Pickens County, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Pickens County is a county located in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
. The 2000 census recorded its population to be 110,757. In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population had reached 113,575. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau found the population to be 119,224, a 7.6% increase form 2000. Its county seat
is Pickens
. It is part of the Greenville
–Mauldin
–Easley
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, the county has a total area of 512 square miles (1,326 km²), of which 497 square miles (1,287 km²) is land and 15 square miles (39 km²) (2.92%) is water. The county also contains the highest natural point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain
, with an elevation of 3560 feet (1085 m). Table Rock State Park (South Carolina)
is in Pickens County.
, a militia leader during the American Revolution and a member of the United States Congress.
of 2000, there were 110,757 people, 41,306 households, and 28,459 families residing in the county. The population density
was 223 people per square mile (86/km²). There were 46,000 housing units at an average density of 93 per square mile (36/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% White
, 6.82% Black
or African American
, 0.16% Native American
, 1.18% Asian
, 0.01% Pacific Islander
, 0.70% from other races
, and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 27.9% were of American
, 11.8% English
, 11.6% Irish
, 10.3% German
and 5.0% Scotch-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 41,306 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples
living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 23.30% 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 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 17.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,214, and the median income for a family was $44,507. Males had a median income of $31,795 versus $22,600 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $17,434. About 7.80% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
.
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 2000 census recorded its population to be 110,757. In 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that the population had reached 113,575. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau found the population to be 119,224, a 7.6% increase form 2000. 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 Pickens
Pickens, South Carolina
Pickens, formerly called Pickens Courthouse, is a city in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,012 at the 2000 census, at which time it was listed as a town; the change to a city was made in 1998, but not reported to the Census Bureau until 2001. It is the county seat...
. It is part of the Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
–Mauldin
Mauldin, South Carolina
Mauldin is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 15,224 at the 2000 census. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
–Easley
Easley, South Carolina
Easley is a city in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the city lies in Pickens County, with only a very small portion of the city in Anderson County...
Metropolitan Statistical Area
Greenville-Mauldin-Easley metropolitan area
The Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purpose only, is an area consisting of three counties in Upstate South Carolina, anchored mainly by...
.
Geography
According to the U.S. 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 512 square miles (1,326 km²), of which 497 square miles (1,287 km²) is land and 15 square miles (39 km²) (2.92%) is water. The county also contains the highest natural point in South Carolina, Sassafras Mountain
Sassafras Mountain
Sassafras Mountain is the highest point in the state of South Carolina, USA.-Height:Its summit elevation is 3564 feet above mean sea level. It is also part of the Appalachian Mountains.-Location:...
, with an elevation of 3560 feet (1085 m). Table Rock State Park (South Carolina)
Table Rock State Park (South Carolina)
Table Rock State Park is a park at the edge of the Blue Ridge Mountains in northern Pickens County, South Carolina. The park includes Pinnacle Mountain, the tallest mountain totally within the state.-Park Features:...
is in Pickens County.
Adjacent counties
- Transylvania County, North CarolinaTransylvania County, North CarolinaTransylvania County is a county located in the U.S. state of North Carolina. As of 2010, the population was 33,090. Its county seat is Brevard.- History :The county was formed in 1861 from parts of Henderson County and Jackson County...
- north - Greenville County, South CarolinaGreenville County, South Carolina- External Links :*...
- east - Anderson County, South CarolinaAnderson County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units...
- south - Oconee County, South Carolina - west
Major highways
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History
Pickens County was formed in 1826. It was named for Andrew PickensAndrew Pickens (congressman)
Andrew Pickens was a militia leader in the American Revolution and a member of the United States House of Representatives from South Carolina.-Early life:...
, a militia leader during the American Revolution and a member of the United States Congress.
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 110,757 people, 41,306 households, and 28,459 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 223 people per square mile (86/km²). There were 46,000 housing units at an average density of 93 per square mile (36/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% 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...
, 6.82% 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...
, 0.16% 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...
, 1.18% 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...
, 0.01% 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...
, 0.70% 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 0.85% from two or more races. 1.70% 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. 27.9% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 11.8% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 11.6% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 10.3% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
and 5.0% Scotch-Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 41,306 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% 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, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 23.30% 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 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the county, the population was spread out with 22.30% under the age of 18, 17.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,214, and the median income for a family was $44,507. Males had a median income of $31,795 versus $22,600 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 $17,434. About 7.80% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.
Schools
Pickens School District ranked the highest in the state with an "A-" transparency score from Sunshine ReviewSunshine Review
Sunshine Review is a nonprofit wiki promoting proactive disclosure of government information online. The organization developed a ten-point transparency checklist to evaluate if government websites proactively and voluntarily disclose information to the public and media.The wiki-based website was...
.
Cities and Towns
- ArialArial, South CarolinaArial is a census-designated place in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,607 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
(CDP) - CentralCentral, South CarolinaCentral is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States, along SC Highway 93. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina...
- ClemsonClemson, South CarolinaClemson is a college town located in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 11,939 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 42,199...
(territory in Pickens and AndersonAnderson County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units...
Counties) - Dacusville, South CarolinaDacusville, South CarolinaDacusville is a small unincorporated community in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. It is best known for its tractor show once a year in the month of September. The community also has an elementary school and a middle school....
- EasleyEasley, South CarolinaEasley is a city in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the city lies in Pickens County, with only a very small portion of the city in Anderson County...
(territory in Pickens and AndersonAnderson County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units...
Counties) - LibertyLiberty, South CarolinaLiberty is a city in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- NorrisNorris, South CarolinaNorris is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 847 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Norris is located at ....
- PickensPickens, South CarolinaPickens, formerly called Pickens Courthouse, is a city in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,012 at the 2000 census, at which time it was listed as a town; the change to a city was made in 1998, but not reported to the Census Bureau until 2001. It is the county seat...
- Sunset
- Six MileSix Mile, South CarolinaSix Mile is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area....
Notable residents and natives
- Shoeless Joe JacksonShoeless Joe JacksonJoseph Jefferson Jackson , nicknamed "Shoeless Joe", was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball in the early part of the 20th century...
, baseball player, born in Pickens County. July 16, 1888. - Sam WycheSam WycheSamuel David "Sam" Wyche is a former American football player and head coach, who is best known as the head coach of the Cincinnati Bengals of the NFL...
, former NFL football player and coach, resides in Pickens County. - Harold Alexander, Appalachian State University alumni and former NFL football punter, resides in Pickens
- Stanley MorganStanley MorganStanley Douglas Morgan is a former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots. Morgan was selected out of the University of Tennessee in the first round of the 1977 NFL Draft . He also played one season for the Indianapolis Colts in 1990...
, former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots was born in Pickens County in the City of EasleyEasley, South CarolinaEasley is a city in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the city lies in Pickens County, with only a very small portion of the city in Anderson County...
on February 17, 1955. His 10,352 receiving yards with the Patriots set their franchise record and he still holds the Patriots single-season records for receiving yards (1,491 in 1986) and receiving touchdowns (12 in 1979). He also holds the all-purpose yards record for the University of Tennessee (which stands at 4,642). On August 27, 2007, Morgan was inducted into the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.