Hartsville, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Hartsville, South Carolina
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Downtown Hartsville, SC
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| Motto(s):
"A small town with a big heart"
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Location of Hartsville, South Carolina
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | South Carolina | ||
| County | Darlington | ||
| Town of Hartsville | December 11, 1891 | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council-manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 5.99 sq mi (15.51 km2) | ||
| • Land | 5.98 sq mi (15.49 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.01 sq mi (0.03 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 217 ft (66 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,446 | ||
| • Density | 1,244.94/sq mi (480.71/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP codes |
29550, 29551
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| Area code(s) | 843, 854 | ||
| FIPS code | 45-32560 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1231367 | ||
Hartsville is the biggest city in Darlington County, South Carolina, United States. It officially became a city on December 11, 1891. In 2010, about 7,764 people lived there. Hartsville has been recognized as an "All-America City" twice, in 1996 and 2016. It has also been a "Tree City" since 1986, meaning it cares about its trees and green spaces.
Hartsville is home to Coker University and a branch of Florence–Darlington Technical College. It also has the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics, which is a special public high school where students live on campus.
The city has its own airport, the Hartsville Regional Airport.
Many big companies have their homes in Hartsville. These include Sonoco Products Company, Duke Energy's H. B. Robinson Nuclear Generating Station, Novolex, and Stingray Boats.
Contents
History of Hartsville
The land around Hartsville was once home to several Native American tribes. These included the Pee Dee, Catawba, and Chicora-Waccamaw tribes. They lived in this area before European settlers arrived.
Early Settlements and Key Families
The first European settlers arrived in the Hartsville area around 1760. The town is named after Captain Thomas E. Hart. He eventually owned most of the land in the community. Captain Hart started a successful business selling goods. However, he lost his business and land during a tough economic time in 1837–1838.
In 1845, Thomas Hart's son, John Lide Hart, bought 495 acres (about 2 square kilometers) of land. This land is now downtown Hartsville. John Hart built a carriage factory, a saw mill powered by steam, a mill for grinding grain, a general store, and the Hartsville Baptist Church. Later, in 1855, Caleb Coker bought the carriage factory for his son, James Lide Coker.
Major James Lide Coker's Impact
James Lide Coker came to Hartsville in 1857. He had plans to use new farming methods he learned at Harvard College. But his plans were put on hold when the Civil War began. He became a major for the Confederacy.
After the war, Major Coker returned to Hartsville injured. His farm was in ruins. He decided to rebuild his farm and help the town of Hartsville grow. He started Welsh Neck High School, which later became Coker University. He also created a seed company, an oil mill, a fertilizer plant, a general store, a bank, and the Southern Novelty Company. This company is now known as Sonoco Products Company.
Even with his own successful businesses, Coker and his family couldn't convince other business owners to build a railroad line to Hartsville. So, they decided to build their own! This became the Hartsville Railroad, which was finished in 1889.
Growth and Development
The Town of Hartsville officially received its first charter on December 11, 1891. This was a time when the town was growing fast and had lots of business activity.
The Hartsville Railroad later became part of the South Carolina Central Railroad. The Southern Novelty Company and Carolina Fiber Company joined together to form Sonoco Products Company. Sonoco grew into a worldwide company and became a Fortune 500 company, meaning it's one of the largest companies in the United States.
Hartsville's Mayors
Hartsville's first Mayor was W.K. Bell, who took office in 1892. After him, Major James Lide Coker became mayor.
