Winnsboro, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Winnsboro is a town in Fairfield County, South Carolina
, United States
. The population was 3,599 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat
of Fairfield County. Winnsboro is part of the Columbia, South Carolina
Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
Several years before the Revolution, Richard Winn from Virginia moved to what is now called Fairfield County. His lands covered the present site of Winnsboro, and as early as 1777 the settlement was known as "Winnsborough".
The village was laid out and chartered in 1785 upon petition of Richard Winn, John Winn and John Vanderhorst. John, Richard, and Minor Winn all served in the Revolutionary War. Richard was a General and he is said to have fought in more battles than any Whig in South Carolina. John was a Colonel. See Fairfield County, South Carolina for more.
The traditional blues
song Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues was written about working in a cotton mill in Winnsboro; the song has been sung by Leadbelly
, Pete Seeger
, and other artists and was reworked by modernist composer/pianist Frederic Rzewski
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 3,564 people, 1,454 households, and 984 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,109.6 people per square mile (428.9/km²). There were 1,597 housing units at an average density of 492.4 per square mile (190.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 40.29% White, 58.46% African American, 0.31% Asian, 0.33% from other races
, and 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
There were 1,454 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% were married couples
living together, 25.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 80.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,094, and the median income for a family was $29,550. Males had a median income of $29,275 versus $18,925 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $14,135. About 23.6% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
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 3,599 at the 2000 census. It is the 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....
of Fairfield County. Winnsboro 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...
.
Several years before the Revolution, Richard Winn from Virginia moved to what is now called Fairfield County. His lands covered the present site of Winnsboro, and as early as 1777 the settlement was known as "Winnsborough".
The village was laid out and chartered in 1785 upon petition of Richard Winn, John Winn and John Vanderhorst. John, Richard, and Minor Winn all served in the Revolutionary War. Richard was a General and he is said to have fought in more battles than any Whig in South Carolina. John was a Colonel. See Fairfield County, South Carolina for more.
The traditional blues
Blues
Blues is the name given to both a musical form and a music genre that originated in African-American communities of primarily the "Deep South" of the United States at the end of the 19th century from spirituals, work songs, field hollers, shouts and chants, and rhymed simple narrative ballads...
song Winnsboro Cotton Mill Blues was written about working in a cotton mill in Winnsboro; the song has been sung by Leadbelly
Leadbelly
Huddie William Ledbetter was an iconic American folk and blues musician, notable for his strong vocals, his virtuosity on the twelve-string guitar, and the songbook of folk standards he introduced....
, Pete Seeger
Pete Seeger
Peter "Pete" Seeger is an American folk singer and was an iconic figure in the mid-twentieth century American folk music revival. A fixture on nationwide radio in the 1940s, he also had a string of hit records during the early 1950s as a member of The Weavers, most notably their recording of Lead...
, and other artists and was reworked by modernist composer/pianist Frederic Rzewski
Frederic Rzewski
Frederic Anthony Rzewski is an American composer and virtuoso pianist.- Biography :Rzewski began playing piano at age 5. He attended Phillips Academy, Harvard and Princeton, where his teachers included Randall Thompson, Roger Sessions, Walter Piston and Milton Babbitt...
.
Geography
Winnsboro is located at 34°22′37"N 81°5′17"W (34.377069, -81.087959).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 town has a total area of 3.2 square miles (8.3 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 3,564 people, 1,454 households, and 984 families residing in the town. 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 1,109.6 people per square mile (428.9/km²). There were 1,597 housing units at an average density of 492.4 per square mile (190.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 40.29% White, 58.46% African American, 0.31% Asian, 0.33% 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 0.61% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.31% of the population.
There were 1,454 households out of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.7% 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, 25.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.3% were non-families. 29.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 3.04.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 9.5% from 18 to 24, 24.8% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 80.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 75.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $25,094, and the median income for a family was $29,550. Males had a median income of $29,275 versus $18,925 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 town was $14,135. About 23.6% of families and 24.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 33.9% of those under age 18 and 14.1% of those age 65 or over.
Famous residents
- D. Wyatt AikenD. Wyatt AikenDavid Wyatt Aiken was a Confederate army officer during the American Civil War and a postbellum five-term United States Congressman from South Carolina.-Biography:...
