Edgefield County, South Carolina

Edgefield County, South Carolina
County	Edgefield County
State	South Carolina
Founded	1785
Seat	Edgefield
Largest town	Edgefield
Area total sq mi	507
Area land sq mi	500
Area water sq mi	7.0
Area percentage	1.4%
Population as of	2020
Population total	25,657
Population density sq mi	51.3
Time zone	Eastern
District	3rd
Named for	Its location on the "edge" of the state

Edgefield County, South Carolina. Located in the western part of the state along the Savannah River, it is part of the Augusta, Georgia metropolitan area. The county, with its seat at Edgefield, is historically significant for its role in South Carolina politics and its distinctive agricultural and pottery traditions. It is often called the "Home of Ten Governors" due to the number of state chief executives it has produced.

History

The area was originally inhabited by the Cherokee and Catawba peoples before European settlement. Formed in 1785 as part of the Ninety-Six District, the county was a major center of the antebellum plantation economy, heavily reliant on enslaved labor for the cultivation of cotton. It was a hotbed of States' rights sentiment and a flashpoint during the Nullification Crisis, with prominent local figures like George McDuffie advocating for the doctrine. The county was the site of the Battle of Stevens Creek during the American Revolutionary War and later saw significant violence during Reconstruction, including activities by the Ku Klux Klan. The late 19th century "Edgefield Style" of alkaline-glazed stoneware pottery, pioneered by enslaved potters like Dave the Potter, became nationally renowned. The county was also a central figure in the Tillmanism movement led by Benjamin Tillman, impacting South Carolina politics for decades.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 507 square miles, of which 500 square miles is land and 7.0 square miles is water. Its northern and western border is defined by the Savannah River, which separates it from Georgia. The terrain transitions from the rolling hills of the Piedmont in the north to the flat Atlantic coastal plain in the south. Major waterways include the Little River and Horn Creek. The county contains parts of the Sumter National Forest and is situated within the Central Savannah River Area region. Adjacent counties include Saluda to the east, Aiken to the southeast, and McCormick to the west.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 25,657. The racial makeup was approximately 58.5% White, 36.5% Black or African American, 2.0% Hispanic or Latino, 0.8% Asian, and 1.6% identifying as two or more races. The population density was about 51 people per square mile. The median household income was below the state average, and the poverty rate was higher than the national average. The largest communities are the towns of Edgefield and Johnston.

Government and politics

Edgefield County operates under a council-administrator form of government. It is part of the 3rd congressional district, represented by Jeff Duncan. The county is located within the Second Circuit Court of South Carolina and is served by the South Carolina Highway Patrol. Politically, it is a strongly Republican county in federal and statewide elections, having voted for the GOP nominee in every presidential election since 1968. The Democratic Party retains some local offices.

Economy

The economy has historically been based on agriculture, particularly peach orchards, timber, and cattle farming. In the 20th century, the establishment of the Savannah River Site nuclear facility in neighboring Aiken County brought related research and contracting jobs. Manufacturing includes facilities for Bridgestone and Hubbell Incorporated. The tourism sector is supported by historical sites like the National Wild Turkey Federation headquarters and the Oakley Park Museum, as well as agritourism related to its peach industry.

Education

Public education is managed by the Edgefield County School District, which operates several elementary schools, Edgefield County Middle School, and Strom Thurmond High School. The county is also served by the Piedmont Technical College system. There are no four-year universities within the county, but students have access to institutions like the University of South Carolina and Augusta University in nearby cities.

Notable people

Edgefield County is famously known as the "Home of Ten Governors," including John C. Sheppard, John Gary Evans, and Strom Thurmond, who also served as a longtime U.S. Senator. Other significant figures include U.S. Senator and Governor James Hammond, Confederate General Martin W. Gary, and Preston Brooks, the congressman who caned Charles Sumner on the floor of the U.S. Senate. Notable African Americans from the county include master potter Dave the Potter, agricultural innovator and state legislator Thomas E. Miller, and Lucy Holcombe Pickens, known as the "Queen of the Confederacy."

Category:Edgefield County, South Carolina Category:1785 establishments in South Carolina