Xrthnty

Calhoun County, South Carolina
Calhoun County Courthouse
Location in the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1908
Named for	John C. Calhoun
Seat	St. Matthews
Largest town	St. Matthews
Area
• Total	392 sq mi (1,015 km2)
• Land	381 sq mi (987 km2)
• Water	11 sq mi (28 km2), 2.9%
Population
• (2010)	15,175
• Density	40/sq mi (20/km2)
Congressional district	6th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC−5/−4
Website	www.calhouncounty.sc.gov

Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 15,175,^[1] making it the third-least populous county in the state. Its county seat is St. Matthews.^[2]

Located in a rural upland area long devoted to cotton plantations, part of the Black Belt of the South, the county was formed in 1908 from portions of Lexington and Orangeburg counties. It is named for John C. Calhoun, the former U.S. Vice-President, Senator, Representative and cabinet member from South Carolina.

Calhoun County is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 392 square miles (1,020 km²), of which 381 square miles (990 km²) is land and 11 square miles (28 km²) (2.9%) is water.^[3] It is the second-smallest county in South Carolina by land area and smallest by total area.

Adjacent counties

• 
  Richland County - north


• 
  Sumter County - northeast


• 
  Clarendon County - east


• 
  Orangeburg County - south


• 
  Lexington County - northwest

Government

The county government is a five-member council, elected from single-member districts. At the first meeting of the year, they choose a chairperson for the term; it is a rotating position.^[4]

Other elected positions in the county are Sheriff, Auditor, Coroner, Treasurer, and Clerk of Court. appointed positions are Coroner and Probate Judge.^[4]

Politics

Demographics

2000 census

As of the census^[11] of 2000, there were 15,185 people, 5,917 households, and 4,272 families residing in the county. The population density was 40 people per square mile (15/km²). There were 6,864 housing units at an average density of 18 per square mile (7/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 50.03% White, 48.69% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.24% from other races, and 0.69% from two or more races. 1.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 5,917 households out of which 30.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.00% were married couples living together, 15.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.80% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03.

In the county, the population was spread out with 25.10% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.00% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.40 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,736, and the median income for a family was $39,823. Males had a median income of $31,431 versus $22,267 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,446. About 13.20% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 15,175 people, 6,080 households, and 4,204 families residing in the county.^[12] The population density was 39.8 inhabitants per square mile (15.4/km²). There were 7,340 housing units at an average density of 19.3 per square mile (7.5/km²).^[13] The racial makeup of the county was 53.9% white, 42.6% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.8% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.0% of the population.^[12] In terms of ancestry, respondents identified as 42.6% of African American (which may include European ancestry; 15.4% American, 14.9% German, 8.5% Irish, and 7.1% of English heritage.^[14]

Of the 6,080 households, 30.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 15.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.99. The median age was 43.4 years.^[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,790 and the median income for a family was $51,975. Males had a median income of $42,394 versus $31,001 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,845. About 11.6% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.^[15]

Communities

Towns

• Cameron


• 
  St. Matthews (county seat)

Unincorporated communities

• Creston


• Fort Motte


• Lone Star


• Sandy Run

See also

• Lake Marion


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

External links

• Calhoun County website


• Calhoun County history and images

References

Coordinates: 33°40′N 80°47′W / 33.67°N 80.78°W / 33.67; -80.78