Blythewood is a town in Richland and Fairfield counties, South Carolina, United States; and a suburb of Columbia. As of the 2020 United States census, the population of the town was 4,772.
History
Blythewood was originally named "Doko", a Native American term for a watering place. The town was named after Doko Depot, which was a stop along the railroad that ran between Charlotte and Columbia. In 1865, this railroad was destroyed by General Sherman. The town was rebuilt, and changed its name to Blythewood in 1877, after a local school called The Blythewood Female Institute. The school was later renamed "Blythewood Academy".
The George P. Hoffman House, built in 1855, is the oldest extant house in Blythewood and is used as the city hall.
Geography
Blythewood is located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which is land and , or 0.79%. is water.
Climate
Climate is characterized by warm temperatures and moderate precipitation throughout the year. The Köppen Climate Classification subtype for this climate is "Cfa" (Humid Subtropical Climate).
Demographics
Blythewood is part of the Columbia, South Carolina, Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Racial and ethnic composition
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+Blythewood, South Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition<br><small></small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(NH = Non-Hispanic)</small>
!Pop 2000
!Pop 2010
!
!% 2000
!% 2010
!
|-
|White alone (NH)
|135
|1,383
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2,333
|79.41%
|67.99%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |48.89%
|-
|Black or African American alone (NH)
|31
|540
|style='background: #ffffe6; |1,851
|18.24%
|26.55%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |38.79%
|-
|Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)
|0
|8
|style='background: #ffffe6; |13
|0.00%
|0.39%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.27%
|-
|Asian alone (NH)
|0
|20
|style='background: #ffffe6; |115
|0.00%
|0.98%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |2.41%
|-
|Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH)
|0
|1
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6
|0.00%
|0.05%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.13%
|-
|Other race alone (NH)
|0
|2
|style='background: #ffffe6; |29
|0.00%
|0.10%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.61%
|-
|Mixed race or Multiracial (NH)
|0
|23
|style='background: #ffffe6; |201
|0.00%
|1.13%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.21%
|-
|Hispanic or Latino (any race)
|4
|57
|style='background: #ffffe6; |224
|2.35%
|2.80%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.69%
|-
|Total
|170
|2,034
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,772
|100.00%
|100.00%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |100.00%
|}
2020 census
As of the 2020 census, Blythewood had a population of 4,772. The median age was 40.9 years. 25.5% of residents were under the age of 18 and 14.1% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 93.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 89.6 males age 18 and over.
88.3% of residents lived in urban areas, while 11.7% lived in rural areas.
There were 1,661 households in Blythewood, of which 42.1% had children under the age of 18 living in them. There were also 920 families residing in the town.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 28% below the age of 19, 15% from 20 to 29, 8% 30-39, 16% 40-49, 18% 50-59 and 15% who were 60 years of age or older. The median age was 39.3 years. 49% male and 51% female.
Education
Blythewood has a public library, a branch of the Richland County Library.
The schools in Richland County School District Two located directly in Blythewood are as follows:
- Blythewood High School
- Westwood High School
- Blythewood Middle School
- Muller Road Middle School
- Bethel-Hanberry Elementary School
- Round Top Elementary School
- Langford Elementary School
- Kelly Mill Middle School
Infrastructure
Roads
Blythewood Road is one of the main thoroughfares, intersecting Interstate 77 at Exit 27.
U.S. Route 21 also goes through Blythewood, intersecting Interstate 77 at exit 24.
Notable people
- Amaré Barno - outside linebacker for the Carolina Panthers
- Justin Bethel - former defensive back and special teams player for the Miami Dolphins
- Elizabeth Hawley Gasque - first woman from South Carolina elected to the United States Congress
- Alex Huntley - an American football defensive tackle for the Miami Dolphins
- Cam Smith - an American football cornerback for the Miami Dolphins
- Brandon Wilds - former NFL running back
- Grayson Greiner - former MLB catcher
References
External links
- Town of Blythewood official website