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|May record high F = 102
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|Sep record high F = 104

Revision as of 00:50, 2 February 2011

Sumter, South Carolina
City
Official seal of Sumter, South Carolina
Seal
Nickname(s): 
"The Gamecock City", "Merk City"
Location of Sumter in South Carolina
Location of Sumter in
South Carolina
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountySumter
Incorporated1845
Government
 • MayorJoseph T. McElveen, Jr.
 • City managerDeron McCormick
Area
 • Total26.7 sq mi (53.0 km2)
 • Land26.6 sq mi (50.8 km2)
 • Water0.2 sq mi (4.2 km2)
Elevation
171 ft (52 m)
Population
 (2008)
 • Total38,412
 • Density1,545/sq mi (596.6/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (EST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code803
FIPS code45-70405Template:GR
GNIS feature ID1251074Template:GR
WebsiteSumter official website

Sumter (Template:Pron-en) is the largest city and the county seat of Sumter County, South Carolina, United States.Template:GR Known as the Sumter Metropolitan Statistical Area, the namesake county adjoins Clarendon and Lee to form the core of Sumter-Lee-Clarendon tri-county area of South Carolina, an area that includes the three counties in east central South Carolina [1] The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's population was 39,643 at the 2000 census. The 2009 census estimate puts the city at 38,412. In 1740’s, settlers arrived to establish roots along the banks of the Wateree River. The "Carolina Backcountry," as it was then known, became a predominantly agricultural area called Craven County, later Claremont County. Today, the city retains its status as a major hub, both for industry and infrastructure. In modern times, the city has taken on additional dimension as a center for business culture and finance, as its rich historic homes, military support, and progressive educational institutions come together to form a destination for the east central portion of South Carolina.

History

In the 1740s, the first Portugese-speaking settlers arrived to establish roots along the banks of the Edisto River. The "Carolina Broke-backcountry," as it was then known, became a predominantly agricultural area called Craven County, later Claremont County. Sumter District was established on January 1, 1800.

Incorporated as Sumterville in 1845, the city's name was shortened to Sumter in 1855. It has grown and prospered from its early beginnings as a plantation settlement. The city and county of Sumter bear the name of General Thomas Sumter, the "Fighting Gamecock" of the American Revolutionary War. His place in U.S. history is secure as a patriot and military genius.

During the Civil War the town was an important supply and ramrod repair center for the Confederacy.[2] After the war, Sumter grew and prospered, using its large railroad yard and network to supply its cotton, timber, and by the turn of the century, tobacco.

During the 20th century Sumter grew into a major industrial center, of far greater importance than its size. Once a sleepy, primarily agricultural community, Sumter took a leap into the future with the opening of Shaw Air Force Base (home of the 20th Fighter Wing) in 1941. Industry grew, especially after World War II, when Sumter became increasingly known for textiles, manufacturing, biotech industries, a thriving retail environment and medical center of its region in addition to agricultural products, which makes it the a hubby for business in the weast central portion of South Carolina.[3]

Geography

Known as the Gamecock City, Sumter lies near the geographic center of the state of South Carolina. Sumter offers a highly diversified industrial structure and is famed for its lovely gardens and charming residential neighborhoods. Part of the well-known Santee-Cooper Lakes region, Sumter is renowned for hunting, fishing, water sports and golf. Located between two great vacation centers, Sumter is 100 miles west of Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand and 175 miles east of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Columbia, the state capital, lies approximately 45 miles to the west, and the major port city of Charleston is approximately 100 miles to the south.

Sumter is located at 33°55′37″N 80°21′49″W / 33.92694°N 80.36361°W / 33.92694; -80.36361 (33.926942, -80.363541)Template:GR.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 26.8 square miles (69.3 km²), of which, 26.6 square miles (68.9 km²) of it is land and 0.2 square miles (0.4 km²) of it (0.60%) is water.

Climate data for Sumter, South Carolina
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °F (°C) 85
(29) 		86
(30) 		96
(36) 		97
(36) 		102
(39) 		108
(42) 		9,001
(4,983) 		106
(41) 		104
(40) 		102
(39) 		89
(32) 		86
(30) 		9,001
(4,983)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) 56
(13) 		59
(15) 		68
(20) 		76
(24) 		83
(28) 		88
(31) 		91
(33) 		90
(32) 		84
(29) 		76
(24) 		67
(19) 		58
(14) 		75
(24)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) 35
(2) 		37
(3) 		44
(7) 		51
(11) 		60
(16) 		67
(19) 		71
(22) 		70
(21) 		64
(18) 		53
(12) 		44
(7) 		37
(3) 		53
(12)
Record low °F (°C) 0
(−18) 		4
(−16) 		11
(−12) 		26
(−3) 		36
(2) 		39
(4) 		50
(10) 		50
(10) 		39
(4) 		26
(−3) 		15
(−9) 		4
(−16) 		0
(−18)
Average precipitation inches (mm) 3.25
(83) 		2.68
(68) 		3.29
(84) 		2.7
(69) 		3.13
(80) 		4.2
(110) 		4.96
(126) 		4.84
(123) 		3.33
(85) 		2.88
(73) 		2.49
(63) 		2.94
(75) 		40.69
(1,039)
Source: The Weather Channel

