Calhoun County, South Carolina

Calhoun County
Calhoun County Courthouse and Confederate Monument
Calhoun County Courthouse and Confederate Monument
Flag of Calhoun County
Official seal of Calhoun County
Motto: 
"In the Heart of South Carolina"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Calhoun County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 33°40′N 80°47′W / 33.67°N 80.78°W / 33.67; -80.78
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1908
Named forJohn C. Calhoun
SeatSt. Matthews
Largest communitySt. Matthews
Area
 • Total392.48 sq mi (1,016.5 km2)
 • Land381.15 sq mi (987.2 km2)
 • Water11.33 sq mi (29.3 km2)  2.89%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total14,119
 • Estimate 
(2023)
14,186
 • Density37.04/sq mi (14.30/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district6th
Websitecalhouncounty.sc.gov

Calhoun County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 14,119,[1] making it the fourth-least populous county in the state. Its county seat is St. Matthews. In terms of land area, it is also the smallest county in the state.[2]

Located in a rural upland area long devoted to cotton plantations, part of the Black Belt of the South, the county was formed in 1908 from portions of Lexington and Orangeburg counties. It is named for John C. Calhoun, the former U.S. vice-president, Senator, Representative and cabinet member from South Carolina,[3] although Calhoun was from nearby Abbeville, South Carolina.

Calhoun County is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It has an overall score of 52 including factors health, crime, equity, education, and housing.[4] It is one of 11 counties with the same name in the United States.

  1. ^ Cite error: The named reference 2020CensusQuickFacts was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Federal Writers' Project (1941). Palmetto Place Names. Sloane Printing Co. p. 12.
  4. ^ US News & World Report, University of Missouri Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). "Calhoun County SC Report". University of Missouri Center for Applied Research and Engagement Systems (CARES). U.S. News & World Report. Retrieved November 27, 2019.