Irmo, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Irmo is a town in Lexington and Richland
counties in the U.S. state
of South Carolina
and a suburb of Columbia
. It is 12 miles outside of the city center of Columbia
and is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 11,039 at the 2000 census
.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.7 km2), all land.
of 2000, there were 11,039 people, 3,911 households, and 3,163 families residing in the town. The population density
was 2,670.2 people per square mile (1,032.0/km2). There were 4,066 housing units at an average density of 983.5 per square mile (380.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.76% White, 20.16% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races
, and 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.
There were 3,911 households out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% were married couples
living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,847, and the median income for a family was $62,005. Males had a median income of $41,054 versus $30,171 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $22,312. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
, the NBC
affiliate in Columbia, came up with the idea to have a festival based on Okra. The Okra Strut was born. It started out as modest arts and crafts sale held in Seven Oaks Park, during which the women also sold Okra. By 1978, it had grown into a full-fledged festival with rides, food, and dancing, and even pets/farm animals. By 1980, proceeds from the Okra Strut had gained enough money to pay for the Irmo Town Library. Today, the Okra Strut remains as a unique and popular family-oriented festival throughout the State of South Carolina and the Southeast region. Attendance for the 2010 festival was said to be in excess of 50,000. The Irmo Okra Strut Parade remains the largest in the entire state of South Carolina to this day, typically lasting over two hours in duration. The 2011 Irmo Okra Strut Festival will be held at the Irmo Village shopping center again on Friday, September 23 & Saturday, 24, 2011.
. The name of Irmo was the result of combining the names of Captain C.J. Iredell and Henry Moseley, two important figures in the founding of the town. Despite the town's growth, Irmo does not have an actual downtown area. Rather, it includes only several clusters of suburban neighborhoods.
, lead singer of the group Band of Horses
, grew up in Irmo.
Famous atlhetes include BJ McKie
.
It is also the birthplace of Leeza Gibbons
.
Jessica Studstill, former intake coordinator of the New England Innocence Project and globally respected Nail Blogger.
Richland County, South Carolina
Richland County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The 2000 U.S. census recorded its population to be 320,677. In 2010, the U.S. Census Bureau recorded that its population had reached 384,504. It is the second most populous county in South Carolina, behind only Greenville...
counties in the U.S. state
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...
and a suburb of Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
. It is 12 miles outside of the city center of Columbia
Columbia, South Carolina
Columbia is the state capital and largest city in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 129,272 according to the 2010 census. Columbia is the county seat of Richland County, but a portion of the city extends into neighboring Lexington County. The city is the center of a metropolitan...
and is part of the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area
Columbia, South Carolina metropolitan area
As defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, and used by the U.S. Census Bureau for statistical purposes only, the Columbia Metropolitan Statistical Area, is an area consisting of six counties in central South Carolina, anchored by the city of Columbia. As of the 2000 census, the MSA had...
. The population was 11,039 at the 2000 census
United States Census, 2000
The Twenty-second United States Census, known as Census 2000 and conducted by the Census Bureau, determined the resident population of the United States on April 1, 2000, to be 281,421,906, an increase of 13.2% over the 248,709,873 persons enumerated during the 1990 Census...
.
Geography:)
Irmo is located at 34.092629°N 81.186073°W (34.092629, -81.186073).According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 town has a total area of 4.1 square miles (10.7 km2), all land.
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 11,039 people, 3,911 households, and 3,163 families residing in the town. 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 2,670.2 people per square mile (1,032.0/km2). There were 4,066 housing units at an average density of 983.5 per square mile (380.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 76.76% White, 20.16% African American, 0.25% Native American, 1.43% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.44% 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 0.88% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.42% of the population.
There were 3,911 households out of which 47.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.9% 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, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 19.1% were non-families. 15.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.15.
In the town the population was spread out with 30.7% under the age of 18, 6.6% from 18 to 24, 34.6% from 25 to 44, 23.3% from 45 to 64, and 4.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 93.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.7 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $55,847, and the median income for a family was $62,005. Males had a median income of $41,054 versus $30,171 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 town was $22,312. About 3.3% of families and 4.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 4.4% of those under age 18 and 11.6% of those age 65 or over.
Festivals
Irmo is home to the annual Okra Strut. The Okra Strut is a festival and parade held every year in the town of Irmo. The festival was spawned in 1973 when the Lake Murray-Irmo Women's Club were trying to find a way to raise money for a new Irmo Public Library. Gene McKay, a news anchor and radio personality for WISWIS
WIS, channel 10, is an NBC-affiliated television station in Columbia, South Carolina, USA. Owned by Raycom Media, WIS has studios on Bull Street in downtown Columbia, and transmitter located in Lugoff, South Carolina.-History:...
, the NBC
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
affiliate in Columbia, came up with the idea to have a festival based on Okra. The Okra Strut was born. It started out as modest arts and crafts sale held in Seven Oaks Park, during which the women also sold Okra. By 1978, it had grown into a full-fledged festival with rides, food, and dancing, and even pets/farm animals. By 1980, proceeds from the Okra Strut had gained enough money to pay for the Irmo Town Library. Today, the Okra Strut remains as a unique and popular family-oriented festival throughout the State of South Carolina and the Southeast region. Attendance for the 2010 festival was said to be in excess of 50,000. The Irmo Okra Strut Parade remains the largest in the entire state of South Carolina to this day, typically lasting over two hours in duration. The 2011 Irmo Okra Strut Festival will be held at the Irmo Village shopping center again on Friday, September 23 & Saturday, 24, 2011.
Origin
Irmo was chartered on Christmas Eve in 1890 in response to the opening of the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens RailroadColumbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad
The Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad was a railroad line that served a 75-miles stretch between Columbia, and Laurens.In 1885, the South Carolina General Assembly issued a charter for the Columbia, Newberry and Laurens Railroad, and the line was officially christened on Christmas Day 1885...
. The name of Irmo was the result of combining the names of Captain C.J. Iredell and Henry Moseley, two important figures in the founding of the town. Despite the town's growth, Irmo does not have an actual downtown area. Rather, it includes only several clusters of suburban neighborhoods.
Famous residents of Irmo
Ben BridwellBen Bridwell
Benjamin "Ben" Bridwell is the lead singer of American rock band Band of Horses and a former member of the band Carissa's Wierd.-Early life:Bridwell was born on April 25, 1978 and grew up in Irmo, South Carolina...
, lead singer of the group Band of Horses
Band of Horses
Band of Horses, originally briefly known as Horses, are an American rock band formed in 2004 in Seattle by Ben Bridwell. They have released three studio albums, the most recent and most successful of which is 2010's Grammy nominated Infinite Arms...
, grew up in Irmo.
Famous atlhetes include BJ McKie
BJ McKie
BJ McKie , is an American basketball player. Born in Norfolk, Virginia, McKie went to high school at Irmo High School and played for the University of South Carolina men's basketball team. In January 1999, he became the Gamecock's all time leading scorer, surpassing Alex English...
.
It is also the birthplace of Leeza Gibbons
Leeza Gibbons
Leeza Kim Gibbons is an American talk show host. Gibbons is the host of her own radio show, Hollywood Confidential, part of the United Stations radio syndication company.-Early life:...
.
Jessica Studstill, former intake coordinator of the New England Innocence Project and globally respected Nail Blogger.