Beech Island, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Beech Island, South Carolina
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 Beech Island, South Carolina
Location in South Carolina
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| Country |  United States of America |
| State |  South Carolina |
| County |  Aiken |
| Area | |
| • Total | 5.02 sq mi (12.99 km2) |
| • Land | 4.92 sq mi (12.74 km2) |
| • Water | 0.10 sq mi (0.25 km2) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,421 |
| • Density | 288.76/sq mi (111.50/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
29842
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| Area codes | 803, 839 |
| FIPS code | 45-04915 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1245034 |
Beech Island is a community in Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. It is known as an unincorporated community. This means it does not have its own local government like a city or town. It is also a census-designated place (CDP). This is a special area that the government counts for population information. In the 2020 census, Beech Island had a population of 1,421 people.
Contents
History of Beech Island
How Beech Island Got Its Name
The name "Beech Island" has an interesting story. People say it was first called "Beech Highland." This was because of its higher elevation compared to the land around it. Over time, the "H" sound was dropped. This led to the name we know today: Beech Island.
From Farms to Factories
For many years, Beech Island was mostly a farming community. Farmers grew crops like cotton, wheat, corn, and soybeans. This changed a lot in the 1950s. A big power station called Urquhart Station was built. Also, the Savannah River Nuclear Project was built nearby. These projects brought many new jobs to the area.
New roads were built to help workers get to these places. More businesses started to open. The community began to grow and change. In the 1960s, a large company called Kimberly-Clark built a factory there. This factory was built on what used to be farmland. It created even more jobs for the people of Beech Island. However, this period of fast growth did not last forever.
Famous Residents and Historic Sites
One of Beech Island's most famous residents was James Brown. He was a very well-known musician, often called the "Godfather of Soul." He lived on a large property in Beech Island for many years. James Brown is buried in the Thomas Family Home Crypt in the community.
Beech Island is also home to several important historic places. These sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. They include:
- The Cedars
- Fort Moore-Savano Town Site
- Redcliffe Plantation State Historic Site
- Oakland Plantation
- Zubly Cemetery
These places help tell the story of Beech Island's past. The community is also where most of the television transmitters are located. These transmitters send TV signals to the nearby city of Augusta, Georgia.
Population Information
Beech Island's Population in 2020
The U.S. Census Bureau collects information about people living in different areas. This helps us understand who lives where. Here is a summary of the population in Beech Island from the 2020 census.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 1,421 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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Detailed Population Breakdown (2020)
The table below shows more details about the people living in Beech Island in 2020. It breaks down the population by different groups.
| Race / Ethnicity | Pop 2020 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 694 | 48.84% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 548 | 38.56% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 7 | 0.49% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 7 | 0.49% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 3 | 0.21% |
| Some Other Race alone (NH) | 5 | 0.35% |
| Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH) | 81 | 5.70% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 76 | 5.35% |
| Total | 1,421 | 100.00% |
