Berkeley County, South Carolina

Infobox U.S. County
county = Berkeley County
state = South Carolina




map size = 200
founded = 1682
seat = Moncks Corner | area_total_sq_mi =1228
area_water_sq_mi =130
area percentage = 10.61%
census yr = 2000
pop = 142651
density_km2 =50
web = www.co.berkeley.sc.us
|

Berkeley County is a county in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 142,651. The 2005 Census Bureau estimate placed the population at 151,673. [http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-45.xls] Its county seat is Moncks Corner.GR|6

Berkeley County is part of the Charleston–North Charleston Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,228 square miles (3,181 km²), of which, 1,098 square miles (2,843 km²) of it is land and 130 square miles (338 km²) of it (10.61%) is water.

Adjacent counties

*Georgetown County, South Carolina - northeast
*Williamsburg County, South Carolina - northeast
*Charleston County, South Carolina - south
*Dorchester County, South Carolina - west
*Orangeburg County, South Carolina - northwest
*Clarendon County, South Carolina - northwest

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 142,651 people, 49,922 households, and 37,691 families residing in the county. The population density was 130 people per square mile (50/km²). There were 54,717 housing units at an average density of 50 per square mile (19/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 68.00% White, 26.63% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 1.87% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 1.20% from other races, and 1.70% from two or more races. 2.76% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 49,922 households out of which 39.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.70% were married couples living together, 14.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 24.50% were non-families. 19.40% of all households were made up of individuals and 5.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.75 and the average family size was 3.15.

In the county, the population was spread out with 28.00% under the age of 18, 11.70% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 7.90% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 103.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,908, and the median income for a family was $44,242. Males had a median income of $31,583 versus $22,420 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,879. About 9.70% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.60% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Berkeley County Top 10 Employers

* US Navy Naval Weapons Station - 18,450
* Berkeley County School District - 3,600
* Santee Cooper - 1,750
* Blackbaud Inc. - 1,000
* Nucor Steel - 850
* Berkeley County Government - 750
* Alcoa Mount Holly - 600
* Wal-Mart - 550
* Caterpillar Inc. Remanufacturing Services - 500
* Suncom - 500

Public safety

Berkeley County has very well respected Law Enforcement, Emergency Medical Services and Fire Protection agencies.

Law enforcement

In addition to local municipal Police Departments, the entire county is protected by the Berkeley County Sheriffs Department. Headquartered in Moncks Corner, South Carolina, the Sheriff's Office is divided into many divisions:

The Patrol Division consists of four squads of deputies who alternately patrol the entire county in twelve-hour shifts. The Patrol Division responds to all calls dispatched by 911 operators.

The Investigations Division is a team of highly trained detectives who investigate violent crimes and property crimes. Normal office hours are 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, however, the designated detective on duty is available to respond in the evening and on weekends.

The Narcotics Division investigates drug activity and is available to receive information 24 hours a day.

Special Response Team (SRT) consists of highly trained deputies who respond to crisis situations such as manhunts, armed robberies, hostage situations. They are activated by the Command Staff when the need arises. The team members are trained in special weapons use and in hostage negotiations.

K-9 Unit Each patrol squad has a canine officer and trained canine. They are available to search for contraband, guns, evidence and missing persons.

The Records Office is located in the Sheriff's Office and will provide copies of incident reports when requested in person.

The Training Office is located at the Berkeley County Training Center on Reid Hill Road. These new County facilities are used for training Berkeley County law enforcement officers, fire fighters and EMS personnel. Deputies receive training from in-house certified instructors as well as Academy training via satellite. This training is required in order to meet State certification requirements. For more information, call [phone] or [phone].

Emergency medical services

Berkeley County Emergency Medical Services (EMS) are designed to meet the needs of the citizenry in times of medical crisis. Berkeley County EMS responds 24 hour a day no matter what the nature of the emergency. Berkeley County EMS is dedicated to providing the highest quality of Emergency Medical Pre-Hospital Care. The EMS department operates Advanced Life Support (ALS) ambulances with a minimum of one (1) Paramedic and one (1) EMT. This configuration is backed up with additional Paramedics in Quick Response Vehicles, or second ambulances. Local Fire Departments have a good working relationship with EMS and assist on most every EMS call for service.

The trained staff of Berkeley County's Emergency Medical Services respond to about 14,000 medical emergencies each year. This volume is reviewed each year for future planning. A long range plan is in place, and the agency will grow with the county.

Fire protection

Each municipality which is incorporated has organized fire protection. The City of Summerville, as well as the Town of Moncks Corner have municipal departments. However, the rural areas of the county are protected by contract or rural fire protection districts. Some such districts are the Goose Creek Rural Fire Protection District, Whitesville Rural Fire Department, Santee Circle Rural Fire Department and the Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department.

* Goose Creek Rural:

The GCRFPD district encompasses all of the unincorporated areas of Goose Creek from the North Charleston city limits to the area just south of Strawberry Shortstop on Highway 52, the entire industrial area only Bushy Park Road, and many areas along or off Highway 176 up to the rear entrance of the Alcoa (formerly Alumax) facility.

GCRFPD encompasses over 600 residences, five shopping center/strip malls, Goose Creek High School, a middle school, an intermediate school, two elementary schools, and 11 apartment/condominium complexes.

GCRFPD also provides coverage to the following industrial facilities: Bayer, Allstate, Crane Linton Mechanical, Alcoa, Dupont

GCRFPD presently serve a full-time population of 16,500 residents on a budget of $500,000. This population does not include the Naval Weapons Station complex that borders our primary response area.

* Pimlico Rural Volunteer Fire Department:

The Pimlico Volunteer Fire Department is made up of dedicated members of the community. The district encompasses areas bordering the rail tracks off of Highway 52, and the length of Old Highway 52. Operating out of one station with approximately 15 members, the department responds to approximately 125 calls for service per year. The remains one of the most dedicated volunteer departments in Berkeley County.

Attractions

* [http://www.cypressgardens.info/ Cypress Gardens, SC]
* Mepkin Abbey

Cities and towns

*Bonneau
*Charleston
*Cross
*Goose Creek
*Gumville
*Hanahan
*Huger
*Jamestown
*Ladson
*Moncks Corner
*St. Stephen
*Summerville

ee also

* Lake Marion

References

*cite web
author =
year = 2007
url = http://www.thestate.com/136/story/26764.html
title = Google makes S.C. plans official
format =
work =
publisher =
accessdate = 2007-04-05

External links

* [http://co.berkeley.sc.us/ Official Berkeley County Website]
* [http://www.charlestoninsidersguide.com/ Charleston, SC Guide] - a great resource, full of information on the area, including history, things to do, and more.
* [http://www.gardenerguides.com/ Charleston, SC Relocation Guide] - Relocating to Berkeley County? Order your FREE guide with 112 pages of area descriptions, neighborhood information, beautiful pictures and much more!