Lexington County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}} {{Use American English|date=June 2025}} {{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}} {{Infobox U.S. county | county = Lexington County | state = South Carolina | motto = "Grow with us" | seal = Lexington County Seal.png | founded = 1785 | named for = Battle of Lexington and Concord | seat wl = Lexington | largest city wl = Lexington | city type = community | area_total_sq_mi = 757.62 | area_land_sq_mi = 699.00 | area_water_sq_mi = 58.62 | area percentage = 7.74 | population_as_of = 2020 | population_total = 293991 | pop_est_as_of = 2025 | population_est = 317588 {{increase}} | population_density_sq_mi=auto | mapframe = yes | mapframe-marker = none | coordinates = {{coord|33.90|-81.27|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}} | time zone = Eastern | web = www.lex-co.sc.gov | district = 2nd | ex image = Lexington County Courthouse, Lexington, South Carolina.JPG | ex image cap = Lexington County Courthouse | flag = Lexington_County_Flag.gif }}

'''Lexington County''' is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, the population was 293,991.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its county seat and largest community is Lexington.<ref name="GR6">{{cite web|url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 31, 2011 }}</ref> The county was chartered in 1785<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies|website=South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|date=2009|access-date=March 21, 2015|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103154824/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> and was named in commemoration of Lexington, Massachusetts, the site of the Battle of Lexington in the American Revolutionary War.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://books.google.com/books?id=JWYxi6sBngcC&pg=PA293 | title=Touring South Carolina's Revolutionary War Sites | publisher=John F. Blair, Publisher | author=Barefoot, Daniel W. | year=1999 | pages=293| isbn=9780895871824 }}</ref> Lexington County is the sixth-most populous county in South Carolina by population and is part of the Columbia, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located in the Midlands region of South Carolina.

==History== Lexington County was charted in 1785 and was named after the Battles of Lexington and Concord, fought at the outset of the American Revolutionary War.

==Geography== According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of {{convert|757.62|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|699.00|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|58.62|sqmi}} (7.74%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_45.txt |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The largest body of water is Lake Murray, while other waterways include the Broad River, the Saluda River and the Congaree River. Lexington County has urban, suburban, and rural landscapes. Much of the county's urbanization is in its eastern and northeastern areas. The elevation in the county is {{convert|392|ft}}.<ref name="LXClimate">{{Cite web |title=Climate in Lexington County, South Carolina |url=https://www.bestplaces.net/climate/county/south_carolina/lexington |access-date=September 10, 2023 |website=www.bestplaces.net}}</ref>

===Climate=== Lexington County averages {{convert|47|in|}} of rain per year; the U.S. average is {{convert|38|in|}}. The average snowfall is {{convert|1|in|}}; the U.S. average is {{convert|28|in|}}. The average number of days with any measurable precipitation is 103.<ref name="LXClimate"/>

On average, there are 218 sunny days per year in Lexington County. The July high is around {{convert|92.3|°F}} and the January low is {{convert|33.2|°F}}. The comfort index rates the county a 7.3 out of 10, where higher is more comfortable. The U.S. average on the comfort index is a 7 out of 10.<ref name="LXClimate"/>

===State and local protected areas=== * Congaree Creek Heritage Preserve<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands">{{Cite web |title=SCDNR Public Lands |url=https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/County |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www2.dnr.sc.gov}}</ref> * Lake Murray Dam North Recreational Area * Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/> * Saluda Shoals Park<ref>{{Cite web |title=Saluda Shoals Park |url=https://www.icrc.net/parks/saluda-shoals-park |access-date=February 16, 2024 |website=Icrc.net}}</ref> * Shealy's Pond Heritage Preserve<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>

===Major water bodies=== * Congaree River * Lake Murray * North Fork Edisto River * Red Bank Creek * Saluda River

===Adjacent counties=== * Richland County – east * Orangeburg County – southeast * Calhoun County – southeast * Aiken County – southwest * Saluda County – west * Newberry County – northwest

