National protected area

• Sumter National Forest (part)

State and local protected areas

• Chester State Park
• Landsford Canal Forest Legacy Area^[4]
• Landsford Canal State Park
• Woods Ferry Recreation Area

Major water bodies

• Broad River
• Catawba River
• Chester Reservoir
• Great Falls Lake
• Fishing Creek Lake

Adjacent counties

• York County – north
• Lancaster County – east
• Fairfield County – south
• Union County – west

Major highways

• I-77
• US 21
• US 321
• 
  US 321 Bus.
• SC 9
• 
  SC 9 Bus.
• SC 49
• SC 72
• SC 97
• SC 99
• SC 121
• SC 215
• SC 223
• SC 901
• SC 909

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, there were 32,294 people, 12,653 households, and 8,042 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 33,140 people, 12,876 households, and 9,073 families living in the county.^[11][9] The population density was 57.1 inhabitants per square mile (22.0/km²). There were 14,701 housing units at an average density of 25.3 units per square mile (9.8 units/km²).^[12] The racial makeup of the county was 59.8% white, 37.4% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.^[11] In terms of ancestry, 19.9% were American, 7.5% were Irish, 5.6% were English, and 5.1% were German.^[13]

Of the 12,876 households, 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.5% were married couples living together, 19.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.5% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 3.04. The median age was 40.3 years.^[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $32,743 and the median income for a family was $42,074. Males had a median income of $39,008 versus $27,701 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,687. About 18.6% of families and 21.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 30.0% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.^[14]

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[15] there were 34,068 people, 12,880 households, and 9,338 families living in the county. The population density was 59 people per square mile (23 people/km²). There were 14,374 housing units at an average density of 25 units per square mile (9.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 59.93% White, 38.65% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.25% from other races, and 0.55% from two or more races. 0.75% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 12,880 households, out of which 32.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.80% were married couples living together, 18.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.50% were non-families. 24.20% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.62 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 28.20% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 12.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 92.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $32,425, and the median income for a family was $38,087. Males had a median income of $30,329 versus $21,570 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,709. About 11.90% of families and 15.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.20% of those under age 18 and 14.90% of those age 65 or over.

Law enforcement

In 2021, Chester County Sheriff Alex Underwood was found guilty of conspiracy, wire fraud, deprivation of rights and federal program theft, and sentenced to one year in prison.^[16][17]

Politics

City

• Chester (county seat and largest community)

Towns

• Fort Lawn
• Great Falls
• Lowrys
• Richburg

Census-designated places

• Eureka Mill
• Gayle Mill

Unincorporated communities

• Blackstock
• Edgemoor
• Lando
• Leeds
• Wilksburg