Darlington County, South Carolina

For the song of the same name, see Darlington County (song).

Darlington County, South Carolina
Location in the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location in the U.S.
Founded	1785
Seat	Darlington
Largest city	Hartsville
Area
• Total	567 sq mi (1,469 km2)
• Land	561 sq mi (1,453 km2)
• Water	5.7 sq mi (15 km2), 1.0%
Population
• (2010)	68,681
• Density	122/sq mi (47/km²)
Congressional district	7th
Time zone	Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website	www.darcosc.com

Darlington County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was at 68,681. Its county seat is Darlington.

Darlington County is included in the Florence, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county's population was nearly 60% rural in 2000.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 567 square miles (1,470 km²), of which 561 square miles (1,450 km²) is land and 5.7 square miles (15 km²) (1.0%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Marlboro County - northeast
• Florence County - southeast
• Lee County - southwest
• Kershaw County - west
• Chesterfield County - northwest

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1800	7,631		—
1810	9,047		18.6%
1820	10,949		21.0%
1830	13,728		25.4%
1840	14,822		8.0%
1850	16,830		13.5%
1860	20,361		21.0%
1870	26,243		28.9%
1880	34,485		31.4%
1890	29,134		−15.5%
1900	32,388		11.2%
1910	36,027		11.2%
1920	39,126		8.6%
1930	41,427		5.9%
1940	45,198		9.1%
1950	50,016		10.7%
1960	52,928		5.8%
1970	53,442		1.0%
1980	62,717		17.4%
1990	61,851		−1.4%
2000	67,394		9.0%
2010	68,681		1.9%
Est. 2014	67,799		−1.3%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790-1960 1900-1990 1990-2000 2010-2013

As of the census of 2000, there were 67,394 people, 25,793 households, and 18,441 families residing in the county. The population density was 120 people per square mile (46/km²). There were 28,942 housing units at an average density of 52 per square mile (20/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 56.98% White, 41.70% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 0.21% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.39% from other races, and 0.52% from two or more races. 0.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 25,793 households out of which 32.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.30% were married couples living together, 18.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.50% were non-families. 25.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out with 26.30% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 24.40% from 45 to 64, and 12.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 89.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,087, and the median income for a family was $37,662. Males had a median income of $30,947 versus $20,998 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,283. About 16.40% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.70% of those under age 18 and 22.10% of those age 65 or over.

As of Census 2000, Darlington County was classified as 41% urban and 59% rural. It contains the two urbanized areas of Hartsville (2000 pop. 14,907) and Darlington (12,066). The county's population is included within the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.

In popular culture

Darlington County is the subject of a song of the same name on Bruce Springsteen's 1984 album, Born in the U.S.A.

Communities

• Clyde
• Darlington (county seat)
• Hartsville
• Lamar
• North Hartsville
• Society Hill

Notable residents

• Orlando Hudson, a baseball player for the Los Angeles Dodgers, was born in Darlington.
• Albert Haynesworth, a professional football player who plays for the Washington Redskins, was born in Hartsville.
• W. W. Hicks, member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Webster Parish, 1900 to 1904, born in Darlington County in 1843
• John Sidney Killen, pioneer farmer, cattleman, and member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for Webster Parish in 1871; born in Darlington County in 1826
• Bobo Newsom, MLB pitcher with the Tigers, Senators, Cubs, Dodgers, Yankees, Giants, and Red Sox. He compiled a 211-222 record over 20 seasons, including a 21-5 season in 1940. Hwy 151 in Hartsville is named Bobo Newsom Highway in his honor.
• Jordan Lyles, a professional baseball player for the Houston Astros, was born in Hartsville.
• Walter Beck, former professional wrestling referee and go-kart racer was born in Darlington, SC and raised in the Swift Creek community of Darlington County.

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Darlington County, South Carolina

External links

• Darlington County's Website
• Darlington County School District
• 1905 Reprint of Bishop Gregg's History of the Old Cheraws with additional material as an appendix. (Google Book pdf)