Needs Assessment

For

Chesterfield County Coordinating Council 

Presented By

Tidwell and Associates, Inc. 

January 2005

 

 

Summary Findings:

Population

• Chesterfield County is culturally diverse with African Americans accounting for one-third of the population, making it the county's largest minority population
• The nonwhite population is growing at a faster rate than the white population, largely due to natural changes, which are birth and death rates, rather than people electing to move into the county.
• Population projections demonstrate continued and sustained positive growth through 2025, albeit nominal

Income and Poverty

• Chesterfield County residents, on average, make $8400 less, per year, than the average South Carolinian.
• There are prominent income disparities along racial lines among Chesterfield County wage earners.
• Approximately 1,400 Chesterfield County families make less than $10,000 per year, the largest number of families in any income group for the county.
• Twenty (20%) of all Chesterfield County residents have incomes at or below poverty.
• Poverty levels for minority populations are 2 to 3 times greater than for whites.
• One third of the total population fell into the Safety Net.  Children comprised a large portion of the population with almost 54% (53.94%) of children ages 1 to 14 years eligible for safety net benefits.  For non-white children ages 1 to 14 years, 80.42% were eligible for the safety net services; almost 56% of those 15 to 17 years were eligible.

Employment

• The unemployment rate for Chesterfield County is higher than the South Carolina average.

Housing

• There is an approximate 50% gap between whites and African Americans for home ownership.
• One third of Chesterfield County residents live in mobile homes, compared to one fifth of South Carolinians.

Education

• Chesterfield County is the 9^th worst county for the percent of its adult population with less than a ninth grade education.
• African American residents are less likely to be ready for the first grade than white residents.

Health (includes Mental Health and Alcohol and Drug Abuse)

• Infant mortality is greater for African American infants in Chesterfield County than white infants.
• More African American mothers receive less than adequate prenatal care than white mothers.
• One third of all children live in single, female-headed households in Chesterfield County
• There are low rates of drug and alcohol dependence in 18 to 24 year olds, but a sharp growth in those rates occur in the 25 to 34 year old cohort.
• The SC Department of Vocational Rehabilitation caseload is on the decline in Chesterfield County. (changing in 2005 per Dena Jordan, SCVR)
• The majority of DAODAS clients from Chesterfield County are enrolled in DUI Offender Programs
• The majority of DAODAS clients are white and male.
• Intakes at DAODAS are on the rise for youth.
• The rate of ER use for mental health and drug/alcohol use is higher for Chesterfield County residents than South Carolinians.
• More than half of the Chesterfield County residents presenting in the ER for attempting suicide had a mental health diagnosis.
• The overwhelming majority of inpatient hospitalization charges for mental health diagnoses are for Medicaid and Medicare.
• The majority of persons on Medicaid with the conditions of interest are diagnosed with mental illness, followed by drug and alcohol problems.  Very few are diagnosed with co-occurring disorders.
• Majority of Medicaid services for the conditions of interest occur in non-hospital settings.
• Some African Americans seek mental health services from different sources than whites.
• The top providers of mental health services, paid for by Medicaid, are nonprofit organizations, Department of Mental Health, DDSN, and private offices.
• The top providers of drug and alcohol services, paid for by Medicaid, are public but non-state government providers and Department of Mental Health
• The majority of persons served at the county’s mental health center are adults (89%) with mental health disorders (52%).
• More than 1,000 Chesterfield County residents eligible for Medicaid seek non-hospital services outside of their county.
• There are no private psychiatrists practicing in Chesterfield County.

Public Safety

• There is a relatively low crime rate in Chesterfield County.
• Approximately 20% of all arrests in Chesterfield County were due to drug laws (11%) and DUIs (20%).

