Editing Colleton County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{redirect|Colleton}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Colleton County 
 | state                = South Carolina 
 | seal                 = Colleton County Seal.png 
 | founded              = 1800 
 | named for            = [[Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet]] 
 | seat wl              = Walterboro 
 | largest city wl      = Walterboro
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 1133.28 
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 1056.50 
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 76.78 
 | area percentage      = 6.78 
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 38604
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 38874 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|32.84|-80.66|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.colletoncounty.org
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | district             = 1st
 | district2            = 6th
 | ex image             = Colleton County Courthouse - Walterboro, SC.jpg
 | ex image cap         = [[Colleton County Courthouse]] }}

'''Colleton County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[Lowcountry]] region of the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 38,604.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Walterboro, South Carolina|Walterboro]].<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> The county is named after [[Sir John Colleton, 1st Baronet]],<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=9V1IAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA87 | title=The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States | publisher=Govt. Print. Off. | author=Gannett, Henry | year=1905 | pages=87}}</ref> one of the eight [[Lords Proprietor]] of the [[Province of Carolina]]. After two previous incarnations, the current Colleton County was created in 1800.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies|website=South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|date=2009|access-date=March 20, 2015|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103154824/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==History==
In 1682, Colleton was created as one of the three original proprietary counties, located in the southwestern coastal portion of the new South Carolina Colony and bordering on the [[Combahee River]].

In 1706, the county was divided between the new Saint Bartholomew and Saint Paul parishes. This area was developed for large plantations devoted to [[rice]] and [[indigo]] cultivation as commodity crops. The planters depended on the labor of African slaves transported to Charleston for that purpose. In the coastal areas, black slaves soon outnumbered white colonists, as they did across the colony by 1708.

In 1734, most of the coastal portion of Saint Paul's Parish was separated to form the new Saint John's Colleton Parish. In 1769, the three parishes were absorbed into the Charleston Judicial District, the southwestern portion of which was referred to as Saint Bartholomew's.

In 1800, the new Colleton District was formed from the western half of the Charleston District. In 1816, it annexed a small portion of the northwestern Charleston District.

In 1868, under the [[Reconstruction era (United States)|Reconstruction era]] new state constitution, South Carolina districts were reorganized as counties. Officials were to be elected by the resident voters rather than by state officials, as was done previously, thus giving more democratic power to local residents.

In 1897, the northeastern portion of the county was separated to form the new [[Dorchester County, South Carolina|Dorchester County]], with its seat at [[St. George, South Carolina|St. George]].

In 1911, the portion of the county east of the [[Edisto River]] was annexed by [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston County]]. In 1919 and again in 1920, tiny portions of northwestern Colleton County were annexed to [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg County]].

In March 1975, the town of [[Edisto Beach, South Carolina|Edisto Beach]] was annexed to Colleton County from Charleston County, thus bringing the county to its present size.

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q502473|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Colleton County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|1133.28|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|1056.50|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|76.78|sqmi}} (6.78%) 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> It is the fifth-largest county in South Carolina by land area and fourth-largest by total area.

===National protected area===
* [[Ashepoo Combahee Edisto Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve|Ashepoo-Combahee-Edisto (ACE) Basin National Estuarine Research Reserve]] (part)
* [[ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge|Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge]] (part)

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[Bear Island (South Carolina)|Bear Island Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands">{{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>
* [[Colleton State Park]]
* [[Crosby Oxypolis Heritage Preserve]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Donnelley Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Givhans Ferry State Park]] (part)
* [[Lowcountry Raptors]]
* [[Walterboro Historic District|Old Walterboro Train Depot]]
* [[Pon-Pon Chapel of Ease]]
* [[South Fenwick Island]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[St. Helena Sound Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Tuskegee Airmen Memorial]]
* [[Walterboro Historic District]]

===Major water bodies===
* [[Ashepoo River]]
* [[Atlantic Ocean]] (North Atlantic Ocean)
* [[Edisto River]]
* [[Intracoastal Waterway]]
* [[Salkehatchie River]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Orangeburg County, South Carolina|Orangeburg County]] – north
* [[Dorchester County, South Carolina|Dorchester County]] – northeast
* [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston County]] – east
* [[Beaufort County, South Carolina|Beaufort County]] – south
* [[Hampton County, South Carolina|Hampton County]] – west
* [[Allendale County, South Carolina|Allendale County]] – west
* [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg County]] – northwest

