Abbeville County, South Carolina

Abbeville County, South Carolina
County	Abbeville County
State	South Carolina
Founded	1785
Seat	Abbeville
Largest city	Abbeville
Area total sq mi	511
Area land sq mi	508
Area water sq mi	2.8
Population as of	2020
Population total	24,295
Population density sq mi	47.8
Time zone	Eastern
Web	www.abbevillecountysc.com
Named for	Abbeville, France
District	3rd

Abbeville County, South Carolina is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,295. Its county seat and largest community is Abbeville. The county was formed in 1785 from parts of the old Ninety-Six District and is named for the French city of Abbeville.

History

The area was originally inhabited by Cherokee and Catawba peoples before European settlement. Abbeville County was established by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly in 1785, with its early development tied to the Upstate South Carolina frontier. It played a significant role in the events leading to the American Civil War; the so-called "Secession meeting" that first advocated for South Carolina to leave the Union was held at Abbeville's Burt-Stark Mansion in November 1860. The county was the site of the final Council of War of the Confederate States of America, where President Jefferson Davis met with his cabinet in May 1865 after the fall of Richmond. Throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries, the local economy was dominated by cotton cultivation, relying on the labor of enslaved African Americans and later sharecropping.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 511 square miles, of which 508 square miles is land and 2.8 square miles is water. It is situated in the Piedmont region of western South Carolina. The county is drained by the Savannah River along its western border and the Saluda River to the east, with major tributaries including Long Cane Creek. The terrain features rolling hills and river valleys, with parts of the Sumter National Forest located within the county. It is bordered by Greenwood County to the north, Laurens County to the northeast, McCormick County to the south, and the state of Georgia across the Savannah River to the west.

Demographics

At the 2020 United States census, there were 24,295 people, 10,153 households, and 6,667 families residing in the county. The racial makeup was 70.1% White, 26.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.8% of the population. The population density was 47.8 inhabitants per square mile. The median household income was $41,776, and 18.5% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Government and politics

Abbeville County is governed by an elected five-member council, employing a council-administrator form of government. The county is part of South Carolina's 3rd congressional district, represented by Jeff Duncan. It lies within the 8th Judicial Circuit and is served by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. In presidential elections, Abbeville County has consistently voted for the Republican nominee since the 1970s, with Donald Trump carrying the county by wide margins in both 2016 and 2020.

Economy

Historically dependent on textile manufacturing and agriculture, the county's economy has diversified in recent decades. Major employers include Bridgestone, which operates a large off-road tire manufacturing plant, and various healthcare and educational institutions. Agriculture remains important, with poultry, cattle, and timber as leading products. The county also benefits from tourism related to its historical sites, such as the Abbeville Opera House and the Burt-Stark Mansion, and outdoor recreation at nearby Lake Russell and the Sumter National Forest.

Education

Public education in Abbeville County is provided by the Abbeville County School District, which operates several elementary schools, Abbeville High School, and the Dixie High School. Higher education opportunities are available through nearby institutions like Piedmont Technical College in Greenwood and Lander University. The county is also home to the Abbeville County Library System.

Communities

* Abbeville (county seat) * Calhoun Falls * Donalds * Due West (home to Erskine College) * Lowndesville Category:Abbeville County, South Carolina Category:1785 establishments in South Carolina Category:Counties of the Piedmont (United States)