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Williston, South Carolina facts for kids

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Williston, South Carolina
Location of Williston, South Carolina
Location of Williston, South Carolina
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Barnwell
Area
 • Total 9.02 sq mi (23.35 km2)
 • Land 8.95 sq mi (23.19 km2)
 • Water 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2)
Elevation
354 ft (108 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 2,877
 • Density 321.34/sq mi (124.08/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
29853
Area code(s) 803, 839
FIPS code 45-77965
GNIS feature ID 1227623

Williston is a town located in Barnwell County, South Carolina, United States. In 2020, about 2,877 people lived there.

This town was once an important stop on the Charleston-Hamburg railroad line. This line was famous for the "Best Friend" locomotive, one of the earliest steam engines. Even though the train tracks were removed in the 1990s, the area is now a special historical site. It is part of the South Carolina Heritage Corridor.

Williston also had its own newspaper called The Williston Way. It started publishing in 1921.

History of Williston

Historic Buildings in Williston

The Ashley-Willis House is a notable building in Williston. It was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 2004. This means it is recognized as an important historical site.

Where is Williston Located?

Geography and Area of Williston

Williston is found in the northern part of Barnwell County. You can find it at coordinates 33.400553 degrees North and 81.422421 degrees West. U.S. Route 78 goes right through the middle of the town. This road leads east about 9 miles to Blackville. It also goes northwest about 21 miles to Aiken.

The United States Census Bureau says that Williston covers a total area of about 9.02 square miles (23.3 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 8.95 square miles (23.2 square kilometers), is land. A small part, about 0.06 square miles (0.2 square kilometers), is water.

Who Lives in Williston?

Population Changes Over Time

The population of Williston has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how many people have lived there during different census years:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1880 426
1890 503 18.1%
1900 617 22.7%
1910 624 1.1%
1920 854 36.9%
1930 1,024 19.9%
1940 1,107 8.1%
1950 896 −19.1%
1960 2,722 203.8%
1970 2,594 −4.7%
1980 3,173 22.3%
1990 3,099 −2.3%
2000 3,307 6.7%
2010 3,139 −5.1%
2020 2,877 −8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census

People in Williston: 2020 Census

The 2020 United States census counted 2,877 people living in Williston. These people lived in 1,296 households, with 607 of them being families.

The census also looked at the different groups of people living in Williston:

Williston racial composition
Race Number of People Percentage
White (not Hispanic or Latino) 1,192 41.43%
Black or African American (not Hispanic or Latino) 1,485 51.62%
Native American 14 0.49%
Asian 8 0.28%
Pacific Islander 1 0.03%
Other/Mixed 111 3.86%
Hispanic or Latino 66 2.29%

Schools and Learning in Williston

Education in the Community

Williston has three main schools for students:

  • Williston-Elko High School
  • Williston-Elko Middle School
  • Kelly Edwards Elementary School

Some students in the area also attend a private school called Jefferson Davis Academy in Blackville.

Williston Public Library

The town also has a public library. It is a part of the ABBE Regional Library System. Libraries are great places to read books, do homework, and learn new things.

Famous People from Williston

Williston is home to some notable people, especially in sports:

See also

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