==Demographics== {{US Census population |1810= 6641 |1820= 8083 |1830= 9065 |1840= 12111 |1850= 12930 |1860= 15579 |1870= 12988 |1880= 18564 |1890= 22181 |1900= 27264 |1910= 32040 |1920= 35676 |1930= 36494 |1940= 35994 |1950= 44279 |1960= 60726 |1970= 89012 |1980= 140353 |1990= 167611 |2000= 216014 |2010= 262391 |2020= 293991 |estyear=2025 |estimate=317588 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2025">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2025|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 7, 2026}}</ref> {{increase}} |align-fn=center |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 18, 2015}}</ref> 1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 18, 2015}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=March 18, 2015}}</ref> 1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 18, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts|url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45063.html|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 18, 2015|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606130433/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45063.html|archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/lexingtoncountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Lexington County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref> | align = right }}

===Racial and ethnic composition=== {| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;" |+'''Lexington County, South Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition''' {{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}} !Race / Ethnicity (''NH = Non-Hispanic'') !Pop 1980<ref>{{Cite web|title= 1980 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- South Carolina - Table 15. Persons by Race and Table 16. Total Persons and Spanish Origin Persons by Type of Spanish Origin and Race |url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uva.x004433950&seq=82|publisher=United States Census Bureau |website=HathiTrust|page=12-21|archive-url=| archive-date=}}</ref> !Pop 1990<ref>{{Cite web|title= 1990 Census of Population - General Population Characteristics- South Carolina - Table 5 and Table 6. Race and Hispanic Origin: 1990|page=11-37 |url=https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-42.pdf|website=United States Census Bureau|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20241009185922/https://www2.census.gov/library/publications/decennial/1990/cp-1/cp-1-42.pdf| archive-date=October 9, 2024}}</ref> !Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Lexington County, South Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US45063&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lexington County, South Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US45063&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" | Pop 2020<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Lexington County, South Carolina|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US45063&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=United States Census Bureau |access-date= }}</ref> !% 1980 !% 1990 !% 2000 !% 2010 !style="background-color: #ffffb3;" |% 2020 |- |White alone (NH) |124,757 |146,535 |179,731 |201,946 |style='background: #ffffe6; |208,854 |88.89% |87.43% |83.20% |76.96% |style='background: #ffffe6; |71.04% |- |Black or African American alone (NH) |13,709 |18,427 |27,132 |36,995 |style='background: #ffffe6; |42,382 |9.77% |10.99% |12.56% |14.10% |style='background: #ffffe6; |14.42% |- |Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) |192 |321 |690 |957 |style='background: #ffffe6; |894 |0.14% |0.19% |0.32% |0.36% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.30% |- |Asian alone (NH) |639 |997 |2,248 |3,693 |style='background: #ffffe6; |6,644 |0.46% |0.59% |1.04% |1.41% |style='background: #ffffe6; |2.26% |- |Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>included in the Asian category in the 1990 Census</ref> |66 |105 |style='background: #ffffe6; |185 |x |x |0.03% |0.04% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.06% |- |Other race alone (NH) |102 |29 |170 |330 |style='background: #ffffe6; |1,089 |0.07% |0.02% |0.08% |0.13% |style='background: #ffffe6; |0.37% |- |Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) |x <ref>not an option in the 1980 Census</ref> |x <ref>not an option in the 1990 Census</ref> |1,831 |3,836 |style='background: #ffffe6; |12,146 |x |x |0.85% |1.46% |style='background: #ffffe6; |4.13% |- |Hispanic or Latino (any race) |954 |1,302 |4,146 |14,529 |style='background: #ffffe6; |21,797 |0.68% |0.78% |1.92% |5.54% |style='background: #ffffe6; |7.41% |- |'''Total''' |'''140,353''' |'''167,611''' |'''216,014''' |'''262,391''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''293,991 ''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |'''100.00%''' |style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%''' |}