 

Needs Assessment

For

Chesterfield County Coordinating Council

 

Table of Contents

				Page
I.	Notes About the Data Sources………………………………………..…			9
II.	Population Data…………………...……………………….……………			11
	i.    Overview…………………………………………………….……...			11
	ii.  Race and Hispanic Origin……………………………………………			11
	iii. Race and Gender………………...………………………………......			12
	iv. Age of Population……………………………………………………			13
	v.   Changes in Population………..……………………………..………			13
III..	Income and Poverty……………...………………………………...……			14
	i.    Per Capita Income……………………………………………...…...			14
	ii.  Household Income………………………………………………..…			14
	iii. Family Income………………...…………………………….……...			16
	iv. Poverty……………………………………………………………..			16
IV.	Employment…………………...………………………………………			19
V.	Housing………………………………………………………………...			21
VI.	Education…………………………………………………………….…			23
	i.   Adults 25 Years and Older…………...……………………………...			23
	ii. Children in Chesterfield County……………………………..………			24
VII.	Health (Also see Addendum A)…………………………………….…			28
	i.    Vital Statistics……………………………………………..………...			28
	ii.  Personal Behaviors………………………………………………..…			30
	iii. State Agency Service Utilization…...………………………..……...			31
	iv. Emergency Room……………………………………………………			36
	v.   Inpatient Hospitalizations…..…………………………………….…			37
	vi.   Medicaid Population Services.……………………………..………			40
	vii.   Health Professions Information……………………………………			53
VIII.	Public Safety and Criminal Justice...……………………………………			58
	i.    Criminal Activities…………………………………………..……...			58
	ii.  Driving Under the Influence……………………………………..…			58
IX.	Contact Information for Data Sources..………………………………...			61
XI	Index of Tables..…………………………………………………..…...
	Table 1	Population of Chesterfield County, 1940 - 2000 Censuses...		11
	Table 2	Population Projections for Chesterfield County……………		11
	Table 3	Chesterfield County Population by Race and Hispanic …… Origin, 2000		12
	Table 4	Percent Distribution of Population by Race and Hispanic … Origin, 2000		12
	Table 5	Distribution of Languages Spoken in Chesterfield ………... County and South Carolina, 2000		12
	Table 6	Chesterfield County Population by Sex and Race, 2000…..		12
	Table 7	Population and Percent of Population by Age for 2000……		13
	Table 8	Components of Population Change, 1990 – 2000………….		13
	Table 9	Components of Population Change by Race for…………… Chesterfield County, 1990 - 2000		13
	Table 10	Per Capita Income for Persons in 1999 by Race and ……… Hispanic Origin		14
	Table 11	Employed Persons 16 Years and Over by Sex and Median .. Earnings, 2000		14
	Table 12	Mean Income in 1999 by Income Type for Households……		15
	Table 13	Distribution of Chesterfield County Households by …….…           Income Group, 2000		15
	Table 14	Distribution of Chesterfield County Households Income …. Type, 1999		15
	Table 15	Median Family Income, 1979-2002………………………..		16
	Table 16	Percent Distribution and Rank of Key Income Indicators….		17
	Table 17	Persons and Percent of Persons Below Poverty Level …….. by Race and Hispanic Origin, 1999		17
	Table 18	Average Monthly Participation in Temporary …………….. Assistance for Needy Families and Food Stamp Programs, Fiscal Year 2000		17
	Table 19	Rank Order of Percent of Population Participating in …..… Temporary Assistance for Needy Families		18
	Table 20	Average Monthly Food Stamp Participation and …………. Benefits (in thousands), Fiscal Years 1997-2000		18
	Table 21	Percent of Persons 16 Years and Over in the Labor ………. Force by Sex, 1990 and 2000		19
	Table 22	Travel Time to Work from Place of Residence for ……...…   Workers 16 Years and Over in South Carolina		20
	Table 23	Establishments, Employees, and Annual Payroll, 1998 …… and 2000		20
	Table 24	Net Taxable Sales in South Carolina (in thousands), ……… 1996 – 2000		20
	Table 25	Total Number of Housing Units, 1980, 1990, and 2000……		21
	Table 26	Percent Owner and Renter Occupied Housing Units by ...… Race and County, 2000		21
	Table 27	Units in Structure for Total Housing Units, 2000…………..		22
	Table 28	Mobile Homes in Chesterfield County, 1960-2000………...		22
	Table 29	Selected Housing Characteristics for Occupied Housing….. Units, 2000		22
	Table 30	Percent Distribution and Rank Order of Chesterfield …..…. County Residents Education Level		23
	Table 31	Number and Percent of Persons with Higher Education……		23
	Table 32	Percentage of Persons 25 Years and Over with Less ……… Than a Ninth Grade Education, with a High School Diploma, or with Four or More Years of College, 1980, 1990, and 2000		24
	Table 33	Literacy Skill Levels, 1992…………………………………		24
	Table 34	South Carolina High School Enrollment, Dropouts, ……… Graduates, and Percent Graduates Entering Postsecondary Education or Gainful Employment, 1999-2000		25
	Table 35	2003 PACT Scores………………………………………….		26
	Table 36	2002 PACT Scores………………………………………….		26
	Table 37	Substance Abuser Rates at Levels of Academic …………... Performance		27
