Dorchester County, South Carolina

Dorchester County, South Carolina
Dorchester County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 161,540. Its county seat is St. George.
Dorchester County is included in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
History
Dorchester County is named for its first settlement area, which was established by Congregationalists in 1696. These settlers applied the name "Dorchester" after their last residence in Dorchester, Massachusetts.
Dorchester was not established as a separate county until 1897. However, when it was separately established, it came from parts of the neighboring Colleton and Berkeley counties.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (0.45%) is water.
State and local protected areas/sites
Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site
Edisto River Wildlife Management Area
Givhans Ferry State Park (part)
Middleton Place
Major water bodies
Ashley River
Four Hole Swamp
Edisto River
Adjacent counties
Bamberg County – west
Berkeley County – east
Charleston County – southeast
Colleton County – southwest
Orangeburg County – northwest
Major highways
Major infrastructure
Summerville Airport
Demographics
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 161,540 people, 57,768 households, and 41,473 families residing in the county.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 136,555 people, 50,259 households, and 36,850 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 55,186 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 67.8% white, 25.8% black or African American, 1.5% Asian, 0.7% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 1.4% from other races, and 2.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry,
Of the 50,259 households, 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 16.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 26.7% were non-families, and 21.6% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.11. The median age was 35.6 years.
The median household income was $55,034 and the median family income was $63,847. Males had a median income of $45,659 versus $32,221 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,497. About 9.0% of families and 11.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.4% of those under age 18 and 9.1% of those age 65 or over.
2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 96,413 people, 34,709 households, and 26,309 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 37,237 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 71.05% White, 25.08% Black or African American, 0.73% Native American, 1.13% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 1.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
Of the 34,709 households 40.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.20% were married couples living together, 14.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.20% were non-families. 20.20% of households were one person and 6.50% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.72 and the average family size was 3.13.
The age distribution was 28.90% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 22.60% from 45 to 64, and 9.10% 65 or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.70 males.
The median household income was $43,316 and the median family income was $50,177. Males had a median income of $35,423 versus $24,405 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,840. About 7.10% of families and 9.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 13.30% of those age 65 or over.
Law and government
The governing body of Dorchester County was established in 1970, and was known as the Dorchester County Board of Directors with terms to commence in January 1971. Upon commencement, the body was re-titled as the “Dorchester County Council” and its meeting dates were determined by state law to be held the 1st and 3rd Monday of every month. The seven-member County Council is elected by single-member districts.
Dorchester County operates under the Council-Administrator form of government whereby County Council appoints a County Administrator to oversee the day-to-day functions of county government. Jason L. Ward has served as the County Administrator since 2004. He is aided by a Deputy County Administrator and Chief Financial Officer (Daniel T. Prentice), Deputy County Administrator for Public Safety (Mario Formisano), and Assistant County Administrator for Communuity Services (Bryan Havir). This management team oversees multiple departments within their respective directorate.
In addition to senior management reporting to County Council through the County Administrator, seven Countywide elected officials serve four year terms and oversee the following functions:
Clerk of Court (Cheryl Graham)
Sheriff (L.C. Knight)
Auditor (J.J. Messervy)
Treasurer (Cindy Chitty)
Probate Judge (Mary Blunt)
Coroner (Paul Brouthers)
Register of Deeds (Margaret Bailey)
The South Carolina Department of Corrections operates the Lieber Correctional Institution in Ridgeville in Dorchester County. The prison houses the state's male death row.
Politics
Education
School districts include:
Dorchester School District 2
Dorchester School District 4
Communities
City
North Charleston (largest community; partly in Berkeley Charleston counties)
Town
Harleyville
Lincolnville (mostly in Charleston County)
Reevesville
Ridgeville
St. George (county seat)
Summerville (partly in Berkeley and Charleston counties)
Census-designated place
Ladson (partly in Berkeley County and Charleston County)
Unincorporated communities
Grover
Byrds
Knightsville
Ghost town
Dorchester
See also
List of counties in South Carolina
National Register of Historic Places listings in Dorchester County, South Carolina
References
External links
Dorchester County history and images
1897 establishments in South Carolina
Populated places established in 1897
Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville metropolitan area