Editing Abbeville County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Abbeville County
 | state                = South Carolina
 | seal                 = Abbeville County Seal.jpg
 | seat wl              = Abbeville
 | largest city wl      = Abbeville
 | city type            = community
 | founded              = 1785
 | named for            = [[Abbeville|Abbeville, France]]
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 511.74
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 491.19
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 20.55
 | area percentage      = 4.02
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 24295
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 24434 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|34.23|-82.45|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.abbevillecountysc.com
 | time zone            = Eastern
 | ex image             = Abbevillecourt01-1000.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Abbeville County Courthouse]]
 | district             = 3rd
 | motto                = "A Great Place to Live." }}

'''Abbeville County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 24,295.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Abbeville, South Carolina|Abbeville]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509170006/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 9, 2015 }}</ref> It is the first county (or county equivalent) in the United States alphabetically. Abbeville County included in the [[Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC Combined Statistical Area]], known colloquially as the Upstate or the Upcountry.<ref name=OMB_23-01>{{cite web|url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf|title=OMB Bulletin No. 23-01, Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of Delineations of These Areas|publisher=[[United States]] [[Office of Management and Budget]]|date=July 21, 2023|access-date=July 25, 2023}}</ref>

==History==
Both Abbeville County and the [[county seat]], [[Abbeville, South Carolina|Abbeville]], get their name from the town of [[Abbeville, France]], the native home of an early settler.<ref>{{cite book|author=Federal Writers' Project|author-link=Federal Writers' Project|title=Palmetto Place Names|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c056089075&view=1up&seq=17|year=1941|publisher=Sloane printing co.|page=11}}</ref><ref name="abbhist">{{cite web |url=http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/abbeville-county.html |title=Abbeville County |author=Mary Morgan |access-date=October 15, 2007 |date=March 19, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070820050437/http://www.statelibrary.sc.gov/abbeville-county.html |archive-date=August 20, 2007 |url-status=dead }}</ref>  The county was originally part of [[Ninety-Six District, South Carolina]], but was designated Abbeville County in 1785, with parts of the county later going to the creation of the counties of [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood]] and [[McCormick County, South Carolina|McCormick]].<ref name="abbhist"/> Abbeville County was settled by mostly [[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scotch Irish]] and [[Huguenots|French-Huguenot]] [[farmer]]s in the mid-18th century.<ref name="abbhist"/>

The  [[Treaty of Dewitt's Corner]], a historic peace negotiation with the [[Cherokee|Cherokee Indians]], was signed in Dewitt's Corner (which is now known as [[Due West, South Carolina|Due West]]) in the county.<ref name="abbhist"/>  As a result of the treaty, the Cherokee tribe broke into two factions, one of which, the [[Chickamauga Cherokee]], continued fighting area settlers for another 30 years.

Abbeville County was a hotbed of [[secession]] before the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] and was also where the last [[Confederate States of America|Confederate]] council of war was held.<ref name="abbhist"/>

In 1950 Abbeville County had a population of 22,456.<ref>''Encyclopædia Britannica Atlas'', 1959 Edition, p. 298</ref> As of the 2020 census, this has grown to 24,295 people.<ref name=":0" />

=== Lynchings ===
There were nine documented [[Lynching in the United States|lynchings]] in Abbeville, SC.
# Dave Roberts known as "David Roberts","Robert Dane", 1882.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1882123101|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# Tut Danford, 1889.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1889050801|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# Jake "Jacob" Davis, August 21, 1893.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1893082101|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# Will Lawton, December 6, 1893.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1893120601|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# James A. Nelson known as "James Macon","James Mason", 1894.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1894070701|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# Allen Pendleton, 1905.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1905091701|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# Will Lozier, 1915.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1915071201|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# [[Lynching of Anthony Crawford|Anthony Crawford]], a prominent landowner, farmer, businessman lynched for not selling his cotton at the price demanded. 1916.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1916102101|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>
# Mark "Max" Smith, 1919.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://lynching.csde.washington.edu/#/search/SC1919060701|title=CSDE Lynching Database|website=lynching.csde.washington.edu|language=en|access-date=September 9, 2017}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q306343|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Abbeville County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|511.74|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|491.19|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|20.55|sqmi}} (4.02%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_45.txt |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> Abbeville County is in the [[Savannah River]] basin and the [[Saluda River]] basin.

