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, making it the fifth-least populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Bishopville.
History
The county is named for Confederate general Robert E. Lee. A previous incarnation of Lee County was established in 1898, but was negated by the State Supreme Court in 1899. The current Lee County formed on February 25, 1902, from Darlington, Kershaw, and Sumter counties. Minor boundary changes were made in 1914, in 1921, and in 1925.Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of, of which is land and is water.State and local protected areas
- Lee State Natural Area
- Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
- Lynchburg Savanna Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
- Mary McLeod Bethune Birthplace
Major water bodies
- Black River
- Lynches River
Adjacent counties
- Darlington County - northeast
- Florence County - east
- Sumter County - south
- Kershaw County - northwest
Major highways
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 16,531 people, 6,536 households, and 3,971 families residing in the county. The median age was 45.7 years; 17.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.2 males.The racial makeup of the county was 34.9% White, 61.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.
0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.
There were 6,536 households in the county, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 39.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 7,549 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.3% were owner-occupied and 28.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 19,220 people, 6,797 households, and 4,567 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 7,775 housing units at an average density of. 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. In terms of ancestry, 24.9% were American, and 5.1% were English.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.
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.
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. There were 7,670 housing units at an average density of. 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.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." Melvin was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison.Politics
Lee County has been a Democratic stronghold since 1972, peaking in 2012 when Barack Obama claimed over two-thirds of the county's vote. Lee did see a shift toward the Republican party in 2024, which would prove to be the closest election in the county since 1988.Economy
In 2022, the GDP was $425.5 million, and the real GDP was $345 million in chained 2017 dollars., some of the largest employers in the county include Ardagh Group, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Food Lion and Lee Academy.
| Industry | Employment Counts | Employment Percentage | Average Annual Wage |
| Accommodation and Food Services | 250 | 7.0 | 17,524 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 261 | 7.3 | 42,588 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 78 | 2.2 | 29,588 |
| Construction | 50 | 1.4 | 36,660 |
| Educational Services | 366 | 10.2 | 39,000 |
| Finance and Insurance | 65 | 1.8 | 47,112 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 635 | 17.8 | 60,372 |
| Information | 23 | 0.6 | 91,416 |
| Manufacturing | 406 | 11.4 | 67,132 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 120 | 3.4 | 58,032 |
| Public Administration | 568 | 15.9 | 49,556 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 6 | 0.2 | 26,520 |
| Retail Trade | 463 | 13.0 | 26,156 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 173 | 4.8 | 53,924 |
| Wholesale Trade | 108 | 3.0 | 62,608 |
| Total | 3,572 | 100.0% | 47,072 |