Allendale County, South Carolina Explained

County:Allendale County
State:South Carolina
Seal:Allendale County Seal.jpg
Founded:1919
Named For:Paul H. Allen[1]
Seat Wl:Allendale
Largest City Wl:Allendale
City Type:community
Area Total Sq Mi:412.42
Area Land Sq Mi:408.10
Area Water Sq Mi:4.32
Area Percentage:1.05
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:8039
Pop Est As Of:2023
Population Est:7369
Population Density Sq Mi:19.70
Coordinates:32.98°N -81.36°W
Web:www.allendalecounty.com
Time Zone:Eastern
District:6th
Ex Image:Allendale County Courthouse.jpg
Ex Image Cap:Allendale County Courthouse

Allendale County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 8,039, making it the least populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Allendale.[2]

History

Allendale County was formed in 1919 from southwestern portions of Barnwell County, along the Savannah River, and part of Hampton County, just to its south. It is the location of the Topper Site, an archeological excavation providing possible evidence of a pre-Clovis culture dating back 50,000 years. The site is near a source of chert on private land in Martin owned by Clariant Corporation, a Swiss chemical company with a plant there. The site, named after John Topper, a nt who discovered it, has been under excavation by archeologists from the University of South Carolina for about one month a year since 1999, after an initial exploratory dig in the mid-1980s.

Allendale County was born out of a desire for convenience. Having a new county circumvented the need to travel to the courthouse in Barnwell or Hampton. The original Allendale County Courthouse burned down in May 1998, with reconstruction begun in August 2002.[3] [4] During the Civil Rights movement, the Courthouse almost became a site for a sit-in protest after African-American citizens charged officials with deliberately delaying the voter registration of black residents.[5] [6] [7]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and (1.05%) is water.[8] The Savannah River forms the county's western border with Georgia.

Allendale is from Augusta, Georgia; from Savannah, Georgia; from Columbia; and from Charleston. Before interstate highways were built, Allendale had several motels, primarily serving travelers in-between Northeastern states and Florida. Traffic that formerly traveled US 301 through Allendale now uses Interstate 95.

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major infrastructure

Demographics

2020 census

Allendale County racial composition[9] !Race!Num.!Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)1,98524.69%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)5,64670.23%
Native American450.56%
Asian170.21%
Pacific Islander10.01%
Other/Mixed1511.88%
Hispanic or Latino1942.41%

As of the 2020 census, there were 8,039 people, 3,281 households, and 1,389 families residing in the county. The median age was 51.4 for women and 44.5 for men. About 23.7% of households had children living with them. Renters make up 35.6% of households.[10] Available housing was more than the number of households, totaling 4,040 housing units,[11] all of which are classified as rural.[12] The median household size was 2 (with a mean of 2.2).[13]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 10,419 people, 3,706 households, and 2,333 families living in the county.[14] The population density was . There were 4,486 housing units at an average density of .[15] The racial makeup of the county was 73.6% black or African American, 23.7% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, and 5.6% were American.[16]

Of the 3,706 households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.0% were non-families, and 33.7% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 38.8 years.[14]

The median household income was $20,081 and the median family income was $25,146. Males had a median income of $30,440 versus $28,889 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,190. About 35.7% of families and 42.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 53.8% of those under age 18 and 27.4% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 11,211 people, 3,915 households, and 2,615 families living in the county. The population density was 28/mi2. There were 4,568 housing units at an average density of 11/mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 71.0 percent Black or African American, 27.37 percent White, 0.12 percent Asian, 0.09 percent Native American, 0.06 percent Pacific Islander, 0.85 percent from other races, and 0.51 percent from two or more races. 1.61 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] Of the 3,915 households, 30.3 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8 percent were married couples living together, 25.8 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2 percent were non-families. 30.0 percent of all households were one person and 12.3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.21.

The age distribution was 26.6 percent under the age of 18, 9.8 percent from 18 to 24, 28.2 percent from 25 to 44, 22.8 percent from 45 to 64, and 12.7 percent who were 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.5 males.

The median household income was $20,898 and the median family income was $27,348. Males had a median income of $25,930 versus $20,318 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,293. About 28.4 percent of families and 34.5 percent of the population were below the poverty line, including 48.1 percent of those under age 18 and 26.00 percent of those age 65 or over.[19]

Government and politics

County Council

Allendale County has a five-member council elected from single-member districts. The council has a single chairman. Council members serve four-year terms.[20]

Allendale County Council Elected Members[21] !!2020
District 1Theresa Taylor
District 2James White, Jr.
District 3Willa Jennings
District 4Matthew Connelly, Chair
District 5William Robinson, Vice Chair

Other County Officials

Allendale County Elected Officials[22] !!2020
SheriffJames Freeman[23]
TreasurerAlice Kirkland
Clerk of CourtElaine Sabb (since 2007)[24]
CorornerRenique Riley
Probate JudgeD. Keith Smith

S.C. Senate

Leading up to the 2020 Census Redistricting, Allendale County was divided between Senate districts 40 (the eastern half) and 45 (the western half). Senate District 40 has been represented by Democrat and Minority Leader Brad Hutto since 1996.[25] Democrat Margie Bright Matthews has represented District 45 since 2015, after she was elected to the position to fulfill the unexpired term of Clementa C. Pinckney.[26]