===2020 census=== As of the 2020 census, there were 293,991 people, 118,193 households, and 81,118 families residing in the county. The median age was 39.8 years, 23.3% of residents were under the age of 18, and 17.3% were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 91.3 males in the county.<ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME,DP1_0021P,DP1_0024P,DP1_0025C,DP1_0049C,DP1_0045C,DP1_0069C,DP1_0073C,DP1_0125P,DP1_0126P,DP1_0129P,DP1_0138P,DP1_0139P,DP1_0141P,DP1_0142P,DP1_0143P,DP1_0145P,DP1_0146P,DP1_0147C,DP1_0148C,DP1_0149C,DP1_0156C,DP1_0157C,DP1_0158C,DP1_0159P,DP1_0160P&for=county%3A063&in=state%3A45|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 20, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 72.3% White, 14.6% Black or African American, 0.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 2.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 3.6% from some other race, and 6.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.4% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME,P1_001N,P1_003N,P1_004N,P1_005N,P1_006N,P1_007N,P1_008N,P1_009N,P2_001N,P2_002N,H1_001N,H1_002N&for=county%3A063&in=state%3A45|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=December 20, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

74.8% of residents lived in urban areas, while 25.2% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME,P2_002N,P2_003N&for=county%3A063&in=state%3A45|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=December 20, 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

There were 116,720 households in the county, of which 31.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.1% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 26.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 127,887 housing units, of which 8.7% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 75.8% were owner-occupied and 24.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.5% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.8%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census=== At the 2010 census, there were 262,391 people, 102,733 households, and 70,952 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45063 |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data |access-date=March 11, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014208/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45063 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|375.4|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants |inhabitants|}}. There were 113,957 housing units at an average density of {{convert|163.0|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45063 |access-date=March 11, 2016 |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213234158/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45063 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 79.3% white, 14.3% black or African American, 1.4% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 2.7% from other races, and 1.9% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 5.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 17.2% were German, 14.0% were American, 12.5% were English, and 11.8% were Irish.<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45063 |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |access-date=March 11, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213035001/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45063 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

Of the 102,733 households, 34.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.4% were married couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.9% were non-families, and 24.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01. The median age was 37.9 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $52,205 and the median income for a family was $64,630. Males had a median income of $44,270 versus $34,977 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,393. About 8.5% of families and 11.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.7% of those under age 18 and 8.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45063 |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates |access-date=March 11, 2016 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020625/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45063 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===2000 census=== At the 2000 census,<ref name="GR8">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 216,014 people, 83,240 households, and 59,849 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|309|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people}}. There were 90,978 housing units at an average density of {{convert|130|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 84.18% White, 12.63% Black or African American, 0.34% Native American, 1.05% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.79% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. 1.92% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 83,240 households, out of which 35.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.60% were married couples living together, 11.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.10% were non-families. 22.50% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, 26.10% of the population was under the age of 18, 8.30% was from 18 to 24, 31.60% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 10.20% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 94.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $44,659, and the median income for a family was $52,637. Males had a median income of $36,435 versus $26,387 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,063. About 6.40% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.10% of those under age 18 and 9.30% of those age 65 or over.

==Law and government== ===Politics=== Lexington County was one of the first areas of South Carolina to support the Republican Party. The last official Democratic candidate to carry the county at a presidential level was Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1944, and the official Democratic candidate last won 40 percent of the county's vote in 1952. It supported splinter Dixiecrat candidates in 1948 and 1956.

