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"A place where history and nature combine to create a home for some of the nicest people you'll ever meet."

Clarendon county is located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The county covers a total of 695.6 square miles. As of the 2010 census, its population was 34,971.

Clarendon county is named after Edward Hyde, Earl of Clarendon, friend and supporter of King Charles II of England. First established in 1785, Clarendon was not officially chartered as an independent county of South Carolina until 1855.

The town of Manning is the county seat and center of Clarendon county. It was named after John Laurence Manning, Governor of South Carolina from 1852-1854.

Clarendon county boasts one of the largest man made lakes in the U.S., Lake Marion. While this has become a large source of economic development and industry for the county, it was originally built to provide affordable electricity to rural towns across the state.

Today, Clarendon is a thriving county noted for its history, parks, fishing, boating, camping, recreation, tourism, manufacturing, farming, luxurious retirement communities, and much more.

Geography & Climate

Clarendon country is located in the central portion of South Carolina. The county covers a total of 695.6 square miles, of which 606.94 square miles is land and 88.7 square miles is water, i.e. Lake Marion. Most of the land is predominantly sand and loamy soils. Clarendon county has a moderate climate with very warm summers and mild winters.

It has a subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and cool, dry winters. The average precipitation is 55 inches per year. The growing season is generally 225 days, so farmers have a long season to grow crops. Some of the major crops grown in Clarendon county are cotton, tobacco, corn and soybean.

Demographics

As of the 2010 U.S. Census, there were 34,971 people residing in the county. 50.1% were Black or African American, 47.0% were White or Caucasian, 2.6% were Hispanic or Latino, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% Native American Indian, and 2% from all other races. There are only 57.6 people per square mile in Clarendon county, significantly less than the state average. The population of the county has only increased by 20% since 1920. However, the growth rate is slowly, but steadily increasing.

There are 17.6% elderly, aged 65 and older, living in Clarendon county. With regards to education, 13.4% of the population had a Bachelor’s degree. The median household income in Clarendon county is $33,355 per year.

South Carolina - Key State Symbols

• Nickname: The Palmetto State

• Bird: Carolina Wren

• Dance: The Shag

• Flower: Carolina Yellow Jessamine

• State Stone: Blue Granite

• Song: “Carolina”

• Tree: Palmetto Tree

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