Hampton County
countyHampton County is a rural county located in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina. As of 2023, the population was approximately 18,555. The county seat is Hampton. Hampton County was named for Confederate Civil War General Wade Hampton III. The county was formed in 1878 from a portion of Beaufort County. Agriculture and forestry are mainstays of the local economy. Key industries include manufacturing, retail trade, and healthcare. Major employers include the United States Department of Justice, Food Lion, Hampton Regional Medical Center, and Le Creuset. Recent developments include the Agriculture Technology Campus, a project aimed at pesticide-free produce cultivation. Hampton County offers a glimpse into South Carolina's history, with influences from Native American heritage to its role during the Civil War. The county is home to Lake Warren State Park and hosts the Hampton County Watermelon Festival, the state's oldest continuing festival.
Hampton County, South Carolina
- Classification
- County
- Country
- United States
- County
- Hampton County
- Region
- Lowcountry
- Total Area
- 562.71 sq mi
- Land Area
- 559.98 sq mi
- Water Area
- 2.73 sq mi
- Latitude
- 32.78
- Longitude
- -81.14
- Notable Features
- Forests · Swamps · Ponds · Salkehatchie River · Coosawhatchie River · Lake George Warren · Savannah River
- Neighboring Areas
- Effingham County, GA · Screven County, GA · Allendale County, SC · Bamberg County, SC · Beaufort County, SC · Colleton County, SC · Jasper County, SC
- Population (2020)
- 18,561
- Est. Population (2024)
- 18,172
- Median Age
- 40.9
- Median Income
- $43,059
- Poverty Rate
- 20.69%
- Owner-Occupied
- 73.6%
- Racial & Ethnic Composition
- In 2023, Hampton County was composed of 52.4% Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), 40.2% White (Non-Hispanic), 3.31% Other (Hispanic), 1.46% Two Races Excluding Other, & Three or More Races (Non-Hispanic), and 0.873% Asian (Non-Hispanic).
- Government Type
- Council-Administrator
- Governing Body
- County Council
- Body Size
- 5 members
- School District
- Hampton County School District
- Municipal Services
- Animal Shelter · Board of Voter Registration and Elections · Building Department and Permits · Council on Aging · Economic Development · Recreation · Veterans Affairs
- Unemployment Rate
- 5.7%
- Economic Profile
- Agricultural
- Employment Sectors
- Manufacturing · Retail Trade · Health Care & Social Assistance
- Major Employers
- United States Department of Justice · Food Lion · Hampton Regional Medical Center · Le Creuset · ALPHA GENESIS INC. · BULLARD & SONS INC. · Elliott Sawmilling Co LLC · G3 ENGINEERING LLC · H&H FOOD SERVICES LLC · HAMPTON COUNTY SCHOOL DISTRICT · LOW COUNTRY FAMILY SERVICES INC · LOWCOUNTRY GROCERS LLC · NUPI AMERICAS INC · OAKWOOD PRODUCTS, INC. · Palma 72 LLC · PALMETTO STATE BANK · PRUITTHEALTH ESTILL LLC · R&L CARRIERS SHARED SERVICES LLC · VALMONT INDUSTRIES INC.
- Schools
- 9
- Students
- 2,337
- Teachers
- 167
- Student-Teacher Ratio
- 14:1
- School Districts
- Hampton County School District
- Outdoor Access
- Yes
- Major Recreation Areas
- Lake Warren State Park · Ernest F. Hollings ACE Basin National Wildlife Refuge · Kinard Park · Dave Daniels Park · Boyles Soccer Field · Lightsey Park · McMillan Park
- Parks & Trails
- Lightsey Park walking trail
- Founded
- 1878
- Named After
- Wade Hampton III
- Historical Significance
- Hampton County was formed from Beaufort County in 1878 and named after Confederate General Wade Hampton III. The area has a rich history, including Native American presence and events during the Yamassee War, Revolutionary War, and Civil War.
- Key Events
- Yamassee War · Revolutionary War · American Civil War