Clemson study shows some S.C. counties fared better during downturns

Published: February 22, 2012

Clemson University Office of Economic Development image by: Clemson University

CLEMSON — South Carolina has weathered two recessions since the new millennium. A detailed economic study of the Palmetto Sate between 2000 and 2008 by Clemson University Economic Development shows clearly that certain counties and regions fared better than others.

For example, 28 counties across the state saw positive population growth between 2000 and 2008, meaning 18 counties saw a decline, the study shows. Generally, there was outmigration from counties with dim employment prospects. 

The study created a “Prosperity Index” that ranks counties based on real per capita personal income. Beaufort County ranked No. 1 on the index, with Berkeley and Charleston counties tied at No. 2. Marlboro County ranked No. 46 on the index.

In the summer of 2011, Clemson’s Office of Economic Development commissioned a study of South Carolina prosperity. Led by Bruce Yandle, professor of economics emeritus at Clemson, the study team included Jody Lipford, an economics professor at Presbyterian College in Clinton, and Tate Watkins, an independent economic consultant in Washington. Click here to read the report.

The study shows that while the greatest employment gains between 2000 and 2008 generally were in coastal counties, gains in the Upstate and central Midlands were not far behind.

For population growth, the spread of the 28 counties that saw growth is fairly even, with some counties in the Upstate, the Midlands and the coast seeing increases in residents of at least 10 percent.

But the report does provide a reality check. Economic hardship, or prosperity in reverse, provides another lens through which to view the county economies.

The study created an index for the state’s 46 counties by averaging their share of population living below the poverty line, share of population less than five years old, unemployment rate and share of adult population with less than a ninth-grade education. 

Counties with the greatest hardship had an index of less than 10: Allendale, Bamberg, Chesterfield, Clarendon, Dillon, Lee, Marlboro, Marion, Orangeburg and Williamsburg. 

Counties with the least hardship had an index greater than 40: Beaufort, Berkeley, Charleston, Calhoun, Dorchester, Lexington and Kershaw.

“South Carolina’s 46 counties, always in transition, form a rich tapestry of diverse economic, demographic and developmental traits,” Yandle said. “The state’s economy is spurred by population growth, investments in physical and human capital and connections to a growing global economy.”

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Clemson University Office of Economic Development
The Clemson University Office of Economic Development works with public and private partners to create jobs in South Carolina in keeping with the university’s teaching, research and outreach missions. Clemson follows the land-grant university model of using research and outreach to launch innovation campuses across the state that support major economic sectors and create new ones, including agribusiness, advanced materials, automotive, biotechnology and wind energy. The Economic Development team works closely with Clemson’s Office of Research; Office of Technology Transfer; and Public Services and Agriculture research, extension and regulatory programs to apply university research to South Carolina industries.