Sumter, South Carolina
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Sumter (IPA: /ˈsʌm.tə/ or /ˈsʌm.tɚ/) is a city in Sumter County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 39,643 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Sumter County[Geographic references#6GR6]. It should not be confused with Fort Sumter, which is in Charleston harbor, almost 100 miles away; both are named after General Thomas Sumter.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 69.3 km² (26.8 mi²). 68.9 km² (26.6 mi²) of it is land and 0.4 km² (0.2 mi²) of it (0.60%) is water.
Demographics
As of the census[Geographic references#2GR2] of 2000, there were 39,643 people, 14,564 households, and 10,049 families residing in the city. The population density was 575.6/km² (1,491.2/mi²). There were 16,032 housing units at an average density of 232.8/km² (603.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 69.58% White, 26.31% African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.27% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 1.12% from other races, and 1.41% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.37% of the population.There were 14,564 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.0% were married couples living together, 19.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 27.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.14.
In the city the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 12.5% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 17.9% from 45 to 64, and 13.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 32 years. For every 100 females there were 89.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $31,590, and the median income for a family was $38,668. Males had a median income of $27,078 versus $22,002 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,949. About 13.0% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Sumter is served by a six-member city council, whose members are elected to represent a ward. A city manager is employed by council to run the day-to-day business of the city, and serves at the pleasure of council. Sumter has the distinction of being the first city in the United States to successfully implement this form of government, known as council-manager government. A mayor is elected at-large to a four year (renewable) term, and may vote with council only in the event of a tie vote.Higher Education
The area is served by Morris College, a private liberal arts school, Central Carolina Technical College, a public two-year facility, and the Sumter branch of The University of South Carolina, a public four-year facility.Shaw Air Force Base
Sumter is home to Shaw Air Force Base, headquarters of the 9th Air Force and the 20th Fighter Wing. Since World War II it has been one of the major sources of employment in the area. Shaw's fighter planes mainly consist of F-16 Fighting Falcons, which are versatile multi-role fighters. It is named after 2nd Lieutenant Robert Henderson Shaw, who was shot down and killed in action after a reconaissance mission in World War I.Sumter High School
Sumter is home to one of the largest schools in the state (Sumter High School), which is operated by the smallest school district in the state (Sumter District 17). The current building has been in use since 1983 and has undergone additions in 1987 and 2003. The SHS mascot is the Gamecock, a nickname given to General Thomas Sumter during the Revolutionary war. The school colors are blue and gold.In 1935 it was named Edmunds High School in memory of Superintendent Samuel Henry Edmunds. The colors were purple and white. This color combination represented the merging of the two Junior High schools; McLaurin Junior High whose colors were red and white, and Alice Drive Middle with colors blue and white. In 1971, the name was again changed to Sumter High School and the colors became the current blue and gold.
SHS's current principal is Rutledge Dingle.
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
Sumter is home to the only public park in the United States with all eight species of swans (Swan Lake Iris Gardens). The park hosts The Swan Lake Iris Gardens Festival in May and is open to the public. Traditionally, the festival is held Memorial weekend. The park is also the host during the holiday season to the Swan Lake Fantasy of Lights, a large light display open to the public.Notable People From Sumter
- Bill Pinkney of the Drifters was born in Sumter County and currently lives in Sumter.
- Bobby Richardson, baseball great of New York Yankees fame from the hey-day of the 60's is from Sumter and still resides there.
- Shawn Weatherly, Miss USA and Miss Universe 1980. She played the part of Jill Riley on season one of Baywatch.
- Rob Crosby, singer/songwriter whose hits include "She Told Me Yes" and "Love Will Bring Her Around".
External links
- [Sumter official website]
- [Morris College website]
- [Central Carolina Technical College website]
- [Shaw AFB web site]
- [link]
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