Berkeley County, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat
is Moncks Corner
.
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, Berkeley County is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area.
, the county has a total area of 1228 square miles (3,180.5 km²), of which 1098 square miles (2,843.8 km²) is land and 130 square miles (336.7 km²) (10.61%) is water.
of 2000, there were 142,651 people, 49,922 households, and 37,691 families residing in the county. The population density
was 130 people per square mile (50/km²). There were 54,717 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.00% White
, 26.63% Black
or African American
, 0.52% Native American
, 1.87% Asian
, 0.08% Pacific Islander
, 1.20% from other races
, and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.76% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 16.4% were of American
, 10.0% German
, 8.4% Irish
and 7.7% English
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 49,922 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples
living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 19.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% 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 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,908, and the median income for a family was $44,242. Males had a median income of $31,583 versus $22,420 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,879. About 9.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.
The Patrol Division consists of four squads of deputies who alternately patrol the entire county in twelve-hour shifts. The Patrol Division responds to all calls dispatched by 911 operators.
The Investigations Division is a team of highly trained detectives who investigate violent crimes and property crimes. Normal office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, however, the designated detective on duty is available to respond in the evening and on weekends.
The Narcotics Division investigates drug activity and is available to receive information 24 hours a day.
Special Response Team (SRT) consists of highly trained deputies who respond to crisis situations such as manhunts, armed robberies, hostage situations. They are activated by the Command Staff when the need arises. The team members are trained in special weapons use and in hostage negotiations.
K-9 Unit Each patrol squad has a canine officer and trained canine. They are available to search for contraband, guns, evidence and missing persons.
The Records Office is located in the Sheriff's Office and will provide copies of incident reports when requested in person.
The Training Office is located at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. These new County facilities are used for training Berkeley County law enforcement officers,reserve deputies, and handling Citizen Academies to inform the public of what the job entales of all deputies at the department. Deputies receive training from in-house certified instructors as well as Academy training via satellite. This training is required in order to meet State certification requirements.
The trained staff of Berkeley County's Emergency Medical Services respond to about 14,000 medical emergencies each year. This volume is reviewed each year for future planning. A long range plan is in place, and the agency will grow with the county.
The Cross Fire Department is one of the larger fire districts in the county, covering 90 square miles (233.1 km²) of Berkeley County. They proudly serve the Cross area which is historic because of the creation of Lake Marion
and Lake Moultrie
as part of the Santee Cooper
project of the 1940s. Cross Fire Department consists of 16 volunteer members, 3 stations, 7 apparatus, and respond to nearly 500 calls a year.
The GCRFPD district encompasses all of the unincorporated areas of Goose Creek from the North Charleston city limits to the area just south of Strawberry Shortstop on Highway 52, the entire industrial area only Bushy Park Road, and many areas along or off Highway 176 up to the rear entrance of the Alcoa (formerly Alumax) facility.
GCRFPD encompasses over 600 residences, five shopping center/strip malls, Goose Creek High School, a middle school, an intermediate school, two elementary schools, and 11 apartment/condominium complexes.
GCRFPD also provides coverage to the following industrial facilities: Bayer, Allstate
, Crane Linton Mechanical, Alcoa,
Dupont
GCRFPD presently serve a full-time population of 16,500 residents on a budget of $500,000. This population does not include the Naval Weapons Station complex that borders our primary response area.
The Pimlico Volunteer Fire Department is made up of dedicated members of the community. The district encompasses areas bordering the rail tracks off of Highway 52, and the length of Old Highway 52. Operating out of one station with approximately 15 members, the department responds to approximately 125 calls for service per year. The remains one of the most dedicated volunteer departments in Berkeley County.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of South Carolina
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Moncks Corner
Moncks Corner, South Carolina
Moncks Corner is a town in and the county seat of Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,952 at the 2000 census....
.
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, Berkeley County is included within the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville metropolitan area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 1228 square miles (3,180.5 km²), of which 1098 square miles (2,843.8 km²) is land and 130 square miles (336.7 km²) (10.61%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Georgetown County, South Carolina - northeast
- Williamsburg County, South Carolina - northeast
- Charleston County, South CarolinaCharleston County, South CarolinaCharleston County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. According to a 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimate, its population was 330,368. Its county seat is Charleston. It is the third-most populous county in the state . Charleston County was created in 1901 by an act of the South...
- south - Dorchester County, South Carolina - west
- Orangeburg County, South Carolina - northwest
- Clarendon County, South Carolina - northwest
History
Berkeley County was established in 1682. It was named after John and William Berkeley, co-owners of the Province of Carolina. It became part of the Charleston District in 1769. It did not exist as a District during most of the 19th Century. It was again established as a county in 1882, with its seat at Mount Pleasant. The county seat was moved in 1895 to Moncks Corner.Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 142,651 people, 49,922 households, and 37,691 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 130 people per square mile (50/km²). There were 54,717 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.00% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 26.63% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.52% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.87% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.08% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.20% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.76% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 16.4% were of American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 10.0% German
Germans
The Germans are a Germanic ethnic group native to Central Europe. The English term Germans has referred to the German-speaking population of the Holy Roman Empire since the Late Middle Ages....
