Editing Allendale County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Allendale County
 | state                = South Carolina
 | seal                 = Allendale County Seal.jpg
 | founded              = 1919
 | named for            = Paul H. Allen<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>
 | seat wl              = Allendale
 | largest city wl      = Allendale
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 412.42
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 408.10
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.32
 | area percentage      = 1.05
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 8039
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 7369 {{loss}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|32.98|-81.36|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.allendalecounty.com
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | district             = 6th
 | ex image             = Allendale County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Allendale County Courthouse]]
}}

'''Allendale 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]], the population was 8,039,<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> making it the [[List of counties in South Carolina|least populous county]] in South Carolina. Its [[county seat]] is [[Allendale, South Carolina|Allendale]].<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/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref>

==History==
Allendale County was formed in 1919 from southwestern portions of [[Barnwell County]], along the [[Savannah River]], and part of [[Hampton County]], just to its south. It is the location of the [[Topper Site]], an [[archeology|archeological]] [[excavation (archaeology)|excavation]] providing possible evidence of a pre-[[Clovis culture]] dating back 50,000 years. The site is near a source of [[chert]] on private land in [[Martin, South Carolina|Martin]] owned by [[Clariant]] Corporation, a [[Switzerland|Swiss]] [[chemical industry|chemical company]] with a plant there. The site, named after John Topper, a nt who discovered it, has been under excavation by archeologists from the [[University of South Carolina]] for about one month a year since 1999, after an initial exploratory dig in the mid-1980s.

Allendale County was born out of a desire for convenience. Having a new county circumvented the need to travel to the courthouse in Barnwell or Hampton. The original [[Allendale County Courthouse]] burned down in May 1998, with reconstruction begun in August 2002.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Allendale County |url=https://www.scencyclopedia.org/sce/entries/allendale-county/ |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=South Carolina Encyclopedia |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=August 1, 2007 |title=Allendale County Courthouse, Allendale County (292 Barnwell Hwy., Allendale) |url=http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/allendale/S10817703013/index.htm |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=National Register Properties in South Carolina |publisher=South Carolina Department of Archives and History}}</ref> During the Civil Rights movement, the Courthouse almost became a site for a sit-in protest after African-American citizens charged officials with deliberately delaying the voter registration of Black residents.<ref>{{Cite news |last=The Associated Press |date=July 28, 1965 |title=38 Arrested: Seize Civil Rights Pickets in Allendale Sit-in Protests |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=HA5KAAAAIBAJ&dq=allendale+county+courthouse+south+carolina&pg=PA13&article_id=3015,1596387 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |work=The Michigan Daily |pages=3}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=AP |date=August 3, 1965 |title=37 Arrested As Police Break Up Allendale Sit-In |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=t3EsAAAAIBAJ&dq=allendale+county+courthouse+south+carolina&pg=PA1&article_id=2995,363390 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |work=Herald-Journal |pages=1}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=AP |date=August 4, 1965 |title=Protest Segregation: Angry Neighbors of Chicago Mayor Pelt Demonstrators |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=fMhOAAAAIBAJ&dq=allendale+county+courthouse+south+carolina&pg=PA2&article_id=6440,4764072 |access-date=May 6, 2024 |work=Prescott Evening Courier |pages=3}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q497824|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Allendale County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|412.42|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|408.10|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.32|sqmi}} (1.05%) 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> The [[Savannah River]] forms the county's western border with [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]].

Allendale is {{convert|62|mi}} from [[Augusta, Georgia]]; {{convert|73|mi}} from [[Savannah, Georgia]]; {{convert|87|mi}} from [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]]; and {{convert|90|mi}} from [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]]. Before interstate highways were built, Allendale had several motels, primarily serving travelers in-between Northeastern states and Florida. Traffic that formerly traveled US 301 through Allendale now uses Interstate 95.

===Major water bodies===
* [[Coosawhatchie River]]
* [[Salkehatchie River]]
* [[Savannah River]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg County]] – northeast
* [[Colleton County, South Carolina|Colleton County]] – east
* [[Hampton County, South Carolina|Hampton County]] – southeast
* [[Screven County, Georgia]] – southwest
* [[Burke County, Georgia]] – west
* [[Barnwell County, South Carolina|Barnwell County]] – northwest

===Major highways===
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|278}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|301}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|321}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|3}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|47}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|125}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|300}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|641}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Savannah River Site]] (part)