| # | Mayor | Sworn in | Left office | Notes |
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| 1 | W.K. Bell | 1892 | 1892 | |
| 2 | James Lide Coker | 1892 | 1894 | Major Coker fought in the American Civil War. He was also elected to the South Carolina House of Representatives in 1864. |
| 3 | J.S. White | 1895 | 1896 | |
| 4 | J.E. Bass | 1896 | 1896 | |
| 5 | C.J. Woodrow | 1897 | 1897 | |
| 6 | J.S. White | 1898 | 1900 | |
| 7 | D.R. Coker | 1900 | 1901 | |
| 8 | M.S. McKinnon | 1902 | 1903 | |
| 9 | H.A. Edwards | 1904 | 1906 | |
| 9 | C.W. Coker | 1907 | 1908 | |
| 10 | M.S. McKinnon | 1909 | 1910 | |
| 11 | E.A. Miller | 1911 | 1916 | |
| 12 | L.B. Stephenson | 1919 | 1920 | |
| 13 | P.H. Rogers | 1921 | 1926 | |
| 14 | W.D. Arthur | 1927 | 1930 | |
| 15 | R.E. Sowell | 1931 | 1934 | |
| 16 | C.H. Campbell | 1935 | 1938 | |
| 17 | L.H. Stokes | 1939 | 1944 | |
| 18 | G.J. Lawton | 1945 | 1946 | |
| 19 | R.W. Shand | 1947 | 1948 | |
| 20 | R.B. White | 1949 | 1954 | |
| 21 | P. Wilmeth | 1955 | 1957 | |
| 22 | T.L. Maxwell | 1957 | 1963 | |
| 23 | O.D. Kelly | 1963 | 1965 | |
| 24 | Robert King Bass | 1965 | 1973 | |
| 25 | Dr. Glenn Johnston Lawhon, Jr. | 1973 | 1985 | |
| 26 | Louis Matthew "Matt" Cannarella | 1985 | 1993 | |
| 27 | Flora "Flossie" C. Hopkins | 1994 | 2001 | Mayor Hopkins was Hartsville's first female Mayor. |
| 28 | William A. Gaskins | 2001 | 2005 | |
| 29 | Michael S. Holt | 2005 | 2009 | Mayor Holt became a judge in 2009. |
| 30 | David L. McFarland | Aug. 2009 | Nov. 2009 | Mayor McFarland was Hartsville's first Black mayor. |
| 31 | Carl "Mel" M. Pennington, IV | November 10, 2009 | Dec 14, 2021 | |
| 32 | Casey G. Hancock | December 14, 2021 |
Historic Places to Visit
Many places in Hartsville are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are important to the history of the United States.
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South Carolina also has its own historical markers. These markers tell stories about important places and events.
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Fun Places to See
- Center Theater
- Coker University
- Hartsville Museum
- Kalmia Gardens
- Sonoco Products
Hartsville's Location and Climate
Hartsville is in the northwestern part of Darlington County. It's about 70 miles (113 km) southwest of Columbia, the state capital.
U.S. Route 15 and South Carolina Highway 151 are major roads that go around the city.
Hartsville covers about 5.99 square miles (15.5 square kilometers) in total. Most of this area is land, but about 0.01 square miles (0.03 square kilometers) is water. Prestwood Lake is on the northern edge of the city. Black Creek, which flows into the Pee Dee River, also runs through the area.
Weather in Hartsville
Hartsville has mild weather most of the year. It gets about 213 sunny days annually. The city receives about 46 inches (117 cm) of rain each year.
- The average low temperature in January is 31°F (–0.5°C).
- The average high temperature in July is 92°F (33.3°C).
- Sometimes, Hartsville can even get snowfall during the winter months.
| Climate data for Hartsville, South Carolina (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1947–1955, 1994–present) | |||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
| Record high °F (°C) | 83 (28) |
85 (29) |
91 (33) |
96 (36) |
100 (38) |
106 (41) |
104 (40) |
108 (42) |
101 (38) |
100 (38) |
87 (31) |
83 (28) |
108 (42) |
| Mean maximum °F (°C) | 75.0 (23.9) |
77.5 (25.3) |
84.2 (29.0) |
88.7 (31.5) |
93.7 (34.3) |
98.2 (36.8) |
98.9 (37.2) |
98.2 (36.8) |
94.1 (34.5) |
88.1 (31.2) |
80.1 (26.7) |
75.1 (23.9) |
100.6 (38.1) |
| Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 54.9 (12.7) |
58.8 (14.9) |
66.4 (19.1) |
75.7 (24.3) |
82.4 (28.0) |
88.7 (31.5) |
91.9 (33.3) |
90.2 (32.3) |
84.8 (29.3) |
75.6 (24.2) |
65.3 (18.5) |
57.6 (14.2) |
74.4 (23.6) |
| Daily mean °F (°C) | 43.4 (6.3) |
46.4 (8.0) |
53.2 (11.8) |
61.9 (16.6) |
70.1 (21.2) |
77.6 (25.3) |
81.1 (27.3) |
79.6 (26.4) |
74.0 (23.3) |
63.1 (17.3) |
52.6 (11.4) |
46.1 (7.8) |
62.4 (16.9) |
| Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 31.9 (−0.1) |
34.1 (1.2) |
40.0 (4.4) |
48.1 (8.9) |
57.7 (14.3) |
66.5 (19.2) |
70.3 (21.3) |
68.9 (20.5) |
63.1 (17.3) |
50.6 (10.3) |
