Dorchester County, South Carolina

Dorchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 161,540.[1] Its county seat is St. George.[2]

Dorchester County
County
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Flag of Dorchester County
Flag
Official seal of Dorchester County
Seal
Official logo of Dorchester County
Logo
Map of South Carolina highlighting Dorchester 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: 33°05′N 80°24′W
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1897
Named forDorchester, Massachusetts
SeatSt. George
Largest communityNorth Charleston
Area
 • Total571.18 sq mi (1,479.3 km2)
 • Land568.59 sq mi (1,472.6 km2)
 • Water2.59 sq mi (6.7 km2)  0.45%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total161,540
 • Estimate 
(2022)
166,133
 • Density284.11/sq mi (109.70/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts1st, 6th
Websitewww.dorchestercountysc.gov

Dorchester County is included in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Dorchester County is named for its first settlement area, which was established by Congregationalists in 1696. These settlers applied the name "Dorchester" after their last residence in Dorchester, Massachusetts.[3]

Dorchester was not established as a separate county until 1897. However, when it was separately established, it came from parts of the neighboring Colleton and Berkeley counties.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 571.18 square miles (1,479.3 km2), of which 568.59 square miles (1,472.6 km2) is land and 2.59 square miles (6.7 km2) (0.45%) is water.[5]

State and local protected areas/sites

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
190016,294—
191017,8919.8%
192019,4598.8%
193018,956−2.6%
194019,9285.1%
195022,60113.4%
196024,3837.9%
197032,27632.4%
198058,76182.1%
199083,06041.4%
200096,41316.1%
2010136,55541.6%
2020161,54018.3%
2022 (est.)166,133[1]2.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010[11] 2020[1]

2020 census
Dorchester County racial composition[12]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 99,145 61.37%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 38,278 23.7%
Native American 886 0.55%
Asian 3,286 2.03%
Pacific Islander 199 0.12%
Other/Mixed 8,885 5.5%
Hispanic or Latino 10,861 6.72%

As of the 2020 census, there were 161,540 people, 57,768 households, and 41,473 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 136,555 people, 50,259 households, and 36,850 families living in the county.[13][11] The population density was 238.2 inhabitants per square mile (92.0/km2). There were 55,186 housing units at an average density of 96.3 units per square mile (37.2 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 67.8% white, 25.8% black or African American, 1.5% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.4% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry,[15]

Of the 50,259 households, 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.7% were non-families, and 21.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 35.6 years.[13]

The median household income was $55,034 and the median family income was $63,847. Males had a median income of $45,659 versus $32,221 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,497. About 9.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.[16]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 96,413 people, 34,709 households, and 26,309 families living in the county. The population density was 168 people per square mile (65 people/km2). There were 37,237 housing units at an average density of 65 units per square mile (25 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 71.05% White, 25.08% Black or African American, 0.73% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[17] Of the 34,709 households 40.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 14.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.20% of households were one person and 6.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.

The age distribution was 28.90% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.

The median household income was $43,316 and the median family income was $50,177. Males had a median income of $35,423 versus $24,405 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,840. About 7.10% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

The governing body of Dorchester County was established in 1970, and was known as the Dorchester County Board of Directors with terms to commence in January 1971. Upon commencement, the body was re-titled as the “Dorchester County Council” and its meeting dates were determined by state law to be held the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. The seven-member County Council is elected by single-member districts. Dorchester County operates under the Council-Administrator form of government whereby County Council appoints a County Administrator to oversee the day-to-day functions of county government. Jason L. Ward has served as the County Administrator since 2004. He is aided by a Deputy County Administrator and Chief Financial Officer (Daniel T. Prentice), Deputy County Administrator for Public Safety (Mario Formisano), and Assistant County Administrator for Communuity Services (Bryan Havir). This management team oversees multiple departments within their respective directorate.

In addition to senior management reporting to County Council through the County Administrator, seven Countywide elected officials serve four year terms and oversee the following functions:

  • Clerk of Court (Cheryl Graham)
  • Sheriff (L.C. Knight)
  • Auditor (J.J. Messervy)
  • Treasurer (Cindy Chitty)
  • Probate Judge (Mary Blunt)
  • Coroner (Paul Brouthers)
  • Register of Deeds (Margaret Bailey)

The South Carolina Department of Corrections operates the Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville in Dorchester County.[18] The prison houses the state's male death row.[19]

Politics
United States presidential election results for Dorchester County, South Carolina[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 41,913 54.24% 33,824 43.77% 1,541 1.99%
2016 34,987 55.92% 24,055 38.45% 3,525 5.63%
2012 32,531 57.22% 23,445 41.24% 879 1.55%
2008 29,929 57.11% 21,806 41.61% 670 1.28%
2004 26,006 62.94% 14,733 35.66% 578 1.40%
2000 20,734 61.63% 12,168 36.17% 739 2.20%
1996 15,283 56.63% 9,931 36.80% 1,773 6.57%
1992 15,004 53.53% 9,160 32.68% 3,865 13.79%
1988 14,756 66.37% 7,371 33.15% 105 0.47%
1984 15,289 68.26% 7,037 31.42% 73 0.33%
1980 10,893 59.53% 7,237 39.55% 168 0.92%
1976 6,695 45.30% 8,046 54.44% 38 0.26%
1972 8,095 68.11% 3,606 30.34% 185 1.56%
1968 3,354 31.21% 3,855 35.87% 3,539 32.93%
1964 5,109 76.11% 1,604 23.89% 0 0.00%
1960 3,525 59.93% 2,357 40.07% 0 0.00%
1956 504 15.67% 862 26.80% 1,851 57.54%
1952 2,319 73.13% 852 26.87% 0 0.00%
1948 85 2.88% 143 4.85% 2,722 92.27%
1944 65 3.88% 1,181 70.47% 430 25.66%
1940 110 9.97% 993 90.03% 0 0.00%
1936 28 3.05% 889 96.95% 0 0.00%
1932 23 1.60% 1,412 98.19% 3 0.21%
1928 44 3.83% 1,105 96.17% 0 0.00%
1924 20 2.79% 697 97.21% 0 0.00%
1920 60 6.42% 874 93.58% 0 0.00%
1916 44 5.77% 716 93.96% 2 0.26%
1912 18 2.97% 576 94.89% 13 2.14%
1908 103 10.39% 883 89.10% 5 0.50%
1904 69 8.90% 706 91.10% 0 0.00%
1900 43 5.29% 770 94.71% 0 0.00%

Education

School districts include:[21]

Communities

City

Town

Census-designated place
  • Ladson (partly in Berkeley County and Charleston County)

Unincorporated communities

Ghost town

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Dorchester County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 13, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp. 108.
  4. Dorchester County Online Archived February 19, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  6. "Wildlife Management Areas - South Carolina Hunting". eRegulations. Retrieved July 23, 2022.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  8. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  9. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 17, 2015.
  10. "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.
  11. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 23, 2013.
  12. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  13. "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.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  15. "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.
  16. "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.
  17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  18. "Lieber Correctional Institution." South Carolina Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 17, 2010.
  19. "Death Row/Capital Punishment Archived October 7, 2010, at the Wayback Machine." South Carolina Department of Corrections. Retrieved on August 17, 2010.
  20. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  21. "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Dorchester County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved August 1, 2022. - Text list
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