View source for Chesterfield County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county  = Chesterfield County
 | state        = South Carolina
 | ex image             = Old Chesterfield County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Old [[East Main Street Historic District (Chesterfield, South Carolina)|Chesterfield County Courthouse]]
 | seal                 = Chesterfield County sc seal.png
 | flag                 = Chesterfield flag.png
 | founded              = 1785
 | named for            = [[Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield|Philip Dormer Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield]]
 | seat wl        = Chesterfield
 | largest city wl      = Cheraw
 | city type         = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 805.66
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 798.99
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 6.67
 | area percentage      = 0.83
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 43273
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2024
 | population_est       = 44488 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|34.64|-80.16|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.chesterfieldcountysc.com
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | district             = 7th }}

'''Chesterfield County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 43,273.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Chesterfield, South Carolina|Chesterfield]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509170006/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 9, 2015 }}</ref> The largest community in the county is [[Cheraw, South Carolina|Cheraw]]. It is located north of the [[Midlands (South Carolina)|Midlands]], in the [[Pee Dee]] region, on the border with [[North Carolina]].

==History==
The county is named for [[Philip Stanhope, 4th Earl of Chesterfield]], a British politician who opposed the Stamp Act of 1765, which was deeply unpopular in South Carolina, and who was known for always speaking up for the rights of the colonists while he was serving in the [[British Parliament]] and when he served as British [[Secretary of State for the Northern Department|Secretary of State]].<ref>History of Chesterfield County, South Carolina by Yates Snowden pg. 3</ref>

The county was formed in 1785, but was part of what was then known as Cheraws District until 1800, at which time Chesterfield became a district itself. In the 1700s, the area that would become Chesterfield County was settled primarily by immigrants from [[England]] and [[Wales]], as well as by smaller numbers of immigrants from [[County Antrim|County Antrim, Ireland]], in what has since become [[Northern Ireland]]. Northern Irish immigrants were overwhelmingly Presbyterians of Scottish descent, due to the fact that they were from Ireland but were of Scottish origins. They were referred to by the rest of colonial society as "[[Scotch-Irish Americans|Scotch-Irish]]" however this was not a term they self-applied, preferring to refer to themselves as "Ulstermen" or "Irish Presbyterians."<ref>History of Chesterfield County, South Carolina by Yates Snowden pg. 49</ref> Under the post-[[American Civil War]] (1861–1865)  state constitution of 1867, passed during the [[Reconstruction era (United States)|Reconstruction era]], South Carolina districts became counties with [[home rule]].

On April 10, 2020, a case of [[Influenza A virus subtype H7N3]] was confirmed in what ''[[The Post and Courier]]'' described as "a commercial [[turkey (bird)|turkey]] flock" which resulted in the disinfecting & quarantine of the farm.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.postandcourier.com/ap/industry-scrambles-to-stop-fatal-bird-flu-in-sc/article_9ce574b8-7b61-11ea-95e6-c3867eb38495.html |title=Industry scrambles to stop fatal bird flu in SC| date=April 11, 2020 |first1=David|last1=Pitt|work=The Post and Courier}}</ref> This is the 1st confirmed case of H7N3 in the [[United States]] since another case was found in [[Lincoln County, Tennessee]] on March 5, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nbc4i.com/news/local-news/fatal-bird-flu-found-on-turkey-farm-in-south-carolina/ |title=Fatal bird flu found on turkey farm in South Carolina| date=April 11, 2020 |work=[[WCMH-TV]]}}</ref> Four days later on April 14, a second case was confirmed at a turkey farm in [[Jefferson, South Carolina]] resulting in the euthanization of 32,000 turkeys.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pagelandprogressive.com/content/fatal-bird-flu-strikes-flock-jefferson|title=Fatal bird flu strikes flock in Jefferson|date=April 14, 2020|first1=Don|last1=Worthington|work=www.pagelandprogressive.com}}</ref> [[Clemson University]] released the map of the control area for the first turkey farm infected by the virus on May 4.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://newsstand.clemson.edu/mediarelations/state-releases-avian-influenza-control-area-in-chesterfield-county/|title=State releases avian influenza control area in Chesterfield County|date=May 4, 2020|first1=Tom|last1=Hallman|work=Clemson University}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q502419|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Chesterfield County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|805.66|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|798.99|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|6.67|sqmi}} (0.83%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_45.txt |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref>

===National protected area===
* [[Carolina Sandhills National Wildlife Refuge]]

