Kershaw County, South Carolina

Kershaw_County_Logo

Former_Kershaw_County_Courthouse,_Camden,_South_Carolina

Kershaw

Kershaw 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	1791
Seat	Camden
Largest city	Camden
Area
• Total	740 sq mi (1,900 km2)
• Land	727 sq mi (1,880 km2)
• Water	13 sq mi (30 km2)
Population  (2020)
• Total	65,492
• Density	89/sq mi (34/km2)
Website	[[1] www.kershaw.sc.gov/%20www.kershaw.sc.gov]]

Kershaw County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 65,492. The county seat and largest city is Camden. Kershaw County is part of the Columbia, South Carolina metropolitan area.

History

Kershaw County was established in 1791 and named after Joseph Kershaw, an early settler and prominent figure in the area. The county has a rich history, including significant events during the American Revolutionary War and the American Civil War.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 740 square miles (1,900 km²), of which 727 square miles (1,880 km²) is land and 13 square miles (34 km²) (1.8%) is water. The county is characterized by its rolling hills and numerous rivers and lakes.

Adjacent counties

• Lancaster County - north
• Chesterfield County - northeast
• Darlington County - east
• Lee County - southeast
• Sumter County - south
• Richland County - southwest
• Fairfield County - west

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 65,492 people, 24,000 households, and 17,000 families residing in the county. The population density was 90 people per square mile (35/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70% White, 25% African American, and 5% from other races.

Economy

The economy of Kershaw County is diverse, with significant contributions from manufacturing, agriculture, and services. The county is home to several large employers, including multinational corporations and local businesses.

Education

Kershaw County is served by the Kershaw County School District, which operates several elementary, middle, and high schools. The county is also home to Central Carolina Technical College and offers access to higher education institutions in nearby Columbia.

Transportation

Major highways in Kershaw County include Interstate 20, U.S. Route 1, and U.S. Route 521. The county is also served by the Camden Amtrak station, providing rail service to the region.

Communities

Cities

• Camden

Towns

• Elgin
• Bethune

Unincorporated communities

• Lugoff
• Cassatt

Notable people

• Joseph Kershaw, namesake of the county and early settler
• Richard Rowland Kirkland, known as the "Angel of Marye's Heights" during the American Civil War

See also

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

External links

• Kershaw County official website