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Darlington County, South Carolina facts for kids

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Darlington County
Darlington County Courthouse
Darlington County Courthouse
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.
Country  United States
State  South Carolina
Founded 1785
Seat Darlington
Largest city Hartsville
Area
 • Total 567 sq mi (1,470 km2)
 • Land 561 sq mi (1,450 km2)
 • Water 5.7 sq mi (15 km2)  1.0%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total 67,234
 • Estimate 
(2020)
66,477
 • Density 118.58/sq mi (45.78/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 7th

Darlington County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 67,234. Its county seat is Darlington. Hartsville is the largest city 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. The county's population was nearly 60% rural in 2000.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 567 square miles (1,470 km2), of which 561 square miles (1,450 km2) is land and 5.7 square miles (15 km2) (1.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1800 7,631
1810 9,047 18.6%
1820 10,949 21.0%
1830 13,728 25.4%
1840 14,822 8.0%
1850 16,830 13.5%
1860 20,361 21.0%
1870 26,243 28.9%
1880 34,485 31.4%
1890 29,134 −15.5%
1900 32,388 11.2%
1910 36,027 11.2%
1920 39,126 8.6%
1930 41,427 5.9%
1940 45,198 9.1%
1950 50,016 10.7%
1960 52,928 5.8%
1970 53,442 1.0%
1980 62,717 17.4%
1990 61,851 −1.4%
2000 67,394 9.0%
2010 68,681 1.9%
2020 (est.) 66,477 −3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790-1960 1900-1990
1990-2000 2010-2013

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 68,681 people, 26,531 households, and 18,552 families living in the county. 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). 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. In terms of ancestry, 9.5% were American, 7.0% were English, and 5.3% were Irish.

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.

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.

2020 census

Darlington County Racial Composition
Race Num. Perc.
White 33,821 53.77%
Black or African American 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 United States Census, there were 62,905 people, 24,801 households, and 17,344 families residing in the county.

In popular culture

Darlington County is the subject of a song of the same name on Bruce Springsteen's 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A.

Communities

Cities

Town

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

Notable people

  • Harry G. Byrd, Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, and Detroit Tigers. He was born in Darlington. SC 151 in Darlington is named Harry Byrd Highway in his honor.
  • William G. Farrow, lieutenant in the United States Army Air Corps who participated in the Doolittle Raid; born in Darlington in 1918
  • Albert Haynesworth, a professional football player who played primarily for the Tennessee Titans and Washington Redskins; born in Hartsville
  • W. W. Hicks, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Webster Parish, 1900 to 1904; born in Darlington County in 1843
  • Orlando Hudson, former Major League baseball player; born in Darlington
  • Jordan Lyles, Major League baseball player; born in Hartsville.
  • Bobo Newsom, Major League Baseball pitcher with the Tigers, Senators, Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, and Red Sox. He compiled a 211–222 record over 20 seasons, including a 21–5 season in 1940. SC 151 in Hartsville is named Bobo Newsom Highway in his honor.
  • James E. Williams, sailor of the United States Navy during the 1950s and 1960s. He was the most highly decorated enlisted man in the history of the United States Navy and a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Darlington para niños

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