===State and local protected areas===
* [[Angelus Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands">{{Cite web |title=SCDNR Public Lands |url=https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/County |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www2.dnr.sc.gov}}</ref>
* [[Campbells Crossroads Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Cheraw State Park]]
* [[H. Cooper Black Jr. Memorial Field Trial and Recreation Area]]
* [[McBee Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[List of South Carolina state forests|Sand Hills State Forest]]
* [[Sand Hills State Forest Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Sugarloaf Mountain Recreation Area]]

===Major water bodies===
* [[Black Creek (South Carolina)|Black Creek]]
* [[Pee Dee River|Great Pee Dee River]]
* [[Lake Juniper (South Carolina)|Lake Juniper]]
* [[Lake Robinson (South Carolina)|Lake Robinson]]
* [[Little Carr Creek (South Carolina)|Little Carr Creek]]
* [[Lynches River]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Anson County, North Carolina]] – north
* [[Richmond County, North Carolina]] – northeast
* [[Union County, North Carolina]] – northwest
* [[Marlboro County, South Carolina|Marlboro County]] – east
* [[Darlington County, South Carolina|Darlington County]] – southeast
* [[Kershaw County, South Carolina|Kershaw County]] – southwest
* [[Lancaster County, South Carolina|Lancaster County]] – west

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=22em}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|1}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|52}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US-Truck|52|dab1=Cheraw}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|601}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|9}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Truck|9|dab1=Cheraw}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|102}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|109}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|145}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|151}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Bus|151|dab1=Jefferson}} (Jefferson)
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Bus|151|dab1=Pageland}} (Pageland)
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|207}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|265}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|268}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|903}}
{{div col end}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Cheraw Municipal Airport]]
* [[Pageland Airport]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1800= 5216
|1810= 5564
|1820= 6645
|1830= 8472
|1840= 8574
|1850= 10790
|1860= 11834
|1870= 10584
|1880= 16345
|1890= 18468
|1900= 20401
|1910= 26301
|1920= 31969
|1930= 34334
|1940= 35963
|1950= 36236
|1960= 33717
|1970= 33667
|1980= 38161
|1990= 38577
|2000= 42768
|2010= 46734
|2020= 43273
|estyear=2024
|estimate=44488
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=August 21, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF"/> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/chesterfieldcountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Chesterfield County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Chesterfield County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45025&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 15, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|25,829
|59.69%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|13,150
|30.39%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|184
|0.43%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|269
|0.62%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|4
|0.01%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|1,751
|4.05%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|2,086
|4.82%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 43,273 people, 17,900 households, and 12,399 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 46,734&nbsp;people, 18,173&nbsp;households, and 12,494&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45025
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012646/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref><ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45025.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606125715/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45025.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=November 22, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|58.5|PD/sqmi}}. There were 21,482 housing units at an average density of {{convert|26.9|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45025
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185302/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 62.8% white, 32.6% black or African American, 0.5% American Indian, 0.4% Asian, 2.0% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.6% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 16.3% were [[Americans|American]], 6.8% were [[English people|English]], 6.0% were [[Germans|German]], and 5.9% were [[Irish people|Irish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45025
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020607/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 18,173&nbsp;households, 34.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.6% were married couples living together, 18.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 27.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 3.05. The median age was 39.3 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $32,979 and the median income for a family was $41,225. Males had a median income of $35,965 versus $26,881 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,162. About 17.6% of families and 22.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 33.6% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45025
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012036/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45025
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 42,768 people, 16,557 households, and 11,705 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|54|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 18,818 housing units at an average density of {{convert|24|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 64.34% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 33.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.34% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.30% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.04% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.75% from two or more races. 2.27% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 16,557 households, out of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 16.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.30% were non-families. 25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.60% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 93.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.00 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $29,483, and the median income for a family was $36,200. Males had a median income of $30,205 versus $20,955 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $14,233. About 16.70% of families and 20.30% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 24.70% of those under age 18 and 24.20% of those age 65 or over.