Following the redistricting, which will be used in the 2024 United States elections despite legal disputes over racial and political gerrymandering, Allendale County is solely covered by state Senate District 40.[27]

Senators representing Allendale County in the South Carolina Senate
Name Years Active Party District Other Counties
(John) Henry Johnson[28] 1920–1923[29] [30] At-large
Robinson Plato Searson, Jr.1923–1926[31] 1931–1938[32] [33] At-large
George Dunbar Kirkland1927–1930[34] [35] At-large
James Martin Thomas1939–1942[36] [37] 1947–1950[38] [39] At-large
William Edwin Myrick1943–1946[40] [41] 1951–1962[42] [43] At-large
Audrey Patterson Williams1963–1966[44] [45] At-large
Edgar Allan Brown1967–1972[46] [47] Democratic18 (1967–1968)12 (1969–1972)Bamberg, Barnwell
James Pershing Harrelson1973–1976[48] [49] Democratic15Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
James Madison Wadell, Jr.1973–1984[50] Democratic15Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
William Tindall Howell1977–1979[51] [52] Democratic15Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
Peden B. McLeod1980–1990[53] [54] Democratic15 (1980–1984)45 (1985–1990)Beaufort, Charleston (1985–1990), Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
John W. Matthews Jr.1985–2002[55] [56] Democratic39Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Dorchester, Orangeburg
McKinley Washington Jr.1990–1992[57] Democratic45Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
Bradley Hutto2003–present[58] Democratic40 (2003–2012)40 (2013–present)Bamberg (2013–present), Barnwell, Colleton (2013–present), Hampton, Orangeburg
Clementa Pinckney2003–2015[59] Democratic45Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
Margie Bright Matthews2015–2024Democratic45Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper

U.S. Presidential elections

Allendale County has been consistently Democratic in Presidential voting since 1976 and was among the few counties to be carried by Walter Mondale in 1984.[60] In the 2008 U.S. presidential election Barack Obama received 75.3 percent of the county's vote.[61] In the 2012 U.S. presidential election Barack Obama received 79.2 percent of the county's vote. In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Joe Biden received 75.7% of the vote.[62]

Economy

Allendale is primarily an agricultural rural county. Its primary products are cotton, soybeans, watermelon and cantaloupe. Timbering is also important, primarily for paper pulp.

In 2022, Allendale's GDP was $317.5 million (approx. $39,491 per capita).[63] In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $240.4 million (approx. $29,902 per capita).[64] From 2021 through 2024, its unemployment rate has fluctuated between 4-8%.[65]

, some of the largest employers in the county include Atlantic Power Corporation, AZ Electronic Materials, Georgia-Pacific, South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC), and the University of South Carolina.

Industry! style="text-align:right;"
Employment CountsEmployment Percentage (%)Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services 46 2.0 15,808
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services 13 0.6 28,600
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting 117 5.0 46,124
Construction 20 0.9 30,472
Educational Services 280 12.0 50,336
Finance and Insurance 30 1.3 38,740
Health Care and Social Assistance 360 15.4 43,264
Manufacturing 782 33.5 85,228
Other Services (except Public Administration) 4 0.2 18,200
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services 32 1.4 51,064
Public Administration 382 16.4 49,868
Retail Trade 140 6.0 19,708
Transportation and Warehousing 58 2.5 53,300
Wholesale Trade 68 2.9 58,708
Total 2,332 100.0% 57,969

Education

Colleges and universities

The county is also the site of WEBA, Channel 14, a broadcast outlet of the South Carolina Educational Television Network. Ranking 45th in population among the state's 46 counties, it is the smallest county to have either a state-supported college or an ETV station.

High schools

Allendale County School District includes one high school: Allendale-Fairfax High School. The former C. V. Bing High School served African-American students until desegregation. Allendale Training School preceded it.[66]

Media

Allendale County is a news desert. The last local news publications, The Citizen-Leader and The Allendale Sun, stopped printing in 2014 and 2015, respectively.[67]

