Orangeburg County
County
Old Orangeburg County Jail
Old Orangeburg County Jail
Flag of Orangeburg County
Flag
Official seal of Orangeburg County
Seal
Motto: 
"Community & Character"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Orangeburg 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°26′10″N 80°48′10″W / 33.436135°N 80.802913°W / 33.436135; -80.802913
Country United States
State South Carolina
FoundedMarch 12, 1785
Named forWilliam of Orange
SeatOrangeburg
Largest communityOrangeburg
Area
 • Total1,127.89 sq mi (2,921.2 km2)
 • Land1,106.38 sq mi (2,865.5 km2)
 • Water21.51 sq mi (55.7 km2)  1.91%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total84,223
 • Estimate 
(2022)
83,094
 • Density76.12/sq mi (29.39/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts2nd, 6th
Websitewww.orangeburgcounty.org

Orangeburg County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 84,223.[1] Its county seat is Orangeburg.[2] The county was created in 1769.[3]

Orangeburg County comprises the Orangeburg, SC Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Columbia-Sumter-Orangeburg, SC Combined Statistical Area. It is located in the Midlands region of South Carolina.

It is the home of South Carolina State University, the only public four-year HBCU in the state of South Carolina. It is also home to Claflin University, the oldest historically black college or university (HBCU) in the state.

History

The district was occupied for thousands of years by succeeding cultures of indigenous peoples. By the time of European encounter, Siouan-speaking tribes, such as the Cheraw and Catawba, as well as the Pee Dee, inhabited the Piedmont area above the fall line.

The Orangeburg Judicial District was chartered by European Americans in 1769 from a mostly unorganized upland area between the Congaree and Savannah rivers. A county, initially of the same name but later called Orange, was organized within the district but deorganized in 1791, after the American Revolutionary War.

The southwest portion bordering on the Savannah River, about half of Orangeburg District, was separated and organized as Barnwell District in 1800. In 1804 the northern third of the district was separated to form the new Lexington District, which gained another, smaller portion of Orangeburg District in 1832.

During the nineteenth century, the districts and counties were developed chiefly as cotton plantations for short-staple cotton. This development followed the invention of the cotton gin in the late eighteenth century, which made the processing of short-staple cotton profitable. The county became a center of labor by black slaves on the plantations, who were transported from coastal areas and the Upper South to cultivate and process cotton. Those brought from the coastal areas were likely of the Gullah culture and language. The enslaved African Americans greatly outnumbered the white planters and non-slaveholding whites. Reflecting the patterns of nineteenth-century settlement, the area is still chiefly agricultural and majority-African American in population.

In 1868, under the revised state constitution during the Reconstruction era, South Carolina districts were organized as counties. Resident voters were enabled to elect their state representatives rather than having them chosen by the state legislature, as was done previously. Election of representatives by the state legislature had kept the districts dominated by the elite owners of major plantations in the Low Country and elsewhere. The changes in rules expanded participation in the franchise by more male residents. Emancipation of slaves after the war under newly ratified federal constitutional amendments resulted in freedmen voting. Using voter intimidation, white Democrats took control of the state legislature by the end of the century; they passed state electoral laws and a new constitution that essentially disfranchised most blacks, a situation that lasted until after the federal legislation of the 1965 Voting Rights Act.

A small western portion of Orangeburg County was annexed in 1871 to the newly formed Aiken County during the Reconstruction era.

In 1908 the northern portion of the County along the Congaree River was separated and included in the newly formed Calhoun County, with its seat at Saint Matthews. In 1910 a small western portion of Berkeley County, around Holly Hill and Eutawville, was annexed to Orangeburg County, thus bringing the county to its present size.

Geography

First Baptist Church, downtown Orangeburg

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,127.89 square miles (2,921.2 km2), of which 1,106.38 square miles (2,865.5 km2) is land and 21.51 square miles (55.7 km2) (1.91%) is water.[4] It is the second-largest county in South Carolina by land area and fifth-largest by land area.