== Law and Government ==
=== Politics ===
After the [[2020 United States redistricting cycle|2020 Redistricting Cycle]], the [[South Carolina House of Representatives]], Chesterfield County is located in South Carolina's 53rd, 54th, and 65th House districts and is represented by Republican [[Richie Yow]] in the 53rd, Democrat Representative Patricia Moore "Pat" Henegan in the 54th, and Republican Representative [[Cody Mitchell]] in the 65th. In the [[South Carolina Senate]], Chesterfield is located in Senate district 27 and 29. It was represented by Democrat, and former 2010 candidate for governor, [[Vincent Sheheen]], in District 27 until 2020. The district is now represented by Republican [[Penry Gustavson]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=S |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=South Carolina Legislature Online - Member Biography |url=https://www.scstatehouse.gov/member.php?chamber=H |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=www.scstatehouse.gov}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=DRA 2020 |url=https://davesredistricting.org/maps |access-date=June 13, 2022 |website=Daves Redistricting}}</ref>

In the [[US House of Representatives]], Chesterfield County is entirely located in South Carolina's {{Ushr|South Carolina|7|7th Congressional District}}. As of the [[United States House of Representatives elections, 2022|2022 House elections]], it is represented by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Russell Fry (politician)|Russell Fry]], who comes from [[Horry County, South Carolina|Horry County]]. Chesterfield County was formerly located in South Carolina's {{Ushr|South Carolina|5|5th Congressional District}} which was one of the seats that the [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrats]] lost to the Republicans during the 2010 election; before the 2010 election, congressman [[John M. Spratt]] had represented the district since 1983 but was defeated 55% to 45% by [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] [[Mick Mulvaney]] in 2010.

{{PresHead|place=Chesterfield County, South Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=Uselectionatlas.org|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|56|1,314|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|12|1,158|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|0|1,178|5|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|3|1,883|4|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|14|2,066|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|11|1,539|1|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|23|1,362|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|23|2,109|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|18|3,192|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|20|2,880|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|15|3,222|25|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|31|912|1,555|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,776|4,668|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|795|3,559|634|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,372|4,450|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,449|4,634|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|2,564|3,180|4,324|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|5,230|2,938|61|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|2,537|7,687|20|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|3,478|6,393|101|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|5,451|4,593|23|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|4,999|4,699|37|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|4,183|5,691|1,338|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|4,028|5,734|807|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|6,266|6,111|149|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|7,252|6,729|68|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|8,325|7,842|192|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|8,490|7,958|146|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|9,312|6,858|411|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|11,297|7,431|148|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|11,682|6,520|189|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot}}

===Law enforcement===
As of 2023, the current sheriff is Cambo Streater.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Home - Chesterfield County SC Sheriff's Office |url=http://www.chesterfieldsheriff.org/ |access-date=March 24, 2023 |website=www.chesterfieldsheriff.org}}</ref> In 2014, Sheriff Sam Parker was found guilty of charges that he used inmates for personal work and provided them contraband such as alcohol and an [[iPad]]. He was sentenced to two years of prison.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Collins|first=Jeffrey|title=Chesterfield County sheriff's trial has colleagues watching|url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/crime/2014/04/07/chesterfield-county-sheriffs-trial-colleagues-watching/7410857/|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=The Greenville News|language=en-US|date=April 7, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|last=Staff|first=W. I. S.|title=Indictment: Inmates got alcohol, women and an iPad|url=https://www.wistv.com/story/21724874/chesterfield-county-sheriff-sam-parker-indicted-by-grand-jury|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=WIS News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood, deputies guilty of conspiracy, jury rules|url=https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/crime/former-chester-county-sheriff-alex-underwood-deputies-guilty-of-conspiracy-jury-rules/ar-BB1fZgF7|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=www.msn.com|date=April 23, 2021}}</ref>

== Economy ==
In 2022, the GDP of Chesterfield County was $1.7 billion (about $38,443 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chesterfield County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45025 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> This is a real GDP of $1.4 billion (approx. $31,029 per capita) in [[Chained dollars|chained 2017 dollars]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Chesterfield County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45025 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> In 2022 through 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated between 2-4.5%.<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=1990-01-01 |title=Unemployment Rate in Chesterfield County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCCHES5URN |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref>

{{As of|2024|April}}, some of the top employers in the county include [[Black+Decker]], [[Chesterfield County School District]], [[Crown Holdings]], [[McLeod Health]], [[Northeastern Technical College]], and [[Walmart]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Chesterfield County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000025.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |issue=04000025}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Chesterfield County, South Carolina<ref name=":0" />
! style="text-align:left;" | Industry
! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Counts
! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Percentage (%)
! style="text-align:right;" | Average Annual Wage ($)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Accommodation and Food Services || style="text-align:right;" | 974 || style="text-align:right;" | 7.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 15,652
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 584 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 49,868
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 292 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 41,236
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation || style="text-align:right;" | 36 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 21,320
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 510 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 40,560
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 186 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 51,688
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 1,401 || style="text-align:right;" | 10.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 49,244
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 149 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 60,372
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 4,786 || style="text-align:right;" | 35.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 56,888
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction || style="text-align:right;" | 96 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 66,924
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 226 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 38,324
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 132 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 45,448
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 630 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 38,636
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 46 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 37,544
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 1,232 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 28,340
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 1,655 || style="text-align:right;" | 12.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 55,796
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Utilities || style="text-align:right;" | 117 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 69,160
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 300 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 56,108
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''13,352''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''47,713'''
|}