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1920= 16098
|1930= 13294
|1940= 13040
|1950= 11773
|1960= 11362
|1970= 9692
|1980= 10700
|1990= 11722
|2000= 11211
|2010= 10419
|2020= 8039
|estyear=2023
|estimate=7369
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html |title=U.S. Decennial Census |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=March 15, 2015 }}</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">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45005.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 22, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125513/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45005.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 }}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/allendalecountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Allendale County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Allendale County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45005&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,985
|24.69%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|5,646
|70.23%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|45
|0.56%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|17
|0.21%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|1
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|151
|1.88%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|194
|2.41%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 8,039 people, 3,281 households, and 1,389 families residing in the county. The median age was 51.4 for women and 44.5 for men. About 23.7% of households had children living with them. Renters make up 35.6% of households.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=United States Census Bureau |author-link=United States Census Bureau |title=PROFILE OF GENERAL POPULATION AND HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US45005&y=2020&d=DEC%20Demographic%20Profile |access-date=May 8, 2024 |website=Census Bureau}}</ref> Available housing was more than the number of households, totaling 4,040 housing units,<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Census Bureau |year=2020 |title=HOUSING UNITS |url=https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.H1?g=050XX00US45005&y=2020&d=DEC%20Demographic%20and%20Housing%20Characteristics |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=data.census.gov |publisher=U.S. Census Bureau}}</ref> all of which are classified as rural.<ref>U.S. Census Bureau. "URBAN AND RURAL." ''Decennial Census, DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics, Table H2'', 2020, https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALDHC2020.H2?g=050XX00US45005&y=2020&d=DEC Demographic and Housing Characteristics. Accessed on May 8, 2024.</ref> The median household size was 2 (with a mean of 2.2).<ref>[[United States Census Bureau|U.S. Census Bureau]]. "HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE." ''Decennial Census, DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171), Table P2'', 2020, https://data.census.gov/table/DECENNIALPL2020.P2?g=050XX00US45005. Accessed on May 8, 2024.</ref>
[[File:Allendale County, South Carolina Population Pyramid 2020 Census.png|alt=Allendale County, South Carolina Population Pyramid 2020 Census|left|thumb|400x400px|2020 age and sex demographics for Allendale County, visualized as a population pyramid<ref name=":1" />]]

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 10,419&nbsp;people, 3,706&nbsp;households, and 2,333&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/DPDP1/0500000US45005
  |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/20200213020047/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|25.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 4,486 housing units at an average density of {{convert|11.0|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45005
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192317/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2010 census|racial makeup]] of the county was 73.6% Black or African American, 23.7% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 0.8% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.3% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, and 5.6% were [[Americans|American]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45005
  |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/20200213023036/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 3,706&nbsp;households, 32.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 31.5% were married couples living together, 26.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.0% were non-families, and 33.7% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 3.14. The median age was 38.8 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median household income was $20,081 and the median family income was $25,146. Males had a median income of $30,440 versus $28,889 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,190. About 35.7% of families and 42.4% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 53.8% of those under age 18 and 27.4% 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/DP03/0500000US45005
  |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/20200213025743/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45005
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]], there were 11,211 people, 3,915 households, and 2,615 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|28|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 4,568 housing units at an average density of {{convert|11|/mi2|/km2}}. The [[Race and ethnicity in the United States Census#2000 census|racial makeup]] of the county was 71.0 percent Black or African American, 27.37 percent White, 0.12 percent Asian, 0.09 percent Native American, 0.06 percent Pacific Islander, 0.85 percent from other races, and 0.51 percent from two or more races. 1.61 percent of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<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>
Of the 3,915 households, 30.3 percent had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.8 percent were married couples living together, 25.8 percent had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.2 percent were non-families. 30.0 percent of all households were one person and 12.3 percent had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.21.

The age distribution was 26.6 percent under the age of 18, 9.8 percent from 18 to 24, 28.2 percent from 25 to 44, 22.8 percent from 45 to 64, and 12.7 percent who were 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 108.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 107.5 males.

The median household income was $20,898 and the median family income was $27,348. Males had a median income of $25,930 versus $20,318 for females. The per capita income for the county was $11,293. About 28.4 percent of families and 34.5 percent of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 48.1 percent of those under age 18 and 26.00 percent of those age 65 or over.<ref>[https://archive.today/20200210220508/http://factfinder.census.gov/servlet/SAFFFacts?_event=&geo_id=05000US45005&_geoContext=01000US%7C04000US45%7C05000US45005&_street=&_county=Allendale+County&_cityTown=Allendale+County&_state=&_zip=&_lang=en&_sse=on&ActiveGeoDiv=&_useEV=&pctxt=fph&pgsl=050&_submenuId=factsheet_1&ds_name=null&_ci_nbr=null&qr_name=null&reg=null:null&_keyword=&_industry=&show_2003_tab=&redirect=Y US Census Bureau Demographics Data]</ref>