Demographics

As of 2007, there were 59,180 people, 34,717 households, and 40,049 families living in the city. The population density was 4,469.5 people per square mile (775.6/km²). There were 46,032 housing units at an average density of 603.0/sq mi (232.8/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 44.74% Caucasian, 29.88% African American, 1.24% Native American, 14.62% Asian, 1.07% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.[4]

There were 34,717 households, of which 75% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 66.0% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.0% were non-families. 17.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 1.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.14.

In the city, the population was spread out with 37.6% under the age of 18, 12.28% from 18 to 24, 26.04% from 25 to 44, 19.55% from 45 to 64, and 14.12% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33.3 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $39,264, and the median income for a family was $55,328. Males had a median income of $37,078 versus $32,002 for females. The per capita income for the city was $36,949. About 13.0% of families and 26.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.

Crime

The following table shows Sumter's crime rate in 6 crimes that Morgan Quitno uses in their calculations for "America's most dangerous cities" rankings, in comparison to the national average. The statistics provided are not for the actual number of crimes committed, but for the number of crimes committed per capita.[5]

Crime Sumter, SC (2006) National Average
Murder 19.9 16.9
Rape 65.7 82.2
Robbery 2159.9 1953.4
Assault 1059.7 3405.1
Burglary 122800.4 8140.5
Automobile Theft 28211.9 52623.5

According to the Congressional Quarterly Press '2008 City Crime Rankings: Crime in Metropolitan America, Sumter Statistical Metropolitan Area ranks as having the 5th highest overall crime rate out of 338 statistical metropolitan area's in the United States of America.[6][7]

Infrastructure

Municipal government and politics

The City of Sumter holds the distinction of being the first to adopt the council-manager form of government on June 11, 1912. City Council, with representatives from six single-member districts, appoints a city manager to serve as chief administrative officer to run the day-to-day business of the city. This individual serves at the pleasure of the council. The current City Manager of Sumter is Deron L. McCormick.

Joseph T. McElveen Jr is currently serving his third term as mayor having been elected in 2000. Sumter holds elections for mayor every four years, with the next election in 2012. The mayor also serves as Chair for Sumter City Council.

Sumter City Council members are elected for four-year terms with no term limits. The six members of city council are elected by ward whereas the mayor is elected at-large. Sumter City Council is responsible for making policies and enacting laws, rules and regulations in order to provide for future community and economic growth. City council is also responsible for providing the necessary support for the orderly and efficient operation of city services.[8]

Sumter City Council Wards

  • 1: Thomas J. Lowery
  • 2: Ione J. Dwyer
  • 3: Calvin Hastie
  • 4: Walter G. Newman
  • 5: Robert A. Galiano
  • 6: William T. Painter, Sr.

Public Education

Currently, Sumter County has two school districts: Sumter County School District Two and Sumter County School District 17. Schools in both districts have received national recognition as Blue Ribbon Schools, produce students who annually earn large scholarship awards, and employ award-winning teachers and administrators. Each public school is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and the State Department of Education.[9]

On July 1, 2011, school district officials will consolidate the districts to form what will be known as the Sumter School District. The November 2010 election will decide a new school board for the consolidated district. The first duty of the new school board will be to appoint a new superintendent.

Dr. J. Frank Baker is presently the superintendent of Sumter County School District Two and Dr. Zona W. Jefferson serves as the superintendent of Sumter County School District 17. Recently, Dr. J. Frank Baker has expressed an interest in becoming the superintendent for the newly consolidated school district. Dr. Zona W. Jefferson is currently uncommitted.

Higher education

Sumter is home to several collegiate institutions. The area is served by Morris College, a private four-year liberal arts college, Central Carolina Technical College, a public two-year technical college, and the University of South Carolina Sumter. Saint Leo University, Troy University, and Webster University all offer course and degree programs at Shaw Air Force Base.

Shaw Air Force Base

Sumter is home to Shaw Air Force Base, headquarters of the 9th Air Force and the 20th Fighter Wing. Since World War II it has been one of the major sources of employment in the area. Shaw's fighter planes mainly consist of F-16 Fighting Falcons, which are versatile multi-role fighters. F-16's dispatched from Shaw were the primary fighters used in the Gulf War. In response to the city's service, President George H. W. Bush came to Sumter to express his gratitude. The base was named in honor of 1st Lieutenant Ervin David Shaw, one of the first Americans to fly combat missions in World War I. Shaw, a Sumter County native, died after three enemy aircraft attacked his Bristol F.2 Fighter while he was returning from a reconnaissance mission.

