Town of Summerville Planning Area - BCD Council of Governments

Population ElementPopulation Trends and ProjectionsThe Town of Summerville has experienced an increased rate of growth over the last two decades. Figure P1identifies an increase in population and includes a projected population for the year 2010. The Townexperienced dramatic growth in the 1980’s, a 254% increase between 1980 and 1990. Although that dramaticpopulation increase has slowed, the Town’s population continues to grow rapidly, increasing a projected 67%between 2000 and 2010.50,00045,00040,00035,00030,00025,00020,00015,00010,0005,0000Figure P1: Population Trends, Summerville6,37122,53727,75246,3801980 1990 2000 2010Source: 1980,1990, & 2000 US CensusPlease Note: 2010 population projection based on BCD COG Traffic Analysis Zone ProjectionsIn the past decade, Dorchester County has grown faster by rate of population increase than any other county inthe state. Between 2000 and 2007, Summerville’s population increased by 52%. This increase is significant whencompared to other municipalities in Dorchester County and population growth for unincorporated DorchesterCounty. The trend of steady growth, however, is common among them all, as identified in Figure P2.60%50%40%30%20%10%0%Figure P2: Population Increase Comparison, 2000‐+52%2007+20%Summerville Ridgeville+1%+28%St. George DorchesterCounty+10%SouthCarolinaSource 2000 US Census& 2007 US Census Population EstimatesPopulation growth in Summerville can be attributed to a combination of the annexation of formallyunincorporated land and successive residential development within the expanding Town limits. This trend isPopulation Element Page 1