In the 2020 U.S. presidential election, Lexington County voted 64.2% in favor of Republican Donald Trump and 34.1% in favor of Democrat Joe Biden<ref>{{Cite news|date=November 7, 2020|title=South Carolina Election Results|work=New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2020/11/03/us/elections/results-south-carolina.html|access-date=November 27, 2020}}</ref> with 72.6% of the eligible electorate voting. This was the strongest performance by a Democratic candidate for president since 1976.<ref>{{Cite web|date=November 7, 2020|title=2020 Statewide General Election|url=https://www.enr-scvotes.org/SC/106502/Web02-state.264691/#/turnout?undefined|access-date=November 27, 2020|website=SC Votes}}</ref>

{{PresHead|place=Lexington County, South Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=Uselectionatlas.org|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>}}  {{PresRow|1892|Democratic|71|1,287|243|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1896|Democratic|197|1,672|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1900|Democratic|30|1,302|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1904|Democratic|60|2,403|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1908|Democratic|80|2,508|1|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1912|Democratic|3|1,201|61|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1916|Democratic|31|2,060|74|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1920|Democratic|59|1,813|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1924|Democratic|7|1,395|2|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1928|Democratic|61|1,228|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1932|Democratic|5|141|1|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1936|Democratic|32|2,138|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1940|Democratic|17|1,496|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1944|Democratic|20|1,986|114|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|58|566|2,237|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1952|Republican|4,018|3,513|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1956|Dixiecrat|1,188|2,094|2,455|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1960|Republican|6,511|4,159|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1964|Republican|12,041|4,807|0|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1968|Republican|12,204|4,058|8,907|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1972|Republican|25,327|4,069|490|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1976|Republican|21,442|14,339|296|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1980|Republican|28,313|12,334|1,239|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1984|Republican|38,628|8,828|265|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1988|Republican|41,467|11,366|405|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1992|Republican|41,759|18,312|8,951|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|1996|Republican|39,658|18,907|4,155|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2000|Republican|58,095|22,830|2,156|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2004|Republican|67,132|25,393|907|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2008|Republican|74,960|33,303|1,249|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2012|Republican|76,662|34,148|1,813|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2016|Republican|80,026|35,230|6,837|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2020|Republican|92,817|49,301|2,450|South Carolina}} {{PresRow|2024|Republican|96,965|47,815|2,123|South Carolina}} {{PresFoot}}

The county's Republican bent is not limited to national politics; its voters frequently reject Democrats at the state level as well. The county has supported the Republican candidate for governor in every election since 1982 when Richard Riley carried every county in the state.<ref>Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; [https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1982&fips=45&f=1&off=5&elect=0 1982 Gubernatorial General Election Results – South Carolina]</ref> The last Democratic senatorial nominee to manage even 30 percent of the county's vote was Inez Tenenbaum in 2004, and no Democrat has carried the county since Ernest "Fritz" Hollings did so in 1980. In 1986, it was the only county in the state to support Hollings' Republican opponent, future Governor Henry McMaster.<ref>Dave Leip's U.S. Election Atlas; [https://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/state.php?year=1986&fips=45&f=1&off=3&elect=0 1986 Senatorial General Election Results – South Carolina]</ref>

It was one of the first areas where Republicans broke the long Democratic monopoly on state and local offices. By the 1980s, longtime state senator Nikki Setzler was the only elected Democrat left above the county level. He was succeeded in 2024 by fellow Democrat Russell Ott.

On November 4, 2014, Lexington County residents voted against a proposed sales tax increase. The money generated from this tax would have mostly been used to improve traffic conditions upon roadways.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.wltx.com/story/news/local/2014/11/04/lexington-county-voters-reject-penny-tax/18509051/|title=Lexington County Voters Reject Penny Tax|website=Wltx.com|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref> That same day, residents voted to repeal a ban on alcohol sales on Sundays within the county.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://coladaily.com/2014/11/04/lexington-county-cayce-voters-repeal-sunday-alcohol-sales-ban/|title=Lexington County, Cayce voters repeal Sunday alcohol sales ban|date=November 4, 2014|website=Coladaily.com|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>