==Government and politics==

=== County Council ===
Allendale County has a five-member council elected from single-member districts. The council has a single chairman. Council members serve four-year terms.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Allendale County, SC |url=https://www.allendalecounty.com/government/county_government/index.php |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=www.allendalecounty.com}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
|+Allendale County Council Elected Members<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Allendale County, SC |url=https://www.allendalecounty.com/government/county_government/city_council_members.php |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=www.allendalecounty.com}}</ref>
!
!2020
|-
|District 1
|Theresa Taylor
|-
|District 2
|James White, Jr.
|-
|District 3
|Willa Jennings
|-
|District 4
|Matthew Connelly, Chair
|-
|District 5
|William Robinson, Vice Chair
|}

=== Other County Officials ===
{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
|+Allendale County Elected Officials<ref>{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Allendale County, SC |url=https://www.allendalecounty.com/government/county_government/elected_officials.php |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=www.allendalecounty.com}}</ref>
!
!2020
|-
|Sheriff
|James Freeman<ref>{{Cite web |title=Allendale County - South Carolina Sheriffs' Association |url=https://www.sheriffsc.org/county_map/county/2319 |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=www.sheriffsc.org}}</ref>
|-
|Treasurer
|Alice Kirkland
|-
|Clerk of Court
|Elaine Sabb (since 2007)<ref>{{Cite web |title=Clerk of Court |url=https://www.sccourts.org/clerks/allendale/biography.cfm |access-date=2024-05-06 |website=www.sccourts.org}}</ref>
|-
|Cororner
|Renique Riley
|-
|Probate Judge
|D. Keith Smith
|}

=== S.C. Senate ===
Leading up to the 2020 Census Redistricting, Allendale County was divided between Senate districts 40 (the eastern half) and 45 (the western half). Senate District 40 has been represented by Democrat and Minority Leader [[Brad Hutto]] since 1996.<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0912499891 |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref> Democrat [[Margie Bright Matthews]] has represented District 45 since 2015, after she was elected to the position to fulfill the unexpired term of [[Clementa C. Pinckney]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?code=0194318159 |access-date=2024-05-09 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref>