	Table 38	Infant Mortality, 2000………………………………………		28
	Table 39	Low Weight Live Births and Percent of Live Births,……… 1985, 1999, and 2000		28
	Table 40	Adequacy of Prenatal Care…………………………………		29
	Table 41	Number and Percent of Mothers with Less than …………... Adequate Prenatal Care		29
	Table 42	Persons with Disabilities Served and Rehabilitated by …… the SC Vocational Rehabilitation Department		31
	Table 43	Distribution of DAODAS Clients by Substance Problem….		31
	Table 44	DAODAS Unique Clients by Program, Fiscal Year 2001….		32
	Table 45	DAODAS Unique Clients by Race and Gender, ………….. Fiscal Year 2001		33
	Table 46	DAODAS Clients with Dual Diagnoses, Part I…………….		34
	Table 47	DAODAS Clients with Dual Diagnoses, Part II……………		34
	Table 48	SC Department of Mental Health Hospital Services ……… Admissions by Type of Commitment, Fiscal Year 2001		35
	Table 49	Description of Persons Served by Tri-County …………… Community Mental Health Center		36
	Table 50	Emergency Room Utilization for Selected Conditions……..		37
	Table 51	Inpatient Hospital Discharges for All Mental Health …...… Diagnoses		38
	Table 52	Inpatient Hospital Discharges for Alcohol Dependence .…. Syndrome		38
	Table 53	Inpatient Hospital Discharges for Drug Dependence………		38
	Table 54	Inpatient Hospital Discharges for Nondependent Use ……. of Drugs		39
	Table 55	Inpatient Hospital Discharges for All Other Mental ………. Health Disorders		39
	Table 56	Number and Percent Distribution of Chesterfield County ... Medicaid-Eligible Residents, by Age Group and Race, with the Conditions of Interest for 2000 through 2003.		40
	Table 57	Summary of Chesterfield County Residents Having a …..... Condition of Interest by Age Groupings, 2000 through 2003		41
	Table 58	Number of Chesterfield County Residents on Medicaid….. with the Conditions of Interest, by Age Group and Race for 2000 through 2003		43
	Table 59	Summary of Medicaid mental Health Services for ………... Chesterfield County Residents by Service Type Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis		45
	Table 60	Number of People with Medicaid Mental Health………….. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2000		46
	Table 61	Number of Services with Medicaid Mental Health …….…. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2000		47
	Table 62	Number of People with Medicaid Mental Health …………. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2001		48
	Table 63	Number of Services with Medicaid Mental Health ……….. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2001		49
	Table 64	Number of People with Medicaid Mental Health …………. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2002		50
	Table 65	Number of Services with Medicaid Mental Health ……….. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2002		50
	Table 66	Number of People with Medicaid Mental Health ………… Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2003		51
	Table 67	Number of Services with Medicaid Mental Health ……….. Services for Chesterfield County Residents by Race and Race and Provider Ownership, Where Mental Health or Alcohol/Drug was Primary Diagnosis in 2003		52
	Table 68	Summary of Medicaid Services for Chesterfield ………… County Residents by Service Type Where Services were Received Outside of County for Conditions of Interest as Primary Diagnosis for 2002 and 2003		53
	Table 69	Index Crime Rate and Inmate Admission for ……………... Chesterfield County, Fiscal Year 2000		56
	Table 70	County Crime Rates per 10,000 Population, 2000………….		56
	Table 71	DUI Descriptors in Chesterfield County, 2001……………..
	Table 72	Hospital and ER Indicators Due to Motor Vehicle ……….. Crashes		58
	Table 73	Injuries and Fatalities from DUIs in 2001………………….		59
XI	Index of Figures..…………………………………………………….....
	Figure 1		Distribution of Chesterfield County Families by……….. Income Group, 2000	16
	Figure 2		Unemployment Rates from Censuses………………...…..	19
	Figure 3		Marital Status of Persons 15 Years and Older……………	30
	Figure 4		Family Households with Related Children under ……….. 18 Years (2000)	30
	Figure 5		DAODAS Clients by Substance Problem (2002)………...	32
	Figure 6		DAODAS Clients by Substance Problems-Other ………. Drugs (2002)	32
	Figure 7		DAODAS Intakes by Fiscal Year………………………..	33
	Figure 8		DAODAS Intakes for Youth Age 6 Years to 17 ……..….. Years by State Fiscal Years	33
	Figure 9		Percent Distribution of Chesterfield County ……………. Residents on Medicaid with the Conditions of Interest by Age and Race for 2000 and 2001	41
	Figure 10		Physicians Employed in Chesterfield County, 2003….…..	54
	Figure 11		Physicians Practicing in Chesterfield County, 2003….…..	54
	Figure 12		Psychologists Employed in South Carolina, 2002……..…	55
	Figure 13		Social Workers Employed in South Carolina, 2002.……..	57
	Figure 14		Crashes Involving Alcohol or Drugs, Chesterfield………. County	59
Addendum A:  DAODAS Treatment Needs Assessment Data……………….....				61

