Belton, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Belton is a city in eastern Anderson County
, South Carolina
, United States
. The population was 4,461 at the 2000 census.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 4,461 people, 1,948 households, and 1,275 families residing in the city. The population density
was 1,158.2 people per square mile (447.4/km²). There were 2,129 housing units at an average density of 552.7 per square mile (213.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.52% White, 17.51% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.34% from other races
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 1,948 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,191, and the median income for a family was $36,531. Males had a median income of $30,100 versus $22,470 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $16,970. About 15.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
region of South Carolina by rail to the existing rail system which then ran from Columbia
to Charleston
. The expanded rail line ran through what was to become Belton, with a spur line which ran to the nearby town of Anderson
. Because of the population explosion that occurred by the time the railroad had been completed in 1853, the state incorporated the town in 1855, with the boundaries being located within a half mile radius from the new railroad depot.
The city was given the name of Belton after the first president of the Columbia and Greenville Railroad
from Newberry
, John Belton O'Neal.
The city prospered not only due to the railroad junction, but also because of the areas cotton
crop, which lead to the establishment of cotton mills.
In 1908, a municipal water system was established. A 155 feet (47.2 m) reinforced concrete tower with a 165000 gallons (625 m³) capacity was built. Known as the Belton Standpipe, the tower is still in use today. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
on November 5, 1987. The standpipe was also the inspiration for the yearly Belton Standpipe Festival, originally held in 1987 as a fund raising event.
, from which the 1992 the movie A League of Their Own
is based on, resides in Belton.
Anderson County, South Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units...
, South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 4,461 at the 2000 census.
Geography
Belton is located at 34°31′32"N 82°29′46"W (34.525630, -82.496129).According to the United States Census Bureau
United States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the city has a total area of 3.8 square miles (9.8 km²), all of it land.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 4,461 people, 1,948 households, and 1,275 families residing in the city. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,158.2 people per square mile (447.4/km²). There were 2,129 housing units at an average density of 552.7 per square mile (213.5/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 80.52% White, 17.51% African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.99% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.
There were 1,948 households out of which 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 15.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.5% were non-families. 31.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the city the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 23.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 82.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.0 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $28,191, and the median income for a family was $36,531. Males had a median income of $30,100 versus $22,470 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the city was $16,970. About 15.2% of families and 16.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over.
History
In 1845 a group was created to connect the PiedmontPiedmont (United States)
The Piedmont is a plateau region located in the eastern United States between the Atlantic Coastal Plain and the main Appalachian Mountains, stretching from New Jersey in the north to central Alabama in the south. The Piedmont province is a physiographic province of the larger Appalachian division...
region of South Carolina by rail to the existing rail system which then ran from Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
to Charleston
Charleston, South Carolina
Charleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
. The expanded rail line ran through what was to become Belton, with a spur line which ran to the nearby town of Anderson
Anderson, South Carolina
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...
. Because of the population explosion that occurred by the time the railroad had been completed in 1853, the state incorporated the town in 1855, with the boundaries being located within a half mile radius from the new railroad depot.
The city was given the name of Belton after the first president of the Columbia and Greenville Railroad
Columbia and Greenville Railroad
The Columbia and Greenville Railroad was a South Carolina railroad that operated in the late 19th century.Originally chartered and begun as the Greenville and Columbia Railroad, the line was sold under foreclosure and reorganized under the Columbia and Greenville name in 1880.Beginning in 1886, it...
from Newberry
Newberry, South Carolina
Newberry is a city in Newberry County, South Carolina, 43 miles west -northwest of Columbia. The charter was adopted in 1894. In 1890, 3,020 people lived in Newberry, South Carolina; in 1900, 4,607; in 1910, 5,028; and in 1940, 7,510. The population was 10,580 at the 2000 census. It is the county...
, John Belton O'Neal.
The city prospered not only due to the railroad junction, but also because of the areas cotton
Cotton
Cotton is a soft, fluffy staple fiber that grows in a boll, or protective capsule, around the seeds of cotton plants of the genus Gossypium. The fiber is almost pure cellulose. The botanical purpose of cotton fiber is to aid in seed dispersal....
crop, which lead to the establishment of cotton mills.
In 1908, a municipal water system was established. A 155 feet (47.2 m) reinforced concrete tower with a 165000 gallons (625 m³) capacity was built. Known as the Belton Standpipe, the tower is still in use today. It was listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places
The National Register of Historic Places is the United States government's official list of districts, sites, buildings, structures, and objects deemed worthy of preservation...
on November 5, 1987. The standpipe was also the inspiration for the yearly Belton Standpipe Festival, originally held in 1987 as a fund raising event.
Noteworthy Residents
Viola Thompson Griffin, former member of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueAll-American Girls Professional Baseball League
The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
, from which the 1992 the movie A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own
A League of Their Own is a 1992 American comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League . Directed by Penny Marshall, the film stars Geena Davis, Lori Petty, Tom Hanks, Madonna, and Rosie O'Donnell...
is based on, resides in Belton.
Schools
The town of Belton is part of the Anderson County School District Two. Public schools in Belton include -- Belton-Honea Path High SchoolBelton-Honea Path High SchoolBelton-Honea Path High School is a comprehensive, co-educational, public secondary school located in Honea Path, South Carolina, United States. BHP is currently the only open public high school serving Honea Path and Belton.-History:...
grades 9-12 - Belton Middle School grades 6-8
- Belton Elementary School grades 3-5
- Wright Elementary School grades K-6
- Marshall Primary School grades 4K-2