39.8 (4.3) |
34.6 (1.4) |
50.5 (10.3) |
| Mean minimum °F (°C) | 16.4 (−8.7) |
20.3 (−6.5) |
25.2 (−3.8) |
33.5 (0.8) |
44.4 (6.9) |
56.7 (13.7) |
62.6 (17.0) |
60.5 (15.8) |
51.7 (10.9) |
36.0 (2.2) |
25.4 (−3.7) |
21.3 (−5.9) |
15.4 (−9.2) |
| Record low °F (°C) | 8 (−13) |
9 (−13) |
15 (−9) |
25 (−4) |
38 (3) |
49 (9) |
54 (12) |
53 (12) |
41 (5) |
22 (−6) |
14 (−10) |
13 (−11) |
8 (−13) |
| Average precipitation inches (mm) | 3.73 (95) |
3.35 (85) |
3.76 (96) |
2.98 (76) |
3.90 (99) |
4.64 (118) |
5.91 (150) |
5.20 (132) |
4.92 (125) |
3.41 (87) |
2.91 (74) |
3.81 (97) |
48.52 (1,232) |
| Average snowfall inches (cm) | 0.1 (0.25) |
0.3 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.1 (0.25) |
0.5 (1.3) |
| Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 9.6 | 9.1 | 8.6 | 7.9 | 8.6 | 10.5 | 11.9 | 9.9 | 7.9 | 7.1 | 7.0 | 10.0 | 108.1 |
| Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 0.2 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 |
| Source: NOAA | |||||||||||||
People of Hartsville
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1890 | 342 | — | |
| 1900 | 704 | 105.8% | |
| 1910 | 2,365 | 235.9% | |
| 1920 | 3,624 | 53.2% | |
| 1930 | 5,067 | 39.8% | |
| 1940 | 5,399 | 6.6% | |
| 1950 | 5,658 | 4.8% | |
| 1960 | 6,392 | 13.0% | |
| 1970 | 8,017 | 25.4% | |
| 1980 | 7,631 | −4.8% | |
| 1990 | 8,372 | 9.7% | |
| 2000 | 7,556 | −9.7% | |
| 2010 | 7,764 | 2.8% | |
| 2020 | 7,446 | −4.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Population in 2020
In 2020, about 7,446 people lived in Hartsville. There were 2,934 households and 1,860 families. The city had about 1258 people per square mile.
Here's a look at the different groups of people living in Hartsville:
| Race | Number | Percentage |
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| White | 3,766 | 50.58% |
| Black or African American | 3,149 | 42.29% |
| Native American | 9 | 0.12% |
| Asian | 91 | 1.22% |
| Other/Mixed | 241 | 3.24% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 190 | 2.55% |
About 26.5% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.41 people.
The population was spread out by age:
- 26.5% were under 18 years old.
- 13.5% were from 18 to 24 years old.
- 14.0% were 65 years or older.
The average age in Hartsville was 32.7 years. The population was 45.7% male and 54.3% female.
The average income for a household in the city was $35,487 per year. About 28.8% of the people lived below the poverty line. This included 52.0% of those under 18.
Hartsville's Economy
Many people in Hartsville work for big companies. These include Sonoco Products Company, Nucor Corporation, Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center, Novolex, Stingray Boats, North Industrial Machine, and Duke Energy's H. B. Robinson Nuclear Generating Station.
The unemployment rate in Hartsville is about 4.3%. This is a little higher than the national average of 3.9%. Experts expect job growth in Hartsville to be around 27.4% over the next ten years. This is lower than the U.S. average of 33.5%. The average household income is $29,276 per year. This is lower than the national average of $53,482 per year.
Fun Events and Culture
Hartsville has many festivals, parades, and other fun events each year.
Yearly Events to Enjoy
- Screen on the Green is a summer event. The city sets up a 25-foot (7.6 m) screen in Burry Park. They show movies that families can enjoy for free. Sometimes, they even have Screen on the Green during holidays.
- The Hartsville Christmas Parade happens every December. Local schools, businesses, and groups march down the main street. Santa Claus usually appears at the end of the parade!
- The Annual Mayor's Christmas Tree Lighting is held at Burry Park. There are musical and dance performances. Children can also drop their letters to Santa Claus in a special mailbox at this event.
Parks and Green Spaces
Hartsville has several parks for everyone to enjoy.
- Byerly Park is a huge 93-acre (38 ha) park with lots of things to do. It has:
- six soccer fields
- eight softball/baseball fields
- two football fields
- six tennis courts
- a track and field area
- twelve horseshoe pits
- two playgrounds
- a picnic area
- snack stands
- the Piratesville Splash Pad, one of the biggest splash pads in South Carolina!