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

See also

External links

Notes and References

  1. Book: Federal Writers' Project. Federal Writers' Project. Palmetto Place Names. 1941. Sloane Printing Co.. 11.
  2. Web site: Find a County . June 7, 2011 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . May 31, 2011 .
  3. Web site: Allendale County . 2024-05-06 . South Carolina Encyclopedia . en-US.
  4. Web site: August 1, 2007 . Allendale County Courthouse, Allendale County (292 Barnwell Hwy., Allendale) . 2024-05-06 . National Register Properties in South Carolina . South Carolina Department of Archives and History.
  5. News: The Associated Press . July 28, 1965 . 38 Arrested: Seize Civil Rights Pickets in Allendale Sit-in Protests . May 6, 2024 . The Michigan Daily . 3.
  6. News: AP . August 3, 1965 . 37 Arrested As Police Break Up Allendale Sit-In . May 6, 2024 . Herald-Journal . 1.
  7. News: AP . August 4, 1965 . Protest Segregation: Angry Neighbors of Chicago Mayor Pelt Demonstrators . May 6, 2024 . Prescott Evening Courier . 3.
  8. Web site: August 23, 2022 . 2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina . September 10, 2023 . United States Census Bureau.
  9. Web site: Explore Census Data. December 14, 2021. data.census.gov.
  10. Web site: United States Census Bureau . United States Census Bureau . PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS . May 8, 2024 . Census Bureau.
  11. Web site: U.S. Census Bureau . 2020 . HOUSING UNITS . 2024-05-09 . data.census.gov . U.S. Census Bureau.
  12. U.S. Census Bureau. "URBAN AND RURAL." Decennial Census, DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics, Table H2, 2020, https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.H2?g=050XX00US45005&y=2020&d=DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics. Accessed on May 8, 2024.
  13. [United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]
  14. Web site: DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data . March 9, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213020047/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45005 . February 13, 2020 . dead .
  15. Web site: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County . March 9, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213192317/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45005 . February 13, 2020 . dead .
  16. Web site: DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates . March 9, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213023036/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45005 . February 13, 2020 . dead .
  17. Web site: DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates . March 9, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213025743/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45005 . February 13, 2020 . dead .
  18. Web site: U.S. Census website . . May 14, 2011 .
  19. https://archive.today/20200210220508/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=05000US45005&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US45%7C05000US45005&_street=&_county=Allendale+County&_cityTown=Allendale+County&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y US Census Bureau Demographics Data
  20. Web site: Welcome to Allendale County, SC . 2024-05-06 . www.allendalecounty.com.
  21. Web site: Welcome to Allendale County, SC . 2024-05-06 . www.allendalecounty.com.
  22. Web site: Welcome to Allendale County, SC . 2024-05-06 . www.allendalecounty.com.
  23. Web site: Allendale County - South Carolina Sheriffs' Association . 2024-05-06 . www.sheriffsc.org.
  24. Web site: Clerk of Court . 2024-05-06 . www.sccourts.org.
  25. Web site: South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography . 2024-05-09 . www.scstatehouse.gov.
  26. Web site: South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography . 2024-05-09 . www.scstatehouse.gov.
  27. Web site: 2022-04-01 . 2022 . 2020 Statewide Senate Districts . May 9, 2024 . rfa.sc.gov . South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office.
  28. Book: Snowden, Yates . History of South Carolina . Cutler . Harry Gardner . 1920 . Lewis Publishing Company . en.
  29. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 73rd General Assembly (1919-1920) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  30. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 75th General Assembly (1923-1924) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  31. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 76th General Assembly (1925-1926) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  32. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 79th General Assembly (1931-1932) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  33. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 82nd General Assembly (1937-1938) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  34. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 77th General Assembly (1927-1928) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  35. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 78th General Assembly (1929-1930) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  36. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 83rd General Assembly (1939-1940) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  37. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 84th General Assembly (1941-1942) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  38. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 87th General Assembly (1947-1948) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  39. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 88th General Assembly (1949-1950) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  40. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 85th General Assembly (1943-1944) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  41. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 86th General Assembly (1945-1946) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  42. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 89th General Assembly (1951-1952) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  43. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 94th General Assembly (1961-1962) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  44. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 95th General Assembly (1963-1964) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  45. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 96th General Assembly (1965-1966) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  46. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 97th General Assembly (1967-1968) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  47. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 99th General Assembly (1971-1972) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  48. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 100th General Assembly (1972-1974) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  49. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 101st General Assembly (1975-1976) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  50. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 105th General Assembly (1983-1984) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  51. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 102nd General Assembly (1977-1978) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  52. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 103rd General Assembly (1979-1980) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  53. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 103rd General Assembly (1979-1980) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  54. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 109th General Assembly (1991-1992) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  55. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 106th General Assembly (1985-1986) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  56. Web site: South Carolina During the 2000s - The 114th General Assembly (2001-2002) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  57. Web site: South Carolina During the 1900s - The 109th General Assembly (1991-1992) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  58. Web site: South Carolina During the 2000s - The 115th General Assembly (2003-2004) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  59. Web site: South Carolina During the 2000s - The 121st General Assembly (2015-2016) . 2024-05-15 . www.carolana.com.
  60. Web site: Leip . Dave . 1984 Presidential General Election Results - South Carolina . October 15, 2023 . uselectionatlas.org.
  61. Web site: December 9, 2008 . Election Results 2008 . October 15, 2023 . The New York Times.
  62. Web site: May 5, 2021 . Presidential Results . October 15, 2023 . CNN Politics.
  63. Web site: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis . 2001-01-01 . Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Allendale County, SC . 2024-04-28 . FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  64. Web site: U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis . 2001-01-01 . Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Allendale County, SC . 2024-04-28 . FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  65. Web site: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics . 1990-01-01 . Unemployment Rate in Allendale County, SC . 2024-04-28 . FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis.
  66. schpr.sc.gov/index.php/Detail/properties/74023
  67. Web site: Hawes . Jennifer Berry . 2021-08-24 . Uncovered: SC citizen watchdogs fill voids as news deserts spread across the country . 2024-05-14 . The Sumter Item . en.