===National protected area===
* [[Sumter National Forest]] (part)

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[Calhoun Falls State Park]]
* [[Cedar Springs Historic District]]
* [[Long Cane Scenic Area]]
* [[McCalla Wildlife Management Area]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=SCDNR Public Lands |url=https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/County |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www2.dnr.sc.gov}}</ref>

===Major water bodies===
* [[Richard B. Russell Lake|Lake Russell]]
* [[Saluda River]]
* [[Savannah River]]
* [[Lake Secession, South Carolina|Lake Secession]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville County]] – north
* [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]] – north
* [[Laurens County, South Carolina|Laurens County]] – northeast
* [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood County]] – east
* [[McCormick County, South Carolina|McCormick County]] – southeast
* [[Elbert County, Georgia]] – west

===Major highways===
{{div col}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US-Bus|25|dab1=Ware Shoals}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|178}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|20}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|20|dab1=Abbeville}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|28}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|28|dab1=Abbeville}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|71}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Truck|71|dab1=Abbeville}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|72}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|81}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|184}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|185}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|203}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Truck|203|dab1=Abbeville}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|284}}
{{div col end}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1790= 9197
|1800= 13553
|1810= 21156
|1820= 23167
|1830= 28149
|1840= 29351
|1850= 32318
|1860= 32385
|1870= 31129
|1880= 40815
|1890= 46854
|1900= 33400
|1910= 34804
|1920= 27139
|1930= 23323
|1940= 22931
|1950= 22456
|1960= 21417
|1970= 21112
|1980= 22627
|1990= 23862
|2000= 26167
|2010= 25417
|2020= 24295
|estyear=2023
|estimate=24434
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/abbevillecountysouthcarolina |title=U.S. Decennial Census QuickFacts, Abbeville County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 23, 2022}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 15, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF"/> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/abbevillecountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Abbeville County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Abbeville County racial composition<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45001&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|16,744
|68.92%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|6,184
|25.45%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|44
|0.18%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|71
|0.29%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|7
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|822
|3.38%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|423
|1.74%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]] there were 24,295 people, 9,660 households, and 6,248 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 25,417&nbsp;people, 9,990&nbsp;households, and 6,939&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45001
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031956/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45001
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref><ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45001.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125443/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45001.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=November 22, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|51.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 12,079 housing units at an average density of {{convert|24.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45001
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213191315/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45001
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 69.6% white, 28.3% black or African American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were [[Americans|American]], 10.9% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.7% were [[English people|English]], 7.6% were [[Germans|German]], and 5.6% were [[Scotch-Irish American|Scotch-Irish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45001
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213015142/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45001
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 9,990&nbsp;households, 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.2% were married couples living together, 15.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.5% were non-families, and 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 41.6 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $33,143 and the median income for a family was $45,147. Males had a median income of $39,217 versus $29,199 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,653. About 16.3% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 26.8% of those under age 18 and 16.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45001
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021600/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45001
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 26,167 people, 10,131 households, and 7,284 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|52|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 11,656 housing units at an average density of {{convert|23|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 68.33% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 30.29% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.10% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.23% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.03% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.31% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.71% from two or more races. 0.83% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 22.1% were of [[United States|American]], 9.7% [[Irish people|Irish]], 6.7% [[English people|English]], 5.5% [[Germans|German]] and 5.3% [[Ulster Scots people|Scotch-Irish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

There were 10,131 households, out of which 31.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 15.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 25.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 3.00.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.30% under the age of 18, 9.50% from 18 to 24, 26.70% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 92.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,635, and the median income for a family was $38,847. Males had a median income of $30,452 versus $21,045 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $15,370. About 10.10% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 17.20% of those under age 18 and 16.90% of those age 65 or over.

==Law and government==
William C. Norris is the chairman of the Abbeville County Council, who also represents district 4.<ref name="abbcc">{{cite web|url=http://www.abbevillecountysc.com/council.aspx|title=County Council|access-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref> The other members and their districts are as following:
* Brandon Johnson – district 1<ref name="abbcc"/>
* Christine Long – district 2<ref name="abbcc"/>
* Charles Goodwin – district 3<ref name="abbcc"/>
* James McCord – district 5<ref name="abbcc"/>
* Rick Campbell – district 6<ref name="abbcc"/>
* Bryan McClain – district 7<ref name="abbcc"/>

===Law enforcement===
In 2013, long-time Abbeville County Sheriff Charles Goodwin pled guilty to misconduct in office. He was put on probation for five years, sentenced to 100 hours of community service, and ordered to pay $4,500 in restitution.<ref>{{Cite web|author=Mitch Weiss|title=Former sheriff pleads guilty|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/news/former-sheriff-pleads-guilty/article_aa8c4896-25c3-5849-848e-d73d6985de93.html|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=Post and Courier|language=en|date=January 18, 2013}}</ref>

===Politics===
Abbeville County was a typical "[[Solid South]]" county in its voting patterns until 1948 when it voted for [[Dixiecrat]] candidate and South Carolina native [[Strom Thurmond]] against Democratic candidate [[Harry Truman]] regarding his support for Civil Rights, most importantly racial integration. It resumed voting Democratic until 1968 when a majority voted for [[American Independent Party]] candidate & southern segregationist [[George Wallace]]. In 1972 the county voted overwhelmingly for [[Richard Nixon]], and since then Abbeville has showed strong endorsement towards the Republican Party. The last Democrat to carry Abbeville County was [[Bill Clinton]] in 1992 and 1996.

