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Sumter, South Carolina

16 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1946 and the latest in 1990. It stands in the Sumter census division. It lies in ZIP code area 29150. It stands on Powder Horn Branch. The Survey maps it on the Sumter East quadrangle. 43,463 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 171 feet above sea level.

Research this city

Sumter within Sumter County

On record in Sumter

Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.

On the National Register 12 of 15 shown

Every listing in Sumter County

Surveyed buildings and structures 1 record

Population over time

2 figures

Sumter grew from 40,524 to 43,463 between 2010 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.

YearPeople Change
201040,524
202043,463+2,939 (+7%)

Topographic sheets covering this place

10 surveys from 16 printed sheets

Matched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.

Photographs

8 of 32 photographs shown,

Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.

Borough House, Dependency, State Route 261 & Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Borough House, Dependency, State Route 261 & Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Poinsett State Park , 6660 Poinsett Park Road, Wedgefield, Sumter County, SC
Poinsett State Park , 6660 Poinsett Park Road, Wedgefield, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Milford Plantation, Stables, Wedgefield-Rimini Road, Pinewood, Sumter County, SC
Milford Plantation, Stables, Wedgefield-Rimini Road, Pinewood, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Gen. Thomas Sumter Tomb, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Gen. Thomas Sumter Tomb, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Borough House, Hooper Tombs, State Route 261 & Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Borough House, Hooper Tombs, State Route 261 & Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Borough House, West Side State Route 261, about .1 mile south side of junction with old Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Borough House, West Side State Route 261, about .1 mile south side of junction with old Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Borough House, Kitchen-Storehouse, State Route 261 & Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Borough House, Kitchen-Storehouse, State Route 261 & Garners Ferry Road, Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Brookland Plantation House, Old Charleston Road (State Route 261), Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Brookland Plantation House, Old Charleston Road (State Route 261), Stateburg, Sumter County, SC
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress

Every photograph of Sumter County

Fires near this place

388 since 1992

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 388 fires within 5 miles of Sumter between 1992 and 2020, burning about 1,545 acres in total. 3 started naturally. 50 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Reported cause Fires
Debris and open burning147
Missing data/not specified/undetermined142
Arson/incendiarism50
Misuse of fire by a minor22
Equipment and vehicle use14
Smoking6
Natural3
Power generation/transmission/distribution2
Fireworks1
Recreation and ceremony1

The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.

DateCause SizeReported by Name on the report
4 September 2011Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
4 September 1993Missing data/not specified/undetermined1.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
28 September 2003Misuse of fire by a minorunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
25 September 2010Debris and open burningunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
24 September 2010Debris and open burningunder an acreSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
20 September 1998Arson/incendiarism2.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
19 September 2011Debris and open burning3.0 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named
16 September 2000Debris and open burning3.1 acresSouth Carolina Forestry Commissionnot named

Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:

Every fire recorded in Sumter County

Mines and quarries near this place

3 within 5 miles

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal mineral resources record lists 3 workings within 5 miles of Sumter: 2 prospects, 1 producer. 1 still produces. What was taken out: Iron, Sand and Gravel, Construction. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a quarry counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.

Where SiteCommodity StatusRecorded
Sumter Asphalt PitSand and Gravel, ConstructionProducer
Francis Moise ProspectIronProspect
White's Mill ProspectIronProspect

Every working recorded in Sumter County

Storms near this place

60 of 148 shown

Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Sumter in 148 storm reports between 1994 and 2025: 73 thunderstorm wind, 46 hail, 14 flash flood, 5 lightning. The reports record 12 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.

