Birch County, South Carolina

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Map of existing counties in South Carolina

Birch County is a proposed

county in the Midlands region of South Carolina. The county would comprise portions of northern Lexington County and northwestern portions of Richland County, including the communities of Ballentine, Irmo, and Chapin. Although subject to change, the proposed county's name would be derived from the first letters of these communities, Ballentine, Irmo, and Chapin.[1]
This would have been the "illegal" 47th county in the state.

The move to create Birch County stems from citizens and businesses that are upset with tax and regulatory policies in Richland and Lexington counties.[1] In December 2012, Rep. Nathan Ballentine, who resides in Chapin and represents District 71 in the South Carolina House of Representatives, said "chances are slim to none it would ever happen."[2]

History

The area which would become Birch County has historically been considered to be part of South Carolina's

Columbia metropolitan area
.

Since the damming of the Saluda River and the creation of Lake Murray in the 1920s, Chapin and the northern unincorporated portions of Lexington County have not physically connected to the remainder of county, causing significant logistical issues for residents and public services. Northwestern Richland County has also had differing opinions on taxation and growth management than the balance of Richland County (especially Columbia), thus leading to a push for Birch County.

Geography

The proposed boundaries of the county could likely be conterminous with the Lexington & Richland County School District Five. If created, the county would be the smallest-sized county in the state. It is anticipated that the county would be bordered by Lake Murray and the existing city limits of Columbia and West Columbia to the south, by the Broad River to the east, and by Newberry County to the north and west. Communities that would be included in Birch County include Ballentine, Irmo, Chapin, Lake Murray, and White Rock.

Population

According to a January 2013 article in

2010 Census, the proposed new county would be more populated than Chesterfield County,[3] and less populated than Cherokee County.[4]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c Flach, Tim. "Push under way to create new county north of Lake Murray". News Surveys. Columbia, SC: The State. Archived from the original on October 19, 2013. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  2. ^ "Birch County? Join Lexington County?". Ballentine for House. December 21, 2012. Retrieved June 18, 2014.
  3. ^ "Chesterfield County". State & County QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
  4. ^ "Cherokee County". State & County QuickFacts. United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 10, 2006. Retrieved June 19, 2014.
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