- Burry Park is an open green space in the middle of Hartsville. It has the Hartsville Veterans Memorial and a sculpture called "Tales on the Town." This park is where the "Screen on the Green" movies are shown.
- Centennial Park was built in 1981 to celebrate Hartsville's 100th birthday. It has covered sitting areas and a large fountain. During Christmas, a big lit Christmas tree is set up here.
- Lawton Park and Pavilion is a 3.5-acre (1.4 ha) park next to Prestwood Lake. It has tennis courts, picnic shelters, a boardwalk, a pier, and playgrounds. The Lawton Park Pavilion is a historic building built in 1938.
- Pride Park has a picnic shelter, playground, restrooms, and an outdoor stage. It's used for events like the "Gospel in the Park" series. This park is on the site of the first public school for Black children in Hartsville.
- The Vista is a walking path along Railroad Avenue. It connects the South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics and parts of Coker College with downtown Hartsville. It has a walking path, a pond, fountains, and park benches.
- The Hartsville Dog Park is inside Byerly Park. It has two fenced areas, one for large dogs and one for small dogs. There's also a water station and waste bags for pet owners.
Education in Hartsville
The public schools in Hartsville are managed by the Darlington County School District. For the 2019–2020 school year, the district spent about $14,178 per student. There are about 16 students for every teacher.
Elementary and Middle Schools
- Carolina Elementary
- Bay Road Elementary
- Butler Academy (a charter school)
- Hartsville Middle School
- North Hartsville Elementary
- Southside Early Childhood Center
- Thornwell School of the Arts
- Washington St. Elementary
- West Hartsville Elementary
High Schools
- Hartsville High
- Mayo High School for Math, Science, and Technology, located in Darlington, serves students from all over the county, including Hartsville.
- South Carolina Governor's School for Science and Mathematics
Private Schools
- Thomas Hart Academy (for grades 2K-8)
- Emmanuel Christian School (for grades 2K-12)
- Some students also attend Robert E. Lee Academy and Trinity Collegiate School.
Colleges and Universities
Coker University is a private university in Hartsville. It offers a four-year program that focuses on hands-on learning.
Florence–Darlington Technical College also has a campus in Hartsville.
Local Library
Hartsville has a public library. It is part of the Darlington County Library System.
Media and News
Hartsville has several local and regional news sources. The Hartsville Messenger is the local newspaper. The State newspaper provides news for the whole state. TV news channels like WBTW News 13, WPDE-TV News 15, and WFXB Fox TV serve the Hartsville area.
City Services
Downtown Hartsville and most neighborhoods are set up in a grid pattern. This design started when the city first grew. Newer parts of the city, like around Hartsville Crossing, have a different road layout.
Hartsville is about 14 miles (22.5 km) north of Interstate 20 and 20 miles (32 km) northwest of Interstate 95.
Utilities for Residents
The City of Hartsville provides garbage and recycling services. It also manages water services for people living in the city. Electricity is provided by Duke Energy and Pee Dee Electric Cooperative. Companies like Dish Network, DirecTV, AT&T, and Spectrum offer TV and internet services.
Healthcare Services
Carolina Pines Regional Medical Center is a large hospital complex in Hartsville. It has 116 beds for patients. It also has an emergency room that can handle serious injuries.
Famous People from Hartsville
- Aziz Ansari, actor and comedian
- Rich Batchelor, former baseball pitcher for MLB
- Rufus Bess, former football player for the NFL
- Roderick Blakney, former professional basketball player
- James Robert Campbell, "Jim", former baseball pinch hitter for MLB
- James Lide Coker, who founded Sonoco Products and Coker College
- Chad Dawson, a boxer and former light heavyweight champion
- Leeza Gibbons, a television personality
- Captain Thomas Edward Hart, who founded Hartsville
- Albert Haynesworth, former football defensive lineman for the NFL
- Terrance Herrington, former Olympic track and field athlete
- Shannon Johnson, "Pee Wee", former professional basketball player and WNBA All-Star. She won a gold medal with the USA Basketball team in the 2004 Summer Olympics.
- Jody Lavender, racing driver
- Jordan Lyles, professional baseball player for MLB's Kansas League City Royals
- Tony McDaniel, former football defensive lineman for the NFL
- Kelvin Moses, former football linebacker for the NFL
- Bobo Newsom, former baseball pitcher and four-time MLB All-Star
- Jeryl Prescott, actress, known for her role in The Walking Dead
Images for kids
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Downtown Hartsville, SC
See also
In Spanish: Hartsville (Carolina del Sur) para niños
