Editing Bennettsville, South Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Redirect|Bennettsville|the settlement in the midwestern United States|Bennettsville, Indiana}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name            = Bennettsville, South Carolina
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = 
| image_skyline            = Marlboro Courthouse.jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Marlboro County Courthouse
| image_flag               = 
| image_seal               = Bennettsville, SC City Seal.png
| image_map                = SCMap-doton-Bennettsville.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location of Bennettsville in South Carolina
| incorporated             = 
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 
| map_caption1             = 
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in South Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_name1        = [[South Carolina]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Marlboro County, South Carolina|Marlboro]]
| government_type          = 
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Tyron Abraham 
| established_date         = 
| area_total_sq_mi         = 6.81
| area_land_sq_mi          = 6.18
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.63
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total         = 7020
| population_density_sq_mi = 1136.66
| timezone                 = [[Eastern Standard Time Zone|EST]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| elevation_ft             = 157
| coordinates              = {{coord|34|37|17|N|79|41|5|W|region:US-SC_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| website                  = [http://www.bennettsvillesc.com/ www.bennettsvillesc.com]
| timezone_DST             = EDT
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP Code]]
| postal_code              = 29512
| area_codes               = [[Area codes 843 and 854|843, 854]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 45-05680<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1246743<ref name="GR3">{{cite web |url=http://geonames.usgs.gov|access-date=2008-01-31|title=US Board on Geographic Names|publisher=[[United States Geological Survey]] |date=2007-10-25}}</ref>
| footnotes                = 
| pop_est_as_of            = 
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_est           = 
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='45'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=October 15, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2           = 17.64
| area_land_km2            = 16.00
| area_water_km2           = 1.64
| population_density_km2   = 438.86
|population_footnotes = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
}}

'''Bennettsville''' is a city located in the [[United States|U.S. state]] of [[South Carolina]] on the [[Great Pee Dee River]]. As the [[county seat]] of [[Marlboro County, South Carolina|Marlboro County]], Bennettsville is noted for its historic homes and buildings from the 19th and early 20th centuries—including the [[Bennettsville Historic District]] which is listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].

According to the [[United States Census, 2010|2010 census]], Bennettsville has a population of 9,069.

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|6.2|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|5.6|sqmi|km2}} is land and {{convert|0.6|sqmi|km2}} (10.13%) is water.

==History==
{{more citations needed|date=April 2020}}
The city of Bennettsville was founded in 1819 on the [[Great Pee Dee River]] and named after [[Thomas Bennett, Jr.]], then governor of South Carolina. The area was developed for short-staple cotton cultivation, dependent on the labor of [[Slavery in the United States|enslaved]] African Americans. Many were brought to the upland area from the [[Lowcountry]], carrying their [[Gullah people|Gullah culture]] with them. Others were transported from the Upper South by slave traders. This shift to cotton cultivation in the uplands was based on the development of the cotton gin, which made short-staple cotton, cotton with relatively short fibers, profitable. The advent of the gin in turn led to development of large cotton plantations throughout the Deep South.{{citation needed|date=December 2017}}

In the same year, the S.C. General Assembly authorized the relocation of the courthouse from the eastern bank of the [[Great Pee Dee River]] to a more central location, selecting a {{convert|3|acre|m2|adj=on}} apple orchard located on a bluff above Crooked Creek. The new courthouse was designed by South Carolina architect [[Robert Mills (architect)|Robert Mills]]. Streets were developed radiating courthouse square, one of the state's largest. In 1852, the Mills building was replaced.

In 1865 during the last year of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], the city was occupied by Union troops. During this time, the Jennings-Brown House and the first County Courthouse were used as the headquarters for General [[William T. Sherman]]. The new courthouse escaped burning. This is one of the few county seats that has preserved records dating to 1785; they are available for [[genealogy|genealogical]] research.

In 1884, another Second Empire-style courthouse was built on the site. In 1952-1954 it was later enlarged with additions, and the 1884 portion constitutes the central portion of the current building. Additions included two-story red brick wings and the present clock steeple, all designed by Bennettsville architect Henry D. Harrall.

In 1885, Duncan Donald McColl financed development of the first railroad, bank and textile mills in Bennettsville, stimulating the economy as the town was connected to other markets and built an industry. The economy boomed during this "king cotton" era. The city became the center of one of the richest agricultural areas in the state. In the 20th century, the State of South Carolina designated Bennettsville as one its first "G.R.E.A.T. Town" (Governor's Rural Economic Achievement Trophy).

==Registered historic sites==

Buildings and districts listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]] include [[Appin (Bennettsville, South Carolina)|Appin]], the [[Bennettsville Historic District]], [[Jennings-Brown House]], [[Magnolia (Bennettsville, South Carolina)|Magnolia]], [[Robertson-Easterling-McLaurin House]], and the nearby [[Welsh Neck-Long Bluff-Society Hill Historic District]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref>

The '''Bennettsville Historic District''' was designated and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Its contributing buildings include the Jennings-Brown House (1826), the Female Academy (1830), the Medical Museum (1902), and the Murchison School (1902), as well as other residences in the [[Queen Anne style architecture in the United States|Queen Anne]] and [[Beaux-Arts architecture|Beaux Arts]] style.

