Abbeville

Formed January 1, 1785 (5^th county)

Abbeville County (24,287), Abbeville (4,871)

The stately red brick Beaux Arts courthouse was built in 1908 and stands at the intersection of Main and Pickens streets.  South Carolina State Highway 28 passes in front of the site.  William Augustus Edwards is the courthouse architect.  The structure was renovated in 1964.  It features columns and veteran memorials are across the street.  The old Opera House sits next door.  Abbeville County was created on January 1, 1785 as the 5^th county with Abbeville as the only county seat.  The county and its county seat are named for Abbeville, France.  Abbeville County is the birthplace for 1 South Carolina Governor, Patrick Noble. 

Abbeville County government consists of a sheriff and 7 Council Members.  Three Circuit Court Judges and Two Family Court Judges serve Abbeville, Greenwood, Laurens, and Newberry counties.  Abbeville is located on the northwest border with Georgia.  The Savannah River forms its western border.  Columbia, South Carolina is east and Greenville, South Carolina is northeast of the county.  The county center is 5.7 miles West of Abbeville.  The county is surrounded clockwise by Greenville, Laurens, Greenwood, and McCormick counties and Georgia and Anderson County. 

The area of the county is 512 square miles.  It is 34 out of 46 in the state.  It ranks 37 out of 46 in population in the state.  It has a density of 47.4 persons per square mile making it 33 out of 46 in the state.  Abbeville County has 34.3% of its population in its incorporated areas.  United States Highway 178 crosses the northeast corner from Anderson County to Greenwood County.  The county is shaped like a small letter h.  The City of Abbeville is located in the southeast quarter of the county.  Abbeville is the county seat and the largest city.  It is 20.1% of the county population.

Ware Shoals