, (1828–1887), born in Winnsboro, United States Congressman - Mike Anderson, Baltimore Ravens running back, formerly of the Denver Broncos where he was named NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year for the 2000 season.
- John BrattonJohn BrattonJohn Bratton was a U.S. Representative from South Carolina, as well as a general in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
, Confederate general during the American Civil War - Walter B. BrownWalter B. BrownWalter Brown was a South Carolina politician and businessman.-Biography:He was born in Smallwood, Fairfield County, South Carolina, May 16, 1920. Son of Boyd and Mary Brown. Democrat...
, former Vice-President of Southern Railway (now Norfolk Southern); political legend in South Carolina legislative government - William Porcher DuBoseWilliam Porcher DuBoseWilliam Porcher DuBose was an American priest and theologian in the Episcopal Church in the United States. He spent most of his career as a professor at the University of the South in Sewanee, Tennessee. He is remembered on August 18 on the Episcopal Calendar of Lesser Feasts and Fasts...
A priest, theologian, and educator in the Episcopal Church; and a Civil War Veteran. - Orlando RuffOrlando RuffOrlando Bernarda Ruff is a former American football player who played linebacker for the San Diego Chargers, New Orleans Saints and Cleveland Browns. In college he played for Furman University, departing as the fourth player in school history with 488 career tackles. He was signed in 1999 as a...
, Defensive Lineman for the New Orleans Saints - John Hugh MeansJohn Hugh MeansJohn Hugh Means was the 64th Governor of South Carolina from 1850 to 1852 and an infantry colonel in the Confederate States Army during the American Civil War...
, 64th Governor of South Carolina from 1850–1852, signed S.C. Ordinance of Secession in 1860; killed at Second Battle of Manassas during Civil War - Alex Sanders, former Court of Appeals Judge, Lt. Governor Candidate, College of Charleston President, and U.S. Senate Candidate; Democrat; resides in Charleston—related to Thomas family of Ridgeway
- Miriam StevensonMiriam StevensonMiriam Jacqueline Stevenson born 4 July 1933, of Winnsboro, South Carolina, won the Miss USA pageant as Miss South Carolina USA in 1954. She was the first Miss USA to hold the Miss Universe beauty crown....
1954 Miss USAMiss USA 1954The third edition of Miss USA was held on 1954, at Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California. South Carolina, Miriam Stevenson, won the competition and later became Miss Universe...
and Miss UniverseMiss Universe 1954The third edition of Miss Universe was held on 24 July 1954, at Long Beach Municipal Auditorium, Long Beach, California, USA. They had 33 young ladies in the competition. Miss USA, 21-year-old Miriam Stevenson, won the competition...
winner, first to hold both titles - Tyler ThigpenTyler ThigpenTyler "Dirty Pigpen" Thigpen is an American football quarterback for the Buffalo Bills of the National Football League . Thigpen was drafted out of Coastal Carolina University in the seventh round of the 2007 NFL Draft by the Minnesota Vikings.Tyler Thigpen was the first quarterback to play for...
, Buffalo BillsBuffalo BillsThe Buffalo Bills are a professional football team based in Buffalo, New York. They are currently members of the East Division of the American Football Conference in the National Football League...
quarterback - James Francis MillerJames Francis MillerJames Francis Miller was an American politician who represented Texas in the United States House of Representatives from 1883-1886....
, politician who represented TexasTexasTexas is the second largest U.S. state by both area and population, and the largest state by area in the contiguous United States.The name, based on the Caddo word "Tejas" meaning "friends" or "allies", was applied by the Spanish to the Caddo themselves and to the region of their settlement in...
in the United States House of RepresentativesUnited States House of RepresentativesThe United States House of Representatives is one of the two Houses of the United States Congress, the bicameral legislature which also includes the Senate.The composition and powers of the House are established in Article One of the Constitution...
from 1883-1886. - James G. MartinJames G. MartinJames Grubbs "Jim" Martin is the 70th Governor of the state of North Carolina. He served from 1985 to 1993. He was the second Republican elected to the office after Reconstruction, and the fifth overall. He is also the only Republican to serve two full terms as governor.-Early Life &...
, 70th Governor of North Carolina from 1985-1993.