EDGEFIELD COUNTY 5/14/12
Date Formed:  1785 Edgefield,Edgefield,Edgefield,Edgefield
Land Area (square miles): 502
County Seat: Edgefield
Other Cities and Towns: Johnston, North Augusta, Trenton
Form of Government: Council-Administrator
Council Members: 5
Method of Election Single Member
Term Length 2 years
Council of Government:  Upper Savannah
County History
The origin of the name Edgefield is not clear, although it is usually described as "fanciful." The county was formed in 1785 as part of Ninety Six District; parts of Edgefield later went to form Aiken (1871), Saluda (1895), Greenwood (1897), and McCormick (1916) counties. This part of the upcountry, settled in the late eighteenth century, was the site of several Revolutionary War skirmishes. Although primarily agricultural, Edgefield County developed a thriving pottery industry in the nineteenth century; the old alkaline-glazed Edgefield pottery is highly sought after today. The larger Edgefield County was the home of ten South Carolina governors, including Francis W. Pickens (1805-1869), Benjamin R. Tillman (1847-1918), and Strom Thurmond. Confederate General Martin Witherspoon Gary (1831-1881) was also a resident of Edgefield County.
Population Trends Value Rank Value Rank
Census Population 1990 18,375 39 Numeric Change Census 1990-2010 8,610 22
Census Population 2000 24,595 36 Numeric Change Pop. Est. 2010-2011 -270 39
Census Population 2010 26,985 35 Percent Change Pop. Est. 2010-2011 -1.0% 38
Population Estimate 2010 26,940 35 Persons Per Square Mile 53.8 33
Population Estimate 2011 26,670 35
Economic Data Value Rank Value Rank
Jobs 2010 6,489 37 Personal Income 2010, in thousands $868,364 30
Jobs 2009 6,617 37 Per Capita Personal Income  2010 $32,233 13
Jobs 2008 6,489 37 % of U.S. Per Capita PI 2010 81% 13
Avg. Ann. Growth Rate Jobs 1990-2010 0.9% 10 Average Wage Per Job 2010 $32,140 35
Percent Change Jobs 2009-2010 -1.9% 30 % of U.S. Avg. Wage Per Job 2010 68% 35
Numeric Change Jobs 2009-2010 -128 19 Unemployment Rate 2011 9.3% 37
Tax Data Value Value
Assessed Property 2010 $74,913,714 Per Capita Assessed Property 2010 $2,776
County Base Millage Rate 2011 0.09849 Additional Sales Tax, if applicable
Value of One Mil 2011 $71,142 Local Option Sales Tax 1.0%
Net Taxable Sales FY10 $52,666,575 Capital Projects Sales Tax  
Admissions Tax Collected FY10 $73,679 School District Sales Tax  
Accommodations Tax Collected FY10 *** Transportation Sales Tax  
County Finance & Employment Data Value
Total Revenues FY10 $13,523,459 Value
Total Expenditures FY10 $11,205,498 Per Capita Revenues FY10 $501
General Fund Budget FY12 $8,293,875 Per Capita Expenditures FY10 $415
Total Debt Outstanding FY11 $895,960 Per Capita Gen. Fund Budget FY12 $307
Payroll FY12 $4,941,510 Per Capita Debt Outstanding FY11 $33
Full-Time Employees FY12 150 Credit Rating(s) FY11
Part-Time Employees FY12 6 Moody's:  
Full-Time Emp/1,000 Cnty Residents 5.56 Standard & Poor:  
Fitch: