Lee County, South Carolina

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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,[1] making it the fifth-least populous county in South Carolina. Its county seat is Bishopville.[2]

History

The county is named for Confederate general Robert E. Lee.[3] 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.[4] Minor boundary changes were made in 1914 (11.9 sq mi [31 km2] to Sumter), in 1921 (4.24 sq mi [11.0 km2] to Kershaw), and in 1925 (1.58 sq mi [4.1 km2] from Kershaw).[5][6]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 411.23 square miles (1,065.1 km2), of which 410.18 square miles (1,062.4 km2) is land and 1.05 square miles (2.7 km2) (0.26%) is water.[7]

State and local protected areas

Major water bodies

Adjacent counties

Major highways

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Demographics

Template:US Census population

Racial and ethnic composition

Lee County, South Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 1980[9] Pop 1990[10] Pop 2000[11] Pop 2010[12] Pop 2020[13] % 1980 % 1990 % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 7,295 6,839 6,961 6,322 5,721 38.54% 37.09% 34.60% 32.89% 34.61%
Black or African American alone (NH) 11,356 11,481 12,736 12,315 10,054 59.99% 62.27% 63.30% 64.07% 60.82%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 12 17 27 49 49 0.06% 0.09% 0.13% 0.25% 0.30%
Asian alone (NH) 10 25 36 58 34 0.05% 0.14% 0.18% 0.30% 0.21%
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) x [14] x [15] 1 3 0 x x 0.00% 0.02% 0.00%
Other race alone (NH) 1 0 7 6 15 0.01% 0.00% 0.03% 0.03% 0.09%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) x [16] x [17] 87 133 363 x x 0.43% 0.69% 2.20%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 255 75 264 334 295 1.35% 0.41% 1.31% 1.74% 1.78%
Total 18,929 18,437 20,119 19,220 16,531 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 16,531 people, 6,536 households, and 3,971 families residing in the county. The median age was 45.7 years; 17.8% of residents were under the age of 18 and 21.4% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 103.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 103.2 males.[18]

The racial makeup of the county was 34.9% White, 61.0% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.0% from some other race, and 2.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.[19]

0.0% of residents lived in urban areas, while 100.0% lived in rural areas.[20]

There were 6,536 households in the county, of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 39.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 34.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]

There were 7,549 housing units, of which 13.4% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 71.3% were owner-occupied and 28.7% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.2% and the rental vacancy rate was 5.0%.[18]

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 19,220 people, 6,797 households, and 4,567 families living in the county.[21][22] The population density was 46.9 inhabitants per square mile (18.1/km2). There were 7,775 housing units at an average density of 19.0 per square mile (7.3/km2).[23] 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.[21] In terms of ancestry, 24.9% were American, and 5.1% were English.[24]

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.[21]

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.[25]

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 49 people per square mile (19 people/km2). There were 7,670 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km2). 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.[26] 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."[27][28] Melvin was found guilty and sentenced to 17 years in prison.[29]

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.[30]