Following the redistricting, which will be used in the [[2024 South Carolina elections|2024 United States elections]] despite legal disputes over racial and political gerrymandering, Allendale County is solely covered by state Senate District 40.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2022-04-01 |year=2022 |title=2020 Statewide Senate Districts |url=https://rfa.sc.gov/sites/default/files/2022-04/Statewide_Senate_1.pdf |access-date=May 9, 2024 |website=rfa.sc.gov |publisher=South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable collapsible" style="margin-left:auto; margin-right:auto;"
|+ | Senators representing Allendale County in the South Carolina Senate
|-
! Name !! Years Active !! Party !! District !! Other Counties
|-
| (John) Henry Johnson<ref>{{Cite book |last1=Snowden |first1=Yates |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=eTgVAAAAYAAJ&dq=John+Henry+Johnson+south+carolina+first+state+senator+of+allendale+county&pg=PA94-IA13 |title=History of South Carolina |last2=Cutler |first2=Harry Gardner |date=1920 |publisher=Lewis Publishing Company |language=en}}</ref>|| 1920–1923<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 73rd General Assembly (1919-1920) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_73rd_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref name=":2">{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 75th General Assembly (1923-1924) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_75th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>|| || At-large
|
|-
|Robinson Plato Searson, Jr.
|1923–1926<ref name=":2" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 76th General Assembly (1925-1926) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_76th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
1931–1938<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 79th General Assembly (1931-1932) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_79th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 82nd General Assembly (1937-1938) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_82nd_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|
|At-large
|
|-
|George Dunbar Kirkland
|1927–1930<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 77th General Assembly (1927-1928) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_77th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 78th General Assembly (1929-1930) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_78th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|
|At-large
|
|-
|James Martin Thomas
|1939–1942<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 83rd General Assembly (1939-1940) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_83rd_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 84th General Assembly (1941-1942) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_84th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
1947–1950<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 87th General Assembly (1947-1948) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_87th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 88th General Assembly (1949-1950) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_88th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|
|At-large
|
|-
|William Edwin Myrick
|1943–1946<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 85th General Assembly (1943-1944) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_85th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 86th General Assembly (1945-1946) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_86th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
1951–1962<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 89th General Assembly (1951-1952) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_89th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 94th General Assembly (1961-1962) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_94th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|
|At-large
|
|-
|Audrey Patterson Williams
|1963–1966<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 95th General Assembly (1963-1964) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_95th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 96th General Assembly (1965-1966) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_96th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|
|At-large
|
|-
|[[Edgar Allan Brown]]
|1967–1972<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 97th General Assembly (1967-1968) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_97th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 99th General Assembly (1971-1972) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_99th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|18 (1967–1968)
12 (1969–1972)
|Bamberg, Barnwell
|-
|[[James P. Harrelson]]
|1973–1976<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 100th General Assembly (1972-1974) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_100th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 101st General Assembly (1975-1976) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_101st_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
| class="democratic" |Democratic
|15
|Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|-
|James Madison Wadell, Jr.
|1973–1984<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 105th General Assembly (1983-1984) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_105th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|15
|Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|-
|[[William Tindall Howell]]
|1977–1979<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 102nd General Assembly (1977-1978) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_102nd_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 103rd General Assembly (1979-1980) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_103rd_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|15
|Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|-
|[[Peden B. McLeod]]
|1980–1990<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 103rd General Assembly (1979-1980) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_103rd_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref name=":4">{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 109th General Assembly (1991-1992) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_109th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|15 (1980–1984)
45 (1985–1990)
|Beaufort, 
Charleston (1985–1990), Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|-
|[[John W. Matthews Jr.]]
|1985–2002<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 106th General Assembly (1985-1986) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_106th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 2000s - The 114th General Assembly (2001-2002) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/2000s/sc_2000s_114th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|39
|Bamberg, Barnwell, Calhoun, Dorchester, Orangeburg
|-
|[[McKinley Washington Jr.]]
|1990–1992<ref name=":4" /><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 1900s - The 109th General Assembly (1991-1992) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/1900s/sc_1900s_109th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|45
|Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|-
|[[Brad Hutto|Bradley Hutto]]
|2003–present<ref name=":5">{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 2000s - The 115th General Assembly (2003-2004) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/2000s/sc_2000s_115th_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|40 (2003–2012)
40 (2013–present)
|Bamberg (2013–present), Barnwell, Colleton (2013–present), Hampton, Orangeburg
|-
|[[Clementa C. Pinckney|Clementa Pinckney]]
|2003–2015<ref name=":5" /><ref name=":6">{{Cite web |title=South Carolina During the 2000s - The 121st General Assembly (2015-2016) |url=https://www.carolana.com/SC/2000s/sc_2000s_121st_general_assembly_members.html |access-date=2024-05-15 |website=www.carolana.com}}</ref>
|Democratic
|45
|Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|-
|[[Margie Bright Matthews]]
|2015–2024<ref name=":6" />
|Democratic
|45
|Beaufort, Charleston, Colleton, Hampton, Jasper
|}


=== U.S. Presidential elections ===
Allendale County has been consistently Democratic in Presidential voting since 1976 and was among the few counties to be carried by [[Walter Mondale]] in 1984.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Leip |first=Dave |title=1984 Presidential General Election Results - South Carolina |url=https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1984&fips=45&f=1&off=0&elect=0 |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref> In the [[2008 United States presidential election|2008 U.S. presidential election]] [[Barack Obama]] received 75.3 percent of the county's vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=December 9, 2008 |title=Election Results 2008 |url=https://archive.nytimes.com/www.nytimes.com/elections/2008/results/president/map.html?scp=1&sq=%252522election%252520map&st=cse |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=The New York Times}}</ref> In the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 U.S. presidential election]] [[Barack Obama]] received 79.2 percent of the county's vote. In the [[2020 United States presidential election|2020 U.S. presidential election]], [[Joe Biden]] received 75.6% of the vote.<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 5, 2021 |title=Presidential Results |url=https://edition.cnn.com/election/2020/results/president |access-date=October 15, 2023 |website=CNN Politics}}</ref> In 2024, the county saw a slight rightward shift, but it was still by far the most Democratic county in the state of South Carolina in that election.<ref>https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Allendale 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|Democratic|813|2,165|45|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Democratic|835|2,718|40|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Democratic|789|2,735|68|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|838|3,297|28|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|947|3,029|48|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|985|2,565|41|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Democratic|967|2,338|35|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|941|2,222|110|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|1,049|2,159|247|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Democratic|1,295|1,796|23|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Democratic|1,570|2,170|29|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|1,182|2,778|30|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|1,064|2,634|11|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|1,741|1,386|19|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|997|1,538|820|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|1,740|772|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|888|583|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Dixiecrat|262|380|675|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|751|440|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|14|55|1,041|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|8|678|32|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|30|905|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|3|1,236|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|10|1,108|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|24|816|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|14|450|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1920|Democratic|11|440|0|South Carolina}}

==Economy==
Allendale is primarily an [[agriculture|agricultural]] rural county. Its primary products are [[cotton]], [[soybean]]s, [[watermelon]] and [[cantaloupe]]. [[Timber]]ing is also important, primarily for [[paper pulp]].

