Kershaw County, South Carolina

Kershaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 61,697.[1] The county seat and largest city is Camden.[2] The county was created in 1791 from parts of Claremont, Lancaster, Fairfield, and Richland counties.[3] It is named for Col. Joseph Kershaw (1727-1791), an early settler and American Revolutionary War patriot.

Not to be confused with Kershaw, South Carolina.
Kershaw County
U.S. county
Kershaw County, South Carolina, original courthouse in Camden by Robert Mills built about 1827, now home of the Chamber of Commerce Visitor Center
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°20′N 80°35′W
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1791
Named forJoseph Brevard Kershaw
SeatCamden
Largest cityCamden
Area
 • Total740 sq mi (1,900 km2)
 • Land727 sq mi (1,880 km2)
 • Water14 sq mi (40 km2)  1.9%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total61,697
 • Estimate 
(= 2018)
65,592
 • Density83/sq mi (32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.kershaw.sc.gov

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

History

Kershaw County was named for Col. Joseph Kershaw (1727-1791), an early settler considered as "the father of Camden". Originally part of Camden District, Kershaw County was formed in 1791 from parts of Claremont, Lancaster, Fairfield, and Richland counties. The county seat is Camden, the oldest inland city in South Carolina. This site was settled around 1732 by English traders and farmers who moved inland from Charleston. From about 1800 until about 1867, the county was known as Kershaw District.[4]

During the American Revolutionary War, the British occupied Camden from June 1780 to May 1781. Fourteen battles took place in the area, including the Battle of Camden in 1780 and the Battle of Hobkirk's Hill in 1781.

Several notable soldiers have come from Kershaw County. After the state seceded from the Union, six men served in the American Civil War as Confederate generals: James Cantey (1818-1873), James Chesnut (1815-1885), Zachariah C. Deas (1819-1882), John Doby Kennedy (1840-1896), Joseph Brevard Kershaw (1822-1894), and John Bordenave Villepigue (1830-1862). Richard Rowland Kirkland, a Confederate soldier and hero at the Battle of Fredericksburg, was also from Kershaw County. He served under General Kershaw. In the last months of the war, Union troops under Gen. William T. Sherman burned parts of Camden in February 1865, in their March to the Sea.

Under the 1868 South Carolina Constitution, the Kershaw District became home rule Kershaw County with the state representatives also being county commissioners. During the Reconstruction era, some freedmen and other men of color were elected to various political offices. Among them was Henry Cardozo, who had been pastor of Old Bethel Methodist Church in Charleston, South Carolina. He served in the state senate as a Republican from Kershaw County, from 1870 to 1874.[5] (February 1, 1836 – July 22, 1903) was an American clergyman, politician, and educator. When Francis Lewis Cardozo was elected in South Carolina as Secretary of State in 1868, he was the first African American to hold a statewide office in the United States.

During World War I, two Kershaw County men were awarded the Medal of Honor in two separate actions while fighting in France in October 1918. The first was Richmond Hobson Hilton, recognized for actions taking place on October 11, 1918, during which he lost an arm. The second was John Canty Villepigue on October 15, 1918; he was wounded so severely in the action for which he was recognized that he died several months later from his injuries. Villepigue was a descendant of General John B. Villepigue noted above.

Statesman and financier Bernard M. Baruch (1870-1965), labor leader Lane Kirkland, and baseball player Larry Doby, the first African-American player in the American League, were each born in Kershaw County. Former South Carolina Governor John C. West was also from Kershaw County.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 square miles (1,900 km2), of which 727 square miles (1,880 km2) is land and 14 square miles (36 km2) (1.9%) is water.[7] Kershaw County is one of three counties that compromises Lake Wateree, in which the lake is compromised with the Wateree River, which flows through Kershaw County.