{{PresHead|place=Abbeville County, South Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|8,509|3,399|140|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|8,215|4,101|117|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|6,763|3,741|271|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|5,981|4,543|147|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|6,264|4,593|144|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|5,436|4,389|100|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|4,450|3,766|158|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|3,054|3,493|553|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|3,317|3,968|1,058|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|3,738|3,629|34|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|3,798|3,051|26|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|2,361|4,049|222|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,791|4,700|31|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|3,266|1,349|122|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|1,213|1,425|3,201|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|1,448|2,689|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|845|3,064|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|339|2,985|257|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|970|2,776|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|23|254|787|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|19|789|11|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|32|1,007|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|23|1,265|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|9|1,184|1|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|65|1,020|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|19|681|37|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|13|868|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|8|900|3|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|9|1,095|4|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|21|665|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|8|1,366|0|South Carolina}}

==Economy==
In 1999, Abbeville County had the highest level of economic development and job creation per capita in all of South Carolina.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Overview |url=https://abbevillechamber.org/about-abbeville-county/overview |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=abbevillechamber.org}}</ref> Factors contributing to Abbeville's economic growth include some of the lowest electricity operating costs in South Carolina and the broader [[Southeastern United States|southeastern region of the United States]], [[Right-to-work law|right-to-work laws]] forcing the cost of labor down, and direct workforce training through the [[Piedmont Technical College]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=About Abbeville County |url=https://abbevillechamber.org/about-abbeville-county |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=abbevillechamber.org}}</ref>

Throughout 2023 and early 2024, the unemployment rate of Abbeville has fluctuated around 4%.<ref name=":1">{{Cite journal |date=2024-04-19 |title=Abbeville County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000001.pdf |journal=Community Profile |location=Columbia, SC |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce: Business Intelligence Department}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=1990-01-01 |title=Unemployment Rate in Abbeville County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCABBE1URN |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> In 2022, the GDP of Abbeville County was $666.9 million (roughly $27,450 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Abbeville County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45001 |access-date=2024-04-27 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> In [[Chained dollars|chained 2017 dollars]], its per-capita real GDP was $22,685.<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Abbeville County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45001 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> According to the [[Bureau of Labor Statistics]], Abbeville has 417 employment establishments (private and public organizations covered by unemployment insurance).<ref>{{Cite web |title=County Employment and Wages in South Carolina — Third Quarter 2023 : Southeast Information Office : U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |url=https://www.bls.gov/regions/southeast/news-release/2024/countyemploymentandwages_southcarolina_20240319.htm#QCEWSCTable2.xlsx.f.2 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=Bureau of Labor Statistics |language=en}}</ref> As of Q3 2023, some of the top 20 employers in the state include the [[Abbeville, South Carolina|city of Abbeville]], [[Erskine College]], [[Hardee's]], [[Ingles]], [[Prysmian Group]], [[Sage Automotive Interiors]], and [[Wayfair]].<ref name=":1" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Abbeville County, South Carolina<ref name=":1" />
! style="text-align:left;" | Industry
! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Counts
! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Percentage (%)
! style="text-align:right;" | Average Annual Wage ($)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Accommodation and Food Services || style="text-align:right;" | 337 || style="text-align:right;" | 6.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 16,380
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 223 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 35,880
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 35 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 31,200
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 127 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 46,800
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Educational Services || style="text-align:right;" | 683 || style="text-align:right;" | 13.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 41,028
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 75 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 49,504
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 484 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 59,072
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 122 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 78,000
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 1,784 || style="text-align:right;" | 34.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 62,036
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 96 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 35,724
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 111 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 101,660
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 478 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 42,588
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 14 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 36,504
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 439 || style="text-align:right;" | 8.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 21,788
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 65 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 55,380
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Utilities || style="text-align:right;" | 47 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 80,860
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 77 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 62,660
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''5,197''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''49,729'''
|}

