Johnsonville, South Carolina
| Johnsonville, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
| City | |
 South Carolina | |
| Coordinates: 33°49′4″N 79°26′54″W / 33.81778°N 79.44833°WCoordinates: 33°49′4″N 79°26′54″W / 33.81778°N 79.44833°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Florence |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2) |
| • Land | 1.6 sq mi (4.1 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.0 km2) |
| Elevation | 92 ft (28 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 1,418 |
| • Density | 897/sq mi (346.5/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 29555 |
| Area code(s) | 843 |
| FIPS code | 45-37105[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1223621[2] |
| Website | www.cityofjohnsonville.com |
Johnsonville is a city in Florence County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,418 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Florence Metropolitan Statistical Area.
The city was founded in 1913 above the spot of the former Witherspoon's Ferry, where General Francis Marion received his commission for the Revolutionary War.
J. Stevens Dukes has served as mayor since 2004.
Johnsonville is also home to the Heritage Festival, which began in 2011 to celebrate the area's ties to the American Revolution.
History and Witherspoon's Ferry
In use during the American Revolution, Witherspoon's Ferry was the site where Francis Marion accepted command of the Williamsburg Militia in 1780. Ownership of the ferry lands passed from Robert to John Witherspoon in 1787. In 1802, John bequeathed the land to Aimwell Presbyterian Church.
Witherspoon's Ferry was a strategic ferry in the northeastern area of Williamsburg County, vested in John Witherspoon in 1801 and remaining in his charge until his death in 1815. According to the terms of John Witherspoon’s will, the ferry was then vested in J. D. Witherspoon, executor, for a term of 14 years, “in trust for and having the sole benefit of the incorporated Presbyterian Church at Aimwell on the Pee Dee River."
In 1819, former South Carolina Governor David R. Williams, son-in-law of John Witherspoon, obtained these ferry lands. William J. Johnson, born 1787, succeeded J. D. Witherspoon at the ferry after purchasing the plantation in 1825 from the Witherspoon estate. The 1850 census of Williamsburg County shows William Johnson, a man of considerable wealth for his time and place, living just below where the American Legion stands in Johnsonville today.
Johnson’s Ferry was the point at which the stagecoach stopped to change horses. As the stagecoach passed east over Lynches River on the ferry, a Johnson slave in charge of the ferry mules announced the number of passengers with blast from a fox horn: one blast for each passenger, thus informing Mrs. Johnson of the number of places that should be set for dinner. The passengers ate during the change of horses, and then proceeded to the next stop.
The stagecoach stopped at the Johnson’s house. All the mail for the surrounding communities was left in Capt. Johnson’s care. This provided an excellent reason for him to request a post office be granted. In 1843 a post office, named Johnsonville, was established near the ferry.
The city of Johnsonville was incorporated in 1913.
Geography
Johnsonville is located at 33°49′4″N 79°26′54″W / 33.81778°N 79.44833°W (33.817802, -79.448288)[3].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 1.6 square miles (4.1 km2), all of it land. This area was once the site of Thomas Sumter's hit and run action.
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,418 people, 532 households, and 413 families residing in the city. The population density was 897.6 people per square mile (346.5/km²). There were 602 housing units at an average density of 381.1 per square mile (147.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 75.74% White, 22.78% Black, 0.21% Native American, 0.14% Asian, 0.56% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.
There were 532 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.8% were married couples living together, 18.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.2% were non-families. 19.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.03.
In the city the population was spread out with 26.4% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.5% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 12.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 88.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $34,274, and the median income for a family was $38,690. Males had a median income of $30,109 versus $19,500 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,539. About 13.3% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.5% of those under age 18 and 18.1% of those age 65 or over.
Notable alumni
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. 2011-02-12. Retrieved 2011-04-23.
External links
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