Adjacent counties

Parks and recreation

National landmarks

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
18007,340—
18109,86734.4%
182012,43226.0%
183013,5459.0%
184012,281−9.3%
185014,47317.8%
186013,086−9.6%
187011,754−10.2%
188021,53883.2%
189022,3613.8%
190024,69610.4%
191027,0949.7%
192029,3988.5%
193032,0709.1%
194032,9132.6%
195032,287−1.9%
196033,5854.0%
197034,7273.4%
198039,01512.3%
199043,59911.7%
200052,64720.8%
201061,69717.2%
2018 (est.)65,592[8]6.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]
1790-1960[10] 1900-1990[11]
1990-2000[12] 2010-2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 52,647 people, 20,188 households, and 14,918 families living in the county. The population density was 72 people per square mile (28/km2). There were 22,683 housing units at an average density of 31 per square mile (12/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.61% White, 26.29% Black or African American, 0.29% Native American, 0.31% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 0.84% from two or more races. 1.68% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 20,188 households, out of which 33.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.80% were married couples living together, 13.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.10% were non-families. 22.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.10% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 24.50% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,804, and the median income for a family was $44,836. Males had a median income of $32,246 versus $22,714 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,360. About 9.70% of families and 12.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 14.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 61,697 people, 23,928 households, and 17,114 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 84.9 inhabitants per square mile (32.8/km2). There were 27,478 housing units at an average density of 37.8 per square mile (14.6/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 71.3% white, 24.6% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.7% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 28.1% were American, 7.8% were English, 7.7% were Irish, and 6.3% were German.[16]

Of the 23,928 households, 34.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% were married couples living together, 15.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.5% were non-families, and 24.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.02. The median age was 40.2 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $44,064 and the median income for a family was $53,053. Males had a median income of $40,794 versus $30,553 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,777. About 12.1% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.6% of those under age 18 and 11.5% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Education

The Kershaw County School District serves as the governing body for all public schools in Kershaw County.

Central Carolina Technical College has two branches located in Camden.

Kershaw County is home to Camden Military Academy, the official state military academy of South Carolina. The Montessori School of Camden is a private school located in Camden.

High schools

Middle schools
  • Camden Middle School
  • Lugoff-Elgin Middle School
  • North Central Middle School
  • Leslie M. Stover Middle School

Elementary schools
  • Camden Elementary School
  • Lugoff Elementary School
  • Wateree Elementary School
  • Blaney Elementary School
  • Doby's Mill Elementary School
  • Baron DeKalb Elementary School
  • Mt. Pisgah Elementary School
  • Midway Elementary School
  • Pine Tree Hill Elementary School
  • Jackson Elementary School
  • Bethune Elementary School

Transportation

Politics
Presidential election results
Presidential election results[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2016 60.5% 17,542 35.6% 10,330 3.9% 1,123
2012 58.4% 16,324 40.3% 11,259 1.3% 363
2008 58.8% 16,466 40.1% 11,226 1.1% 293
2004 61.8% 14,160 37.2% 8,515 1.1% 240
2000 60.5% 11,911 37.8% 7,428 1.7% 338
1996 52.1% 8,513 41.4% 6,764 6.6% 1,077
1992 49.1% 8,499 38.1% 6,585 12.8% 2,217
1988 65.9% 8,877 33.4% 4,494 0.8% 102
1984 66.7% 8,822 32.7% 4,323 0.6% 81
1980 55.6% 6,652 42.6% 5,103 1.8% 219
1976 49.4% 6,126 50.1% 6,211 0.5% 65
1972 74.8% 8,035 23.6% 2,531 1.7% 178
1968 38.6% 4,079 24.0% 2,539 37.4% 3,960
1964 63.9% 5,617 36.1% 3,168
1960 52.2% 3,465 47.8% 3,178
1956 28.2% 1,518 34.8% 1,875 37.0% 1,996
1952 58.9% 2,935 41.2% 2,052
1948 2.5% 49 15.4% 302 82.2% 1,615
1944 1.1% 21 95.0% 1,872 4.0% 78
1940 1.7% 20 98.3% 1,174
1936 1.4% 20 98.6% 1,400
1932 0.8% 8 99.2% 1,051
1928 1.1% 14 98.9% 1,274
1924 0.1% 1 99.9% 733
1920 3.5% 42 96.5% 1,156
1916 1.4% 14 97.9% 989 0.7% 7
1912 1.0% 7 95.7% 708 3.4% 25
1904 2.9% 25 97.1% 850
1900 4.5% 43 95.5% 910

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. "South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies". South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2009. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  4. Map of Kershaw District, South Carolina. Authored by Robert Mills (1781-1855) and J. Boykin. Published 1825. Library of Congress, accessed March 2020.
  5. Dixon, Nenie; Elias B. Bull (February 21, 1975). "Bethel Methodist Church (Old Bethel United Methodist Church)" (pdf). National Register of Historic Places - Nomination and Inventory. Retrieved 21 June 2012.
  6. South Carolina State Library Reference Room
  7. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  8. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 30, 2019.
  9. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  10. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  11. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  12. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2011-05-14.
  14. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  16. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  17. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-03-11.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-03-13.

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