== Education ==
The county's youth are educated through the [[Chesterfield County School District]]. The South Point Christian School is a private school in [[Pageland, South Carolina|Pageland]] that offers Kindergarten through 12th grade.

[[Northeastern Technical College]] has branches in Pageland and [[Cheraw, South Carolina|Cheraw]].

===High schools===
* Central High School, Pageland
* Cheraw High School, Cheraw
* [[Chesterfield High School (South Carolina)|Chesterfield High School]], Chesterfield
* [[McBee High School]], [[McBee, South Carolina|McBee]]

=== Middle schools ===
* Chesterfield/Ruby Middle School, Chesterfield/Ruby
* Long Middle School, Cheraw
* New Heights Middle School, [[Jefferson, South Carolina|Jefferson]]

=== Elementary schools ===
* Cheraw Intermediate School, Cheraw
* Edwards Elementary School, Chesterfield
* Jefferson Elementary School, Jefferson
* McBee Elementary School, McBee
* Pageland Elementary School, Pageland
* Plainview Elementary School, Plainview
* Ruby Elementary School, [[Ruby, South Carolina|Ruby]]

=== Primary schools ===
* Cheraw Primary School, Cheraw
* Petersburg Primary School, Pageland

==Culture==
Chesterfield County supports several fine arts organizations ranging from High School Marching Bands to community theatres to municipal arts commissions.
* The Central High Sound of Central
* The Cheraw Tribe Marching Band
* The Chesterfield Marching Pride
* The Spirit of McBee High Marching Band
* The Cheraw Arts Commission
* The Chesterfield Arts Commission

== Recreation ==
Chesterfield County features many different types of recreation. Although each town varies in its offerings, facilities such as baseball and softball fields, walking tracks, parks, and other outdoor areas are common throughout the area. Golf is extremely popular and many local courses are frequented by visitors from throughout the region. There is a lot of hunting and fishing in the swamps of the Black Creek and Lake Robinson.

==Communities==

===Towns===
{{div col}}
* [[Cheraw, South Carolina|Cheraw]] (largest community; partly in Marlboro County)
* [[Chesterfield, South Carolina|Chesterfield]] (county seat)
* [[Jefferson, South Carolina|Jefferson]]
* [[McBee, South Carolina|McBee]]
* [[Mount Croghan, South Carolina|Mount Croghan]]
* [[Pageland, South Carolina|Pageland]]
* [[Patrick, South Carolina|Patrick]]
* [[Ruby, South Carolina|Ruby]]
{{div col end}}

=== Census-designated place ===

* [[Cash, South Carolina|Cash]]

===Unincorporated communities===
* [[Angelus, South Carolina|Angelus]]
* [[Middendorf, South Carolina|Middendorf]]
* [[Minden, South Carolina|Minden]]

==See also==
* [[List of counties in South Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Chesterfield County, South Carolina]]
* [[USS Chesterfield County (LST-551)|USS ''Chesterfield County'' (LST-551)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==
* {{Cite book |last=Gregg |first=Alexander |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=khUTAAAAYAAJ&q=history+old+cheraws+gregg |title=History of the Old Cheraws |date=1905 |publisher=State Company |language=en}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{OSM relation|2532501}}
* {{Official website|https://www.chesterfieldcountysc.com/}}
* [https://www.rootsandrecall.com/chesterfield/ Chesterfield County history and images]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre = Chesterfield County, South Carolina
|North = [[Anson County, North Carolina]]
|Northeast = [[Richmond County, North Carolina]]
|East = [[Marlboro County, South Carolina|Marlboro County]]
|Southeast = [[Darlington County, South Carolina|Darlington County]]
|South =
|Southwest = [[Kershaw County, South Carolina|Kershaw County]]
|West = [[Lancaster County, South Carolina|Lancaster County]]
|Northwest = [[Union County, North Carolina]]
}}
{{Chesterfield County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Chesterfield County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1785 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1785]]