==Education==
===School districts===
There are two [[school district]]s in the county: [[Abbeville County School District]] takes up the majority of the area, while some parts are in the [[Greenwood School District 51]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45001_abbeville/DC20SD_C45001.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Abbeville County, SC|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2025-01-04}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45001_abbeville/DC20SD_C45001_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref> Most Abbeville County schools are part of the Abbeville County School District.<ref name="abbk12">{{cite web|url=http://www.acsd.k12.sc.us/schools.html|title=Abbeville County School District Listing|access-date=November 10, 2011}}</ref> The following schools are within the district:
* Abbeville County Adult Education<ref name="abbk12"/>
* [[Abbeville High School (South Carolina)|Abbeville High School (grades 9–12)]]<ref name="abbk12"/>
* Abbeville County Career Center (supplementary career education - grades 10–12)<ref name="abbk12"/>
* Cherokee Trail Elementary (grades K–7)<ref name="abbk12"/>
* Diamond Hill Elementary (grades K–7)<ref name="abbk12"/>
* [[Dixie High School (South Carolina)|Dixie High School (grades 8–12)]]<ref name="abbk12"/>
* John C. Calhoun Elementary (grades K-5)<ref name="abbk12"/>
* Long Cane Primary (grades K–2)<ref name="abbk12"/>
* Westwood Elementary (grades 3–5)<ref name="abbk12"/>
* Wright Middle School (grades 6–8)<ref name="abbk12"/>

===Other schools===
* [[Calhoun Falls Charter School]] (part of the [[South Carolina Public Charter School District]], whereby students from any part of the state may attend)

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Erskine College]], a four-year [[Christianity|Christian]] [[liberal arts college]], with 575 [[undergraduates]], is located in [[Due West, South Carolina]]
* [[Piedmont Technical College]], hosts a branch campus in [[Abbeville, SC]]

==Communities==
===City===
* [[Abbeville, South Carolina|Abbeville]] (county seat and largest community)

===Towns===
* [[Calhoun Falls, South Carolina|Calhoun Falls]]
* [[Donalds, South Carolina|Donalds]]
* [[Due West, South Carolina|Due West]]
* [[Honea Path, South Carolina|Honea Path]] (mostly in Anderson County)
* [[Lowndesville, South Carolina|Lowndesville]]
* [[Ware Shoals, South Carolina|Ware Shoals]] (mostly in Greenwood County; partly in Laurens County)

===Census-designated places===
* [[Antreville, South Carolina|Antreville]]
* [[Lake Secession, South Carolina|Lake Secession]]

==Notable people==
[[Image:John C. Calhoun.jpeg|thumbnail|150px|right|Portrait of [[John C. Calhoun]], famous politician from Abbeville County.]]
* [[John C. Calhoun]] (1782–1850), born in the Abbeville District, [[U.S. congressman]] and [[U.S. senator]] from South Carolina, [[United States Secretary of War|secretary of war]], [[United States Secretary of State|secretary of state]], and [[Vice President of the United States|vice president of the United States]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896">{{cite book |title = Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 | publisher = Marquis Who's Who | location=Chicago |  year = 1963}}</ref>
* [[Langdon Cheves]] (1776–1857), born in Abbeville County at Rocky River, banker and U.S. congressman from South Carolina<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896"/>
* [[Lynching of Anthony Crawford|Anthony Crawford]] (c. 1865–1916), prominent landowner, farmer, and businessman who was lynched for not selling his cotton at the price demanded
* [[Francis Alanson Cunningham]] (1804–1864), born in the Abbeville District, physician and United States Congressman from [[Ohio]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" />
* [[Leomont Evans]] (born 1974), former American football player in the [[NFL]] and the first iteration of the [[XFL (2001)|XFL]]<ref>{{cite web |title=Leomont Evans returns to Canton — site of scary injury — for Dawkins' induction {{!}} Sports {{!}} indexjournal.com |date=August 11, 2018 |url=https://www.indexjournal.com/sports/leomont-evans-returns-to-canton-site-of-scary-injury-for/article_6d0e46be-89fc-58af-8d77-9bffeb2f6e98.html}}</ref>
* [[Joshua Hill (Georgian politician)|Joshua Hill]] (1812–1891), born in the Abbeville District, U.S. senator from [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" />
* [[Thomas D. Howie]] (1908–1944), American army officer, killed during the [[Operation Overlord|Battle of Normandy]] during [[World War II]], while trying to capture the French town of Saint-Lô. He is known as "The Major of St. Lo"
* [[Abner Smith Lipscomb]] (1816–1890), born in the Abbeville District, member of the [[Alabama Legislature]] and [[Supreme Court Justice]] of both [[Alabama]] and [[Texas]]<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" />
* [[James L. Petigru]] (1789–1863), born in the Abbeville District, was the [[attorney general]] of South Carolina and a member of the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]]. He was the leader of the anti-nullificationalists in the state house<ref name="Marquis 1607-1896" />

==See also==
* [[List of counties in South Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Abbeville County, South Carolina]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2532495}}
* {{Official website|https://abbevillecountysc.com/}}

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Abbeville County, South Carolina
|North     = [[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville County]] and [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]]
|Northeast = [[Laurens County, South Carolina|Laurens County]]
|East      = [[Greenwood County, South Carolina|Greenwood County]]
|Southeast = [[McCormick County, South Carolina|McCormick County]]
|South     =
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Elbert County, Georgia]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Abbeville County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Abbeville County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1785 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1785]]