In 2022, Allendale's GDP was $317.5 million (approx. $39,491 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Allendale County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45005 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> In [[Chained dollars|chained 2017 dollars]], its real GDP was $240.4 million (approx. $29,902 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Allendale County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45005 |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> From 2021 through 2024, its unemployment rate has fluctuated between 4-8%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=1990-01-01 |title=Unemployment Rate in Allendale County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCALLE5URN |access-date=2024-04-28 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref>

{{As of|2024|April}}, some of the largest employers in the county include [[Atlantic Power Corporation]], [[AZ Electronic Materials]], [[Georgia-Pacific]], [[South Carolina Department of Corrections|South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC)]], and the [[University of South Carolina]].<ref name=":0" />
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Allendale County, South Carolina<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Allendale County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000005.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce; Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |pages=6,8}}</ref>
! 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;" | 46 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 15,808
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 13 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 28,600
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 117 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 46,124
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 20 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 30,472
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Educational Services || style="text-align:right;" | 280 || style="text-align:right;" | 12.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 50,336
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 30 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 38,740
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 360 || style="text-align:right;" | 15.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 43,264
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 782 || style="text-align:right;" | 33.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 85,228
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 4 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 18,200
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 32 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 51,064
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 382 || style="text-align:right;" | 16.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 49,868
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 140 || style="text-align:right;" | 6.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 19,708
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 58 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 53,300
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 68 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 58,708
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''2,332''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''57,969'''
|}

==Education==

=== Colleges and universities ===

* [[University of South Carolina Salkehatchie|USC-Salkahatchie]] (a two-year campus): [[Robert Evander McNair|Robert McNair]], Democratic Governor of South Carolina from 1965 to 1971, moved to Allendale County as an adult because his wife was from there. Because of McNair's influence, [[University of South Carolina Salkehatchie|USC Salk]] is located in the town of Allendale.
* [[Denmark Technical College|Denmark Tech]]: Part of the state Technical College System, Denmark Tech serves the county from its location in Bamberg County, {{convert|25|mi}} from Allendale.

The county is also the site of WEBA, Channel 14, a broadcast outlet of the South Carolina Educational Television Network. Ranking 45th in population among the state's 46 counties, it is the smallest county to have either a state-supported college or an ETV station. 

=== K-12 education ===
There is one school district: [[Allendale County School District]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45005_allendale/DC20SD_C45005.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Allendale County, SC|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-10-25}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45005_allendale/DC20SD_C45005_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

Allendale County School District includes one high school: [[Allendale-Fairfax High School]]. The former [[C. V. Bing High School]] served African-American students until desegregation. Allendale Training School preceded it.<ref>schpr.sc.gov/index.php/Detail/properties/74023</ref>

== Media ==
Allendale County is a [[news desert]]. The last local news publications, ''The Citizen-Leader'' and ''The Allendale Sun'', stopped printing in 2014 and 2015, respectively.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawes |first=Jennifer Berry |date=2021-08-24 |title=Uncovered: SC citizen watchdogs fill voids as news deserts spread across the country |url=https://www.theitem.com/stories/citizen-watchdogs-fill-voids-as-news-deserts-spread-across-the-country,369258 |access-date=2024-05-14 |website=The Sumter Item |language=en}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Towns===
* [[Allendale, South Carolina|Allendale]] (county seat and largest community)
* [[Fairfax, South Carolina|Fairfax]]
* [[Sycamore, South Carolina|Sycamore]]
* [[Ulmer, South Carolina|Ulmer]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Appleton, South Carolina|Appleton]]
* [[Martin, South Carolina|Martin]]

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|1856996}}
* {{Official website|http://www.allendalecounty.com}}
* [https://www.rootsandrecall.com/Allendale/ Allendale Country history and images]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Allendale County, South Carolina
|North     =
|Northeast = [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg County]]
|East      = [[Colleton County, South Carolina|Colleton County]]
|Southeast = [[Hampton County, South Carolina|Hampton County]]
|South     =
|Southwest = [[Screven County, Georgia]]
|West      = [[Burke County, Georgia]]
|Northwest = [[Barnwell County, South Carolina|Barnwell County]]
}}
{{Allendale County, South Carolina}}
{{Central Savannah River Area}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Allendale County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1919 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1919]]
[[Category:Black Belt (U.S. region)]]
[[Category:Majority-minority counties in South Carolina]]