Jasper County, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Jasper County is a county located in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
. It was formed in 1912 from portions of Hampton County and Beaufort County
. In 2000, its population was 20,678 (21,398 according to a 2005 estimate). Its county seat
is Ridgeland
. Jasper County is included within the Hilton Head Island
–Beaufort
Micropolitan Statistical Area
, though over 80% of the county population is classified as rural. Historically, in contrast to neighboring Beaufort County
, Jasper was one of the poorest counties in the state. Recent development from 2000 onwards has given the county new residents, expanded business opportunities, and a wealthier tax base.
, the county has a total area of 700 square miles (1,813 km²), of which 656 square miles (1,699 km²) is land and 44 square miles (114 km²) (6.24%) is water.
of 2000, there were 20,678 people, 7,042 households, and 5,091 families residing in the county. The population density
was 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 7,928 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 42.39% White
, 52.69% Black
or African American
, 0.37% Native American
, 0.44% Asian
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
, 3.39% from other races
, and 0.67% from two or more races. 5.75% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 7,042 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples
living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.3 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,727, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $29,407 versus $21,055 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $14,161. About 15.4% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Jasper county is largely rural, with only about 18% of the population residing in the Ridgeland Urban Cluster (2000 pop.: 3,585). However, the region of the county near Bluffton and Hilton Island Island (towns within Beaufort County) is growing in population, and now Jasper County is included within the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Area, as classified by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Unincorporated
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of 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...
. It was formed in 1912 from portions of Hampton County and Beaufort County
Beaufort County
Beaufort County may refer to:In Australia* Beaufort County, Western Australiain the United States:* Beaufort County, North Carolina* Beaufort County, South Carolina...
. In 2000, its population was 20,678 (21,398 according to a 2005 estimate). Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Ridgeland
Ridgeland, South Carolina
Ridgeland is a town in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,518 at the 2000 census. It has been the county seat of Jasper County since its formation in 1912, prior to which it was in Beaufort County. As defined by the U.S...
. Jasper County is included within the Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
Hilton Head Island or Hilton Head is a resort town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is north of Savannah, Georgia, and south of Charleston. The island gets its name from Captain William Hilton...
–Beaufort
Beaufort, South Carolina
Beaufort is a city in and the county seat of Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Chartered in 1711, it is the second-oldest city in South Carolina, behind Charleston. The city's population was 12,361 in the 2010 census. It is located in the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan...
Micropolitan Statistical Area
Hilton Head Island-Beaufort micropolitan area
The Hilton Head Island–Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of two counties in South Carolina, anchored by the town of Hilton Head Island and the city of Beaufort....
, though over 80% of the county population is classified as rural. Historically, in contrast to neighboring Beaufort County
Beaufort County, South Carolina
-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
, Jasper was one of the poorest counties in the state. Recent development from 2000 onwards has given the county new residents, expanded business opportunities, and a wealthier tax base.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited 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 county has a total area of 700 square miles (1,813 km²), of which 656 square miles (1,699 km²) is land and 44 square miles (114 km²) (6.24%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Hampton County, South Carolina - north
- Beaufort County, South CarolinaBeaufort County, South Carolina-National protected areas:*Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge *Pinckney Island National Wildlife Refuge-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 155,215 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per...
- east - Chatham County, GeorgiaChatham County, GeorgiaChatham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. The county seat and largest city is Savannah. In the official US Census of 2010, Chatham County had a total population of 265,128 . Chatham is the most populous Georgia county outside the Atlanta metropolitan area...
- south - Effingham County, GeorgiaEffingham County, GeorgiaEffingham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Georgia. In the United States Census of 2000, the population was 37,535. The Census Bureau's 2008 estimate estimates that this figure has grown to 52,060. The seat of Effingham County is Springfield....
- west
National protected areas
- Savannah National Wildlife RefugeSavannah National Wildlife RefugeThe Savannah National Wildlife Refuge is a 29,175 acre National Wildlife Refuge located in Chatham and Effingham counties in Georgia and Jasper County in South Carolina. Of the total area, is in Georgia and is in South Carolina...
(part) - Tybee National Wildlife RefugeTybee National Wildlife RefugeTybee National Wildlife Refuge was established on May 9, 1938, by an executive order of President Franklin D. Roosevelt, as a breeding area for migratory birds and other wildlife. Located in the mouth of the Savannah River, the refuge began as a oyster shoal, Oysterbed Island, used by the U.S...
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 20,678 people, 7,042 households, and 5,091 families residing in the county. 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 32 people per square mile (12/km²). There were 7,928 housing units at an average density of 12 per square mile (5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 42.39% White
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...
, 52.69% Black
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...
or African American
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...
, 0.37% Native American
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...
, 0.44% Asian
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...
, 0.05% Pacific Islander
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...
, 3.39% 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 0.67% from two or more races. 5.75% of the population were Hispanic
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...
or Latino
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...
of any race.
There were 7,042 households out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% 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, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.3 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,727, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $29,407 versus $21,055 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 county was $14,161. About 15.4% of families and 20.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Jasper county is largely rural, with only about 18% of the population residing in the Ridgeland Urban Cluster (2000 pop.: 3,585). However, the region of the county near Bluffton and Hilton Island Island (towns within Beaufort County) is growing in population, and now Jasper County is included within the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Area, as classified by the U.S. Census Bureau.
Cities and towns
Incorporated- HardeevilleHardeeville, South CarolinaHardeeville is a city in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,952 at the 2010 census, a 64 percent increase from its recorded population of 1,793 from the 2000 Census...
(City) - RidgelandRidgeland, South CarolinaRidgeland is a town in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,518 at the 2000 census. It has been the county seat of Jasper County since its formation in 1912, prior to which it was in Beaufort County. As defined by the U.S...
(Town, County Seat)
Unincorporated
- CoosawhatchieCoosawhatchie, South CarolinaCoosawhatchie is an unincorporated community located in Jasper County, South Carolina at the northern head of the Broad River. It served as the headquarters for General Robert E. Lee during the early part of the American Civil War...
- Gillisonville
- Grahamville
- Grays
- LevyLevy, South CarolinaLevy is an unincorporated community located in the southern portions of Jasper County, South Carolina. Levy is accessible via South Carolina Highway 315....
- Okatie
- Old House
- Pineland
- Pocotaligo
- RobertvilleRobertville, South CarolinaRobertville is an unincorporated community in Jasper County, South Carolina. It is named after the Robert family who initially settled in the area and was also the birthplace of Henry Martyn Robert, founder of Robert's Rules of Order. The community is accessible via U.S. Highway 321 and is...
- SwitzerlandSwitzerland, South CarolinaSwitzerland is an unincorporated community in Jasper County, South Carolina, United States, near the Georgia border. The community is part of the Hilton Head Island–Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area....
- TarboroTarboro, South CarolinaTarboro is an unincorporated community located in Jasper County, South Carolina. It is near the southern terminus of U.S. 601 at its junction with U.S. 321....
- Tillman
- Wagon Branch