Calhoun County is a
county
A county () is a geographic region of a country used for administrative or other purposesL. Brookes (ed.) '' Chambers Dictionary''. Edinburgh: Chambers Harrap Publishers Ltd, 2005. in some nations. The term is derived from the Old French denoti ...
in the
U.S. state
In the United States, a state is a constituent political entity, of which there are 50. Bound together in a political union, each state holds governmental jurisdiction over a separate and defined geographic territory where it shares its so ...
of
South Carolina
South Carolina ( ) is a U.S. state, state in the Southeastern United States, Southeastern region of the United States. It borders North Carolina to the north and northeast, the Atlantic Ocean to the southeast, and Georgia (U.S. state), Georg ...
. As of the
2020 census, its population was 14,119,
making it the
fourth-least populous county in the state. Its
county seat
A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or parish (administrative division), civil parish. The term is in use in five countries: Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, and the United States. An equiva ...
is
St. Matthews. In terms of
land area
This is a list of the world's countries and their dependencies, ranked by total area, including land and water.
This list includes entries that are not limited to those in the ISO 3166-1 standard, which covers sovereign states and dependent ...
, it is also the smallest county in the state.
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
John Caldwell Calhoun (; March 18, 1782March 31, 1850) was an American statesman and political theorist who served as the seventh vice president of the United States from 1825 to 1832. Born in South Carolina, he adamantly defended American s ...
, the former U.S. vice-president, Senator, Representative and cabinet member from South Carolina, although Calhoun was from nearby
Abbeville, South Carolina
Abbeville is a city and county seat of Abbeville County, in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is located west of Columbia and south of Greenville. Its population was 5,237 at the 2010 census. Settled by French Huguenot settlers, it was n ...
.
Calhoun County is part of the
Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has an overall score of 52 including factors health, crime, equity, education, and housing. It is one of
11 counties with the same name in the United States.
History
Calhoun County was home to the
Congaree Tribe. As early as 1715, maps show them living in the region. Arrowheads and other artifacts continue to be found in lakes and near rivers.
During the American Revolutionary War, Calhoun County was home to the famous
Siege of Fort Motte. The Fort Motte Battle Site is accessible today.
In 2011, an illegal dumping of an estimated 250,000 vehicle tires was discovered in Calhoun County near
Elloree. The mound of tires was so large it could reportedly be seen from space. , nothing has been done about the tire dump.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau, officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. federal statistical system, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The U.S. Census Bureau is part of the U ...
, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.89%) is water. It is the second-smallest county in South Carolina by land area and smallest by total area.
Calhoun County includes features such as
Lake Marion, and the Congaree Bluffs, accessible publicly via the Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve.
Calhoun County borders
Congaree National Park
Congaree National Park is a national park of the United States in central South Carolina, 18 miles southeast of the state capital, Columbia. The park preserves the largest tract of old growth bottomland hardwood forest left in the United Sta ...
, the only Federally recognized Park which is a
swamp
A swamp is a forested wetland.Keddy, P.A. 2010. Wetland Ecology: Principles and Conservation (2nd edition). Cambridge University Press, Cambridge, UK. 497 p. Swamps are considered to be transition zones because both land and water play a role in ...
. Astonishing biodiversity exists in Congaree National Park, the largest intact expanse of
old growth
An old-growth forest or primary forest is a forest that has developed over a long period of time without disturbance. Due to this, old-growth forests exhibit unique ecological features. The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Natio ...
bottomland hardwood forest
Bottomland forest is woodland on lowland alluvial floodplains or lower terraces of rivers and streams. Bottomland forest is very rare in Europe. The bottomland hardwood forest is a type of deciduous and evergreen hardwood forest found in broad low ...
remaining in the
southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, also known as the American Southeast or simply the Southeast, is a geographical List of regions in the United States, region of the United States located in the eastern portion of the Southern United States and t ...
. Waters from the Congaree and Wateree Rivers sweep through the floodplain, carrying nutrients and sediments that nourish and rejuvenate this ecosystem and support the growth of national and state champion trees. Although the park lies outside the boundaries of Calhoun County, much of the environment is similar.
The upper boundary for Calhoun County is the
Congaree River
The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States; It flows for approximately 53 miles (85 km). The river serves an important role as the final outlet channel for the entire Lower Saluda and Lower Broad wa ...
.
State and local protected area
*
Congaree Bluffs Heritage Preserve
Major water bodies
*
Big Beaver Creek
*
Congaree River
The Congaree River is a short but wide river in South Carolina in the United States; It flows for approximately 53 miles (85 km). The river serves an important role as the final outlet channel for the entire Lower Saluda and Lower Broad wa ...
*
Four Hole Swamp
*
Lake Marion
*
Little Limestone Creek
Adjacent counties
*
Richland County – north
*
Sumter County – northeast
*
Clarendon County – east
*
Orangeburg County – south
*
Lexington County
Lexington County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 293,991. Its county seat and largest community is Lexington. The county was chartered in 1785 and was named in commemoration o ...
– northwest
Major highways
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
*
Calhoun County is part of the evacuation route for
hurricanes
A tropical cyclone is a rapidly rotating storm system with a low-pressure area, a closed low-level atmospheric circulation, strong winds, and a spiral arrangement of thunderstorms that produce heavy rain and squalls. Depending on its locat ...
and
coastal flooding
Coastal flooding occurs when dry and low-lying land is submerged (flooded) by seawater. The range of a coastal Flood, flooding is a result of the elevation of floodwater that penetrates the inland which is controlled by the topography of the coas ...
