Bennettsville, South Carolina
Bennettsville, South Carolina | ||
---|---|---|
FIPS code 45-05680[3] | | |
GNIS feature ID | 1246743[4] | |
Website | www.bennettsvillesc.com |
Bennettsville is a city located in the
According to the
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16 km2), of which 5.6 square miles (15 km2) is land and 0.6 square miles (1.6 km2) (10.13%) is water.
History
This article needs additional citations for verification. (April 2020) |
The city of Bennettsville was founded in 1819 on the
In the same year, the S.C. General Assembly authorized the relocation of the courthouse from the eastern bank of the
In 1865 during the last year of the
In 1884, another Second Empire-style courthouse was built on the site. In 1952-1954 it was later enlarged with additions, and the 1884 portion constitutes the central portion of the current building. Additions included two-story red brick wings and the present clock steeple, all designed by Bennettsville architect Henry D. Harrall.
In 1885, Duncan Donald McColl financed development of the first railroad, bank and textile mills in Bennettsville, stimulating the economy as the town was connected to other markets and built an industry. The economy boomed during this "king cotton" era. The city became the center of one of the richest agricultural areas in the state. In the 20th century, the State of South Carolina designated Bennettsville as one its first "G.R.E.A.T. Town" (Governor's Rural Economic Achievement Trophy).
Registered historic sites
Buildings and districts listed on the
The Bennettsville Historic District was designated and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1978. Its contributing buildings include the Jennings-Brown House (1826), the Female Academy (1830), the Medical Museum (1902), and the Murchison School (1902), as well as other residences in the Queen Anne and Beaux Arts style.
Facilities
In the 21st century, a new Marlboro County library was constructed. Named in honor of national activist Marian Wright Edelman, who was born and grew up in Bennettsville, it opened on February 22, 2010.[6] She founded the Children's Defense Fund, to promote programs for children and mothers.
The library is located on 4.4 acres (18,000 m2) at the intersection of Marlboro Street and Fayetteville Avenue adjacent to the Murchison building (1902) and is a new single-story building with approximately 20,000 square feet (1,900 m2). Its front tower is oriented on axis with that of the Murchison Building. The building's cost was supported by $1.325 million in federal funding.[7] The Library holds 60,000 volumes and has two conference rooms, seating 50 and 12.[8]
Economy
The county is still largely rural, with limited job opportunities. The county seat serves as a trading center for the county.
The Federal Correctional Institution, Bennettsville was built outside of the city in the county. It is a medium-security prison for male prisoners, and has an associated minimum-security camp holding 139 prisoners. Together the facility houses 1776 prisoners.
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1880 | 343 | — | |
1890 | 978 | 185.1% | |
1900 | 1,929 | 97.2% | |
1910 | 2,646 | 37.2% | |
1920 | 3,197 | 20.8% | |
1930 | 3,667 | 14.7% | |
1940 | 4,895 | 33.5% | |
1950 | 5,140 | 5.0% | |
1960 | 6,963 | 35.5% | |
1970 | 7,468 | 7.3% | |
1980 | 8,774 | 17.5% | |
1990 | 9,345 | 6.5% | |
2000 | 9,425 | 0.9% | |
2010 | 9,069 | −3.8% | |
2020 | 7,020 | −22.6% | |
U.S. Decennial Census[9][2] |
2020 census
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (non-Hispanic)
|
2,089 | 29.76% |
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)
|
4,529 | 64.52% |
Native American
|
46 | 0.66% |
Asian
|
56 | 0.8% |
Pacific Islander
|
3 | 0.04% |
Other/Mixed
|
205 | 2.92% |
Latino
|
92 | 1.31% |
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 7,020 people, 2,850 households, and 1,684 families residing in the city.
2000 census
As of the
There were 3,289 households, out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.7% were married couples living together, 25.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.1% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.06.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.1% under the age of 18, 10.5% from 18 to 24, 31.2% from 25 to 44, 20.8% from 45 to 64, and 14.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 110.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $22,389, and the median income for a family was $29,272. Males had a median income of $24,697 versus $21,054 for females. The
Bennettsville is the center of an urban cluster with a total population of 12,070 (2000 census).
Government
The city is run by an elected
Education
Bennettsville has a lending library, the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library.[11]
Notable people
- Thomas Carey (baritone), American operatic baritone
- Aziz Ansari, comedian and actor
- Marian Wright Edelman, founder of the Children's Defense Fund
- Scott Howell, American political consultant
- Hugh McColl, retired CEO of Bank of America
- Cozell McQueen, Starting Center on 1983 NC State NCAA Championship Team
- Jim Odom, MLB umpire
- Claudius E. Watts III US Air Force lieutenant general
- Mike Wright, pitcher for Seattle Mariners
- Chancellor Williams, historian, writer and educator
References
- ^ "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "Census Population API". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 15, 2022.
- ^ a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
- ^ "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
- ^ "Marian Wright Edelman Library opens". U.S. Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), press release, December 24, 2001. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
Monday, February 22, was a dreary day by all accounts, with grey skies and bouts of sometimes heavy rain. But inside the Marian Wright Edelman Public Library, it was a different story: bright and warm, with an air of excitement that anyone could feel. Monday was opening day for the new library.
- ^ Lynn McQueen (February 25, 2001). "Spratt Secures $1.325 Million for Marian Wright Edelman Library" (PDF). Marlboro Herald Advocate. Archived from the original (PDF) on September 4, 2009. Retrieved September 8, 2009.
- ^ Lynn McQueen (February 25, 2010). "Marian Wright Edelman Library opens". Marlboro Herald Advocate. Archived from the original on February 22, 2009. Retrieved March 1, 2010.
The library boasts approximately 60,000 volumes, she said, and has features to appeal to all segments of the community. One source of pride is the computer area, which has 22 computers for public use / The larger conference room, which seats 50 and has a small kitchen. The smaller conference room seats 12, and both have drop-down screens.
- ^ "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
- ^ "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 10, 2021.
- ^ "South Carolina libraries and archives". SCIWAY. Retrieved June 13, 2019.