United States presidential election results for Lee County, South Carolina[31]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1904 18 1.57% 1,128 98.43% 0 0.00%
1908 58 5.67% 963 94.13% 2 0.20%
1912 3 0.52% 571 98.45% 6 1.03%
1916 14 1.74% 779 96.65% 13 1.61%
1920 18 2.39% 734 97.35% 2 0.27%
1928 6 1.00% 593 99.00% 0 0.00%
1932 10 1.33% 742 98.67% 0 0.00%
1936 5 0.48% 1,045 99.52% 0 0.00%
1940 20 2.37% 825 97.63% 0 0.00%
1944 50 5.71% 764 87.31% 61 6.97%
"text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Dixiecrat |1948 36 2.70% 142 10.65% 1,155 86.65%
1952 1,669 64.29% 927 35.71% 0 0.00%
"text-align:center;" Template:Party shading/Dixiecrat |1956 250 10.14% 943 38.26% 1,272 51.60%
1960 1,297 46.59% 1,487 53.41% 0 0.00%
1964 2,489 68.29% 1,156 31.71% 0 0.00%
1968 1,219 22.23% 2,151 39.23% 2,113 38.54%
1972 3,076 60.31% 1,996 39.14% 28 0.55%
1976 2,357 37.69% 3,869 61.86% 28 0.45%
1980 2,952 37.48% 4,818 61.17% 107 1.36%
1984 3,548 47.31% 3,912 52.16% 40 0.53%
1988 2,936 46.17% 3,423 53.83% 0 0.00%
1992 2,730 34.90% 4,454 56.94% 638 8.16%
1996 1,973 33.40% 3,588 60.73% 347 5.87%
2000 2,675 40.27% 3,899 58.70% 68 1.02%
2004 2,901 36.73% 4,960 62.80% 37 0.47%
2008 3,074 33.58% 5,960 65.12% 119 1.30%
2012 2,832 31.80% 5,977 67.10% 98 1.10%
2016 2,803 34.37% 5,199 63.74% 154 1.89%
2020 3,008 35.68% 5,329 63.21% 94 1.11%
2024 3,078 38.11% 4,505 55.78% 493 6.10%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Economy

In 2022, the GDP was $425.5 million (about $26,648 per capita),[32] and the real GDP was $345 million (about $21,607 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars.[33]

As of April 2024, some of the largest employers in the county include Ardagh Group, Coca-Cola Consolidated, Food Lion and Lee Academy.[34]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Lee County, South Carolina - Q3 2023 [34]
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

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

References

  1. ↑ Cite error: Invalid <ref> tag; no text was provided for refs named 2020CensusQuickFacts
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ 2001-2002 Bill 1044: Lee County's 100th Birthday Archived March 12, 2007, at the Wayback Machine
  4. ↑ "Lee County, South Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved September 8, 2022.
  5. ↑ "South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies". South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries. The Newberry Library. 2009. Archived from the original on January 3, 2017. Retrieved March 21, 2015.
  6. ↑ "1930 Census District Map for Lee County, SC: United States Enumeration District Maps for the Twelfth through the Sixteenth US Censuses, 1900-1940" (images). FamilySearch. Roll 58, South Carolina, Abbeville-York; South Dakota, Armstrong-Douglas 1900-1940. Image 464 of 1036. Shows boundary changes in 1914, 1921, and 1925.CS1 maint: location (link)
  7. ↑ "2020 County Gazetteer Files - South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  9. ↑ "1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- South Carolina - Table 15. Persons by Race and Table 16. Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race". HathiTrust. United States Census Bureau. p. 12-21.
  10. ↑ "1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- South Carolina - Table 5 and Table 6. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. p. 11-37. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 9, 2024.
  11. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lee County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  12. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lee County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  13. ↑ "P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lee County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau.
  14. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census
  15. ↑ included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census
  16. ↑ not an option in the 1980 Census
  17. ↑ not an option in the 1990 Census
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  19. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  20. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved December 20, 2025.
  21. ↑ 21.0 21.1 21.2 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  22. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved November 25, 2013.
  23. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  24. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  25. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 11, 2016.
  26. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  27. ↑ "South Carolina Sheriff Accused of Dealing Drugs From Police SUV". Associated Press. March 26, 2015. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  28. ↑ "Lee County Sheriff E.J. Melvin Arrested with Six Others on Federal Drug Conspiracy Charges". FBI. May 1, 2010. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  29. ↑ "Former Lee County sheriff gets 17 years". Post and Courier. March 18, 2011. Retrieved November 9, 2021.
  30. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".
  31. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  32. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Lee County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  33. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Lee County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved May 4, 2024.
  34. ↑ 34.0 34.1 "Lee County" (PDF). Community Profiles. Columbia, SC: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department (4000061). April 19, 2024.

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