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Summerton, South Carolina facts for kids

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Summerton, South Carolina
Summerton SC.jpg
Location of Summerton, South Carolina
Location of Summerton, South Carolina
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Clarendon
Area
 • Total 1.35 sq mi (3.51 km2)
 • Land 1.35 sq mi (3.51 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.00 km2)
Elevation
138 ft (42 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 814
 • Density 601.18/sq mi (232.08/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
29148
Area code(s) 803, 839
FIPS code 45-70225
GNIS feature ID 1251072

Summerton is a small town located in Clarendon County, South Carolina, United States. In 2020, about 814 people lived there. It's known for its history and its beautiful natural surroundings.

Where is Summerton Located?

Summerton is in the southwestern part of Clarendon County. You can find it near Interstate 95, a major highway. Exit 108 on I-95 takes you right into town.

I-95 goes northeast about 57 miles (92 km) to Florence. It goes southwest about 120 miles (190 km) to Savannah, Georgia. U.S. Routes 15 and 301 meet up in the middle of Summerton.

US 301 heads northeast 10 miles (16 km) to Manning, which is the main town of Clarendon County. US 15 goes north 23 miles (37 km) to Sumter. When these two highways are combined, they go southwest 11 miles (18 km) to Santee.

Summerton is also in the middle of a place called Santee Cooper Country. It's only 8 miles (13 km) from the shores of Lake Marion. This lake is a popular spot for outdoor fun. The town covers about 1.35 square miles (3.51 km²), and all of it is land.

Who Lives in Summerton?

The number of people living in Summerton has changed over the years. Here's how the population has grown and shrunk:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 236
1910 678 187.3%
1920 957 41.2%
1930 812 −15.2%
1940 958 18.0%
1950 1,419 48.1%
1960 1,504 6.0%
1970 1,305 −13.2%
1980 1,173 −10.1%
1990 975 −16.9%
2000 1,061 8.8%
2010 1,000 −5.7%
2020 814 −18.6%
U.S. Decennial Census
2010 2020

In 2020, Summerton had 814 residents. Most people living in Summerton are either White or Black/African American. There are also smaller groups of people from other backgrounds, including Asian, Native American, and those of Hispanic or Latino heritage.

Summerton's History

Summerton started around the 1830s or 1840s. Back then, people who owned large farms, called plantations, moved inland to Summerton. They wanted to get away from the many mosquitos near the Santee River. People thought Summerton was a healthy place to stay and a safe spot to avoid illnesses that were common in swampy areas. The town officially became a town on Christmas Eve in 1889.

A Big Step for Education

Summerton is very important in American history because of a court case called Briggs v. Elliott. This case was the first of four cases that were combined into the famous Brown v. Board of Education. In 1954, the U.S. Supreme Court made a huge decision in Brown v. Board of Education. They said that separating students by race in public schools was against the law. This decision helped end racial segregation in schools across the United States.

In 2022, Summerton High School and Scott’s Branch High School were added to the Brown v. Board of Education National Historical Park. This recognizes their important role in this landmark case.

Today, Summerton is still a popular place for visitors. Many people come to enjoy nature and outdoor activities. These include golf, fishing, hunting, boating, and camping.

Education in Summerton

Students in Summerton attend schools within Clarendon School District 1.

Notable People from Summerton

  • Bertie Bowman (1931-2023), who worked for the U.S. Congress for many years.

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Summerton para niños

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