==Facilities==
In the 21st century, a new Marlboro County library was constructed. Named in honor of national activist [[Marian Wright Edelman]], who was born and grew up in Bennettsville, it opened on February 22, 2010.<ref name="open1">{{cite web
 | title = Marian Wright Edelman Library opens
 | publisher = U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), press release, December 24, 2001
 | quote = Monday, February 22, was a dreary day by all accounts, with grey skies and bouts of sometimes heavy rain. But inside the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library, it was a different story: bright and warm, with an air of excitement that anyone could feel. Monday was opening day for the new library.
 | url = http://www.heraldadvocate.com/Default.aspx
 | access-date = March 1, 2010
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090222102110/http://www.heraldadvocate.com/Default.aspx
 | archive-date = February 22, 2009
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref> She founded the [[Children's Defense Fund]], to promote programs for children and mothers.

The library is located on {{convert|4.4|acre|m2}} at the intersection of Marlboro Street and Fayetteville Avenue adjacent to the Murchison building (1902) and is a new single-story building with approximately {{convert|20000|sqft|m2}}. Its front tower is oriented on axis with that of the Murchison Building. The building's cost was supported by $1.325 million in federal funding.<ref name="spratt">
{{cite web
 | title = Spratt Secures $1.325 Million for Marian Wright Edelman Library
 | publisher = Marlboro Herald Advocate
 | author = Lynn McQueen
 | date = February 25, 2001
 | url = http://spratt.house.gov/newsroom/01_02/marlboro_library.pdf
 | access-date = September 8, 2009
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090904181431/http://spratt.house.gov/newsroom/01_02/marlboro_library.pdf
 | archive-date = September 4, 2009
 | url-status = dead
 | df = mdy-all
 }}
</ref> The Library holds 60,000 volumes and has two conference rooms, seating 50 and 12.<ref name="open2">{{cite web
 | title = Marian Wright Edelman Library opens
 | publisher = Marlboro Herald Advocate
 | author = Lynn McQueen
 | date = February 25, 2010
 | quote = The library boasts approximately 60,000 volumes, she said, and has features to appeal to all segments of the community. One source of pride is the computer area, which has 22 computers for public use / The larger conference room, which seats 50 and has a small kitchen. The smaller conference room seats 12, and both have drop-down screens.
 | url = http://www.heraldadvocate.com/Default.aspx
 | access-date = March 1, 2010
 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090222102110/http://www.heraldadvocate.com/Default.aspx
 | archive-date = February 22, 2009
 | url-status = dead
 }}</ref>

==Economy==
The county is still largely rural, with limited job opportunities. The county seat serves as a trading center for the county.

The [[Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville]] was built outside of the city in the county. It is a medium-security prison for male prisoners, and has an associated minimum-security camp holding 139 prisoners. Together the facility houses 1776 prisoners.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 343
|1890= 978
|1900= 1929
|1910= 2646
|1920= 3197
|1930= 3667
|1940= 4895
|1950= 5140
|1960= 6963
|1970= 7468
|1980= 8774
|1990= 9345
|2000= 9425
|2010= 9069
|2020= 7020
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:45&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=Oct 15, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Bennettsville racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4505680&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-10|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|2,089
|29.76%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|4,529
|64.52%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|46
|0.66%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|56
|0.8%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|3
|0.04%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|205
|2.92%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|92
|1.31%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 7,020 people, 2,850 households, and 1,684 families residing in the city.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 9,425 people, 3,289 households, and 2,167 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,686.2|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 3,775 housing units at an average density of {{convert|675.4|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 63.15% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 34.80% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.85% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.50% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.11% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.59% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 0.63% of the population.

There were 3,289 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.7% were married couples living together, 25.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,389, and the median income for a family was $29,272. Males had a median income of $24,697 versus $21,054 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $13,917. About 22.0% of families and 27.2% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 39.2% of those under age 18 and 22.1% of those age 65 or over.

Bennettsville is the center of an urban cluster with a total population of 12,070 (2000 census).

== Government ==
The city is run by an elected  [[Mayor-council government]] system. The city administrator is appointed by the city council and serves as the chief executive officer to carry out policies and oversee the daily business of the city.  The mayor is Leith Fowler and council members include Sandy Donaldson, Tyrone R. Davis, Allen Taylor, Tyron Abraham, Gregory Scott, and Jean Quick.

==Education==
Bennettsville has a [[public library|lending library]], the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sciway.net/lib/counties.html | title=South Carolina libraries and archives | publisher=SCIWAY | access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref>

==Notable people==
*[[Thomas Carey (baritone)]], American operatic baritone
*[[Aziz Ansari]], comedian and actor
*[[Marian Wright Edelman]], founder of the [[Children's Defense Fund]] 
*[[Scott Howell (political consultant)|Scott Howell]], American political consultant 
*[[Hugh McColl]], retired CEO of [[Bank of America]]
*[[Cozell McQueen]], Starting Center on 1983 NC State NCAA Championship Team
*[[Jim Odom]], MLB umpire
*[[Claudius E. Watts III]] US Air Force lieutenant general
*[[Mike Wright (baseball)|Mike Wright]], pitcher for [[Seattle Mariners]]
*[[Chancellor Williams]], historian, writer and educator

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.bennettsvillesc.com/ Official city website]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080116135642/http://www.visitbennettsville.com/index.php Visit Bennettsville.com]
* [https://www.rootsandrecall.com/marlboro/ Bennettsville historic sites - Marlboro County]

{{Marlboro County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina county seats}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Cities in Marlboro County, South Carolina]]
[[Category:County seats in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1819]]
[[Category:1819 establishments in South Carolina]]