host
- Dustin Johnson (born 1984), professional golfer; won the 2016 U.S. Open; attended Dutch Fork High School
- B.J. McKie (born 1977), professional basketball player; leading scorer all-time for the University of South Carolina's Gamecock basketball team
- Courtney Shealy (born 1977), swimmer, 2000 Olympic Gold Medalist
References
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ a b "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Irmo town, South Carolina". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved January 14, 2013.
- ^ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
- ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Incorporated Places: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 12, 2016.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
- ^ "Okra Strut". Town of Irmo, SC. Retrieved October 3, 2012.