 

Notes about the Data Sources

A variety of data sources were used in the compilation of this needs assessment.  A directory of these data sources with contact information is presented at the end of this document so that updates can be made.  As appropriate, data issues and concerns are described for each table, figure, or finding.  A brief description for each, however, is necessary so as to provide context to the interpretation of data presented in this document. 

Census & related products were used in ascertaining important county indicators.  The U.S. Census is conducted every ten years and reflects a geographic area’s description at that point in time.  Data from the census is only as good as what was collected.  With that said, there is a tendency to “undercount” minority populations such as African Americans and people of Hispanic origin.  This is due to population mobility, living arrangements, and legal residency.  Persons living in poverty, or are in the United States illegally, tend to be very mobile making it very difficult to accurately administer the census instruments.  In addition to the decennial census, South Carolina produces inter-censal products through surveys, questionnaires and projects based on previous years’ censuses.  These products contain the same weaknesses as the decennial census.

Presented in the needs assessment is Uniform Billing data, which is information submitted to the state from every hospital in South Carolina, as well as North Carolina and Georgia hospitals treating South Carolina residents.  This data is exceptionally helpful as it reflects 100% of all inpatient hospitalizations, emergency room visits, and outpatient surgeries for residents of South Carolina.  This is especially helpful for Chesterfield County since it borders North Carolina where some of its residents seek services.  The weakness of the data is that it only provides information on persons seeking hospital-based services.  Using it to gauge prevalence is not appropriate.  Also, because it is billing data, specific information on laboratory and other test results are not available.  Diagnoses, treatments, services, dates, insurance coverage, and charges are, however, available through Uniform Billing(UB) data making it an important resource for the needs assessment.