, 8.4% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 7.7% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 49,922 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 19.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% 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 3.15.
In the county, the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,908, and the median income for a family was $44,242. Males had a median income of $31,583 versus $22,420 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,879. About 9.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.
Economy
Berkeley County Top 10 Employers- US Navy Naval Weapons Station - 18,450
- Berkeley County School District - 3,600
- Santee CooperSantee CooperSantee Cooper, also known officially from the 1930s as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility that came into being during the New Deal as both a rural electrification and public works project that created two lakes and cleared large...
- 1,840 - Blackbaud Inc. - 1,000
- NucorNucorNucor Corporation , a Fortune 300 company headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, is one of the largest steel producers in the United States, and the largest of the "mini-mill" operators...
Steel - 850 - Berkeley County Government - 750
- AlcoaAlcoaAlcoa Inc. is the world's third largest producer of aluminum, behind Rio Tinto Alcan and Rusal. From its operational headquarters in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Alcoa conducts operations in 31 countries...
Mount Holly - 600 - Wal-MartWal-MartWal-Mart Stores, Inc. , branded as Walmart since 2008 and Wal-Mart before then, is an American public multinational corporation that runs chains of large discount department stores and warehouse stores. The company is the world's 18th largest public corporation, according to the Forbes Global 2000...
- 550 - Caterpillar Inc.Caterpillar Inc.Caterpillar Inc. , also known as "CAT", designs, manufactures, markets and sells machinery and engines and sells financial products and insurance to customers via a worldwide dealer network. Caterpillar is the world's largest manufacturer of construction and mining equipment, diesel and natural gas...
Remanufacturing Services - 500 - SuncomSunComSunCom Wireless Holdings, Inc. was a wireless carrier that operated in the Southeastern United States since 1999 and in parts of the Caribbean since 2004. From the "About Us" section of the company's website:...
- 500
Law enforcement
In addition to local municipal Police Departments, the entire county is protected by the Berkeley County Sheriffs Department. Headquartered in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, the Sheriff's Office is divided into many divisions:The Patrol Division consists of four squads of deputies who alternately patrol the entire county in twelve-hour shifts. The Patrol Division responds to all calls dispatched by 911 operators.
The Investigations Division is a team of highly trained detectives who investigate violent crimes and property crimes. Normal office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, however, the designated detective on duty is available to respond in the evening and on weekends.
The Narcotics Division investigates drug activity and is available to receive information 24 hours a day.
Special Response Team (SRT) consists of highly trained deputies who respond to crisis situations such as manhunts, armed robberies, hostage situations. They are activated by the Command Staff when the need arises. The team members are trained in special weapons use and in hostage negotiations.
K-9 Unit Each patrol squad has a canine officer and trained canine. They are available to search for contraband, guns, evidence and missing persons.
The Records Office is located in the Sheriff's Office and will provide copies of incident reports when requested in person.
The Training Office is located at the Berkeley County Sheriff's Office. These new County facilities are used for training Berkeley County law enforcement officers,reserve deputies, and handling Citizen Academies to inform the public of what the job entales of all deputies at the department. Deputies receive training from in-house certified instructors as well as Academy training via satellite. This training is required in order to meet State certification requirements.
Emergency medical services
Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are designed to meet the needs of the citizenry in times of medical crisis. Berkeley County EMS responds 24 hour a day no matter what the nature of the emergency. Berkeley County EMS is dedicated to providing the highest quality of Emergency Medical Pre-Hospital Care. The EMS department operates Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances with a minimum of one (1) Paramedic and one (1) EMT. This configuration is backed up with additional Paramedics in Quick Response Vehicles, or second ambulances. Local Fire Departments have a good working relationship with EMS and assist on most every EMS call for service.The trained staff of Berkeley County's Emergency Medical Services respond to about 14,000 medical emergencies each year. This volume is reviewed each year for future planning. A long range plan is in place, and the agency will grow with the county.
Fire protection
Each municipality which is incorporated has organized fire protection. The City of Summerville, which is primairly in the County of Dorchester, as well as the City of Goose Creek, Town of Moncks Corner nad the US Naval Weapons Station have municipal departments. However, the rural areas of the county are protected by contract or rural fire protection districts. Some such districts are the Caromi Volunteer Fire District, Cross Fire Department, Goose Creek Rural Fire Protection District, Whitesville Rural Fire Department, Santee Circle Rural Fire Department and the Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department.- Cross Rural:
The Cross Fire Department is one of the larger fire districts in the county, covering 90 square miles (233.1 km²) of Berkeley County. They proudly serve the Cross area which is historic because of the creation of Lake Marion
Lake Marion (South Carolina)
Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina, centrally located and with territory within five counties. The lake is referred to as South Carolina's inland sea. It has a shoreline and covers nearly 110,000 acres of rolling farmlands, former marshes, and river valley landscape...
and Lake Moultrie
Lake Moultrie
Lake Moultrie is the third largest lake in South Carolina covering over .-Location:Lake Moultrie is located in Berkeley County, South Carolina, is fed by Lake Marion through a diversion canal. Nearby towns include Moncks Corner, Bonneau and St. Stephen....
as part of the Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper
Santee Cooper, also known officially from the 1930s as the South Carolina Public Service Authority, is South Carolina's state-owned electric and water utility that came into being during the New Deal as both a rural electrification and public works project that created two lakes and cleared large...
project of the 1940s. Cross Fire Department consists of 16 volunteer members, 3 stations, 7 apparatus, and respond to nearly 500 calls a year.
