Jasper County, South Carolina | |
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 Flag  Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofSouth Carolina | |
 South Carolina's location within theU.S. | |
| Coordinates:32°26′N81°01′W / 32.43°N 81.02°W /32.43; -81.02 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  South Carolina |
| Founded | 1912 |
| Named after | William Jasper |
| Seat | Ridgeland |
| Largest community | Hardeeville |
| Area | |
• Total | 701.58 sq mi (1,817.1 km2) |
| • Land | 655.16 sq mi (1,696.9 km2) |
| • Water | 46.42 sq mi (120.2 km2) 6.62% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 28,791 |
• Estimate (2024) | 35,618 |
| • Density | 43.945/sq mi (16.967/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional districts | 1st,6th |
| Website | www |
Jasper County is the southernmostcounty in theU.S. state ofSouth Carolina. As of the2020 census, the population was 28,791.[1] Itscounty seat isRidgeland and its largest community isHardeeville.[2] The county was formed in 1912 from portions ofHampton County andBeaufort County. Jasper County is included in theHilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in theLowcountry region of the state.
The county was founded in 1912 and was named after William Jasper. The county seat is Ridgeland while the largest community is Hardeeville. The county is also in theHilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.
For several decades, in contrast to neighboringBeaufort County, Jasper was one of the poorest counties in the state. Recent development from 2000 onwards has given the county new residents, expanded business opportunities, and a wealthier tax base.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 701.58 square miles (1,817.1 km2), of which 655.16 square miles (1,696.9 km2) is land and 46.42 square miles (120.2 km2) (6.62%) is water.[3]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1920 | 9,868 | — | |
| 1930 | 9,988 | 1.2% | |
| 1940 | 11,011 | 10.2% | |
| 1950 | 10,995 | −0.1% | |
| 1960 | 12,237 | 11.3% | |
| 1970 | 11,885 | −2.9% | |
| 1980 | 14,504 | 22.0% | |
| 1990 | 15,487 | 6.8% | |
| 2000 | 20,678 | 33.5% | |
| 2010 | 24,777 | 19.8% | |
| 2020 | 28,791 | 16.2% | |
| 2024 (est.) | 35,618 | [7] | 23.7% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[13] | |||
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[14] | Pop 2010[12] | Pop 2020[13] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 8,374 | 9,263 | 13,056 | 40.50% | 37.39% | 45.35% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 10,852 | 11,303 | 9,559 | 52.48% | 45.62% | 33.20% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 64 | 49 | 59 | 0.31% | 0.20% | 0.20% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 89 | 169 | 187 | 0.43% | 0.68% | 0.65% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 9 | 5 | 23 | 0.04% | 0.02% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 13 | 21 | 108 | 0.06% | 0.08% | 0.38% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 87 | 215 | 720 | 0.42% | 0.87% | 2.50% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1,190 | 3,752 | 5,079 | 5.75% | 15.14% | 17.64% |
| Total | 20,678 | 24,777 | 28,791 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2020 census, there were 28,791 people, 10,269 households, and 7,298 families residing in the county.
At the2010 census, there were 24,777 people, 8,517 households, and 5,944 families living in the county.[15][16] The population density was 37.8 inhabitants per square mile (14.6 inhabitants/km2). There were 10,299 housing units at an average density of 15.7 units per square mile (6.1 units/km2).[17] The racial makeup of the county was 46.0% black or African American, 43.0% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.1% Pacific islander, 8.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 15.1% of the population.[15] In terms of ancestry, 7.1% were Irish, and 2.5% were American.[18]
Of the 8,517 households, 36.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.2% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.2% were non-families, and 24.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.73 and the average family size was 3.23. The median age was 34.6 years.[15]
The median income for a household in the county was $37,393 and the median income for a family was $45,800. Males had a median income of $31,999 versus $24,859 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,997. About 14.2% of families and 21.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 32.2% of those under age 18 and 14.5% of those age 65 or over.[19]
At the2000 census,[20] there were 20,678 people, 7,042 households, and 5,091 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 32 people per square mile (12 people/km2). There were 7,928 housing units at an average density of 12 units per square mile (4.6 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 52.69%Black orAfrican American, 42.39%White, 0.37%Native American, 0.44%Asian, 0.05%Pacific Islander, 3.39% fromother races, and 0.67% from two or more races. 5.75% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race.
There were 7,042 households, out of which 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 18.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.7% were non-families. 23.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.22.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.8% under the age of 18, 10.3% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 21.2% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females, there were 111.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 111.3 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $30,727, and the median income for a family was $36,793. Males had a median income of $29,407 versus $21,055 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $14,161. About 15.4% of families and 20.7% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 26.3% of those under age 18 and 21.4% of those age 65 or over.
Jasper County is governed by a five-member partisan county council, who are elected in staggered four year terms. The council appoints a county administrator who is tasked with running the day-to-day operations of the county, with the exception of the Sheriff's Office.