Like the UB data, Medicaid claims are also billing-based data.  It is different from UB data, however, in that information on pharmacy use, physician office visits, state agency service utilization, dental services, and ancillary services such as ambulance services is obtainable from Medicaid claims.  It provides comprehensive insight into the service utilization of persons meeting eligibility criteria.  Medicaid is an important resource for Chesterfield County because

it is a major health insurer for the residents.  It shares the same weaknesses as the UB data because it is a claims-based system.  Another weakness is population selectivity.  The majority of Medicaid recipients are children, pregnant women, and persons with mental illness and/or disabilities.  Adult men are underrepresented in the Medicaid system due to eligibility criteria. 

In addition to the census and claims data systems, there are also data in the needs assessment from a variety of state agencies.  When reading the data, it is important to remember that it is based on persons who seek their services.  Little is known about persons with mental illness or drug and alcohol problems who do not seek services or care with the exception of estimates of incidence based on national formulas.

Finally, the term “dual diagnosis” is mentioned frequently in the needs assessment.  Persons described as such are an important constituent in the system of care.  There is disagreement among service provides on how to define “dual diagnosis.”  When examining the data on “dual diagnoses” in the Medicaid and UB data tables, it is important to note that it is defined as having both a mental health and an alcohol or drug diagnosis at the same service encounter.  This means that in order for a person to be considered “dually diagnosed,” they had to have both diagnoses at the same time.  Having a mental health diagnosis in January 2000 and a drug or alcohol diagnosis in June 2000 did not meet the definition.  Representatives from the Department of Mental Health provided this definition.

Return to Table of Contents    Back to CCCC Resource Page  

 

 

 Population

 

As of April 1, 2000, Chesterfield County had a total population of 42,768 ranking 25^th out of 46 counties in population density (1^st is largest).  The county experienced a 10.9% change in population from the previous census in 1990.  Its total land area in square miles is 798.78 making it the 11^th largest county in the state.  What it has in land area, it lacks in population density per square mile.  These figures equate to 53.5 residents per square mile ranking Chesterfield County 31^st in the state for the indicator (1^st being the most dense). 

 

The tables below illustrate the population size for the last seven censuses, as well as population projections through the year 2025:

 

TABLE 1:  POPULATION OF CHESTERFIELD COUNTY: 1940 - 2000 CENSUSES
		1940	1950	1960	1970	1980	1990	2000
		35,963	36,236	33,717	33,667	38,161	38,577	42,768
Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract
	TABEL 2:  POPULATION PROJECTIONS FOR CHESTERFIELD COUNTY
		JULY 1, 1990	AS OF JULY 1,	AS OF JULY 1,	AS OF JULY 1,	AS OF JULY 1,	AS OF JULY 1,	AS OF JULY 1,
		CENSUS	2000	2005	2010	2015	2020	2025
		38,649	40,900	41,800	42,600	43,500	44,400	45,200

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

Population migration is a significant indicator of population growth and community viability.  From 2001 to 2002, Chesterfield County experienced a growth rate of 1%, or 438 persons.  Of the 438 new residents, 408 are due to natural increases (births and deaths) and 54 are due to net migration (moving patterns).  South Carolina experienced a population growth rate of 2.4% during the same time period.

 

Race and Hispanic Origin

Racial diversity exists in Chesterfield County.  Minority populations have higher representation in the county’s population in comparison to South Carolina or the United States.  Residents indicating that they are white represent approximately 64% of the population.  African Americans represent the second largest component at approximately 33%.  Hispanics represent approximately two and a half percent of the county’s population.  According to the state’s census agency, there is most likely a weakness in accurately counting that portion of the population due to biases in the administration of the 2000 census.  Table 3 demonstrates the racial diversity captured through the most recent census.