===Law enforcement=== In 2015, long-time county sheriff James Metts pled guilty to charges of conspiring to harbor and conceal illegal aliens. Metts accepted bribes to keep undocumented immigrants out of federal databases. Metts had been sheriff since 1972.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Former Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts Pleads Guilty to Conspiring to Harbor and Conceal Illegal Aliens — FBI|url=https://www.fbi.gov/contact-us/field-offices/columbia/news/press-releases/former-lexington-county-sheriff-james-r.-metts-pleads-guilty-to-conspiring-to-harbor-and-conceal-illegal-aliens|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=www.fbi.gov|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=April 27, 2015|title=Former Lexington County Sheriff James R. Metts Sentenced|url=https://www.justice.gov/usao-sc/pr/former-lexington-county-sheriff-james-r-metts-sentenced|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=www.justice.gov|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=The Sheriff Who Sold Amnesty|url=https://www.buzzfeednews.com/article/davidnoriega/how-a-tough-on-immigrants-sheriff-wound-up-harboring-illegal|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=BuzzFeed News|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|title=South Carolina's Longest-Serving Sheriff James Metts Indicted|url=https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/south-carolinas-longest-serving-sheriff-james-metts-indicted-n134096|access-date=November 9, 2021|website=NBC News|language=en}}</ref>

==Economy== [[File:UPS Airplanes Lexington County, SC.png|thumb|UPS Airplanes Columbia Metropolitan Airport in Lexington County]] In 2022, the GDP was $16.7 billion (about $53,814 per capita),<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Lexington County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45063 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> and the real GDP was $13.8 billion (about $44,563 per capita) in chained 2017 dollars.<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Lexington County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45063 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref>

The Saxe Gotha Industrial Park near Cayce houses multiple distribution sites for major national companies, including Amazon, Chick-fil-A, The Home Depot and Nephron Pharmaceuticals.<ref>{{cite web |title=Saxe Gotha Industrial Park |url=https://lexingtoncountyusa.sc.gov/featured-parks/saxe-gotha-industrial-park/ |website=lexingtoncountyusa.sc.gov |publisher=Lexington County |access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=McMaster |first1=Henry |title=Chick-fil-A Supply establishing distribution center in Lexington County |url=https://governor.sc.gov/news/2022-11/chick-fil-supply-establishing-distribution-center-lexington-county |website=governor.sc.gov |publisher=Governor's Office of South Carolina |access-date=November 23, 2022}}</ref> Near Lexington is the Michelin tire-production plant. Other manufacturers include Shaw Industries, Southeastern Freight Lines, and Flex, at which president Biden spoke in July 2023.<ref>{{cite web |title=TOP EMPLOYERS |url=https://lexingtoncountyusa.sc.gov/industry/existing-industry/ |website=lexingtoncountyusa.sc.gov |publisher=Lexington County |access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Chhetri |first1=Devyani |title=Live Updates: Joe Biden in SC: President lands in Columbia ahead of Investing in America stop |url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/story/news/politics/2023/07/06/joe-biden-in-sc-president-visiting-west-columbia-to-tout-bidenomics/70385050007/ |publisher=Greenville News |access-date=July 6, 2023}}</ref> {| class="wikitable sortable" |+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Lexington County, South Carolina - Q3 2023<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Lexington County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000063.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |issue=04000063}}</ref> ! style="text-align:left;" | Industry ! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Counts ! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Percentage (%) ! style="text-align:right;" | Average Annual Wage ($) |- | style="text-align:left;" | Accommodation and Food Services || style="text-align:right;" | 12,892 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 20,436 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 7,696 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 39,000 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 608 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 55,432 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation || style="text-align:right;" | 956 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 23,140 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 7,402 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 62,244 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Educational Services || style="text-align:right;" | 10,238 || style="text-align:right;" | 7.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 50,596 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 3,276 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 73,736 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 19,302 || style="text-align:right;" | 14.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 56,992 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 2,252 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 62,972 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Management of Companies and Enterprises || style="text-align:right;" | 1,388 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 77,272 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 12,343 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 69,108 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction || style="text-align:right;" | 143 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 73,164 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 4,281 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 48,048 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 4,951 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 71,032 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 5,240 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 56,004 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 1,625 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 54,860 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 18,087 || style="text-align:right;" | 13.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 34,996 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 9,682 || style="text-align:right;" | 7.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 46,904 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Utilities || style="text-align:right;" | 1,410 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 92,144 |- | style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 6,158 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 83,252 |- | style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''129,930''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''51,735''' |}

