Barnwell County is located in the south-central part of South Carolina, on the border of Georgia. The county covers an area of 613 square miles and is home to a population of around 22,000 people. Barnwell County is part of the Aiken-Barnwell-Bamberg Combined Statistical Area and sits near the Savannah River.
The county is divided into two distinct regions by the Savannah River: the Lower Savannah region to the east and the Upper Savannah region to the west. The Lower Savannah region consists mainly of flat terrain with some rolling hills, and it is predominantly farmland with cotton fields, pecan groves, and pastures for livestock grazing. The Upper Savannah region is made up mostly of woodlands and swamps, with some areas of pine forests.
The climate in Barnwell County is typically hot and humid in summer months with temperatures reaching up to 95 degrees Fahrenheit; winters are milder with temperatures dropping into the mid-50s on average. The county receives an annual rainfall amounting to around 48 inches per year; this precipitation helps to support its lush vegetation which includes various hardwood trees such as hickory, oak, maple, beech, elm, and dogwood as well as evergreens like loblolly pines and cypress trees.
Barnwell County offers many outdoor recreational activities including hiking at Barnwell State Park or hunting at nearby Bamberg or Williamsburg counties; fishing in local rivers such as Blackville Creek or Salkehatchie River; camping at one of several campgrounds in the area; swimming at local lakes like Lake Thurmond or Lake Russell; boating on one of several lakes in nearby counties like Aiken or Edgefield; or bird watching throughout Barnwell’s wooded areas.
Overall, Barnwell County offers a beautiful landscape combined with a mild climate that make it an ideal place for outdoor recreation year round. With its lush vegetation and plentiful rivers and lakes it provides a perfect setting for anyone looking to enjoy nature’s beauty.
Country seat and other main cities of Barnwell County, South Carolina
Barnwell County is located in South Carolina and is home to a population of around 22,000 people. The county seat is located in Barnwell, a small town with a population of around 4,000 people. The town was founded in 1785 and was named after John Barnwell, a Revolutionary War leader. It is a vibrant hub of activity with several interesting attractions such as the historic Bank Street House, the Barnwell Railroad Museum, and the Barnwell County Museum.
According to COUNTRYAAH.COM, other main cities in the county are Blackville and Williston. Blackville was first settled by Scots-Irish settlers in 1790 and was initially known as “Black’s Village” after its founder Matthew Black. It has since grown into a vibrant small town with several unique attractions such as the Blackville Heritage Museum and the annual Mayhaw Festival. Williston is another small city located in Barnwell County that has been around since 1879 when it was founded by James H. Williston. It has grown into an important center for commerce and industry with several notable businesses such as Rayonier Performance Fibers, Inc., which produces specialty fibers used for various applications including medical technology, automotive parts, textiles, etc.
The county also contains numerous small towns such as Elko and Hilda which offer plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation including hiking trails at nearby state parks like Barnwell State Park or hunting at Bamberg or Williamsburg counties; fishing in local rivers such as Blackville Creek or Salkehatchie River; camping at one of several campgrounds in the area; swimming at local lakes like Lake Thurmond or Lake Russell; boating on one of several lakes in nearby counties like Aiken or Edgefield; or bird watching throughout Barnwell’s wooded areas.
Overall, Barnwell County offers its residents a great mix of rural charm combined with urban amenities making it an ideal place to live. With its mild climate year round it provides plenty of opportunities for outdoor activities while still being close enough to larger cities like Aiken or Augusta for shopping and entertainment.
History of Barnwell County, South Carolina
Barnwell County, South Carolina is a county located in the state’s Lowcountry region. It was founded in 1785 and named for Revolutionary War leader John Barnwell. The county seat is Barnwell, and the population as of 2019 was 19,593 people.
The county has a long and rich history that dates back to the days of its founding in 1785. During the colonial era, it was part of the Granville District which included present-day Aiken County and parts of Edgefield County. The Granville District was created by King George III in 1764 to help settle and develop land in what is now South Carolina.
In 1785, Barnwell County was officially established with its namesake city of Barnwell serving as its county seat. Early settlers were mostly planters from nearby counties who began to cultivate large plantations along the riverbanks. The county quickly became known for its production of cotton, rice, indigo, tobacco, corn, and other agricultural products which were shipped downriver to Charleston for export around the world.
During the Civil War period, Barnwell County provided several regiments for service in both Confederate and Union armies. After the war ended in 1865 many freed slaves moved into the area looking for a better life as sharecroppers or tenant farmers on local plantations. Over time they established their own communities with churches, schools, stores and other businesses that remain today.
In recent years, Barnwell County has become increasingly popular as a retirement destination due to its close proximity to larger cities like Augusta and Aiken while still retaining its rural charm and small town atmosphere with plenty of outdoor activities like fishing on Lake Thurmond or hunting at Bamberg or Williamsburg counties; camping at one of several campgrounds; swimming at local lakes; boating on one of several nearby rivers; or bird watching throughout its wooded areas.
Today, Barnwell County continues to be an important agricultural center while also offering residents plenty of recreational opportunities making it an ideal place to live. With its mild climate year round it’s no wonder why so many people choose to call this beautiful part of South Carolina home.
Economy of Barnwell County, South Carolina
Barnwell County, South Carolina is a vibrant and diverse economic hub in the heart of the state. Its economy is based on a mix of agriculture, manufacturing, services, and tourism. Agriculture is the county’s largest industry with cotton, corn, soybeans, wheat, hay, and poultry among its primary crops. The area’s numerous rivers allow for easy transportation of goods to nearby cities like Augusta and Aiken as well as farther destinations like Charleston.
Manufacturing is also a major contributor to Barnwell County’s economy. The area has a number of factories producing goods such as furniture, textiles, paper products, plastic containers and packaging materials. There are also several chemical plants in the county that produce petroleum-based products for industrial use.
Services are a major part of Barnwell County’s economy with many businesses providing professional services such as accounting and legal advice; real estate; banking; insurance; healthcare; retail trade; construction; transportation and warehousing; hospitality; education; communications services; IT services; finance and business management services.
The tourism industry is also an important part of the local economy with many visitors coming to Barnwell County each year to enjoy its natural beauty including Lake Thurmond which offers plenty of fishing opportunities or Bamberg County for hunting activities. Other popular activities include camping at one of several campgrounds or swimming at local lakes. Boating on one of several nearby rivers is also popular among tourists while bird watching throughout its wooded areas attracts nature lovers from all over the world.
All in all, Barnwell County has something for everyone. With its mild climate year round it’s no wonder why so many people choose to call this beautiful part of South Carolina home. With an abundance of recreational activities to take advantage of and a strong local economy that provides plenty opportunities for employment or business growth it’s no surprise that Barnwell County continues to be an attractive destination for both residents and visitors alike.