===Major highways===
* {{Jct|state=SC|I|95}} <!-- enters Colleton County from Hampton County with exits at exit 42, exit 53, exit 57, exit 62, and exit 68 before crossing bridges over the Edisto River and entering Dorchester County. -->
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|15}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|17}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US-Alt|17}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|21}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|601}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|61}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|63}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|64}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Bus|64|dab1=Walterboro}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|174}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|212}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|212|dab1=Bells Crossroads}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|217}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|303}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|362}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|641}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|651}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Lowcountry Regional Airport]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1800= 24903
|1810= 26359
|1820= 26404
|1830= 27256
|1840= 25548
|1850= 39505
|1860= 41916
|1870= 25410
|1880= 38386
|1890= 40293
|1900= 33452
|1910= 35390
|1920= 29897
|1930= 25821
|1940= 26268
|1950= 28242
|1960= 27816
|1970= 27622
|1980= 31776
|1990= 34377
|2000= 38264
|2010= 38892
|2020= 38604
|estyear=2023
|estimate=38874
|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 16, 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 16, 2015|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</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 16, 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 16, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF"/> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/colletoncountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Colleton County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Colleton County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45029&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 15, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|21,816
|56.51%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|13,401
|34.71%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|302
|0.78%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|186
|0.48%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|16
|0.04%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,503
|3.89%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|1,380
|3.57%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 38,604 people, 15,075 households, and 9,565 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 38,892&nbsp;people, 15,131&nbsp;households, and 10,449&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/DPDP1/0500000US45029
  |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/20200213030011/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45029
  |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/45/45029.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125855/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45029.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=November 22, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|36.8|PD/sqmi}}. There were 19,901 housing units at an average density of {{convert|18.8|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45029
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213162052/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45029
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 57.0% white, 39.0% black or African American, 0.8% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.8% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

Of the 15,131&nbsp;households, 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.9% were married couples living together, 18.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 26.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.07. The median age was 40.7 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $33,263 and the median income for a family was $40,955. Males had a median income of $36,622 versus $25,898 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,842. About 17.7% of families and 21.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.3% of those under age 18 and 17.2% 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/DP03/0500000US45029
  |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/20200213020310/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45029
  |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 38,264 people, 14,470 households, and 10,490 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|36|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 18,129 housing units at an average density of {{convert|17|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 55.52% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 42.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.63% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.25% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.56% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.82% from two or more races. 1.44% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 14,470 households, out of which 33.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.10% were married couples living together, 16.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 27.50% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 24.70% from 45 to 64, and 12.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 91.90 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,733, and the median income for a family was $34,169. Males had a median income of $28,518 versus $19,228 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,831. About 17.30% of families and 21.10% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 28.70% of those under age 18 and 19.10% of those age 65 or over.

According to the 2000 census, the Colleton County population was nearly 75% rural, with the exception of the Walterboro Urban Cluster (2000 pop.: 10,064). The total county population was also designated as the Walterboro, SC Micropolitan Statistical Area.

===Ancestry/ethnicity===
As of 2019, the largest self-identified ancestry/ethnicity groups in Colleton County were:<ref>{{cite web |date=February 13, 2020 |title=Selected Social Characteristics In The United States |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45029 |access-date=March 10, 2016 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014713/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45029 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable collapsible" style="font-size: 90%;"
|-
! Ancestry/ethnicity !! Percent<br/><small>(2019)</small>
|-
| [[African Americans|African-American]] {{flagicon|United States}} || 39.0%
|-
| [[English Americans|English]] {{flagicon|England}} || 32.3%
|-
| [[German Americans|German]] {{flagicon|Germany}} || 6.5% 
|-
| [[Irish Americans|Irish]] {{flagicon|Ireland}} || 5.2%
|}

==Law and government==
===Law enforcement===
In 2019, County Sheriff R.A. Strickland was charged with domestic violence after punching a woman in his home.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Jeffrey|first=Collins|date=November 12, 2019|title=SC sheriff charged with domestic violence takes job leave|work=Associated Press|url=https://apnews.com/article/057b993cff2c420099df2e542166fbf4|access-date=November 8, 2021}}</ref> {{As of|2021}}, the current sheriff is Guerry L. "Buddy" Hill Jr.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Sheriff|url=http://www.colletoncountysheriff.com/sheriff.html|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=Colleton County Sheriff's Office|language=en}}</ref>

