Lee County, South Carolina

Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,531,[1] making it the fifth-least populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Bishopville.[2]

Lee County
County
Lee County Courthouse
Lee County Courthouse
Official seal of Lee County
Seal
Motto: 
"Experience The Beauty of Lee County"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Lee 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: 34°10′N 80°15′W
Country United States
State South Carolina
FoundedDecember 15, 1902
Named forRobert E. Lee
SeatBishopville
Largest communityBishopville
Area
 • Total411.23 sq mi (1,065.1 km2)
 • Land410.18 sq mi (1,062.4 km2)
 • Water1.05 sq mi (2.7 km2)  0.26%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total16,531
 • Estimate 
(2022)
16,153
 • Density40.30/sq mi (15.56/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district5th
Websitewww.leecountysc.org

History

The county is named for Confederate general Robert E. Lee.[3] A previous incarnation of Lee County was established in 1898, but was disestablished year after. The current Lee County formed on December 15, 1902.[4][5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 411.23 square miles (1,065.1 km2), of which 410.18 square miles (1,062.4 km2) is land and 1.05 square miles (2.7 km2) (0.26%) is water.[6]

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
191025,318—
192026,8276.0%
193024,096−10.2%
194024,9083.4%
195023,173−7.0%
196021,832−5.8%
197018,323−16.1%
198018,9293.3%
199018,437−2.6%
200020,1199.1%
201019,220−4.5%
202016,531−14.0%
2022 (est.)16,153[1]−2.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[1]

2020 census
Lee County racial composition[13]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 5,721 34.61%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 10,054 60.82%
Native American 49 0.3%
Asian 34 0.21%
Other/Mixed 378 2.29%
Hispanic or Latino 295 1.78%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,531 people, 6,423 households, and 3,971 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 19,220 people, 6,797 households, and 4,567 families living in the county.[14][12] The population density was 46.9 inhabitants per square mile (18.1/km2). There were 7,775 housing units at an average density of 19.0 per square mile (7.3/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 64.3% black or African American, 33.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 24.9% were American, and 5.1% were English.[16]

Of the 6,797 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 29.3% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 38.9 years.[14]

The median household income was $23,378 and the median family income was $35,279. Males had a median income of $32,721 versus $26,769 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,924. About 25.8% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.[17]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 20,119 people, 6,886 households, and 4,916 families living in the county. The population density was 49 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 7,670 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 63.56% Black or African American, 35.03% White, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[18] Of the 6,886 households 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were married couples living together, 23.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.90% of households were one person and 10.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.23.

The age distribution was 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median household income was $26,907 and the median family income was $34,209. Males had a median income of $26,512 versus $18,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,896. About 17.70% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 27.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Law enforcement

In 2010, Lee County Sheriff Edgar Jerome “E.J.” Melvin and six others were arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges. Court documents stated that he dealt cocaine from his police SUV, and other dealers gave him the nickname "Big Dog."[19][20] Melvin was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison.[21]

Politics
United States presidential election results for Lee County, South Carolina[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 3,008 35.68% 5,329 63.21% 94 1.11%
2016 2,803 34.37% 5,199 63.74% 154 1.89%
2012 2,832 31.80% 5,977 67.10% 98 1.10%
2008 3,074 33.58% 5,960 65.12% 119 1.30%
2004 2,901 36.73% 4,960 62.80% 37 0.47%
2000 2,675 40.27% 3,899 58.70% 68 1.02%
1996 1,973 33.40% 3,588 60.73% 347 5.87%
1992 2,730 34.90% 4,454 56.94% 638 8.16%
1988 2,936 46.17% 3,423 53.83% 0 0.00%
1984 3,548 47.31% 3,912 52.16% 40 0.53%
1980 2,952 37.48% 4,818 61.17% 107 1.36%
1976 2,357 37.69% 3,869 61.86% 28 0.45%
1972 3,076 60.31% 1,996 39.14% 28 0.55%
1968 1,219 22.23% 2,151 39.23% 2,113 38.54%
1964 2,489 68.29% 1,156 31.71% 0 0.00%
1960 1,297 46.59% 1,487 53.41% 0 0.00%
1956 250 10.14% 943 38.26% 1,272 51.60%
1952 1,669 64.29% 927 35.71% 0 0.00%
1948 36 2.70% 142 10.65% 1,155 86.65%
1944 50 5.71% 764 87.31% 61 6.97%
1940 20 2.37% 825 97.63% 0 0.00%
1936 5 0.48% 1,045 99.52% 0 0.00%
1932 10 1.33% 742 98.67% 0 0.00%
1928 6 1.00% 593 99.00% 0 0.00%
1920 18 2.39% 734 97.35% 2 0.27%
1916 14 1.74% 779 96.65% 13 1.61%
1912 3 0.52% 571 98.45% 6 1.03%
1908 58 5.67% 963 94.13% 2 0.20%
1904 18 1.57% 1,128 98.43% 0 0.00%

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Lee County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 12, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. 2001-2002 Bill 1044: Lee County's 100th Birthday Archived 2007-03-12 at the Wayback Machine
  4. "South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies". South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2009. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  5. "Lee County, South Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  6. "2020 County Gazetteer Files - South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  11. "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 18, 2015.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  14. "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 11, 2016.
  15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  16. "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 11, 2016.
  17. "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 11, 2016.
  18. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  19. "South Carolina Sheriff Accused of Dealing Drugs From Police SUV". Associated Press. March 26, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  20. "Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin Arrested with Six Others on Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges". FBI. May 1, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  21. "Former Lee County sheriff gets 17 years". Post and Courier. March 18, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  22. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
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