Developed land in the state increased 60 percent from 1983 to 1998, while the population increased 15 percent during the same period. Using satellite photos from 1983 and 1998, Natural Resources researchers looked at how much land was covered in asphalt and rooftops in both years. Rural counties were not affected. Lexington County has 16 percent of its total area developed, the most among South Carolina counties. Its developed area increased by 66 percent and its population by 36 percent during those 15 years, according to the study released Thursday.
Some counties build even as they lose population.
Development increased 40 percent in Bamberg County, for instance, while its population dropped 8 percent. And satellite photos of Horry County and Myrtle Beach didn't show the huge advances in sprawl expected by researchers, said Freddy Vang, the agency's deputy director. Horry County grew by 48,000 people in 15 years, a 40 percent increase, while its urban area increased by 55 percent. We've certainly had a lot of growth here converting forest land into suburban-style development, commercial strip malls,'' said David Fuller, a Myrtle Beach planner. Ken Driggers, Palmetto Conservation Foundation director, said the study raises important questions.