Chester County, South Carolina

The county was founded in 1785 and was named after Chester, Pennsylvania. The largest community and county seat is Chester. The county is also included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q497377|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Chester County}}

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|586.16|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|580.66|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|5.50|sqmi}} (0.94%) is water.{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_45.txt |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}

• Sumter National Forest (part)

• Chester State Park
• Landsford Canal Forest Legacy Area{{Cite web |title=SCDNR Public Lands |url=https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/County |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www2.dnr.sc.gov}}
• Landsford Canal State Park
• Woods Ferry Recreation Area

• Broad River
• Catawba River
• Chester Reservoir
• Great Falls Lake
• Fishing Creek Lake

• York County – north
• Lancaster County – east
• Fairfield County – south
• Union County – west

• {{Jct|state=SC|I|77}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|US|21}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|US|321}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|US-Bus|321|dab1=Chester}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|9}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Bus|9|dab1=Chester}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|49}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|72}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|97}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|99}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|121}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|215}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|223}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|901}}
• {{Jct|state=SC|SC|909}}

{{US Census population

|1790= 6866

|1800= 8185

|1810= 11479

|1820= 14189

|1830= 17182

|1840= 17747

|1850= 18038

|1860= 18122

|1870= 18805

|1880= 24153

|1890= 26660

|1900= 28616

|1910= 29425

|1920= 33389

|1930= 31803

|1940= 32579

|1950= 32597

|1960= 30888

|1970= 29811

|1980= 30148

|1990= 32170

|2000= 34068

|2010= 33140

|2020= 32294

|estyear=2023

|estimate=32226

|estref=

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 16, 2015}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=March 16, 2015}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 16, 2015}} 2010 2020{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chestercountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Chester County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}

}}

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,294 people, 12,653 households, and 8,042 families residing in the county.

At the 2010 census, there were 33,140 people, 12,876 households, and 9,073 families living in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45023

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=March 9, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213022247/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45023

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45023.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125709/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45023.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=November 22, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}} The population density was {{convert|57.1|PD/sqmi}}. There were 14,701 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25.3|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45023

|access-date=March 9, 2016

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192128/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45023

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The racial makeup of the county was 59.8% white, 37.4% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were American, 7.5% were Irish, 5.6% were English, and 5.1% were German.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45023

|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=March 9, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213011601/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45023

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Of the 12,876 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 40.3 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,743 and the median income for a family was $42,074. Males had a median income of $39,008 versus $27,701 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,687. About 18.6% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45023

|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=March 9, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031758/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45023

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

At the 2000 census,{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }} there were 34,068 people, 12,880 households, and 9,338 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|59|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 14,374 housing units at an average density of {{convert|25|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 59.93% White, 38.65% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,880 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 18.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,425, and the median income for a family was $38,087. Males had a median income of $30,329 versus $21,570 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,709. About 11.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

In 2021, Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood was found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, deprivation of rights and federal program theft, and sentenced to one year in prison.{{Cite web|date=April 25, 2021|title=Ex-South Carolina Sheriff is 13th Convicted Since 2010|url=https://www.southcarolinapublicradio.org/sc-news/2021-04-26/ex-south-carolina-sheriff-is-13th-convicted-since-2010|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=South Carolina Public Radio|language=en}}{{Cite web|author=Jeffery Collions|title=Ex-SC sheriff off to prison on 1-year misconduct sentence|url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/wireStory/sc-sheriff-off-prison-year-misconduct-sentence-80564626|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=ABC News|language=en|date=October 13, 2021}}

{{PresHead|place=Chester County, South Carolina|whig=no|source1={{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 13, 2018}}}}

{{PresRow|2024|Republican|9,030|6,353|173|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,660|6,941|156|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2016|Republican|7,265|6,579|348|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|6,367|7,891|149|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|6,318|7,478|185|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,798|5,790|141|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|4,986|5,242|204|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,157|5,108|807|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,451|5,458|1,379|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,968|3,737|43|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1984|Republican|4,441|3,559|45|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,104|5,145|114|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,982|5,200|30|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1972|Republican|4,724|2,352|60|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|2,862|2,865|2,762|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,915|3,882|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,660|4,262|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,007|2,951|741|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|2,777|2,843|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|48|436|1,528|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|89|1,441|95|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|35|1,930|2|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|11|2,155|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|23|2,020|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|36|1,285|2|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|12|850|6|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|0|1,237|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|17|1,182|2|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|0|1,286|20|South Carolina}}

{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|8|954|0|South Carolina}}

{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|20|836|0|South Carolina}}

Chester County's economy has an industrial and agricultural base with large areas used for timber production. There are several sawmills in the county and others near it. Forest land ownership is majority family landowners who manage their properties for a variety of uses. Agriculture is also a big segment of the economy with crops consisting of cotton, wheat, oats, rye, beef and dairy cattle, hay, corn, peaches, other vegetables, peanuts, soybeans, and pecans.{{Cite web |date=2017 |title=Chester County, South Carolina County Profile |url=https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/South_Carolina/cp45023.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.nass.usda.gov/Publications/AgCensus/2017/Online_Resources/County_Profiles/South_Carolina/cp45023.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=Census of Agriculture}}

In 2022, the GDP of Chester County was $1.4 billion (about $43,999 per capita).{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chester County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45023 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}} In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $1.1 billion (about $35,382 per capita).{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chester County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45023 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}} Throughout 2022 to 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 3.1% and 5.6%.{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=1990-01-01 |title=Unemployment Rate in Chester County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCCHES3URN |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}

{{As of|2024|April}}, some of the largest employers in the county include Chester County School District, E & J Gallo Winery, and Walmart.{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Chester County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000023.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |issue=04000023}}

• Chester Vision or CSN
• Chester News & Reporter
• WRBK, 90.3 FM, a noncommercial station that primarily features classic oldies

• Chester (county seat and largest community)

• Fort Lawn
• Great Falls
• Lowrys
• Richburg

• Eureka Mill
• Gayle Mill

• Blackstock
• Edgemoor
• Lando
• Leeds
• Sandy River
• Wilksburg

• John Adair, (1757–1840), born in Chester County (although at the time it was believed to be part of Anson County, North Carolina),{{Cite web|url=http://www.carolana.com/NC/Counties/tryon_county_nc.html|title=Tryon County, North Carolina|website=www.carolana.com|access-date=March 13, 2018}} became a member of the United States House of Representatives and the United States Senate, and the 8th governor of Kentucky{{cite book | title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location = Chicago | year = 1963}}
• Thomas Griffin and Meeks Griffin, were wrongly executed in South Carolina by electric chair in 1915. They were framed in Chester County in 1913 and pardoned in 2009.

• List of counties in South Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Chester County, South Carolina
• Tryon County, North Carolina, former county in North Carolina which included modern-day parts of Chester County

{{reflist}}

{{Commons category}}

• {{osmrelation|2532500}}
• {{Official website|https://www.chestercountysc.gov/}}
• [https://www.rootsandrecall.com/chester/ Chester County history and images]

{{Geographic location

|Centre = Chester County, South Carolina

|North = York County

|Northeast =

|East = Lancaster County

|Southeast =

|South = Fairfield County

|Southwest =

|West = Union County

|Northwest =

}}

{{Chester County, South Carolina}}

{{South Carolina}}

{{Charlotte/Metrolina}}

{{Authority control}}

Category:1785 establishments in South Carolina

Category:Populated places established in 1785