County in South Carolina
| Jasper County | |
|---|---|
| County | |
 Jasper County Courthouse | |
 Flag Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina | |
 South Carolina's location within the U.S. | |
| Coordinates: 32°26′N 81°01′W / 32.43°N 81.02°W / 32.43; -81.02 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  South Carolina |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Named for | William Jasper |
| Seat | Ridgeland |
| Largest community | Hardeeville |
| Area | |
| • Total | 701.58 sq mi (1,817.1 km) |
| • Land | 655.16 sq mi (1,696.9 km) |
| • Water | 46.42 sq mi (120.2 km) 6.62% |
| Population | |
| • Total | 28,791 |
| • Estimate | 33,544 |
| • Density | 43.94/sq mi (16.97/km) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st, 6th |
| Website | www |
Jasper County is the southernmost county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,791. Its county seat is Ridgeland and its largest community is Hardeeville. The county was formed in 1912 from portions of Hampton County and Beaufort County.
Jasper County is included in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in the Lowcountry region of the state.
History
The county was founded in 1912 and was named after William Jasper. The county seat is Ridgeland while the largest community is Hardeeville. The county is also in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
For several decades, in contrast to neighboring Beaufort County, Jasper was one of the poorest counties in the state. Recent development from 2000 onwards has given the county new residents, expanded business opportunities, and a wealthier tax base.
Geography
Interactive map of Jasper CountyAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 701.58 square miles (1,817.1 km), of which 655.16 square miles (1,696.9 km) is land and 46.42 square miles (120.2 km) (6.62%) is water.
National protected areas
State and local protected areas/sites
- Frampton Plantation House
- Kingfisher Pond Recreation Area
- Old House Plantation
- Tillman Sand Ridge Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area
- Turtle Island Wildlife Management Area
Major water bodies
- Atlantic Ocean (North Atlantic Ocean)
- Intracoastal Waterway
- Little Black River
- Middle River
- Okatee River
- Savannah River
- Tulifiny River
Adjacent counties
- Hampton County – north
- Beaufort County – east
- Chatham County, Georgia – south
- Effingham County, Georgia – west
Demographics
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 9,868 | — | |
| 1930 | 9,988 | 1.2% | |
| 1940 | 11,011 | 10.2% | |
| 1950 | 10,995 | −0.1% | |
| 1960 | 12,237 | 11.3% | |
| 1970 | 11,885 | −2.9% | |
| 1980 | 14,504 | 22.0% | |
| 1990 | 15,487 | 6.8% | |
| 2000 | 20,678 | 33.5% | |
| 2010 | 24,777 | 19.8% | |
| 2020 | 28,791 | 16.2% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 33,544 | 16.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 | |||
2020 census
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000 | Pop 2010 | Pop 2020 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,374 | 9,263 | 13,056 | 40.50% | 37.39% | 45.35% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 10,852 | 11,303 | 9,559 | 52.48% | 45.62% | 33.20% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 64 | 49 | 59 | 0.31% | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 89 | 169 | 187 | 0.43% | 0.68% | 0.65% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 9 | 5 | 23 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 21 | 108 | 0.06% | 0.08% | 0.38% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 87 | 215 | 720 | 0.42% | 0.87% | 2.50% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,190 | 3,752 | 5,079 | 5.75% | 15.14% | 17.64% |
| Total | 20,678 | 24,777 | 28,791 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the 2020 census, there were 28,791 people, 10,269 households, and 7,298 families residing in the county.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 24,777 people, 8,517 households, and 5,944 families living in the county. The population density was 37.8 inhabitants per square mile (14.6 inhabitants/km). There were 10,299 housing units at an average density of 15.7 units per square mile (6.1 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 46.0% black or African American, 43.0% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 8.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 15.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 7.1% were Irish, and 2.5% were American.
Of the 8,517 households, 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23. The median age was 34.6 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,393 and the median income for a family was $45,800. Males had a median income of $31,999 versus $24,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,997. About 14.2% of families and 21.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 20,678 people, 7,042 households, and 5,091 families living in the county. The population density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km). There were 7,928 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km). The racial makeup of the county was 52.69% Black or African American, 42.39% White, 0.37% Native American, 0.44% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 3.39% from other races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 5.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 7,042 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.3 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,727, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $29,407 versus $21,055 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,161. About 15.4% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Law and government
Jasper County is governed by a five-member partisan county council, who are elected in staggered four year terms. The council appoints a county administrator who is tasked with running the day-to-day operations of the county, with the exception of the Sheriff's Office.
Mary Gordon Ellis, the first woman elected to the South Carolina legislature, represented Jasper County in the state senate for one term, from 1928 to 1932, after having served as state superintendent of schools.