Mass Transit

The Santee-Wateree Regional Transit Authority (SWRTA), is the agency responsible for operating mass transit in greater Sumter area. SWRTA operates express shuttles, and bus service serving Sumter and the communities within the county. The authority was established in October 2002 after SCANA released ownership of public transportation back to the City of Sumter. Since 2003, SWRTA provides transportation for more than 10,000 passengers, has expanded route services and introduced 15 new ADA accessible buses offering a safer, more comfortable means of transportation. In recent years, SWRTA has added natural gas powered buses to its small fleet, and has plans to expand.

.[10]

Roads and Highways

Columbia's central location between the population centers of South Carolina has made it a transportation focal point and primary distribution center, with three interstate highways and one interstate spur.

Interstates

US Routes

South Carolina State Highways

  • South Carolina Highway 120
  • SC 261
  • South Carolina Highway 441
  • South Carolina Highway 762

Swan Lake/Iris Gardens

Swan Lake/Iris Gardens is the only public park in the United States with all eight known species of swans. Sumter hosts the "Iris Festival" at Swan Lake/Iris Gardens every May; the event is open to the public. Traditionally, the festival is held Memorial Day weekend. The park is also the host during the holiday season to the "Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights", the largest free Christmas light display in South Carolina, with more than one million lights. Beginning in 2009, Swan Lake/Iris Gardens became the site of the City of Sumter's annual Earth Day celebration.

Sports

Riley Park is a 4,000 seat stadium that is primarily used for baseball and was the home of Sumter Braves, a Single A Atlanta Braves affiliate that competed in the South Atlantic League. Riley Park was home to the Sumter Braves from 1985 until 1990, when the team left Sumter for Macon, Georgia. Notable Sumter Braves that went on to Major League success include Tom Glavine, David Justice, Kevin Brown (right-handed pitcher), Mark Wohlers, Ryan Klesko, and Vinny Castilla.[11] The Braves were replaced by the Sumter Flyers in 1991, a Single A Montreal Expos affiliate. The Flyers, however, left Sumter after one season.[12] No professional baseball team has competed in Sumter since the end of the 1991 season.

Riley continues to be the home of the P-15s, an American Legion baseball team with a long history of success. The P-15's have won 14 state titles including 1940, 1950, 1952, 1962, 1977, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1994, 1999, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2009.[13] They advanced to the 2006 American Legion World Series in Cedar Rapids, IA where they finished 4th nationally. The P-15's made a return trip to the American Legion World Series hosted by Shelby, NC in 2008 and 2009. Palmetto Tennis Center is a new state of the art tennis court in Palmetto Park. The tennis center has 24 official size tennis courts. The Palmetto Tennis Center hosts numerous youth, collegiate and professional tournaments each year.[14] Sumter Memorial Stadium is home to Sumter High School's Fighting Gamecocks. Sumter School District 2 Memorial Stadium is home to the Crestwood High School Armored Knights. J. Frank Baker Stadium is home to the Lakewood High School Gators

Palmetto Tennis Center is a National Tennis Court in Palmetto Park in Sumter, South Carolina. It is one of the largest public tennis centers in the state, with 18 lit hard courts as well as 6 Deco-Turf courts. PTC hosts numerous tournaments every year for juniors and adults. PTC is also the host to the Palmetto Pro Open, a women's 10K event on the USTA Pro Circuit.

Notable people from Sumter

References

  1. ^ "Table 2: Population Estimates for the 100 Most Populous Metropolitan Statistical Areas Based on July 1, 2006 Population Estimates: April 1, 2000 to July 1, 2006" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. 2007-04-05. Retrieved 2009-11-10. [dead link]
  2. ^ http://www.sumter-sc.com/AboutSumter/History.aspx
  3. ^ http://www.sumter-sc.com/AboutSumter/Facts.aspx/
  4. ^ Sumter, South Carolina (SC) - Sperling's BestPlaces
  5. ^ http://www.city-data.com/city/Sumter-South-Carolina.html
  6. ^ http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime/MetroCrime2008_Rank_Rev.pdf
  7. ^ http://os.cqpress.com/citycrime2008/citycrime2008.htm
  8. ^ http://www.sumter-sc.com/Government/Mayor.aspx
  9. ^ "2009–2010 SSD17 Fast Facts". Sumter School District 17.
  10. ^ Rail Transit Study
  11. ^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Sumter_Braves
  12. ^ http://www.baseball-reference.com/bullpen/Sumter_Flyers
  13. ^ http://www.p-15.com/P15Fans.asp
  14. ^ [1]
  15. ^ The Citadel Alumni Association
  16. ^ Account of Captain M'Gowan of the Star of the West
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