WhenEvent Place namedHarm What the report says
June 2006HailSumter9 hurtWalters Care Facility reported penny size hail and strong winds with small limbs down.
September 2004Tornado (F2)Sumter3 hurt, $1,700,000Emergency manager reported 55 homes damaged, 9 destroyed, and 3 injuries.
July 1997LightningSumter$225,000Lightning destroyed half of a Longleaf Drive home.
January 1995Thunderstorm WindSumter$100,000Many roofs and mobile homes in Sumter damaged by winds. Trees and power lines down.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSumter$88,000Emergency Manager reported trees and powerlines down. Three roofs on buildings heavily damaged at the public works facility and a couple of trees were on homes on Jerry Street and Hwy 15.
September 2011LightningSumter$87,000Sumter County Newspaper reported a barn struck by lightning burnt down and 9 horses were killed.
September 1996Tornado (F2)Sumter$75,000no account filed
April 2011HailSumter$60,000Public reported 3 inch hail near Sumter.
May 1997Thunderstorm WindSumter$50,000no account filed
April 2011HailSumter$40,000Spotter reported hail ranging from quarter size to golfball size covering the ground in Sumter.
April 2011HailSumter$40,000COCORAHS Observer reported golfball size hail near the USC Sumter campus.
May 2012LightningSumter$30,000The Sumter County Newspaper reported that the Sumter Opera House was struck by lightning which caused structural damage to the metal roof and building. Bricks from the four story structure were blown out of the building and into the parking lot and street.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSumter$24,000Sheriff reported numerous trees down over the western part of the county.
September 2011Flash FloodSumter$22,000Flood waters entered a residence near Sand Hill Dr. and McCorays Mill Rd....and at at the Friendship Apt. on E. Calhoun St. in Sumter. Also...numerous reports of street flooding were received.
July 2009LightningSumter$16,000Two homes on Kaempfer Circle were struck by lightning causing moderate damage to one and minimal damage to the other.
April 2011Thunderstorm WindSumter$14,000Sheriff reported trees down on Hwy 261, Livestock Road, and Nazarene Road.
July 2013Thunderstorm WindSumter$12,000Sumter County Dispatch reported trees and powerlines down in Sumter.
May 2009Thunderstorm WindSumter$12,000Public reported several trees down and powerlines down. A few telephone poles were broken and there was minor damage to roofs of county buildings.
March 2023Flash FloodSumter$10,000Sumter Co EM provided reports and photos of flooded and impassable road, and at least one flooded vehicle, at E. Pike St at Bagnall Dr. Times estimated.
March 2023Flash FloodSumter$10,000Sumter Co EM reported water entered the lobby of a nursing home at 431 N. Main St in Sumter. Times estimated.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSumter$8,000Sheriff reported trees and powerlines down on the southeast side of town.
June 2015Thunderstorm WindSumter$6,000Highway Patrol reported trees down on Oswego Highway and Pike Road at Hwy 76.
April 2013Thunderstorm WindSumter$6,000SKYWARN spotter reported trees down on both sices of HWY 521 just south of Sumter near Frierson road.
June 2009Thunderstorm WindSumter$6,000Sumter newspaper reported several trees down around town from severe storms.
September 2016Flash FloodSumter$5,000Reported water covering the roadway near Clematis Trail and Shadow Trail. Water is 3 to 4 feet deep.
September 2007Thunderstorm WindSumter$5,000Fire dept. reported numerous sheds damaged and blown across state hwy 763. One railroad crossing arm blown over at the intersection of Cane Savannah and Wedgefield roads.
November 2006Thunderstorm WindSumter$5,000Sheriff and public reported several trees and powerlines down in west Sumter.
June 1995Thunderstorm WindSumter$5,000Thunderstorm winds blew down power lines.
March 2013Thunderstorm WindSumter$4,000DOT reported several trees down along Hwy 521.
September 2011Thunderstorm WindSumter$4,000Highway Patrol reported trees down on Mood Ave.
June 2010Thunderstorm WindSumter$4,000Sheriff reported trees down on Shemp road.
July 2009Thunderstorm WindSumter$4,000EM reported trees down on hwy 521.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindSumter$3,000Dispatch reported trees down at the intersection of Dogwood Drive and Bangal Drive.
September 2020Flash FloodSumter$2,000Public reported, via social media, a roadway washout with sinkhole on US Hwy 15 N near US Hwy 76/378, and provided a photo. Times estimated.
September 2015FloodSumter$2,000Roadway flooding reported by public temporarily closing some.
September 2015Flash FloodSumter$2,000Public reported several roads flooded and closed.
April 2015Thunderstorm WindSumter$2,000Sumter County Dispatch reported powerlines down along Calhoun Street near Stewart Street.
July 2010Thunderstorm WindSumter$2,000Sheriff reported a couple of trees down on the west side of town.
September 2016Flash FloodSumter$1,000Media reported flooding along Sassafras Drive in Sumter. Water was 1 to 2 feet deep and covering the roadway. Roadway looked impassable from video.
September 2020Flash FloodSumter$500Flooding reported on Sassafras Dr, and yards were underwater.
September 2016Flash FloodSumter$500The pond at Palmetto Park overflowed its banks and spilled into the Palmetto Pointe apartment complex parking lot.
April 2023Thunderstorm WindSumter$100Broadcast media relayed a social media report and photo from local law enforcement of a large tree that fell and took down some power lines on N. Main St between Victory Dr and Dubose St. Time estimated.
June 2023HailSumter$100Public reported and provided a photo, via social media, of one half inch hail in the Millwood area of Sumter.
June 2023HailSumter$100Trained spotter reported pea size hail at Loring Mill Rd and Keels Rd.
May 2020Flash FloodSumter$100Flooding reported at the intersection of Bultman Dr and Wise Dr.
August 2018Flash FloodSumter$100Roadway was flooded with stranded vehicles at Guignard Dr and Birnie Cir. Time estimated.
August 2018Flash FloodSumter$100Flooding with stranded vehicles at Calhoun St and Lafayette Dr in Sumter. Time estimated.
May 2017Heavy RainSumter$100Heavy rain produced 1.2 inches of rain in the period from 8:56 pm EDT (1956 EST) to 9:30 pm EDT (2030 EST) at Clematis Trail and Shadow Trail. This led to street flooding in that location.
July 2016Thunderstorm WindSumter$10Estimated wind gusts around 45 knots. 0.89 inches of rain fell in a 10 minute period.
July 2025Thunderstorm WindSumter-SCDPS website reported a tree in roadway at the intersection of Church Street and West Hampton Lane. Time estimated by radar.
January 2024Thunderstorm WindSumter-Numerous trees were downed in Sumter and vicinity.
August 2024Flash FloodSumter-Swan Lake Drive closed due to flash flooding in the nearby park.
March 2023Heavy RainSumter-A CoCoRaHS observer reported a 24 hour rainfall amount of 6.21 inches about 1 mile SSW of Sumter. Most of this rain fell late in the night of March 26th through the early morning hours of March 27th.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSumter-Power lines were downed along Lewis Rd near Club Ln in Sumter.
June 2023Thunderstorm WindSumter-A tree fell on US Hwy 521 and Alice Dr. Time estimated.
June 2023Heavy RainSumter-A trained spotter measured 2.40 inches of rain that fell in 50 minutes, from 2200 to 2250 EDT (2100 to 2150 EST) at Loring Mill Rd and Keels Rd.
March 2021Thunderstorm WindSumter-A river birch tree was downed along Shadow Trl. Time estimated.
March 2021Thunderstorm WindSumter-Media shared a photo of a roof partially removed from a restaurant on Liberty St in Sumter. Time estimated.
February 2020Thunderstorm WindSumter-A power line was downed on Council St and W Bartlette St. Time estimated.
September 2020Heavy RainSumter-A CoCoRaHS observer reported a 24 hour rainfall amount of 8.65 inches, most of that rain fell during the morning and early afternoon of Thursday, September 17th.

