Lee County, South Carolina

Template:Short description Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Lee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 16,531,<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> making it the fifth-least populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Bishopville.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref>

History

The county is named for Confederate general Robert E. Lee.<ref>2001-2002 Bill 1044: Lee County's 100th Birthday Template:Webarchive</ref> A previous incarnation of Lee County was established in 1898, but was negated by the State Supreme Court in 1899. The current Lee County formed on February 25, 1902, from Darlington, Kershaw, and Sumter counties.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Minor boundary changes were made in 1914 (Template:Convert to Sumter), in 1921 (Template:Convert to Kershaw), and in 1925 (Template:Convert from Kershaw).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

Template:Maplink According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (0.26%) is water.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

State and local protected areas

Lee State Natural Area
Longleaf Pine Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands">Template:Cite web</ref>
Lynchburg Savanna Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
Mary McLeod Bethune Birthplace

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Darlington County - northeast
Florence County - east
Sumter County - south
Kershaw County - northwest

Major highways

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

Lee County racial composition<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>
Race	Num.	Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)	5,721	34.61%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)	10,054	60.82%
Native American	49	0.3%
Asian	34	0.21%
Other/Mixed	378	2.29%
Hispanic or Latino	295	1.78%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 16,531 people, 6,423 households, and 3,971 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 19,220 people, 6,797 households, and 4,567 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">Template:Cite web</ref><ref name="QF">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,775 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name="census-density">Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 64.3% black or African American, 33.4% white, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.8% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 24.9% were American, and 5.1% were English.<ref name="census-dp2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 6,797 households, 32.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.5% were married couples living together, 24.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 32.8% were non-families, and 29.3% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.15. The median age was 38.9 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median household income was $23,378 and the median family income was $35,279. Males had a median income of $32,721 versus $26,769 for females. The per capita income for the county was $12,924. About 25.8% of families and 29.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 40.9% of those under age 18 and 16.7% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">Template:Cite web</ref>

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 20,119 people, 6,886 households, and 4,916 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 7,670 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 63.56% Black or African American, 35.03% White, 0.13% Native American, 0.19% Asian, 0.59% from other races, and 0.49% from two or more races. 1.31% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.<ref name="GR8">Template:Cite web</ref> Of the 6,886 households 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.00% were married couples living together, 23.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.60% were non-families. 25.90% of households were one person and 10.60% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.23.

The age distribution was 25.80% under the age of 18, 10.00% from 18 to 24, 29.20% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 101.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 101.10 males.

The median household income was $26,907 and the median family income was $34,209. Males had a median income of $26,512 versus $18,993 for females. The per capita income for the county was $13,896. About 17.70% of families and 21.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.60% of those under age 18 and 27.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law and government

Law enforcement

In 2010, Lee County Sheriff Edgar Jerome “E.J.” Melvin and six others were arrested on federal drug conspiracy charges. Court documents stated that he dealt cocaine from his police SUV, and other dealers gave him the nickname "Big Dog."<ref>Template:Cite web</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Melvin was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Politics

Lee County has been a Democratic stronghold since 1972, peaking in 2012 when Barack Obama claimed over two-thirds of the county's vote. Lee did see a shift toward the Republican party in 2024, which would prove to be the closest election in the county since 1988.<ref>https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/</ref>

Economy

In 2022, the GDP was $425.5 million (about $26,648 per capita),<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> and the real GDP was $345 million (about $21,607 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Template:As of, some of the largest employers in the county include Ardagh Group, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Food Lion and Lee Academy.<ref name=":0">Template:Cite journal</ref>

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Lee County, South Carolina - Q3 2023 <ref name=":0" />
Industry	Employment Counts	Employment Percentage (%)	Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services	250	7.0	17,524
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services	261	7.3	42,588
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting	78	2.2	29,588
Construction	50	1.4	36,660
Educational Services	366	10.2	39,000
Finance and Insurance	65	1.8	47,112
Health Care and Social Assistance	635	17.8	60,372
Information	23	0.6	91,416
Manufacturing	406	11.4	67,132
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services	120	3.4	58,032
Public Administration	568	15.9	49,556
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing	6	0.2	26,520
Retail Trade	463	13.0	26,156
Transportation and Warehousing	173	4.8	53,924
Wholesale Trade	108	3.0	62,608
Total	3,572	100.0%	47,072

Communities

Towns

Bishopville (county seat and largest community)
Lynchburg

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

References

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External links

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Template:Geographic Location Template:Lee County, South Carolina Template:South Carolina Template:Authority control