Chester County, South Carolina


Chester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 32,294. Its county seat is Chester. Chester County is included in the Charlotte-Concord-Gastonia, NC-SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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History

The county was founded in 1785 and was named after Chester, Pennsylvania. The largest community and county seat is Chester. The county is also 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, of which is land and is water.

National protected area

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,294 people, 12,928 households, and 8,042 families residing in the county.
The median age was 43.4 years, 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18, and 19.4% were 65 years of age or older; for every 100 females there were 92.9 males and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.6 males age 18 and over.
The racial makeup of the county was 58.1% White, 35.1% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.5% from some other race, and 4.3% from two or more races. Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino] residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.
26.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 73.3% lived in rural areas.
There were 12,928 households in the county, of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 32.8% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 27.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 14,601 housing units, of which 11.5% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 74.3% were owner-occupied and 25.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.9% and the rental vacancy rate was 10.4%.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 33,140 people, 12,876 households, and 9,073 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 14,701 housing units at an average density of. 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.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 34,068 people, 12,880 households, and 9,338 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 14,374 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the county was 59.93% White, 38.65% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 12,880 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 18.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $32,425, and the median income for a family was $38,087. Males had a median income of $30,329 versus $21,570 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,709. About 11.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Law enforcement

In 2021, Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood was found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, deprivation of rights and federal program theft, and sentenced to one year in prison.

Economy

Chester County's economy has an industrial and agricultural base with large areas used for timber production. There are several sawmills 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.
In 2022, the GDP of Chester County was $1.4 billion. In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $1.1 billion. Throughout 2022 to 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 3.1% and 5.6%.
, some of the largest employers in the county include Chester County School District, E & J Gallo Winery, and Walmart.
IndustryEmployment CountsEmployment Percentage Average Annual Wage
Accommodation and Food Services5706.219,136
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services1261.435,048
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1111.250,908
Construction6857.563,908
Finance and Insurance1251.450,076
Health Care and Social Assistance7818.546,072
Manufacturing3,44937.564,584
Other Services 1802.030,264
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services2112.3103,532
Public Administration6527.146,748
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing160.241,704
Retail Trade8759.526,520
Transportation and Warehousing3694.053,300
Utilities1201.374,048
Wholesale Trade92110.067,392
Total9,191100.0%54,620

Media

Communities

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Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Notable people