Florence County, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Florence is a county located in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
. In 2000, its population was recorded to be 125,761; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 131,097. Its county seat
is Florence
. The county's population is about 60% urban and it comprises part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area
(along with Darlington County). The county was formed from a section of the old Marion District in 1888.
, the county has a total area of 804 square miles (2,082.4 km²), of which 800 square miles (2,072 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) (0.49%) is water.
of 2000, there were 125,761 people, 47,147 households, and 33,804 families residing in the county. The population density
was 157 people per square mile (61/km²). There were 51,836 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.65% White
, 39.34% Black
or African American
, 0.22% Native American
, 0.70% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.39% from other races
, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 47,147 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% were married couples
living together, 18.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,144, and the median income for a family was $41,274. Males had a median income of $32,065 versus $21,906 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,876. About 13.50% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.
In census 2000, the population of Florence County was classified as 58% urban and 42% rural, containing the two urban areas of Florence (2000 pop. 67,314) and Lake City (8,728). Along with Darlington County, it comprises part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. In 2000, its population was recorded to be 125,761; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 131,097. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Florence
Florence, South Carolina
-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
. The county's population is about 60% urban and it comprises part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area
Florence, South Carolina metropolitan area
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area, is an area consisting of two counties in the Pee Dee region of northeastern South Carolina, anchored by the city of Florence...
(along with Darlington County). The county was formed from a section of the old Marion District in 1888.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 804 square miles (2,082.4 km²), of which 800 square miles (2,072 km²) is land and 4 square miles (10.4 km²) (0.49%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Williamsburg County, South Carolina - south
- Marion County, South Carolina - east
- Dillon County, South Carolina and Marlboro County, South Carolina - north
- Darlington County, South Carolina - northwest
- Sumter County, South Carolina and Lee County, South Carolina - west
- Clarendon County, South Carolina - southwest
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 125,761 people, 47,147 households, and 33,804 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 157 people per square mile (61/km²). There were 51,836 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 58.65% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 39.34% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.22% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.70% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.39% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.68% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race.
There were 47,147 households out of which 33.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.70% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 18.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.30% were non-families. 24.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 25.90% under the age of 18, 9.70% from 18 to 24, 28.90% from 25 to 44, 23.60% from 45 to 64, and 11.80% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 88.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $35,144, and the median income for a family was $41,274. Males had a median income of $32,065 versus $21,906 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $17,876. About 13.50% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.30% of those under age 18 and 16.50% of those age 65 or over.
In census 2000, the population of Florence County was classified as 58% urban and 42% rural, containing the two urban areas of Florence (2000 pop. 67,314) and Lake City (8,728). Along with Darlington County, it comprises part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Cities and towns
- CowardCoward, South CarolinaCoward is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 650 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Coward is located at ....
- Effingham
- FlorenceFlorence, South Carolina-Municipal government and politics:The City of Florence has a council-manager form of government. The mayor and city council are elected every four years, with no term limits...
- JohnsonvilleJohnsonville, South CarolinaJohnsonville is a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,418 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Johnsonville is located at ....
- Lake CityLake City, South CarolinaLake City is a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,478 at the 2000 census...
- Mars BluffMars Bluff, South CarolinaMars Bluff is an unincorporated community in Florence County, South Carolina, United States that bears the distinction of having been inadvertently bombed with a nuclear weapon by the United States Air Force....
- OlantaOlanta, South CarolinaOlanta is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 613 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Olanta is located at ....
- PamplicoPamplico, South CarolinaPamplico is a town in southeastern Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,139 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- QuinbyQuinby, South CarolinaQuinby is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 842 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Quinby is located at ....
- ScrantonScranton, South CarolinaScranton is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 942 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Scranton is located at ....
- TimmonsvilleTimmonsville, South CarolinaTimmonsville is a town in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,315 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Timmonsville is located at ....