Orangeburg county is a fairly big county, covering 1,128 square miles, it is about 60 miles from the western part of the county to the eastern part of the county. Orangeburg county lies within 3 "regions" of South Carolina. The western part of the county lies in the "CSRA" (Central Savannah River Area). The middle part of Orangeburg county is included in the "Midlands" Region. The eastern and south eastern part of the county are located in the "Lowcountry" region of the state.

National protected areas

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179018,513—
180015,766−14.8%
181013,229−16.1%
182015,65318.3%
183018,45317.9%
184018,5190.4%
185023,58227.3%
186024,8965.6%
187016,865−32.3%
188041,395145.4%
189049,39319.3%
190059,66320.8%
191055,893−6.3%
192064,90716.1%
193063,864−1.6%
194063,707−0.2%
195068,7267.9%
196068,559−0.2%
197069,7891.8%
198082,27617.9%
199084,8033.1%
200091,5828.0%
201092,5011.0%
202084,223−8.9%
2022 (est.)83,094[1]−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010[10] 2020[1]

2020 census

Orangeburg County racial composition[11]
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 27,787 32.99%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 50,802 60.32%
Native American 467 0.55%
Asian 892 1.06%
Pacific Islander 37 0.04%
Other/Mixed 2,271 2.7%
Hispanic or Latino 1,967 2.34%

As of the 2020 census, there were 84,223 people, 32,129 households, and 20,620 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 92,501 people, 35,788 households, and 23,580 families in the county.[12][10] The population density was 83.6 inhabitants per square mile (32.3 inhabitants/km2). There were 42,504 housing units at an average density of 38.4 units per square mile (14.8 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 62.2% black or African American, 34.3% white, 0.8% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.9% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 7.7% were American, and 5.1% were German.[14]

Of the 35,788 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 22.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.1% were non-families, and 29.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 3.06. The median age was 38.1 years.[12]

The median household income was $32,849 and the median family income was $40,332. Males had a median income of $35,934 versus $28,508 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,579. About 21.1% of families and 25.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.9% of those under age 18 and 19.1% of those age 65 or over.[15]

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 91,582 people, 34,118 households, and 23,882 families in the county. The population density was 83 people per square mile (32 people/km2). There were 39,304 housing units at an average density of 36 units per square mile (14 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 60.86% Black or African American, 37.17% White, 0.46% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. 0.96% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.[16] Of the 34,118 households 32.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.10% were married couples living together, 20.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.00% were non-families. 26.00% of households were one person and 10.30% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.11.

The age distribution was 26.00% under the age of 18, 11.90% from 18 to 24, 26.10% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.20% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 87.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.60 males.

The median household income was $29,567 and the median family income was $36,165. Males had a median income of $29,331 versus $20,956 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,057. About 17.00% of families and 21.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.20% of those under age 18 and 22.30% of those age 65 or over.

Native American entities

Orangeburg County is home to four state-recognized Native American entities.

State-recognized tribes

  • The Beaver Creek Indian Tribe, headquartered in Salley, is a nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization state-recognized as a tribe, with members primarily located in Aiken County. The organization was awarded the status of a state-recognized tribe by the South Carolina Commission for Minority Affairs on January 27, 2006.[17] The tribe primarily claims descent from a family who settled in Long Cane Creek (McCormick County) from Virginia in 1760 with its South Carolina progenitor Lazarus Chavis born in Edgefield County. The entity is not presently federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs
  • The Santee Indian Organization, headquartered in Holly Hill, is a nonprofit organization state-recognized as a tribe.[18] The organization was awarded the status of a state-recognized tribe by the South Carolina Commission of Minority Affairs on March 15, 2006.[19] The tribe claims descent from the historic Santee people, not to be confused with the similarly named Santee Dakota people. The tribe is not federally recognized by the Bureau of Indian Affairs.[20] The organization does not have IRS tax exemption according to the IRS website.[21]

State-recognized group

  • The Pee Dee Indian Nation of Beaver Creek, based in Gilbert, is a nonprofit organization, not registered with IRS, and state-recognized as a tribal group after separating from the Beaver Creek nonprofit organization. The organization, while officially recognized by the state, announced it has absorbed into another entity in Marlboro County.