Politics
Like most counties in the rural Black Belt of South Carolina, Jasper has long leaned Democratic. However, in 2024, Donald Trump was able to flip the county Republican for the first time since Richard Nixon carried it in 1972.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 9,900 | 54.32% | 8,144 | 44.68% | 183 | 1.00% |
| 2020 | 7,078 | 49.17% | 7,185 | 49.92% | 131 | 0.91% |
| 2016 | 5,187 | 45.39% | 5,956 | 52.12% | 284 | 2.49% |
| 2012 | 4,169 | 41.60% | 5,757 | 57.45% | 95 | 0.95% |
| 2008 | 3,365 | 38.01% | 5,389 | 60.87% | 100 | 1.13% |
| 2004 | 2,933 | 42.84% | 3,840 | 56.09% | 73 | 1.07% |
| 2000 | 2,414 | 37.32% | 3,646 | 56.36% | 409 | 6.32% |
| 1996 | 2,024 | 31.29% | 4,053 | 62.66% | 391 | 6.05% |
| 1992 | 1,725 | 29.93% | 3,453 | 59.92% | 585 | 10.15% |
| 1988 | 2,004 | 40.66% | 2,894 | 58.71% | 31 | 0.63% |
| 1984 | 3,102 | 45.09% | 3,753 | 54.56% | 24 | 0.35% |
| 1980 | 1,617 | 32.54% | 3,312 | 66.65% | 40 | 0.80% |
| 1976 | 1,221 | 29.49% | 2,903 | 70.12% | 16 | 0.39% |
| 1972 | 1,650 | 57.21% | 1,203 | 41.71% | 31 | 1.07% |
| 1968 | 633 | 20.31% | 1,402 | 44.99% | 1,081 | 34.69% |
| 1964 | 1,593 | 61.39% | 1,002 | 38.61% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 779 | 51.93% | 721 | 48.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 403 | 31.71% | 210 | 16.52% | 658 | 51.77% |
| 1952 | 800 | 55.71% | 636 | 44.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 31 | 3.49% | 141 | 15.90% | 715 | 80.61% |
| 1944 | 18 | 3.96% | 230 | 50.66% | 206 | 45.37% |
| 1940 | 41 | 8.93% | 418 | 91.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 4 | 0.88% | 452 | 99.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 11 | 2.68% | 399 | 97.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1928 | 5 | 4.67% | 102 | 95.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 0 | 0.00% | 89 | 69.53% | 39 | 30.47% |
| 1920 | 0 | 0.00% | 219 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 0 | 0.00% | 243 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1912 | 0 | 0.00% | 198 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
Economy
In 2022, the GDP was $1.7 billion (about $49,980 per capita), and the real GDP was $1.3 billion (about $39,745 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars.
As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county include AmeriGas, the city of Hardeeville, Publix, and Walmart.
| Industry | Employment Counts | Employment Percentage (%) | Average Annual Wage ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 740 | 6.6 | 23,920 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 956 | 8.6 | 45,968 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 111 | 1.0 | 63,336 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 170 | 1.5 | 41,236 |
| Construction | 1,801 | 16.1 | 70,252 |
| Educational Services | 594 | 5.3 | 53,560 |
| Finance and Insurance | 110 | 1.0 | 61,048 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,094 | 18.7 | 34,580 |
| Information | 24 | 0.2 | 99,476 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 288 | 2.6 | 58,396 |
| Manufacturing | 295 | 2.6 | 37,336 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 385 | 3.4 | 63,648 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 850 | 7.6 | 59,852 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 173 | 1.5 | 62,244 |
| Public Administration | 1,752 | 15.7 | 49,296 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 174 | 1.6 | 51,480 |
| Retail Trade | 172 | 1.5 | 97,968 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 293 | 2.6 | 70,720 |
| Utilities | 21 | 0.2 | 83,916 |
| Wholesale Trade | 173 | 1.5 | 70,344 |
| Total | 11,176 | 100.0% | 51,570 |
Transportation
Major highways
I-95
US 17
US 278
US 278 Conn.
US 321
US 601
SC 3
SC 46
SC 170
SC 315
SC 336
SC 336 Conn.
SC 462
SC 652
Railroads
CSX Transportation's Charleston Subdivision (also known as the Charleston-Savannah Railway) currently operates both freight trains and passenger trains (via Amtrak) along the line, but does not stop anywhere within the county. The line also runs along the Hampton-Jasper County border northeast of the bridge over the Tullifinny River.
Another active CSX line within the county is the Columbia Subdivision which bisects the northwest corner of Jasper County between the Georgia state line and Hampton County. This line also operates freight as well as Amtrak passenger trains.
Communities
City
- Hardeeville (largest community)
Town
- Ridgeland (county seat)
Unincorporated communities
- Coosawhatchie
- Gillisonville
- Grahamville
- Grays
- Levy
- Limehouse
- Okatie
- Old House
- Pineland
- Pocotaligo
- Point South
- Robertville
- Switzerland
- Tarboro
- Tillman
- Wagon Branch
See also
- List of counties in South Carolina
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Jasper County, South Carolina
- Jasper Ocean Terminal, planned deepwater container port in the county
References
- ^ "QuickFacts: Jasper County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
- "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
- ^ "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
- Pinckney, Carmen (March 17, 2020). "Savannah National Wildlife Refuge Hiking Trails". South Carolina Lowcountry. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- Roosevelt, Franklin D. (April 10, 1939). "Proclamation 2329—Closed Area Under the Migratory Bird Treaty Act, Georgia and South Carolina". The American Presidency Project. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
- "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
- "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
- Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
- "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved March 18, 2015.
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jasper County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Jasper County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- "P004 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Jasper County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
- ^ "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved October 1, 2014.
- "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
- "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
- "Women Wielding Power-South Carolina". nwhm.org. Archived from the original on September 6, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2015.
- Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Jasper County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Jasper County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
- ^ "Jasper County" (PDF). Community Profiles (04000053). Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
External links
Geographic data related to Jasper County, South Carolina at OpenStreetMap- Official website
- Jasper County history and images
| Places adjacent to Jasper County, South Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
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Jasper County, South Carolina
| Municipalities and communities of Jasper County, South Carolina, United States | ||
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| County seat: Ridgeland | ||
| City |  | |
| Town | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other communities | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
| The Lowcountry of South Carolina | ||
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| Counties |  | |
| Major communities | ||
| Sea islands | ||
| History & culture | ||
| Military installations | ||
| Natural areas | ||
| Other articles | ||
