| Charleston County, South Carolina | ||
|
||
Location in the state of South Carolina |
||
South Carolina's location in the U.S. |
||
| Founded | 1769 | |
|---|---|---|
| Seat | Charleston | |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
1,358 sq mi (3,517 km²) 919 sq mi (2,380 km²) 440 sq mi (1,140 km²), 32.37% |
|
| Population - (2010) - Density |
350,209 337/sq mi (130/km²) |
|
| Website | www.charlestoncounty.org | |
Charleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 350,209.[1] Its county seat is Charleston.[2] It is the third-most populous county in the state (behind Greenville and Richland counties). Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South Carolina State Legislature.
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, Charleston County is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area.
Contents |
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,358 square miles (3,517.2 km2), the largest county in South Carolina, of which 919 square miles (2,380.2 km2) is land and 440 square miles (1,139.6 km2) (32.37%) is water.
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 66,985 |
|
|
| 1800 | 57,480 | −14.2% | |
| 1810 | 63,179 | 9.9% | |
| 1820 | 80,212 | 27.0% | |
| 1830 | 86,338 | 7.6% | |
| 1840 | 82,661 | −4.3% | |
| 1850 | 72,805 | −11.9% | |
| 1860 | 70,100 | −3.7% | |
| 1870 | 88,863 | 26.8% | |
| 1880 | 102,800 | 15.7% | |
| 1890 | 59,903 | −41.7% | |
| 1900 | 88,006 | 46.9% | |
| 1910 | 88,594 | 0.7% | |
| 1920 | 108,450 | 22.4% | |
| 1930 | 101,050 | −6.8% | |
| 1940 | 121,105 | 19.8% | |
| 1950 | 164,856 | 36.1% | |
| 1960 | 216,382 | 31.3% | |
| 1970 | 247,650 | 14.5% | |
| 1980 | 276,974 | 11.8% | |
| 1990 | 295,039 | 6.5% | |
| 2000 | 309,969 | 5.1% | |
| 2010 | 350,209 | 13.0% | |
|
Google Book: 1790-1990[4] |
|||
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 309,969 people, 143,326 households, and 97,448 families residing in the county. The population density was 338 people per square mile (130/km²). There were 141,031 housing units at an average density of 154 per square mile (59/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 61.9% White, 34.5% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.12% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. 2.40% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 9.6% were of American, 9.5% English, 9.1% German and 7.6% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 123,326 households out of which 28.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.20% were married couples living together, 15.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.20% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 3.01.
In the county, the age distribution of the population shows 23.70% under the age of 18, 12.00% from 18 to 24, 30.30% from 25 to 44, 22.00% from 45 to 64, and 11.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county is $37,810, and the median income for a family was $47,139. Males had a median income of $32,681 versus $25,530 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,393. About 12.40% of families and 16.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.90% of those under age 18 and 12.70% of those age 65 or over.
In the 2000 census, the county population was classified as about 86% urban. The Charleston-North Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area includes the populations of Charleston, Berkeley, and Dorchester counties.
The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission (CCPRC) [1] operates numerous facilities within Charleston County.
Beach parks:
Fishing piers:
Marinas and boat landings:
Day parks:
Water parks:
Off-leash dog parks are offered at James Island, Palmetto Islands, and North Charleston Wannamaker County Park.
James Island County Park, approximately 11 minutes by car from downtown Charleston, features a 50-foot climbing wall and bouldering cave; cabin, RV, and tent camping facilities; rental facilities, fishing dock, challenge course, kayaking programs, summer camps, paved trails, and many special events such as the Lowcountry Cajun Festival (usually the first weekend in April), East Coast Canoe and Kayak Festival (3rd weekend in April), Holiday Festival of Lights (mid-November through the first of the year), and the summer outdoor reggae concerts.
Charleston County Emergency Medical Service Department (EMS) provides prehospital medical care and transportation to emergency rooms for citizens and visitors of the county. Charleston County EMS was created in 1973 by a group of concerned citizens, local physicians, and members of the Charleston County Government. Before this time, emergency medical care was provided by two private ambulance services. One of the first countywide emergency medical service systems in the state, Charleston County EMS provides access to advanced levels of emergency medical care regardless of the emergency's location or the patient's ability to pay.
"The Awendaw Fire Department provides fire and life safety services including: Medical First Responder, Rural Search & Rescue, Auto Extrication, Wildland Fire Suppression, Fire Inspection and Public Fire Education services to the citizens of the unincorporated areas of Charleston County north of Mount Pleasant. Serving 365 square miles (950 km2) with a suburban/rural interface, federal forest land and coastal areas, the Fire Department's direct service area includes the Awendaw area, Boone Hall, McClellanville, South Santee, and Germantown area and the towns of Awendaw and McClellanville.
Services are provided by both career and volunteer members who operate out of six station locations. All stations are under the command of a Battalion Chief and are divided into three working shifts (A, B and C). The department works a 24/48-work schedule.
The Fire Chief reports directly to the County Emergency Management Director. The Battalion Chief reports directly to the Fire Chief, and duties include emergency response and incident command, the direction of training, and the daily supervision and direction of the station Lieutenants and Firefighters.
The Awendaw Fire Department maintains a high level of professional standards, focusing on education, certifications, performance measures and fitness. Among other certifications, many full-time personnel are certified medical first responders. A constant state of readiness is maintained to be fully prepared to respond to various emergencies (firefighting, medical, vehicle extrication, hazardous materials, etc.). In 2001, the Insurance Services Office (ISO) gave the Department a rating of 6, acknowledging its professional achievements and therefore saving homeowners thousands of dollars in insurance premiums.
One of the most popular Fire Department members is "Dottie", a Dalmatian dog permanently assigned to Fire Station 2. Dottie assists department personnel with public education events, parades, etc."[6]
The Volunteer Rescue Squad is a volunteer organization consisting of over 50 members and a medical control physician. Members are certified in a variety of emergency skills, including auto extrication, fire fighting, structural collapse/urban search and rescue, diving, large animal rescue, rural search and rescue, and high angle/ technical rescue. In addition, many squad members are First Responders, EMT's and Paramedics.
For more information, please visit the organization's Web site: http://www.chasrescue.com
"The Emergency Management Division (EMD) provides leadership and assistance to reduce the loss of life and property in Charleston County from a variety of man-made and natural hazards through an effective emergency management program.
In May 1956, newspaper clippings referred to the Charleston County Civil Defense Council, the predecessor of Emergency Preparedness Division (EPD). In 1960, County Council created the Civil Defense Advisory Council to guide the Director of Civil Defense on personnel selection, appropriations and policy issues. The department existed under various titles prior to July 5, 1983, when County Council officially created the County's Emergency Preparedness Division. On June 20, 1987, the renewed agency got its first real field exposure when lightning started a fire of an 80-million-US-gallon (300,000 m3) fuel tank at the Hess Terminal. EPD was once again designated as a separate department in 1990, after Hurricane Hugo. In 2010 the Emergency Prepaedness Division was consolidated with the Hazardious Materials Division and places under EMD as a single agency. The EMD Director is also responsible for the County Volunteer Rescue Squad and Awendaw Fire Department. "[7]
|
|||||||||||||||||||||||
|
||||||||||||||||||||||||||