===Top Employers=== thumb|300px|Two towers of Lexington Medical Center {| class="wikitable" |+Top ten employers (2021)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://lex-co.sc.gov/sites/lexco/files/Documents/Lexington%20County/Departments/Financial/ACFR/ACFR%20FY20-21.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://lex-co.sc.gov/sites/lexco/files/Documents/Lexington%20County/Departments/Financial/ACFR/ACFR%20FY20-21.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Annual Comprehensive Financial Report, 2020-2021|date=n.d.|publisher=Lexington County (S.C.)|access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref>

|- !Rank !Employer !Employees |- |1 |Lexington Medical Center |7,893 |- |2 |Lexington School District 1 |3,674 |- |3 |Amazon |3,050 |- |4 |Wal-Mart |2,603 |- |5 |State government |2,308 |- |6 |Michelin |2,240 |- |7 |'''County of Lexington''' |1,855 |- |8 |Dominion Energy |1,486 |- |9 |Lexington School District 2 |1,274 |- |10 |Lexington School District Five |1,136 |}

==Transportation== ===Interstates=== * {{Jct|state=SC|I|20}} Interstate 20 travels from west to east and connects Columbia to Atlanta and Augusta in the west and Florence in the east. It serves the nearby towns and suburbs of Pelion, Lexington, West Columbia, Sandhill, Pontiac, and Elgin. Interstate 20 is also used by travelers heading to Myrtle Beach, although the interstate's eastern terminus is in Florence. * {{Jct|state=SC|I|26}} Interstate 26 travels from northwest to southeast and connects the Columbia area to the other two major population centers of South Carolina: the Greenville-Spartanburg area in the northwestern part of the state and North Charleston – Charleston area in the southeastern part of the state. * {{Jct|state=SC|I|77}} Interstate 77 begins in Lexington county and ends in Cleveland, Ohio and is frequently used by travelers on the east coast heading to or from Florida.

===U.S. Routes=== * {{Jct|state=SC|US|1}} * {{Jct|state=SC|US-Conn|1|dab1=Lexington}} * {{Jct|state=SC|US|176}} * {{Jct|state=SC|US|178}} * {{Jct|state=SC|US|321}} * {{Jct|state=SC|US|378}}

===State Routes=== * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|6}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|6|dab1=Irmo}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|12}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|12|dab1=West Columbia}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|113}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|245}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|302}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|391}} * {{Jct|state=SC|SC|602}}

===Columbia Metropolitan Airport=== [[File:President Trump Arrives in SC (48959257297).jpg|thumb|President Donald Trump arrives at the Columbia Metropolitan Airport greeted by Governor Henry McMaster, Senator Tim Scott, and Lieutenant Governor Pamela Evette.]] {{Main|Columbia Metropolitan Airport}} The Columbia Metropolitan Airport serves as the main airport system for the greater Columbia area. In 2018, the airport served 1,197,603 passengers with 12,324 flights. Additionally, the airport is also the regional hub for UPS Airlines, transporting 136.7 million pounds of freight/mail in 2018.<ref name=FAA>{{FAA-airport|ID=CAE|use=PU|own=PU|site=22209.*A}}, effective December 20, 2007</ref> The airport was named Lexington County Airport, and during World War II, trained pilots for North American B-25 Mitchell crews.