. During such times, lane reversals are implemented, where
Interstate 26
Interstate 26 (I-26) is a main route of the Interstate Highway System in the Southeastern United States. Nominally east–west, as indicated by its even number, I-26 runs from the junction of U.S. Route 11W, US Route 11W (US 11W) ...
goes in one direction (northwest).
Demographics
2020 census
As of the
2020 census, there were 14,119 people, 6,179 households, and 3,910 families residing in the county.
2017 census estimate
At the 2017
census estimate, Calhoun County had a population of 14,000 people with a median age of 45.9 and a median household income of $44,010. Between 2016 and 2017 the population of Calhoun County declined from 14,886 to 14,808, a -0.524% decrease and its median household income grew from $42,779 to $44,010, a 2.88% increase. The population of Calhoun County is 53.6% White Alone, 41.6% Black or African American Alone, and 3.58% Hispanic or Latino. 98.3% are U.S. citizens. The median property value in Calhoun County is $103,900, and the homeownership rate is 79.3%. Most people in Calhoun County commute by driving alone, and the average commute time is 27.2 minutes. The average car ownership in Calhoun County is 2 cars per household.
2010 census
At the
2010 census, there were 15,175 people, 6,080 households, and 4,204 families living in the county.
The population density was . There were 7,340 housing units at an average density of .
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.
In terms of ancestry, respondents identified as 42.6% of African American (which may include European ancestry; 15.4%
American, 14.9%
German
German(s) may refer to:
* Germany, the country of the Germans and German things
**Germania (Roman era)
* Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language
** For citizenship in Germany, see also Ge ...
, 8.5%
Irish, and 7.1% of
English heritage.
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.
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
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 22.4% of those under age 18 and 15.6% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
At the
2000 census,
there were 15,185 people, 5,917 households, and 4,272 families living in the county. The
population density
Population density (in agriculture: Standing stock (disambiguation), standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geog ...
was . There were 6,864 housing units at an average density of . 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
Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognised union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children (if any), and b ...
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
Per capita income (PCI) or average income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year.
In many countries, per capita income is determined using regular population surveys, such ...
for the county was $17,446. About 13.20% of families and 16.20% of the population were below the
poverty line
The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line, or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...
, including 20.40% of those under age 18 and 18.30% of those age 65 or over.
Government and politics
The county government is a five-member council, elected from
single-member district
A single-member district or constituency is an electoral district represented by a single officeholder. It contrasts with a multi-member district, which is represented by multiple officeholders.
In some countries, such as Australia and India ...
s. At the first meeting of the year, they choose a chairperson for the term; it is a rotating position.
[Officials: Calhoun County, SC website](_blank)
, 2016; accessed December 29, 2016
Other elected positions in the county are Sheriff, Auditor, Coroner, Treasurer, and Clerk of Court. appointed positions are Coroner and Probate Judge.
Calhoun County Library is a historic library building located at St. Matthews, Calhoun County. It was built about 1877, and is a one-story, medium-gabled white clapboard structure in the Greek Revival style. It was originally built as a residence, but was adapted for use as a county library in 1949.
In the 21st century, the county has leaned Democratic in gubernatorial elections (with
2022
The year began with another wave in the COVID-19 pandemic, with SARS-CoV-2 Omicron variant, Omicron spreading rapidly and becoming the dominant variant of the SARS-CoV-2 virus worldwide. Tracking a decrease in cases and deaths, 2022 saw ...
being the only exception), but in presidential elections the county leans Republican (with exceptions in
2008
2008 was designated as:
*International Year of Languages
*International Year of Planet Earth
*International Year of the Potato
*International Year of Sanitation
The Great Recession, a worldwide recession which began in 2007, continued throu ...
and
2012
2012 was designated as:
*International Year of Cooperatives
*International Year of Sustainable Energy for All
Events January
*January 4 – The Cicada 3301 internet hunt begins.
* January 12 – Peaceful protests begin in the R ...
).
Economy
Although much of Calhoun County is rural, there are many factories including Devro, a UK company that makes sausage casings. Other factories include Starbucks (Roasting Facility), DAK Americas, Zeus Industrial Products, Fitts Co Inc, and Thermo King Columbia, Inc. In the same part of the county Country Clear, Inc. produces bottled water.
Calhoun County offers the Calhoun County I-26 Industrial Park for businesses.
In 2022, its GDP was $790 million (approx. $55,956 per capita). In
Chained 2017 dollars, the real GDP was $628.6 million (about $44,519 per capita). From 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate in Calhoun County has fluctuated between 2.7% and 4.3%.
, some of the largest employers in the county include
Devro and
Starbucks
Starbucks Corporation is an American multinational List of coffeehouse chains, chain of coffeehouses and Starbucks Reserve, roastery reserves headquartered in Seattle, Washington. It was founded in 1971 by Jerry Baldwin, Zev Siegl, and Gor ...
.
Communities
Towns
*
Cameron
*
St. Matthews (county seat and largest community)
Unincorporated communities
*
Creston
*
Fort Motte
*
Lone Star
*
Sandy Run
See also
*
List of counties in South Carolina
The U.S. state of South Carolina is made up of 46 counties, the maximum allowable by state law. They range in size from 392 square miles (1,015 square kilometers) in the case of Calhoun County to 1,358 square miles (3,517 square kilometers) i ...
*
National Register of Historic Places listings in Calhoun County, South Carolina
References
External links
*
*
Calhoun County history and images
{{Authority control
1908 establishments in South Carolina
Populated places established in 1908
Columbia metropolitan area (South Carolina)