Mary Gordon Ellis, the first woman elected to the South Carolina legislature, represented Jasper County in the state senate for one term, from 1928 to 1932, after having served as state superintendent of schools.[21]
Like most counties in the ruralBlack Belt of South Carolina, Jasper has long leaned Democratic. However, in2024,Donald Trump was able to flip the county Republican for the first time sinceRichard Nixon carried it in1972.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1912 | 0 | 0.00% | 198 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1916 | 0 | 0.00% | 243 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1920 | 0 | 0.00% | 219 | 100.00% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1924 | 0 | 0.00% | 89 | 69.53% | 39 | 30.47% |
| 1928 | 5 | 4.67% | 102 | 95.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1932 | 11 | 2.68% | 399 | 97.32% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1936 | 4 | 0.88% | 452 | 99.12% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 41 | 8.93% | 418 | 91.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1944 | 18 | 3.96% | 230 | 50.66% | 206 | 45.37% |
| 1948 | 31 | 3.49% | 141 | 15.90% | 715 | 80.61% |
| 1952 | 800 | 55.71% | 636 | 44.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 403 | 31.71% | 210 | 16.52% | 658 | 51.77% |
| 1960 | 779 | 51.93% | 721 | 48.07% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 1,593 | 61.39% | 1,002 | 38.61% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 633 | 20.31% | 1,402 | 44.99% | 1,081 | 34.69% |
| 1972 | 1,650 | 57.21% | 1,203 | 41.71% | 31 | 1.07% |
| 1976 | 1,221 | 29.49% | 2,903 | 70.12% | 16 | 0.39% |
| 1980 | 1,617 | 32.54% | 3,312 | 66.65% | 40 | 0.80% |
| 1984 | 3,102 | 45.09% | 3,753 | 54.56% | 24 | 0.35% |
| 1988 | 2,004 | 40.66% | 2,894 | 58.71% | 31 | 0.63% |
| 1992 | 1,725 | 29.93% | 3,453 | 59.92% | 585 | 10.15% |
| 1996 | 2,024 | 31.29% | 4,053 | 62.66% | 391 | 6.05% |
| 2000 | 2,414 | 37.32% | 3,646 | 56.36% | 409 | 6.32% |
| 2004 | 2,933 | 42.84% | 3,840 | 56.09% | 73 | 1.07% |
| 2008 | 3,365 | 38.01% | 5,389 | 60.87% | 100 | 1.13% |
| 2012 | 4,169 | 41.60% | 5,757 | 57.45% | 95 | 0.95% |
| 2016 | 5,187 | 45.39% | 5,956 | 52.12% | 284 | 2.49% |
| 2020 | 7,078 | 49.17% | 7,185 | 49.92% | 131 | 0.91% |
| 2024 | 9,900 | 54.32% | 8,144 | 44.68% | 183 | 1.00% |
In 2022, theGDP was $1.7 billion (about $49,980 per capita),[23] and thereal GDP was $1.3 billion (about $39,745 per capita) inchained 2017 dollars.[24]
As of April 2024[update], some of the largest employers in the county includeAmeriGas, the city ofHardeeville,Publix, andWalmart.[25]
| Industry | Employment Counts | Employment Percentage (%) | Average Annual Wage ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 740 | 6.6 | 23,920 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 956 | 8.6 | 45,968 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 111 | 1.0 | 63,336 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 170 | 1.5 | 41,236 |
| Construction | 1,801 | 16.1 | 70,252 |
| Educational Services | 594 | 5.3 | 53,560 |
| Finance and Insurance | 110 | 1.0 | 61,048 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 2,094 | 18.7 | 34,580 |
| Information | 24 | 0.2 | 99,476 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 288 | 2.6 | 58,396 |
| Manufacturing | 295 | 2.6 | 37,336 |
| Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction | 385 | 3.4 | 63,648 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 850 | 7.6 | 59,852 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 173 | 1.5 | 62,244 |
| Public Administration | 1,752 | 15.7 | 49,296 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 174 | 1.6 | 51,480 |
| Retail Trade | 172 | 1.5 | 97,968 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 293 | 2.6 | 70,720 |
| Utilities | 21 | 0.2 | 83,916 |
| Wholesale Trade | 173 | 1.5 | 70,344 |
| Total | 11,176 | 100.0% | 51,570 |
CSX Transportation'sCharleston Subdivision (also known as theCharleston-Savannah Railway) currently operates bothfreight trains andpassenger trains (viaAmtrak) along the line, but does not stop anywhere within the county. The line also runs along the Hampton-Jasper County border northeast of the bridge over the Tullifinny River.
Another active CSX line within the county is theColumbia Subdivision which bisects the northwest corner of Jasper County between the Georgia state line and Hampton County. This line also operates freight as well as Amtrak passenger trains.
Geographic data related toJasper County, South Carolina atOpenStreetMapPlaces adjacent to Jasper County, South Carolina | ||||||||||||||||
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Municipalities and communities ofJasper County, South Carolina,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties. | |
TheLowcountry of South Carolina | ||
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