Every storm recorded in Sumter County

Newspapers printed here

23,592 digitised pages

1 paper published in this town, digitised by the Library of Congress and free to read: 3,767 issues, 23,592 pages. Every page is searchable, so a name or a street can be looked for directly in what the town printed about itself at the time.

NewspaperPublished
The Watchman and Southron1881 to 1930

What the paper printed

36,655 words

Front pages of the local paper, read from the Library of Congress scans: 5 issues spread across its run from 1881 to 1927, 36,655 words in total. Each is reproduced on its own page, exactly as the recogniser returned it.

These pages read less well than anything else here, and the number is worth stating: about three words in four come through cleanly, against nine in ten for the building records. An 1896 broadsheet sets eight-point type in seven columns on microfilm, which is the hardest thing in this archive to read by machine. We tested our own recognisers against the Library's and they were not better, so the Library's text is what appears, with the wholly unreadable columns removed. Read it as a guide to what the paper covered, and follow the link to the scan before quoting anything.

IssuePaper Length
1881-08-16The Watchman and Southron8,753 words
1881-09-27The Watchman and Southron8,915 words
1881-11-01The Watchman and Southron7,614 words
1881-12-13The Watchman and Southron7,969 words
1927-12-31The Watchman and Southron3,404 words

Nearest settlements

The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.

Map PlaceDistance Sheets
South Sumter1.0 miles16
Wen-le1.2 miles16
Flowers Heights1.3 miles16
Carolina Gardens1.3 miles16
Marigold Heights1.3 miles16
Garris Park1.4 miles16
Kingman Heights1.6 miles16
Burns Down1.6 miles16

Elsewhere

Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.

Wikipedia article on SumterAn encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied.
Wikidata item Q1010203The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0).

Provenance

This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1251074. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.

Mines and quarries. USGS Mineral Resources Data System (MRDS) https://mrdata.usgs.gov/mrds/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.

Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.