Goose Creek, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Goose Creek is a city in Berkeley
county in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
. The population was 35,938 at the 2010 census
. Most of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston is in Goose Creek. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, Goose Creek is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area and the Charleston-North Charleston Urbanized Area.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 32.5 square miles (84.1 km²), of which, 31.7 square miles (82.1 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (2.37%) is water.
of 2010, there were 35,938 people, 8,947 households, and 7,443 families residing in the city. The population density
was 921.6 people per square mile (355.9/km²). There were 9,482 housing units at an average density of 299.2 per square mile (115.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.50% White, 14.22% African American, 0.59% Native American, 2.66% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.56% from other races
, and 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% of the population.
There were 8,947 households out of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% were married couples
living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 18.2% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 115.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,919, and the median income for a family was $47,937. Males had a median income of $31,965 versus $23,754 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,905. About 5.8% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those 65 and older.
dominated. Several colonial governors were Goose Creek men, such as James Moore
.
on the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. Nuclear submarines and submarine tenders were based at the Naval Weapons Station (NWS) in Goose Creek until the early 1990s, at which time they were homeported at other naval bases on the Atlantic coast due to a "reduction in force" (RIF) of US military and naval bases. Large portions of the Weapons Station were closed in the early 1990s due to the RIF. Charleston Naval Shipyard (CNSYD) was also closed due to the "reduction in force", and is now largely owned by the city of North Charleston
and private companies.
, Stratford High School
services students inside Goose Creek, while Goose Creek High School is located outside Goose Creek city limits and services students from both in and out of Goose Creek's city limits. Goose Creek High school is the home of the Berkeley County School of the Arts
(BCA) Program. BCA is split up into different areas (music, dance, art, drama, and chorus) and each focus on broadening the students talent in that subject. Each student must try out and be accepted into the program and only incoming freshmen are eligible for this program. Goose Creek is the only school in the area which hosts this.
Berkeley County, South Carolina
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat is Moncks Corner....
county in the U.S. state
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...
. The population was 35,938 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. Most of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston is in Goose Creek. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, Goose Creek is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area and the Charleston-North Charleston Urbanized Area.
Geography
Goose Creek is located at 33°0′N 80°2′W (32.9955, -80.0289).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 32.5 square miles (84.1 km²), of which, 31.7 square miles (82.1 km²) of it is land and 0.8 square miles (2.0 km²) of it (2.37%) is water.
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 2010, there were 35,938 people, 8,947 households, and 7,443 families residing in the city. 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 921.6 people per square mile (355.9/km²). There were 9,482 housing units at an average density of 299.2 per square mile (115.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 78.50% White, 14.22% African American, 0.59% Native American, 2.66% Asian, 0.12% Pacific Islander, 1.56% 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 2.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.05% of the population.
There were 8,947 households out of which 49.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 68.9% 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, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 16.8% were non-families. 12.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.94 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the city the population was spread out with 29.6% under the age of 18, 18.2% from 18 to 24, 32.5% from 25 to 44, 15.4% from 45 to 64, and 4.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 26 years. For every 100 females there were 115.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 120.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,919, and the median income for a family was $47,937. Males had a median income of $31,965 versus $23,754 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 city was $16,905. About 5.8% of families and 6.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.0% of those under the age of 18 and 7.3% of those 65 and older.
History
Although the city of Goose Creek was established in 1961, its history dates back many centuries. In early colonial times the term "Goose Creek men" was used for a group of colonists, mostly settled a few miles west of Charleston near a stream called Goose Creek. The Goose Creek men became leaders of the early Indian trade, and by the 1690s many held important offices in the colonial government. At first the Goose Creek men dealt mainly in Indian slaves, while later the deerskin tradeDeerskin trade
The deerskin trade between Colonial America and the Native Americans was one of the most important trading relationships between Europeans and Native Americans, especially in the southeast. It was a form of the fur trade, but less known, since deer skins were not as valuable as furs from the north...
dominated. Several colonial governors were Goose Creek men, such as James Moore
James Moore (South Carolina politician)
James Moore was the British governor of colonial South Carolina between 1700 and 1703. He is remembered for leading several invasions of Spanish Florida, including attacks in 1704 and 1706 which wiped out most of the Spanish missions in Florida....
.
Military presence
Naval Nuclear Power School, Nuclear Power Training Unit Charleston, and SPAWAR are located in Goose Creek and HanahanHanahan, South Carolina
Hanahan is a city in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 12,937 at the 2000 census. Portions of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, including the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, are located in Hanahan. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and...
on the Naval Weapons Station Charleston. Nuclear submarines and submarine tenders were based at the Naval Weapons Station (NWS) in Goose Creek until the early 1990s, at which time they were homeported at other naval bases on the Atlantic coast due to a "reduction in force" (RIF) of US military and naval bases. Large portions of the Weapons Station were closed in the early 1990s due to the RIF. Charleston Naval Shipyard (CNSYD) was also closed due to the "reduction in force", and is now largely owned by the city of North Charleston
North Charleston, South Carolina
North Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
and private companies.
Police force
The Goose Creek Police Department is housed at the Marguerite H. Brown Municipal Center, along with the City Hall and Municipal Court, and is an active department within the community of Goose Creek. The Goose Creek Police Department is a CALEA accredited agency and works to maintain a good relationship with the citizens using the 'community policing' method.High Schools
There are three high schools that service the Goose Creek area. Cane Bay High SchoolCane Bay High School
Cane Bay High School is a secondary school located in Summerville, South Carolina, United States of America and is the newest addition to the Berkeley County School District. The School opened in August 2008, to 9th and 10th graders, adding a grade each year...
, Stratford High School
Stratford High School (Goose Creek, South Carolina)
Stratford High School is a high school located in Goose Creek, South Carolina.Stratford serves grades 9 through 12, and is a part of the Berkeley County School District. Stratford High School was originally built in 1981 and opened in 1983 with approximately 1100 students. An addition was added in...
services students inside Goose Creek, while Goose Creek High School is located outside Goose Creek city limits and services students from both in and out of Goose Creek's city limits. Goose Creek High school is the home of the Berkeley County School of the Arts
(BCA) Program. BCA is split up into different areas (music, dance, art, drama, and chorus) and each focus on broadening the students talent in that subject. Each student must try out and be accepted into the program and only incoming freshmen are eligible for this program. Goose Creek is the only school in the area which hosts this.
Notable residents
- Justin SmoakJustin SmoakJustin Kyle Smoak is an American Major League Baseball first baseman for the Seattle Mariners.-High school career:...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Matt WietersMatt WietersMatthew Richard Wieters is a Major League Baseball catcher for the Baltimore Orioles. Wieters was drafted 5th overall in the 2007 Major League Baseball Draft. Wieters played college baseball for Georgia Tech, and his agent is Scott Boras. Wieters is a tall athletic hitter, standing 6 feet...
, Major League BaseballMajor League BaseballMajor League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
player - Dan Hiers, Former Police OfficerPolice officerA police officer is a warranted employee of a police force...
and one of the U.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted FugitivesU.S. Marshals 15 Most Wanted FugitivesThe United States Marshals Service 15 Most Wanted Fugitives Program was established in 1983 in an effort to prioritize the investigation and apprehension of high-profile offenders who are considered to be some of the country’s most dangerous fugitives...