Darlington County, South Carolina

Coordinates: 34°20′N 79°58′W / 34.33°N 79.96°W / 34.33; -79.96
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Darlington County
Darlington County Courthouse
Darlington County Courthouse
Official seal of Darlington County
Motto(s): 
"Experience Darlington County, South Carolina, At The Speed Of Life"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Darlington County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°20′N 79°58′W / 34.33°N 79.96°W / 34.33; -79.96
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1785
Named forDarlington, England
SeatDarlington
Largest communityHartsville
Area
 • Total566.25 sq mi (1,466.6 km2)
 • Land560.59 sq mi (1,451.9 km2)
 • Water5.66 sq mi (14.7 km2)  1.00%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total62,905
 • Estimate 
(2023)
62,416
 • Density112.21/sq mi (43.32/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district7th
Websitewww.darcosc.com

Darlington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 62,905.[1] Its county seat is Darlington.[2] Hartsville is the largest community in the county. Darlington County is home to the Darlington Raceway, which hosts the annual NASCAR Southern 500. Darlington County is also home to Coker College in Hartsville. Darlington County was named by an act in March 1785.

Darlington County is included in the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History[edit]

The county was founded in 1785 and was named after Darlington, England. The county seat is Darlington and the largest community is Hartsville.

Geography[edit]

Map
Interactive map of Darlington County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 566.25 square miles (1,466.6 km2), of which 560.59 square miles (1,451.9 km2) is land and 5.66 square miles (14.7 km2) (1.00%) is water.[3]

State and local protected areas/sites[edit]

Major water bodies[edit]

Adjacent counties[edit]

Major highways[edit]

Major infrastructure[edit]

Demographics[edit]

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
18007,631
18109,04718.6%
182010,94921.0%
183013,72825.4%
184014,8228.0%
185016,83013.5%
186020,36121.0%
187026,24328.9%
188034,48531.4%
189029,134−15.5%
190032,38811.2%
191036,02711.2%
192039,1268.6%
193041,4275.9%
194045,1989.1%
195050,01610.7%
196052,9285.8%
197053,4421.0%
198062,71717.4%
199061,851−1.4%
200067,3949.0%
201068,6811.9%
202062,905−8.4%
2023 (est.)62,416[1]−0.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010[9] 2020[1]

2020 census[edit]

Darlington County racial composition[10]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 33,821 53.77%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 25,386 40.36%
Native American 136 0.22%
Asian 290 0.46%
Pacific Islander 4 0.01%
Other/Mixed 1,872 2.98%
Hispanic or Latino 1,396 2.22%

As of the 2020 census, there were 62,905 people, 24,801 households, and 17,344 families residing in the county.

2010 census[edit]

At the 2010 census, there were 68,681 people, 26,531 households, and 18,552 families living in the county.[11] The population density was 122.4 inhabitants per square mile (47.3/km2). There were 30,297 housing units at an average density of 54.0 per square mile (20.8/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 55.9% white, 41.6% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 9.5% were American, 7.0% were English, and 5.3% were Irish.[13]

Of the 26,531 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.0% were married couples living together, 20.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.1% were non-families, and 26.0% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 39.6 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $38,379 and the median income for a family was $46,894. Males had a median income of $40,089 versus $29,255 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,096. About 14.6% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.7% of those under age 18 and 15.1% of those age 65 or over.[14]

2000 census[edit]

At the 2000 census,[15] there were 67,394 people, 25,793 households, and 18,441 families living in the county. The population density was 120 inhabitants per square mile (46/km2). There were 28,942 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 56.98% White, 41.70% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25,793 households, out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.30% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,087, and the median income for a family was $37,662. Males had a median income of $30,947 versus $20,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,283. About 16.40% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.70% of those under age 18 and 22.10% of those age 65 or over.

According to the 2000 census, Darlington County was classified as 41% urban and 59% rural. It contains the two urbanized areas of Hartsville (2000 pop. 14,907) and Darlington (12,066). The county's population is included within the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Government and politics[edit]

United States presidential election results for Darlington County, South Carolina[16]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 16,832 51.92% 15,220 46.95% 365 1.13%
2016 14,989 50.51% 13,888 46.80% 797 2.69%
2012 14,434 47.87% 15,457 51.27% 259 0.86%
2008 14,544 49.58% 14,505 49.45% 285 0.97%
2004 13,416 52.71% 11,829 46.47% 209 0.82%
2000 11,290 51.64% 10,253 46.90% 320 1.46%
1996 8,220 45.18% 8,943 49.15% 1,031 5.67%
1992 8,912 44.00% 9,090 44.88% 2,251 11.11%
1988 9,854 55.23% 7,625 42.73% 364 2.04%
1984 11,100 58.70% 7,456 39.43% 354 1.87%
1980 8,289 48.39% 8,489 49.55% 353 2.06%
1976 6,678 39.52% 10,165 60.16% 54 0.32%
1972 11,756 72.04% 4,414 27.05% 149 0.91%
1968 4,947 35.38% 3,803 27.20% 5,231 37.42%
1964 6,717 57.28% 5,010 42.72% 0 0.00%
1960 3,494 42.81% 4,668 57.19% 0 0.00%
1956 1,597 22.47% 2,908 40.91% 2,603 36.62%
1952 3,463 37.72% 5,718 62.28% 0 0.00%
1948 104 3.77% 726 26.30% 1,930 69.93%
1944 46 2.33% 1,808 91.41% 124 6.27%
1940 60 4.12% 1,395 95.88% 0 0.00%
1936 12 0.60% 1,995 99.40% 0 0.00%
1932 31 2.15% 1,409 97.78% 1 0.07%
1928 48 4.06% 1,135 95.94% 0 0.00%
1924 3 0.31% 956 98.96% 7 0.72%
1920 18 1.41% 1,262 98.59% 0 0.00%
1916 5 0.34% 1,462 99.46% 3 0.20%
1912 0 0.00% 883 99.77% 2 0.23%
1904 42 2.79% 1,464 97.21% 0 0.00%
1900 83 6.32% 1,230 93.68% 0 0.00%

Communities[edit]

Cities[edit]

Towns[edit]

Census-designated places[edit]

Other unincorporated communities[edit]

Notable people[edit]

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Darlington County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  4. ^ a b "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on December 26, 2013. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  7. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  8. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  10. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 7, 2021.
  11. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  12. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  13. ^ "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 February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  14. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  15. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  16. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  17. ^ "Veteran Tributes". veterantributes.org. Retrieved April 11, 2017.

Further reading[edit]

External links[edit]