Saluda County, South Carolina

Saluda County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 18,862. Its county seat is Saluda. The county was formed from northern and eastern portions of Edgefield County.

Saluda County is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History
The county was founded in 1895 with portions of Edgefield County and was named after the nearby Saluda River. The largest community and county seat is Saluda.

Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 461.64 sqmi, of which 452.72 sqmi is land and 8.92 sqmi (1.93%) is water. Saluda County is largely in the Saluda River basin with a small portion of western Saluda in the Savannah River basin.

National protected area

 * Sumter National Forest (part)

Major water bodies

 * Halfway Swamp Creek
 * Lake Murray
 * Saluda River

Adjacent Counties

 * Newberry County – north
 * Lexington County – east
 * Aiken County – south
 * Edgefield County – southwest
 * Greenwood County – northwest
 * McCormick County – west

Major infrastructure

 * Saluda County Airport

2020 census
As of the 2020 census, there were 18,862 people, 7,094 households, and 5,132 families residing in the county.

2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 19,875 people, 7,527 households, and 5,393 families living in the county. The population density was 43.9 PD/sqmi. There were 9,289 housing units at an average density of 20.5 /sqmi. The racial makeup of the county was 61.1% white, 26.3% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Pacific islander, 0.2% Asian, 10.3% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 14.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 17.8% were American, 14.7% were German, 8.6% were English, and 8.2% were Irish.

Of the 7,527 households, 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 15.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 28.4% were non-families, and 24.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 39.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $40,508 and the median income for a family was $45,173. Males had a median income of $31,264 versus $28,344 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,717. About 11.7% of families and 15.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 15.0% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census
At the 2000 census, there were 19,181 people, 7,127 households, and 5,295 families living in the county. The population density was 42 /mi2. There were 8,543 housing units at an average density of 19 /mi2. The racial makeup of the county was 65.80% White, 29.99% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.04% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 3.29% from other races, and 0.64% from two or more races. 7.30% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 7,127 households, out of which 31.80% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 14.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.70% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.07.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.90% under the age of 18, 9.20% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.50% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,774, and the median income for a family was $41,603. Males had a median income of $29,221 versus $21,395 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,328. About 12.00% of families and 15.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.40% of those under age 18 and 16.30% of those age 65 or over.

Law enforcement
In 2012, Saluda County Sheriff Jason Booth pled guilty to charges of misuse of office after using an inmate to make improvements at his home.

Economy
In 2022, the GDP was $572.2 million (about $29,921 per capita), and the real GDP was $495.6 million (about $25,918 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars.

As of April 2024, some of the top employers of the county include Food Lion.

Towns

 * Batesburg-Leesville (mostly in Lexington County)
 * Monetta (mostly in Aiken County)
 * Ridge Spring
 * Saluda (county seat and largest community)
 * Ward

Unincorporated communities

 * Mount Willing

Notable person

 * William B. Travis, Texas lieutenant colonel leading defense in the Battle of the Alamo