Beaufort County, South Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Beaufort County
state = South Carolina


map size = 225
founded = 1769
seat = Beaufort | area_total_sq_mi =923
area_land_sq_mi =587
area_water_sq_mi =336
area percentage = 36.41%
census yr = 2000
pop = 120937 (137,849 2005 estimate)
density_km2 =80
web = www.co.beaufort.sc.us
|

Beaufort County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 120,937; in 2005 the population was estimated to have reached 137,849. Its county seat is Beaufort.GR|6

Beaufort County is one of the South's fastest growing counties, primarily because of development south of the Broad River. There is also a strong military presence around the city of Beaufort. As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, the Hilton Head Island–Beaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area comprises Beaufort and Jasper Counties. Beaufort County's population is over 70% urban.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 923 square miles (2,390 km²), of which, 587 square miles (1,520 km²) of it is land and 336 square miles (870 km²) of it (36.41%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Colleton County, South Carolina - north
*Jasper County, South Carolina - west
*Hampton County, South Carolina - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 120,937 people, 45,532 households, and 33,056 families residing in the county. The population density was 206 people per square mile (80/km²). There were 60,509 housing units at an average density of 103 per square mile (40/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 70.66% White, 23.98% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.84% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. 6.79% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 45,532 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.20% were married couples living together, 11.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.40% were non-families. 21.50% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.51 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.30% under the age of 18, 12.00% from 18 to 24, 27.20% from 25 to 44, 22.10% from 45 to 64, and 15.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 102.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $46,992, and the median income for a family was $52,704. Males had a median income of $30,541 versus $25,284 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,377. About 8.00% of families and 10.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.40% of those under age 18 and 6.70% of those age 65 or over.

As of the 2000 census, the population of Beaufort County was 71% urban and 29% rural. It contained the Beaufort (2000 pop.: 46,227), Hilton Head Island (34,400), and Bluffton (6,136) Urban Clusters. The Hilton Head and Bluffton clusters may be merged by the 2010 census. The populations of Beaufort and Jasper Counties are joined as the Hilton Head Island-Beaufort Micropolitan Area with a total 2005 estimated population of 159,247 (87% within Beaufort County).

Cities and towns

*Beaufort
*Bluffton
*Burton
*Hardeeville
*Hilton Head Island
*Laurel Bay
*Parris Island
*Port Royal
*Shell Point
*Yemassee

Named islands

"Some islands are also towns."
*Dataw Island
*Daufuskie Island
*Fripp Island
*Harbor Island
*Hilton Head Island
*Hunting Island
*Lady's Island
*Parris Island
*Port Royal
*Saint Helena
*Pritchard Island
*Little Capers Island
*Callawassie Island
*Spring Island
*Bull Island
*Lemon Island
*Barataria Island
*Cane Island
*Coosaw Island
*Morgan Island
*St. Phillips Island
*Warsaw Island

Famous people

*Remy Baracco, astronaut
*Pat Conroy, author
*Joe Frazier, boxer
*Greg Jones (football player), football player
*Chip Larkby, motorcycle racer
*James Saxon, football player
*Wayne Simmons (football player), football player
*Stan Smith, tennis player
*Kathryn R. Wall, American author of mystery novels [ [http://www.kathrynwall.com/] Accessed May 24, 2008.]

In popular culture

*"The Big Chill"
*"Forrest Gump"
*"Platoon"
*"The Prince of Tides"
*"The Great Santini"
*"The Rise and Fall of the Confederacy"
*"The Tara Rumor"
*"Commandment Keeper Church"
*"To Live as a Free Man"
*"Les Marines"
*"Daughters of the Dust"
*"The War"
*"The Jungle Book"
*"Chasers"
*"Something to Talk About"
*"White Squall"
*"Last Dance"
*"Simpsons Movie"
*"Gone Fishin'"
*"G.I. Jane"
*"Animals"
*"Forces of Nature"
*"Rules of Engagement"
*"The Legend of Bagger Vance"
*"Because of Winn Dixie"
*"In For A Penny"
*"And Not A Penny More"
*"Perdition House"
*"Judas Island"
*"Resurrection Road"
*"Bishop's Reach"
*"Sanctuary Hill"
*"The Mercy Oak"

References

Further reading

*Lawrence S. Rowland; "The History of Beaufort County, South Carolina";" 1996, University of South Carolina Press, ISBN 1-57003-090-1.

External links

* [http://www.bcgov.net/bftlib/pages.htm History and Nature of Beaufort County, South Carolina – Beaufort County Library]
* [http://www.bcgov.net Beaufort County Government Page]
* [http://www.beaufortsc.org/ Beaufort Regional Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.hiltonheadisland.org/ Hilton Head - Bluffton Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://sciway.net/cnty/beaufort.html Beaufort County Information Page, from SCIway.net]