===Public Transportation=== thumb|COMET Bus in West Columbia, Lexington County {{Main|The Comet (transit)}} Public transportation in Lexington County is provided by the '''COMET,''' or officially the Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority (CMRTA). The bus system is the main public transit system for the greater Columbia area. In Lexington County, the bus system runs in the areas of West Columbia, Cayce, Irmo, Springdale, Seven Oaks, and Harbison. Additionally, COMET offers Dial-a-ride transit (DART), which provides personalized service passengers with disabilities.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://catchthecometsc.gov/track/|title=The Comet Tracker|date=n.d.|publisher=The Central Midlands Transit Authority|access-date=June 25, 2020}}</ref>

==Education== There are five school districts covering portions of the county.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45063_lexington/DC20SD_C45063.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Lexington County, SC|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|access-date=2024-10-25}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45063_lexington/DC20SD_C45063_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

{| class="wikitable" |+ Education in Lexington County ! Public school district name ! Enrollment ! Teachers ! Schools |- |Lexington County School District One<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=District of Lexington County School District One |url=https://screportcards.com/overview/?q=eT0yMDIxJnQ9RCZzaWQ9MzIwMTAwMA/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |publisher=South Carolina Department of Education}}</ref> |27,072 |1,959 |31 |- |Lexington County School District Two<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=District of Lexington School District Two |url=https://screportcards.com/overview/?q=eT0yMDIxJnQ9RCZzaWQ9MzIwMjAwMA/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |publisher=South Carolina Department of Education}}</ref> |8,582 |636 |13 |- |Lexington County School District Three{{efn|Partly in Saluda County}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=District of Lexington County School District Three |url=https://screportcards.com/overview/?q=eT0yMDIxJnQ9RCZzaWQ9MzIwMzAwMA/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |publisher=South Carolina Department of Education}}</ref> |2,020 |160 |4 |- |Lexington County School District Four<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=District of Lexington School District Four |url=https://screportcards.com/overview/?q=eT0yMDIxJnQ9RCZzaWQ9MzIwNDAwMA/ |access-date=September 28, 2022 |publisher=South Carolina Department of Education}}</ref> |3,245 |224 |6 |- |Lexington & Richland County School District Five{{efn|Partly in Richland County}}<ref>{{cite web |date=2021 |title=District of School District Five Of Lexington & Richland Count |url=https://screportcards.com/overview/?q=eT0yMDIxJnQ9RCZzaWQ9MzIwNTAwMA |access-date=September 28, 2022 |publisher=South Carolina Department of Education}}</ref> |16,780 |1,332 |22 |- ! Colleges ! Enrollment ! colspan=2|Campuses |- |Midlands Technical College{{efn|4 of 7 campuses are in Lexington County}} |15,000<ref name="Lexington Financial report">{{cite web |url=https://lex-co.sc.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/Lexington%20County/Departments/Financial/CAFR18%20FINAL%20Eletronic%20Copy.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://lex-co.sc.gov/sites/default/files/Documents/Lexington%20County/Departments/Financial/CAFR18%20FINAL%20Eletronic%20Copy.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Comprehensive Annual Financial Report|date=2018|publisher=Lexington County Government|access-date=June 24, 2020}}</ref> |colspan=2|4 |- |South Carolina State University<ref>{{cite web |last1=ABC |title=ABCNews4 |url=https://abcnews4.com/news/state/south-carolina-state-to-open-cayce-campus-extension-in-2027-boosting-research-and-jobs}}</ref> |Under Construction |colspan=2|1{{efn|SCSU will open a branch in Cayce, SC in 2027.}} |- ! Public libraries ! Visitors (counted once) ! colspan=2|Branches |- |Lexington County Public Library |160,336<ref name="Lexington Financial report"/> |colspan=2|10 |}

