South Carolina

Barnwell

20,589
2020 population
1800
first census record
23
census records

About Barnwell

Barnwell, South Carolina, first appears in the United States federal census in 1800, when it recorded a population of 7,376. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 20,589.

Its recorded population peaked at 44,613 in 1890, and has since declined by roughly 54 percent.

On the ground today, 8 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Westo War (South Carolina 1680), Westo War (South Carolina) 1680, Action at Blackville SC, and 6 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
202020,589
201022,621
200023,478
199020,293
198019,868
197017,176
196017,659
195017,266
194020,138
193021,221
192023,081
191034,209
190035,504
189044,613
188039,857
187035,724
186030,743
185026,608
184021,471
183019,236
182014,750
181012,280
18007,376
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Barnwell

Military engagements that took place in Barnwell, South Carolina.

Westo War (South Carolina 1680)
1680
Westo War (South Carolina) 1680
1680
Action at Blackville SC
1865
Skirmish at Williston SC
1865
Skirmish at Williston — February 7 1865
1865
Destruction of Barnwell Court House — February 1865
1865
Action at Barnwell Court House SC
1865
Burning of Barnwell SC
1865

Historic places in Barnwell

National Register of Historic Places listings in Barnwell, South Carolina.

Banksia Hall
Barnwell
Church of the Holy Apostles, Episcopal
Barnwell
Church of the Holy Apostles Rectory
Barnwell
Browse all South Carolinahistoric sites ›

Other counties in South Carolina

Explore census history and historic records for more South Carolina counties.

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Everything a full report reveals about Barnwell County, South Carolina

This page charts the census history of Barnwell County, South Carolina. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
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Frequently asked about Barnwell

When does Barnwell first appear in the US census?
Barnwell, South Carolina first appears in the federal census in 1800, with a recorded population of 7,376.
What is the population of Barnwell?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Barnwell had a recorded population of 20,589.
When did Barnwell's population peak?
Barnwell's recorded population peaked at 44,613 in 1890.
Were any battles fought in Barnwell?
8 documented military engagements took place in Barnwell, including Westo War (South Carolina 1680), Westo War (South Carolina) 1680, Action at Blackville SC.
How many historic places are in Barnwell?
6 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Barnwell, South Carolina.
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