 

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

As stated previously, there appear to be flaws in the administration of the 2000 census that resulted in an undercount of Hispanic populations in South Carolina.  With that said, however, results on languages spoken at home are presented below.  It appears that Chesterfield County is comparable to the state in proportion of its residents who speak Spanish.

 

TABLE 5:  DISTRIBUTION OF LANGUAGES SPOKEN IN CHESTERFIELD COUNTY AND SOUTH CAROLINA, 2000

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

Race and Gender

Table 6 takes the information on racial diversity and differentiates between males and females.  Of the entire population, white males represent 31.5%, white females represent 32.8%, African American males represent 15.3%, African American females represent 17.9%, all other males represent 1.4% and all other females represent 1%.

 

TABLE 6:  CHESTERFIELD COUNTY POPULATION BY SEX AND RACE, 2000
		TOTAL		WHITE		BLACK		OTHER RACES
COUNTY		MALE	FEMALE	MALE	FEMALE	MALE	FEMALE	MALE	FEMALE
	Chesterfield	20,631	22,137	13,476	14,039	6,546	7,660	609	438

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

Age of Population

Of the 42,768 residents in Chesterfield County, 26.6% are under the age of 18 years.  This ranks Chesterfield County at 32^nd in the state, with the ranking of 1 being the highest.  Table 7 illustrates how the population compares against the state in its most basic age categories.  The age distribution of Chesterfield County residents is comparable to the entire state’s citizenry.

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

Changes in the Population

From the 1990 census to the most recent in 2000, Chesterfield County has demonstrated population growth in the amount of 4,193 persons.  The birth rate is higher than the death rate, which combined, reflects a natural increase.  According to Table 8, both the natural increase and net migration are positive.

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

Further dissecting these numbers, it appears that the nonwhite populations are growing at a faster rate than the white population.  Table 9 illustrates that more whites than nonwhites are migrating into Chesterfield County, but the natural increase for nonwhites is much greater than for whites.  This likely means that the birth rate for nonwhites is greater than for whites.

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

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 Income & Poverty

 

Per Capita Income

The economic success is an important part of a community’s viability.  It reflects its ability to attract new industry, the stability of its tax base, and general health status.  Table 10 compares Chesterfield County to South Carolina on per capita income.  On average, per capita income is higher in other places in South Carolina than Chesterfield County.  The income disparity is pronounced in each racial group with the exception of one.  Minority populations make less money than whites in both the county and the state.   

 

TABLE 10:  PER CAPITA INCOME FOR PERSONS IN 1999 BY RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN
LOCATION		PER CAPITA INCOME IN 1999
		TOTAL, ALL RACES
					AMERICAN		NATIVE
					INDIAN,		HAWAIIAN		HISPANIC
					ESKIMO,		& PACIFIC	OTHER	ORIGIN
			WHITE	BLACK	OR ALEUT	ASIAN	ISLANDER	RACE	1/
	Chesterfield	$14,233	$16,851	$9,448	$9,096	$16,537	$0	$12,185	$11,760
	SC	$18,795	$22,095	$11,776	$15,325	$20,541	$21,638	$10,473	$12,143

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

The sources of income are varied to include dividends, public assistance, retirement, and wages.  The Table 11 illustrates what employed persons in Chesterfield County earn through salaries and wages. 

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

The median earnings for the state as a whole are roughly 10% higher than in Chesterfield County.  Contributing to this earnings disparity is the percent and number of persons employed in each geographic area.  There are more than 3% fewer men and 5% fewer women employed in Chesterfield County than in South Carolina.  More information on employment is presented later.

 

Household Income

Household incomes can be more important indicators than personal incomes due to the lifestyles of many people.  For example, many people chose not to work in order to stay home and raise children or care for elderly parents.  These individuals are included in a per capita calculation.  Looking at the household level allows for inferences to be drawn on units of people who live together.  Table 12 compares South Carolina and Chesterfield County mean incomes and how those dollars are earned.  The average South Carolinian earns $8400 per year more than the average Chesterfield County resident. 