==Attractions== [[File:Lake Murray B0078.jpg|thumb|250px|Lake Murray Dam generates electricity for the region. The lake serves as an attraction for fishing, boating, swimming, and walking.]] thumb|Riverbanks Zoo Waterpark (Lexington County portion) * Lake Murray * Riverbanks Zoo{{efn|Partly in Richland County}} * Riverbanks Botanical Garden * Riverbanks Waterfall Junction and waterpark * Lexington County Museum * Lake Murray Dam * Lexington County Baseball Stadium * Cayce-West Columbia Riverwalk * Fourteen-mile Creek Trail * Columbiana Centre

===Cities=== * Cayce (partly in Richland County) * Columbia (mostly in Richland County) * West Columbia

===Towns=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Batesburg-Leesville * Chapin * Gaston * Gilbert * Irmo (partly in Richland County) * Lexington (county seat and largest community) * Pelion * Pine Ridge * South Congaree * Springdale * Summit * Swansea {{div col end}}

===Census-designated places=== {{div col|colwidth=22em}} * Edmund * Fairview Crossroads * Oak Grove * Red Bank * Seven Oaks * White Knoll {{div col end}}

===Ghost town=== * Granby

===Population ranking=== The population ranking of the following table is based on the 2020 census of Lexington County.<ref name="PopEstCities">{{cite web |title=City and Town Population Totals: 2020-2022 |url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220711040810/https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-total-cities-and-towns.html |archive-date=July 11, 2022 |access-date=May 18, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau, Population Division}}</ref>

'''†''' = ''county seat''

{| class="wikitable sortable" |- ! Rank ! Name ! Type ! Population (2020 census) |- style="background:#fffacd;" |1 |'''Columbia''' |City |136,632 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |2 |'''†''' '''Lexington''' |Town |23,568 |- style="background:#fffacd;" |3 |'''West Columbia''' |City |17,416 |- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;" |4 |'''Seven Oaks''' |CDP |14,652 |- style="background:#fffacd;" |5 |'''Cayce''' |City |13,781 |- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;" |6 |'''Oak Grove''' |CDP |12,899 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |7 |'''Irmo''' |Town |11,569 |- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;" |8 |'''Red Bank''' |CDP |10,924 |- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;" |9 |'''White Knoll''' |CDP |7,858 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |10 |'''Batesburg-Leesville''' |Town |5,270 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |11 |'''Springdale''' |Town |2,744 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |12 |'''South Congaree''' |Town |2,377 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |13 |'''Pine Ridge''' |Town |2,167 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |14 |'''Chapin''' |Town |1,809 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |15 |'''Gaston''' |Town |1,608 |- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;" |16 |'''Edmund''' |CDP |969 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |17 |'''Swansea''' |Town |722 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |18 |'''Pelion''' |Town |631 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |19 |'''Gilbert''' |Town |571 |- style="background-color:#F0FFF0;" |20 |'''Fairview Crossroads''' |CDP |540 |- style="background:#f0f8ff;" |21 |'''Summit''' |Town |423 |}

==Notable person== * Floyd Spence, former representative for South Carolina's 2nd congressional district

==See also== * List of counties in South Carolina * National Register of Historic Places listings in Lexington County, South Carolina * Birch County, South Carolina, proposed county that would include existing portions of Lexington County

==Notes== {{Notelist}}

==References== {{Reflist}}

==External links== {{Commons category}} {{AmCyc Poster|wstitle=Lexington (county)|display=Lexington, a central county of South Carolina}} * {{OSM relation|2532514}} * {{Official website|https://www.lex-co.sc.gov/}}

{{Geographic Location |Centre = Lexington County, South Carolina |North = |Northeast = |East = Richland County |Southeast = Orangeburg County and Calhoun County |South = |Southwest = Aiken County |West = Saluda County |Northwest = Newberry County }} {{Lexington County, South Carolina}} {{South Carolina}} {{Authority control}}

Category:Lexington County, South Carolina Category:1785 establishments in South Carolina Category:Populated places established in 1785 Category:Columbia metropolitan area, South Carolina