===Politics===
{{PresHead|place=Colleton County, South Carolina|source=<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=November 10, 2024}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|10,696|7,376|204|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|10,440|8,602|241|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|9,091|7,627|533|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|8,443|8,475|168|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|8,525|8,616|180|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,264|6,699|143|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,767|6,449|174|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|4,462|5,329|610|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,545|5,455|1,314|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,962|4,508|77|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|6,200|4,910|35|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|4,719|5,745|79|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,324|5,134|64|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,723|2,376|134|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|2,824|2,651|2,670|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|4,637|2,051|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|2,521|1,962|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Dixiecrat|635|1,463|1,950|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|2,760|1,905|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|39|223|2,337|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|45|1,653|299|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|65|1,197|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|8|1,463|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5|1,908|1|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|22|1,122|1|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|11|800|2|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|15|990|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|31|974|1|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|14|797|12|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|131|1,421|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|121|889|0|South Carolina}}

As a part of the “Solid South," Colleton County was heavily Democratic throughout its early history. More recently, it has become a Republican-leaning [[Swing state|swing county]] that has backed the national winner in every presidential election since 1984, with the exception of 2020.

== Economy ==
In 2022, the GDP of Colleton County was $1.1 billion (approx. $29,203 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Colleton County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45029 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> Its real GDP was $933.3 million in [[Chained dollars|chained 2017 dollars]] ($24,010 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Colleton County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45029 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> In 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2.6-4.3%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=1990-01-01 |title=Unemployment Rate in Colleton County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCCOLL9URN |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref>

Some of the largest employers include [[Colleton County School District]], [[Cracker Barrel]], [[Food Lion]], and [[Walmart]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Colleton County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000029.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |issue=04000029}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Colleton County, South Carolina<ref name=":0" />
! 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;" | 1,325 || style="text-align:right;" | 14.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 21,840
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 629 || style="text-align:right;" | 6.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 35,568
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 435 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 51,272
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation || style="text-align:right;" | 135 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 34,580
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 537 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 59,748
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 234 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 66,404
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 1,456 || style="text-align:right;" | 15.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 47,216
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 152 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 79,196
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Management of Companies and Enterprises || style="text-align:right;" | 4 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 459,680
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 776 || style="text-align:right;" | 8.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 52,832
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 173 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 35,932
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 264 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 55,328
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 1,056 || style="text-align:right;" | 11.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 52,156
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 109 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 49,036
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 1,606 || style="text-align:right;" | 17.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 31,096
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 195 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 80,548
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Utilities || style="text-align:right;" | 59 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 89,960
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 228 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 124,904
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''9,373''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''45,898'''
|}

==Education==
* [[Colleton County School District]] operates public schools, including [[Colleton County High School]].
* Degrees can be earned at the [[University of South Carolina Salkehatchie]] in Walterboro.

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

===Towns===
* [[Cottageville, South Carolina|Cottageville]]
* [[Edisto Beach, South Carolina|Edisto Beach]]
* [[Lodge, South Carolina|Lodge]]
* [[Smoaks, South Carolina|Smoaks]]
* [[Williams, South Carolina|Williams]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Islandton, South Carolina|Islandton]]
* [[Jacksonboro, South Carolina|Jacksonboro]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Ashepoo, South Carolina|Ashepoo]]
* [[Green Pond, South Carolina|Green Pond]]
* [[Hendersonville, South Carolina|Hendersonville]]
* [[Neyles, South Carolina|Neyles]]
* [[Round O, South Carolina|Round O]]
* [[Ruffin, South Carolina|Ruffin]]
* [[Canadys, South Carolina|Canadys]]

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

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|1857001}}
* {{Official website|http://www.colletoncounty.org/}}
* [https://www.rootsandrecall.com/colleton/ Colleton County history and images]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Colleton County, South Carolina
|North     = [[Orangeburg County, South Carolina|Orangeburg County]]
|Northeast = [[Dorchester County, South Carolina|Dorchester County]]
|East      = [[Charleston County, South Carolina|Charleston County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Beaufort County, South Carolina|Beaufort County]]
|Southwest = [[Hampton County, South Carolina|Hampton County]]
|West      = [[Allendale County, South Carolina|Allendale County]]
|Northwest = [[Bamberg County, South Carolina|Bamberg County]]
}}
{{Colleton County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina Lowcountry}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Colleton County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1800 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1800]]