Kingstree, South Carolina

Williamsburg County Courthouse, Designed by Robert Mills
Kingstree, South Carolina

Kingstree is a town located in Williamsburg County, South Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 3,496. It is the county seat of Williamsburg County.

The original town was laid out as Williamsburg by the Lords Proprieters in colonial time. But a lone, unusually large white pine was found along the Black River, far to the south of the species' normal range. Since tall white pines were ideal for use as masts for ships, the king claimed it, and the king's broad arrow mark was put upon this tree to prevent anyone else from cutting it. It was never cut. Over time, the county kept the name Williamsburg, but the county seat became known as The King's Tree, giving rise to its modern name.

Nobel Prize winner Joseph L. Goldstein is a native son of Kingstree.

Geography

Kingstree is located at 33°40'16" North, 79°49'43" West (33.671243, -79.828635)¹.

Black River, Kingstree, South Carolina

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 8.2 km² (3.2 mi²). 8.1 km² (3.1 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.63% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 3,496 people, 1,448 households, and 876 families residing in the town. The population density is 429.9/km² (1,114.7/mi²). There are 1,618 housing units at an average density of 199.0/km² (515.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 33.95% White, 64.65% African American, 0.06% Native American, 0.57% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.60% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 1,448 households out of which 30.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 30.5% are married couples living together, 26.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.5% are non-families. 36.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 3.03.

In the town the population is spread out with 27.9% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 23.4% from 25 to 44, 21.1% from 45 to 64, and 18.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 78.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 70.6 males.

Main Street, Kingstree, South Carolina

The median income for a household in the town is $21,022, and the median income for a family is $31,250. Males have a median income of $31,993 versus $19,800 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,694. 38.0% of the population and 27.9% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 54.3% of those under the age of 18 and 22.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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