State-recognized special interest organization

  • The Pine Hill Indian Community Development Initiative, based in Pine Hill, is a state-recognized tribal organization of the Pine Hill Indian Tribe, The First People of Fort Jackson.[18] The Pine Hill Indian Tribe, The First People of Fort Jackson is acknowledged by the government through its ancestral origin at Cofitachequi, now Fort Jackson; and government acknowledgment of the forcefully removal of the Tribe from their historical tribal lands to establish Fort Jackson military base.

Government and politics

Orangeburg is a solidly Democratic county in presidential elections; it has not voted Republican since 1972.

United States presidential election results for Orangeburg County, South Carolina[22]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 13,603 33.01% 27,295 66.24% 307 0.75%
2016 11,931 30.66% 26,318 67.64% 661 1.70%
2012 12,022 27.93% 30,720 71.37% 299 0.69%
2008 12,115 30.47% 27,263 68.58% 376 0.95%
2004 12,695 33.80% 24,698 65.75% 171 0.46%
2000 12,657 38.67% 19,802 60.49% 275 0.84%
1996 10,494 34.62% 18,610 61.39% 1,211 3.99%
1992 11,328 35.14% 18,440 57.21% 2,466 7.65%
1988 13,281 47.35% 14,655 52.25% 113 0.40%
1984 14,286 48.20% 15,121 51.02% 229 0.77%
1980 11,313 40.79% 16,178 58.33% 242 0.87%
1976 8,794 38.90% 13,652 60.40% 158 0.70%
1972 11,711 59.31% 7,652 38.75% 382 1.93%
1968 5,144 24.20% 8,971 42.20% 7,144 33.60%
1964 10,456 65.09% 5,607 34.91% 0 0.00%
1960 5,233 57.36% 3,890 42.64% 0 0.00%
1956 1,467 21.20% 2,511 36.28% 2,943 42.52%
1952 4,695 62.40% 2,829 37.60% 0 0.00%
1948 164 4.36% 435 11.56% 3,164 84.08%
1944 87 3.23% 2,440 90.61% 166 6.16%
1940 56 2.32% 2,356 97.68% 0 0.00%
1936 59 1.96% 2,947 98.04% 0 0.00%
1932 111 4.03% 2,643 95.87% 3 0.11%
1928 92 5.62% 1,545 94.38% 0 0.00%
1924 67 3.71% 1,727 95.57% 13 0.72%
1920 304 10.74% 2,526 89.23% 1 0.04%
1916 159 5.62% 2,641 93.29% 31 1.10%
1912 40 2.37% 1,550 91.99% 95 5.64%
1904 238 7.49% 2,941 92.51% 0 0.00%
1900 167 6.36% 2,457 93.64% 0 0.00%

Economy

Orangeburg County is one of the largest agricultural producing counties in South Carolina, with fertile, slightly rolling land. Major crops are cotton, soybeans, corn, turf grass and watermelons.

Transportation

Major highways

Railroads

At least four railroad lines run through Orangeburg County; a former Southern Railway Line, and three CSX lines, the westernmost which was formerly a Seaboard Air Line Railroad line running along US 321.[23]

Major infrastructure

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

See also

References

  1. 1 2 3 "QuickFacts: Orangeburg 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 3, 2015. 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. ↑ "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  8. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  9. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  11. ↑ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
  12. 1 2 3 "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. ↑ Holleman, Joey (January 28, 2006). "Three S.C. Indian tribes win recognition". The State (Columbia, South Carolina). No. 115, No. 38. Newspapers.com. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  18. 1 2 "South Carolina's Recognized Native American Indian Entities | Commission for Minority Affairs". cma.sc.gov. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  19. ↑ "2005-2006 Bill 4797: Santee Indian Organization". scstatehouse.gov. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  20. ↑ "Indian Entities Recognized by and Eligible To Receive Services From the United States Bureau of Indian Affairs". Indian Affairs Bureau. Federal Register. January 6, 2023. pp. 7554–58. Retrieved December 28, 2023.
  21. ↑ "Tax Exempt Organization Search". www.irs.gov. Retrieved January 12, 2024.
  22. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  23. ↑ "South Carolina - Railroads". www.carolana.com. Retrieved October 15, 2023.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Orangeburg County, South Carolina.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.