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

There are a total of 16,557 households in Chesterfield County.  The table below delineates the number of households in each income category.  Approximately 18% of the households in the county make less than $10,000 per year.

 

TABLE 13:  Distribution of Chesterfield County Households by Income Group, 2000

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics,  Statistical Abstract

 

Table 14 describes how the households in the county generated income in 1999.  The majority of income comes from wages.  The number of households in each category, will not equal the total because households can earn money from multiple sources. 

 

TABLE 14:  Distribution of Chesterfield County Residents by Household Income Type, 1999

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

The total number of households is different in the table below from the table above.  Sometimes when using census data, multiple sources of data feed different reports and it is not uncommon for there to be some variances in denominators, or the total number of interest.  It is important to note that the numbers in each income category will not total the number of households or the total number of households with earnings.  Some households did not earn any income and others could have earned income from multiple sources.

 

 

 

Family Income

The third layer of income earners that is available for analysis is the family.  Family is different from household because individuals in a household do not have to be related or dependents.  Table 15 illustrates how the median family income has changed since 1979.  It also compares growth in Chesterfield County to growth in South Carolina.  The median family income gap in 1979 was $2,569.  The gap has continued to grow such that in 2002 there was a gap of $7,300. 

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

Figure 1 illustrates the distribution of families by income group.  The two largest groups are those making less than $10,000 (1,385) and between $50,000 and $59,999 (1,275).

 

Figure 1:  Distribution of Families in Chesterfield County by Income Group, 2000

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

Poverty

Based on poverty indicators from the Census, Chesterfield County has poor rankings in comparison to other South Carolina counties, the state as a whole, and the nation.  In Chesterfield County, 20.3% of the residents lived below poverty in 1999, as compared to 14.1% of all persons in South Carolina and 12.4% of persons in the United States.  Out of 46 counties, Chesterfield County ranked 36 (46 = worst score) in percent of personal income.  Over 20% of households and almost 17% of families lived in poverty in 1999.  Both indicators gave Chesterfield County a ranking of 14 (1 = worst score) out of 46 for the percent of population living in poverty.  When focusing on families with children, nearly one in four families lived in poverty during the same year.  This is a striking comparison to 18.6% for South Carolina and 15.7% for the United States.  This score ranked Chesterfield County at 18 (1 = worst score) out of 46 counties.

 

TABLE 16:  Percent Distribution and Rank Order of Key Income Indicators

PER CAPITA				PERCENT OF HOUSEHOLDS		PERCENT OF FAMILIES		PERCENT OF FAMILIES
		PERSONAL		BELOW POVERTY		BELOW POVERTY		WITH CHILDREN BELOW
		INCOME IN 2000		LEVEL IN 1999		LEVEL IN 1999		POVERTY IN 1999
	COUNTY	DOLLARS	RANK	PERCENT	RANK	PERCENT	RANK	PERCENT	RANK
	Chesterfield	$14,233	36	20.3	14	16.9	14	24.9	18

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, 2000 Census & Statistical Abstract

 

From Table 16, over 20% of Chesterfield County residents had income levels at or below the poverty level.  Taking into consideration population changes and economic indicators, there has been 16.4% increase in poverty from 1989 to 1999.  This is striking when compared to the state, which experienced a growth of 5.8% during the same time period.  Broken down by race, the disparities become even more pronounced:

 

TABLE 17:  PERSONS AND PERCENT OF PERSONS BELOW POVERTY LEVEL BY RACE AND HISPANIC ORIGIN, 1999
		WHITE		BLACK		OTHER RACES		HISPANIC ORIGIN
		TOTAL	PERCENT	TOTAL	PERCENT	TOTAL	PERCENT	TOTAL	PERCENT
		BELOW	BELOW	BELOW	BELOW	BELOW	BELOW	BELOW	BELOW
COUNTY		POVERTY	POVERTY	POVERTY	POVERTY	POVERTY	POVERTY	POVERTY	POVERTY
	Chesterfield	3,459	12.8	4,833	34.7	269	25.4	259	34.0
	SC	224,339	8.6	298,418	26.4	25,112	19.6	22,440	25.4

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

The poverty levels for minority populations is 2 and 3 times greater than for whites.  The disparity that exists in poverty will reoccur in other indicators such as health care.

