Aiken County, South Carolina

Aiken_County_Courthouse_Aug_2007

Aiken County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Founded	1871
Named for	William Aiken
Seat	Aiken
Largest city	Aiken
Area
• Total	1,081 sq mi (2,800 km2)
• Land	1,073 sq mi (2,780 km2)
• Water	8.2 sq mi (21 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	168,808
• Density	157/sq mi (61/km2)
Website	[[1] www.aikencountysc.gov/%20Aiken%20County%20Government]]

Aiken County is a county located in the western part of the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 168,808. The county seat and largest city is Aiken. Aiken County is part of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Aiken County was formed in 1871 from parts of Barnwell, Edgefield, Lexington, and Orangeburg counties. It was named after William Aiken, the president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,081 square miles (2,800 km²), of which 1,073 square miles (2,780 km²) is land and 8.2 square miles (21 km²) (0.8%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Edgefield County - north
• Saluda County - northeast
• Lexington County - east
• Orangeburg County - southeast
• Barnwell County - south
• Burke County, Georgia - southwest
• Richmond County, Georgia - west
• McCormick County - northwest

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, there were 168,808 people, 65,649 households, and 44,742 families residing in the county. The population density was 157 people per square mile (61/km²).

Government and politics

Aiken County is governed by a council-administrator system. The county council consists of nine members elected from single-member districts. The council appoints an administrator to manage the day-to-day operations of the county.

Education

Aiken County is served by the Aiken County Public School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. Higher education institutions in the county include University of South Carolina Aiken and Aiken Technical College.

Economy

The economy of Aiken County is diverse, with significant contributions from manufacturing, healthcare, education, and the Savannah River Site, a nuclear reservation.

Communities

Cities

• Aiken
• North Augusta

Towns

• Burnettown
• Jackson
• New Ellenton
• Perry
• Salley
• Wagener
• Windsor

Census-designated places

• Belvedere
• Clearwater
• Gloverville
• Graniteville
• Langley
• Monetta
• Warrenville

Notable people

• William Aiken, namesake of the county and president of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company
• James F. Byrnes, U.S. Secretary of State and Governor of South Carolina

See also

• List of counties in South Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Aiken County, South Carolina

External links

• Aiken County Government