Lexington County, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Lexington County is a county located in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
. In 2000, its population was 216,014. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 248,518. Its county seat
is Lexington
.
Lexington County is part of the Columbia, South Carolina
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, the county has a total area of 758 square miles (1,963.2 km²), of which 699 square miles (1,810.4 km²) is land and 59 square miles (152.8 km²) (7.74%) is water, a large amount is from Lake Murray
.
of 2000, there were 216,014 people, 83,240 households, and 59,849 families residing in the county. The population density
was 309 people per square mile (119/km²). There were 90,978 housing units at an average density of 130 per square mile (50/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.18% White
, 12.63% Black
or African American
, 0.34% Native American
, 1.05% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.79% from other races
, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race.
There were 83,240 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples
living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,659, and the median income for a family was $52,637. Males had a median income of $36,435 versus $26,387 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $21,063. About 6.40% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.10% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
.
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...
. In 2000, its population was 216,014. The 2008 Census estimate placed the population at 248,518. 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 Lexington
Lexington, South Carolina
Lexington is a town in and the county seat of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 17,870 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
.
Lexington County is part of the Columbia, South Carolina
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...
, Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbia, South Carolina metropolitan area
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area, is an area consisting of six counties in central South Carolina, anchored by the city of Columbia. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had...
.
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 758 square miles (1,963.2 km²), of which 699 square miles (1,810.4 km²) is land and 59 square miles (152.8 km²) (7.74%) is water, a large amount is from Lake Murray
Lake Murray (South Carolina)
Lake Murray is a reservoir in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is approximately 50,000 acres in size, and has roughly 500 miles of shoreline. It was impounded in the late 1920s to provide hydroelectric power to the state of South Carolina. Lake Murray is fed by the Saluda River, which flows...
.
Adjacent Counties
- Richland County, South CarolinaRichland County, South CarolinaRichland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville...
- east - Orangeburg County, South Carolina - southeast
- Calhoun County, South CarolinaCalhoun County, South CarolinaCalhoun County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 15,185; a 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 15,100. It is named for John C. Calhoun, the former U.S. Vice-President, Senator, Representative and cabinet member from South...
- southeast - Aiken County, South CarolinaAiken County, South CarolinaAiken County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,552; in 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 160,099...
- southwest - Saluda County, South Carolina - west
- Newberry County, South Carolina - northwest
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 216,014 people, 83,240 households, and 59,849 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 309 people per square mile (119/km²). There were 90,978 housing units at an average density of 130 per square mile (50/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 84.18% 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...
, 12.63% 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...
, 0.34% 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...
, 1.05% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.79% 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 0.98% from two or more races. 1.92% 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 83,240 households out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% 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, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the population was spread out with 26.10% under the age of 18, 8.30% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $44,659, and the median income for a family was $52,637. Males had a median income of $36,435 versus $26,387 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 $21,063. About 6.40% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.10% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
- Batesburg-LeesvilleBatesburg-Leesville, South CarolinaBatesburg-Leesville is a town in Lexington and Saluda counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 5,517 at the 2000 census...
(Part) - CayceCayce, South CarolinaCayce is a city in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, along the Congaree River. The population was 12,150 at the 2000 census...
- ChapinChapin, South CarolinaChapin, also known as the capital of Lake Murray, is a town located in Lexington County, South Carolina. Chapin was founded by Martin Chapin in 1889. The following year, 1890, the railroad was built to connect Chapin to Columbia, South Carolina and other major regions. The population of Chapin was...
- ColumbiaColumbia, South CarolinaColumbia 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...
(Part) - GastonGaston, South CarolinaGaston is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,645 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Gaston is located at ....
- GilbertGilbert, South CarolinaGilbert is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 500 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Town Overview:Gilbert is located at ....
- IrmoIrmo, South CarolinaIrmo is a town in Lexington and Richland counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina and a suburb of Columbia. It is 12 miles outside of the city center of Columbia and is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area...
(Part) - LexingtonLexington, South CarolinaLexington is a town in and the county seat of Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 17,870 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Lexington is located at ....
- Oak GroveOak Grove, South CarolinaOak Grove is a census-designated place in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 8,183 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- PelionPelion, South CarolinaPelion is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area...
- Pine RidgePine Ridge, South CarolinaPine Ridge is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,593 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Pine Ridge is located at ....
- Red BankRed Bank, South CarolinaRed Bank is a census-designated place in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 8,811 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area-Geography:...
- Seven OaksSeven Oaks, South CarolinaSeven Oaks is a census-designated place in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States, 6 miles outside of Columbia. The population was 15,755 at the 2000 census...
- South CongareeSouth Congaree, South CarolinaSouth Congaree is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,266 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- SpringdaleSpringdale, Lexington County, South CarolinaSpringdale is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, in the United States. The population was 2,877 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.1226835-Geography:...
- SummitSummit, South CarolinaSummit is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 219 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Summit is located at ....
- SwanseaSwansea, South CarolinaSwansea is a town in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 827 at the 2010 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Swansea is located at...
- West ColumbiaWest Columbia, South CarolinaWest Columbia is a city in Lexington County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 13,064 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Columbia, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area....
Transportation
Public transportation in Lexington County is provided by the Central Midlands Regional Transit AuthorityCentral Midlands Regional Transit Authority
The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority is the operator of mass transportation in Richland and Lexington Counties in South Carolina. Eighteen standard, all-day routes serve metropolitan Columbia, while eight peak hour routes and one weekend special are also operated by the transit...
.