Saluda County
County
Saluda Theatre
Saluda Theatre
Official seal of Saluda County
Seal
Map of South Carolina highlighting Saluda 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°00′19″N 81°43′40″W / 34.005278°N 81.727903°W / 34.005278; -81.727903
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1895
Named forSaluda River
SeatSaluda
Largest communitySaluda
Area
 • Total461.64 sq mi (1,195.6 km2)
 • Land452.72 sq mi (1,172.5 km2)
 • Water8.92 sq mi (23.1 km2)  1.93%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total18,862
 • Estimate 
(2022)
18,938
 • Density41.66/sq mi (16.09/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitesaludacounty.sc.gov

Saluda County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,862.[1] Its county seat is Saluda.[2] The county was formed from northern and eastern portions of Edgefield County.[3]

Saluda County is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

The county was founded in 1895 with portions of Edgefield County and was named after the nearby Saluda River. The largest community and county seat is Saluda.

Geography

Map
Interactive map of Saluda County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 461.64 square miles (1,195.6 km2), of which 452.72 square miles (1,172.5 km2) is land and 8.92 square miles (23.1 km2) (1.93%) is water.[4] Saluda County is largely in the Saluda River basin with a small portion of western Saluda in the Savannah River basin.

National protected area

Major water bodies

Adjacent Counties

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
190018,966—
191020,94310.4%
192022,0885.5%
193018,148−17.8%
194017,192−5.3%
195015,924−7.4%
196014,554−8.6%
197014,528−0.2%
198016,15011.2%
199016,3571.3%
200019,18117.3%
201019,8753.6%
202018,862−5.1%
2022 (est.)18,938[1]0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

2020 census

Saluda County racial composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 11,264 59.72%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,028 21.36%
Native American 44 0.23%
Asian 35 0.19%
Other/Mixed 479 2.54%
Hispanic or Latino 3,012 15.97%

As of the 2020 census, there were 18,862 people, 7,094 households, and 5,132 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 19,875 people, 7,527 households, and 5,393 families living in the county.[12][10] The population density was 43.9 inhabitants per square mile (16.9/km2). There were 9,289 housing units at an average density of 20.5 per square mile (7.9/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 61.1% white, 26.3% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 10.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.4% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were American, 14.7% were German, 8.6% were English, and 8.2% were Irish.[14]

Of the 7,527 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 39.6 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $40,508 and the median income for a family was $45,173. Males had a median income of $31,264 versus $28,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,717. About 11.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.[15]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[16] there were 19,181 people, 7,127 households, and 5,295 families living in the county. The population density was 42 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 65.80% White, 29.99% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 7.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,127 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,774, and the median income for a family was $41,603. Males had a median income of $29,221 versus $21,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,328. About 12.00% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.40% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Law enforcement

In 2012, Saluda County Sheriff Jason Booth pled guilty to charges of misuse of office after using an inmate to make improvements at his home.[17]

Politics

United States presidential election results for Saluda County, South Carolina[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 6,210 66.96% 2,963 31.95% 101 1.09%
2016 5,526 64.53% 2,813 32.85% 225 2.63%
2012 5,135 59.96% 3,328 38.86% 101 1.18%
2008 5,191 60.34% 3,323 38.63% 89 1.03%
2004 4,537 59.87% 3,001 39.60% 40 0.53%
2000 4,098 59.47% 2,682 38.92% 111 1.61%
1996 2,825 49.56% 2,486 43.61% 389 6.82%
1992 2,968 47.80% 2,393 38.54% 848 13.66%
1988 3,225 61.64% 1,984 37.92% 23 0.44%
1984 3,515 63.90% 1,962 35.67% 24 0.44%
1980 2,450 47.40% 2,651 51.29% 68 1.32%
1976 2,085 43.09% 2,715 56.11% 39 0.81%
1972 3,095 73.85% 1,022 24.39% 74 1.77%
1968 1,466 30.53% 1,200 24.99% 2,136 44.48%
1964 2,524 64.17% 1,409 35.83% 0 0.00%
1960 1,268 48.38% 1,353 51.62% 0 0.00%
1956 341 14.92% 1,080 47.24% 865 37.84%
1952 1,396 46.72% 1,592 53.28% 0 0.00%
1948 15 0.78% 187 9.77% 1,712 89.45%
1944 14 1.30% 924 85.56% 142 13.15%
1940 15 1.33% 1,115 98.67% 0 0.00%
1936 10 0.75% 1,324 99.25% 0 0.00%
1932 7 0.53% 1,307 99.47% 0 0.00%
1928 5 0.62% 796 99.38% 0 0.00%
1924 3 0.27% 1,094 99.55% 2 0.18%
1920 3 0.27% 1,111 99.55% 2 0.18%
1916 1 0.08% 1,227 99.51% 5 0.41%
1912 0 0.00% 850 98.04% 17 1.96%
1904 7 0.74% 938 99.26% 0 0.00%
1900 7 0.55% 1,269 99.45% 0 0.00%

Communities

Towns

Unincorporated communities

Notable person

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c "QuickFacts: Saluda County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "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.
  4. ^ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  5. ^ "Airport". saludacounty.sc.gov. Retrieved August 5, 2022.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  8. ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  9. ^ "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 19, 2015.
  10. ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  11. ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 15, 2021.
  12. ^ a b c "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.
  13. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  14. ^ "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.
  15. ^ "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.
  16. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  17. ^ Jeffrey Collins (August 5, 2012). "Ex-Saluda sheriff pleads guilty to misconduct". Post and Courier. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  19. ^ "Saluda County Historical Scoiety: Voices from Old Mount Willing". Archived from the original on February 23, 2009.
  20. ^ "Mount Willing Populated Place Profile / Saluda County, South Carolina Data". southcarolina.hometownlocator.com.

External links

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