Allendale County is a county located in the state of South Carolina. It is bordered by Barnwell County to the north, Bamberg County to the east, and Hampton County to the south and west. The county covers an area of 739 square miles, making it one of the largest counties in South Carolina. Allendale County is home to a population of 10,412 as of 2020.
Allendale County is situated in the southeastern region of South Carolina and lies between the Savannah River and the Salkehatchie River. The landscape consists mainly of agricultural land with a few patches of low-lying wetlands scattered throughout. The northern part of the county is slightly hilly while most of it is flat with some rolling hills.
The climate in Allendale County is subtropical with hot summers and mild winters. Average temperatures range from 45°F in January to 91°F during July and August, while average precipitation ranges from 2-3 inches per month during winter months up to 5-6 inches during summer months.
The county has two main bodies of water – Lake Strom Thurmond which borders Allendale on its western side, and Lake Russell which lies on its eastern border with Bamberg County. Both lakes provide plenty of recreational activities such as boating, fishing, camping, swimming, etc., making them popular destinations for locals and visitors alike.
Allendale County has several small towns scattered throughout its area including Allendale (the county seat), Fairfax (the largest city), Martin, Sycamore Hill, Ulmer, Ulmers Crossroads, Williston Heights and Wrens. The county also includes three unincorporated communities: Blackville Crossroads (also known as “The Cross”), Middendorf Crossroads (also known as “Middendorf”) and Gopher Hill (also known as “Gopher”).
Allendale offers plenty for residents who enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking trails at nearby Sumter National Forest or canoeing down one of its many rivers like Salkehatchie or Savannah Rivers. There are also several golf courses located within driving distance from Allendale offering some great opportunities for golfers looking for a challenging game or just an afternoon out on the course with friends or family members alike.
Country Seat and Other Main Cities of Allendale County, South Carolina
The county seat of Allendale County is the town of Allendale, located at the intersection of US 15 and SC 3. It has a population of 1,839 as of 2020 and is known for its historic downtown area with its unique restaurants, shops, and architecture. The town is also home to the Allendale County Courthouse which was built in 1827 and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
The largest city in Allendale County is Fairfax, which has a population of 2,308 as of 2020. It was founded in 1882 and named after Confederate General J.E.B Stuart’s brother-in-law, Charles Fairfax. The city offers plenty for visitors to do including shopping at the local stores or taking a stroll through its historic district. There are also several parks located throughout Fairfax that are perfect for picnics or outdoor activities like fishing or hiking.
Martin is another small town located in Allendale County with a population of 545 as of 2020 and is considered one of the oldest towns in South Carolina having been established back in 1785 by Revolutionary War veterans from Virginia. The town features several historic sites such as the Martin Methodist Church which was built in 1813 and still stands today, along with other old homes scattered around town that are filled with tales from times gone by. See cities in South Carolina.
Sycamore Hill is another small rural community located within Allendale County that has a population of just over 500 people as of 2020. Its main attraction lies in its beautiful landscape consisting mainly of rolling hills and fields blanketed with wildflowers during springtime making it popular among photographers looking to capture some stunning shots.
Ulmer Crossroads lies just outside Allendale County but still within easy driving distance from it and has a population of 656 as per 2020 estimates. The area features some amazing views due to its location near the Savannah River making it popular among tourists who come here to enjoy fishing or swimming during summer months or simply take in some breathtaking views while walking along one its many trails.
Williston Heights sits on the edge between Bamberg and Allendale Counties but still close enough to be considered part of Allendale’s community with a population estimated at 787 people as per 2020 statistics. This small rural community offers plenty for visitors including an array of antique stores where you can find anything from vintage furniture pieces to old books.
Finally, Wrens lies close enough to Augusta Georgia that it’s often considered part this metropolitan area even though it’s actually situated within Allendale County borders with an estimated population 863 according to 2020 census data. Wrens offers plenty for visitors including numerous shopping options ranging from big box stores like Walmart all the way down to small local shops offering unique items you won’t find anywhere else.
History of Allendale County, South Carolina
Allendale County, located in the Lowcountry region of South Carolina, is one of the oldest counties in the state. The county was established in 1785 and named for the Allendale family who were prominent landowners in that area at the time. The county seat is Allendale, a town founded by Revolutionary War veterans from Virginia. With a population of just over 10,000 people as of 2020, Allendale County remains a largely rural area with small towns such as Sycamore Hill and Ulmer Crossroads dotting the landscape.
The history of Allendale County can be traced back to its original inhabitants – Native Americans from various tribes who had inhabited this region for centuries before European settlers arrived in South Carolina. As early as 1540, Spanish explorers were visiting this area and it’s believed that some of them may have made contact with Native American tribes living here at that time. Later on French Huguenots settled near what would become Allendale County and developed their own communities here during the late 1600s and early 1700s before being driven out by British forces during the Revolutionary War.
Following this war many veterans from Virginia settled in what is now Allendale County and founded towns such as Sycamore Hill and Ulmer Crossroads. These new settlers brought with them their own culture and traditions which still exist today within these small towns making them unique places to visit or even reside in if you’re looking for a change of scenery.
Allendale County has long been an agricultural center due to its favorable climate which is ideal for growing crops such as cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans and tobacco – all staples of Southern life here since colonial times. In recent years however there has been an increasing focus on tourism within this region due to its stunning natural beauty including rolling hills blanketed with wildflowers during springtime or its proximity to nearby Augusta Georgia which offers plenty for visitors to explore.
Today Allendale County continues to be an important part of South Carolina’s history with many sites preserved from earlier times such as Martin Methodist Church which was built back in 1813 or old homes from colonial days still standing throughout these small towns providing us with glimpses into what life was like centuries ago.
Economy of Allendale County, South Carolina
The economy of Allendale County, South Carolina is largely driven by agriculture and tourism. This has been the case for centuries as the area is blessed with a favorable climate for growing crops like cotton, peanuts, corn, soybeans, and tobacco. These staples of Southern life have been grown here since colonial times and have been at the heart of the local economy for generations.
More recently, tourism has become an increasingly important part of the economy in Allendale County. The region is home to stunning natural beauty including rolling hills blanketed with wildflowers during springtime or its proximity to nearby Augusta Georgia which offers plenty for visitors to explore. This makes it a popular destination for travelers looking to get away from it all and enjoy some peace and quiet in a rural setting.
In addition to agriculture and tourism, Allendale County also boasts a thriving manufacturing sector providing jobs in a variety of industries such as food processing, automotive components, textiles, plastics and chemicals. The area is also home to several large companies such as KEMET Electronics Corporation which produces capacitors used in many electronic devices around the world.
Allendale County has also seen an increase in small businesses over recent years with many entrepreneurs choosing this rural setting as an ideal place to start their own ventures due to its favorable tax rates and relaxed regulations compared to larger cities in South Carolina or other states nearby.
Overall, Allendale County’s economy is diverse and strong thanks to its combination of agriculture, manufacturing, small businesses and tourism providing employment opportunities for those living here while offering visitors plenty of attractions no matter what their interests may be.