kids encyclopedia robot

Chester County, South Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Chester County
Chester County Courthouse
Chester County Courthouse
Map of South Carolina highlighting Chester 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.
Country  United States
State  South Carolina
Founded 1785
Seat Chester
Largest city Chester
Area
 • Total 586 sq mi (1,520 km2)
 • Land 581 sq mi (1,500 km2)
 • Water 5.5 sq mi (14 km2)  0.9%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 33,140
 • Estimate 
(2020)
32,184
 • Density 56.55/sq mi (21.835/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 5th

Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 33,140. Its county seat is Chester.

Chester County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 581 square miles (1,500 km2), of which 581 square miles (1,500 km2) is land and 5.5 square miles (14 km2) (0.9%) is water.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

  • Sumter National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1790 6,866
1800 8,185 19.2%
1810 11,479 40.2%
1820 14,189 23.6%
1830 17,182 21.1%
1840 17,747 3.3%
1850 18,038 1.6%
1860 18,122 0.5%
1870 18,805 3.8%
1880 24,153 28.4%
1890 26,660 10.4%
1900 28,616 7.3%
1910 29,425 2.8%
1920 33,389 13.5%
1930 31,803 −4.8%
1940 32,579 2.4%
1950 32,597 0.1%
1960 30,888 −5.2%
1970 29,811 −3.5%
1980 30,148 1.1%
1990 32,170 6.7%
2000 34,068 5.9%
2010 33,140 −2.7%
2020 (est.) 32,184 −2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2014

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 33,140 people, 12,876 households, and 9,073 families living in the county. The population density was 57.1 inhabitants per square mile (22.0/km2). There were 14,701 housing units at an average density of 25.3 per square mile (9.8/km2). 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.

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.

2020 census

Chester County racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 18,591 57.57%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 11,287 34.95%
Native American 145 0.45%
Asian 146 0.45%
Pacific Islander 14 0.04%
Other/Mixed 1,316 4.08%
Hispanic or Latino 795 2.46%

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

Presidential Election Results

Presidential Election Results 1960-2016
Year Democrat Republican Other
2016 46.3% 6,582 51.2% 7,272 2.4% 348
2012 54.77% 7,891 44.19% 6,367 1.03% 149
2008 53.49% 7,478 45.19% 6,318 1.32% 192
2004 49.37% 5,790 49.43% 5,798 1.20% 141
2000 50.25% 5,242 47.80% 4,986 1.96% 204
1996 56.3% 5,108 34.8% 3,157 8.9% 807
1992 53.1% 5,458 33.5% 3,451 13.4% 1,379
1988 48.23% 3,737 51.21% 3,968 0.6% 43
1984 44.24% 3,559 55.2% 4,441 0.56% 45
1980 61.52% 5,145 37.12% 3,104 1.36% 114
1976 63.32% 5,200 36.31% 2,982 0.37% 30
1972 32.96% 2,352 66.2% 4,724 0.84% 60
1968 33.75% 2,865 33.71% 2,862 32.54% 2,762
1964 57.11% 3,882 42.89% 2,915 0% 0
1960 71.97% 4,262 28.03% 1,660 0% 0

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

  • Eureka Mill
  • Gayle Mill

Unincorporated communities

Economy

Chester County's economy has an industrial and agricultural base with large areas used for timber production. There are several sawemills 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.

Notable residents

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Chester (Carolina del Sur) para niños

kids search engine
Chester County, South Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.