- Goose Creek Rural:
The GCRFPD district encompasses all of the unincorporated areas of Goose Creek from the North Charleston city limits to the area just south of Strawberry Shortstop on Highway 52, the entire industrial area only Bushy Park Road, and many areas along or off Highway 176 up to the rear entrance of the Alcoa (formerly Alumax) facility.
GCRFPD encompasses over 600 residences, five shopping center/strip malls, Goose Creek High School, a middle school, an intermediate school, two elementary schools, and 11 apartment/condominium complexes.
GCRFPD also provides coverage to the following industrial facilities: Bayer, Allstate
Allstate
The Allstate Corporation is the second-largest personal lines insurer in the United States and the largest that is publicly held. The company also has personal lines insurance operations in Canada. Allstate was founded in 1931 as part of Sears, Roebuck and Co., and was spun off in 1993...
, Crane Linton Mechanical, Alcoa,
Dupont
GCRFPD presently serve a full-time population of 16,500 residents on a budget of $500,000. This population does not include the Naval Weapons Station complex that borders our primary response area.
- Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department:
The Pimlico Volunteer Fire Department is made up of dedicated members of the community. The district encompasses areas bordering the rail tracks off of Highway 52, and the length of Old Highway 52. Operating out of one station with approximately 15 members, the department responds to approximately 125 calls for service per year. The remains one of the most dedicated volunteer departments in Berkeley County.
Cities and towns
- BonneauBonneau, South CarolinaBonneau is a town in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 354 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- CharlestonCharleston, South CarolinaCharleston is the second largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It was made the county seat of Charleston County in 1901 when Charleston County was founded. The city's original name was Charles Towne in 1670, and it moved to its present location from a location on the west bank of the...
- CrossCross, South CarolinaCross is a census-designated place located in rural northwestern Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. It is centered at the junctions of South Carolina Highway 6 and South Carolina Highway 45. The zip code for Cross is 29436.-Notes:...
- Goose CreekGoose Creek, South CarolinaGoose Creek is a city in Berkeley county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 35,938 at the 2010 census. Most of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston is in Goose Creek. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- GumvilleGumville, South CarolinaGumville is an unincorporated community in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. It is located approximately 2 miles west of Jamestown on US 17A. Gumville was made famous as the birthplace of L. Mendel Rivers, the longtime Representative of the 1st congressional district. When queried...
- HanahanHanahan, South CarolinaHanahan is a city in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 12,937 at the 2000 census. Portions of the Naval Weapons Station Charleston, including the Naval Consolidated Brig Charleston, are located in Hanahan. As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and...
- HugerHuger, South CarolinaHuger is an unincorporated community in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. In South Carolina, Huger is pronounced . It is part of the Charleston–North Charleston–Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- JamestownJamestown, South CarolinaJamestown is a town in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 97 at the 2000 census.As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S...
- LadsonLadson, South CarolinaLadson is a census-designated place in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 13,264 at the 2000 census....
- Moncks CornerMoncks Corner, South CarolinaMoncks Corner is a town in and the county seat of Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 5,952 at the 2000 census....
- North CharlestonNorth Charleston, South CarolinaNorth Charleston is the 3rd largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina with incorporated areas in Berkeley, Charleston, and Dorchester counties. On June 12, 1972 the city of North Charleston incorporated and was the 9th largest city in South Carolina. According to the 2010 Census, North...
- PinopolisPinopolis, South CarolinaPinopolis is an unincorporated community in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. Founded circa 1845, it was established at a high elevation in the "low country" of South Carolina and it gave an escape from mosquitoes and uncomfortable heat. It became a gathering place for those of...
- St. StephenSt. Stephen, South CarolinaSt. Stephen is a town in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,776 at the 2000 census.As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, St. Stephen is included within the Charleston-North...
- SummervilleSummerville, South CarolinaSummerville is a town in the U.S. state of South Carolina situated mostly in Dorchester County with small portions in Berkeley, and Charleston counties. It is part of the Charleston-North Charleston-Summerville Metropolitan Statistical Area as designated for statistical purposes by the U.S. Office...
- Pineville
See also
- Lake MarionLake Marion (South Carolina)Lake Marion is the largest lake in South Carolina, centrally located and with territory within five counties. The lake is referred to as South Carolina's inland sea. It has a shoreline and covers nearly 110,000 acres of rolling farmlands, former marshes, and river valley landscape...
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkeley County, South CarolinaNational Register of Historic Places listings in Berkeley County, South CarolinaThis is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Berkeley County, South Carolina.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Berkeley County, South Carolina, United States...