Orangeburg County

As of the latest available data, Orangeburg County, SC has a population of approximately 84,000. The racial composition is around 62% Black or African American, 35% White, and 3% other races, including small percentages of Asian, Native American, and Hispanic residents. The median household income is roughly $37,000, and about 22% of the population lives below the poverty line. The county spans 1,106 square miles, with a population density of about 76 people per square mile.

As of the most recent data, Orangeburg County, SC, has a median home value of approximately $104,000. The median rent is around $850 per month. The homeownership rate is about 70%, while approximately 30% of the population rents. The area has a mix of single-family homes, townhouses, and apartments. Housing market trends indicate moderate appreciation rates, with a year-over-year increase in home values by about 3-5%. The affordable cost of living and housing makes it an attractive area for families and retirees.

Orangeburg County, SC, oversees elections for various local, state, and federal offices. Key offices include County Council, State House and Senate, and U.S. Congress. The Orangeburg County Board of Voter Registration and Elections manages the electoral process.

In the most recent elections, voter turnout was approximately 55%. Key candidates in the 2022 general elections included Democrats Cleveland Sellers (SD 39) and Jerry Govan (HD 95), and Republicans Tim Scott (U.S. Senate) and Harry “Jay” Jordan (HD 90). Local positions, such as County Council seats, saw competition among various candidates representing both major parties. Full candidate lists and detailed results are available on the county's official election website or the South Carolina State Election Commission site.

For precise information about upcoming elections, voter registration deadlines, and absentee voting, contact the Orangeburg County Board of Elections at (803) 533-6243.

As of the latest data, Orangeburg County, SC, faces educational challenges compared to state and national averages. Approximately 83.4% of residents aged 25 and older have completed high school, lower than the national average of around 88% and the South Carolina state average of about 87%. Furthermore, just 16.6% of residents have a bachelor's degree or higher, significantly below the national average of roughly 33% and the state average of about 28%. The county's educational attainment metrics indicate a need for increased focus on educational development to bridge these gaps.

As of 2021, Orangeburg County, SC, has an unemployment rate of approximately 5.6%, higher than the national average of 4.2% and the South Carolina average of 4.5%. The workforce size is around 34,000.

Top industries in Orangeburg County include:

1. Manufacturing: Employing about 27% of the workforce, significantly higher than the national average of 8.5%.
2. Healthcare and Social Assistance: Approximately 18%.
3. Educational Services: About 12%.
4. Retail Trade: Around 11%.
5. Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing, and Hunting: Approximately 3%, higher than the national average of 1.3%.

These industries show the county's reliance on manufacturing and agriculture, compared to broader state and national trends which have a more diversified industrial base.

Orangeburg County, SC, has a median household income of approximately $33,470, which is significantly lower than both the national and state averages. The national median household income is around $68,703, while the state average for South Carolina is approximately $56,227. This disparity highlights the economic challenges faced by residents in Orangeburg County compared to wider averages.

Given these figures, Orangeburg County's median household income is about 51% lower than the national average and 40% lower than the state average.

As of the latest data, Orangeburg County, South Carolina, has experienced varying crime rates across different types of offenses. The following statistics provide a snapshot of crime in the county:

Violent crime, including offenses such as assault and robbery, is relatively high at 5.2 incidents per 1,000 residents. Property crime, which encompasses burglary and theft, stands at 20.3 incidents per 1,000 residents. Each of these categories shows significant variation and highlights areas where safety measures could be enhanced.