 

A key indicator of poverty is public assistance.  Two of the most well-known public assistance programs, Temporary Assistance to Needy Families (TANF) and food stamps, are administered by the Department of Social Services.  TANF is often times considered a modernized form of welfare.  For fiscal year 2000, there were over 500 recipients of TANF in Chesterfield County, 375 of which were children.  Over 5,000 persons received food stamps during the same time period.

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

Chesterfield County ranked 20^th (1 = worst score) in the state for the percent of population receiving both TANF and ranked 14^th for food stamp participation.  People needing TANF are considered to be the "poorest of the poor," due to the stringent eligibility requirements.  In order to be eligible, these people have truly hit "rock bottom."  Table 19 identifies counties who ranked comparably for both categories of service:

 

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

The average number of people eligible for food stamps has declined since 1997 when over 6,000 persons received over $400,000, on average, each month.  As of 2000, slightly more than 5,000 persons each month were eligible and received $361,000 each month.  It is difficult to account for the decline.  Improvements in the economy, compounded by state budget cuts could be contributors. 

 

TABLE 20:  AVERAGE MONTHLY FOOD STAMP PARTICIPATION & BENEFITS (IN THOUSANDS), FISCAL YEARS 1997 - 2000
		FISCAL YEAR 1997		FISCAL YEAR 1998		FISCAL YEAR 1999		FISCAL YEAR 2000
COUNTY		PERSONS	BENEFITS	PERSONS	BENEFITS	PERSONS	BENEFITS	PERSONS	BENEFITS
	Chesterfield	6,053	404	5,967	388	5,484	365	5,263	361

Source:  SC Budget & Control Board, Office of Research & Statistics, Statistical Abstract

 

Finally, Medicaid is another type of public assistance that improves access to health care services for poorer populations.   For fiscal year 1999 and 2000, there was a monthly average of 9,350 persons eligible for Medicaid.  That reflects a nearly six and half percent increase looking year to date.  With a little more than 40,000 persons in the county, this is a significant portion of the county's population.  Additionally, mothers and babies make up the largest share of people eligible for Medicaid.  More than half the county is female and about a fourth of it is comprised of children under the age of 18 years.  In that light, it becomes an even more significant number.

 

In South Carolina, the Safety Net population are those residents that either receive or were eligible to receive services from Medicaid, TANF, and Food Stamps.  In Chesterfield County in 1999, 30.3% of the total population fell into the Safety Net.  Children comprised a large portion of the population with almost 54% (53.94%) of children ages 1 to 14 years eligible for safety net benefits.  Just over half (50.14%) of the non-white population was eligible to receive services.  For non-white children ages 1 to 14 years, 80.42% were eligible for the safety net services;

almost 56% of those 15 to 17 years were eligible.

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 Employment

 

The number of residents in the workforce can yield several inferences about a community.  Low numbers can mean the community is largely unemployable due to reasons related to disabilities or age.  They can also mean that there is an insufficient number of jobs or employers available in the area.  For many historical reasons, such as the construction of Interstate 95, economic fluctuations, industrial growth and population migration, Chesterfield County has a slightly smaller workforce than in many other areas of South Carolina.  The county is a farming community with a large migrant labor force.  It also has a Wal-Mart Distribution Center and had several textile plants that have closed or seen significant job loss.  According to the SC Employment Security Commission, the unemployment rate in February 2004 rose to a startling 11.8%. 

 

Table 21 illustrates the changes in workforce during the last two Censuses.  Chesterfield County experienced a drop of approximately 4% from 1990 to 2000 in the percentage of persons in the workforce.  This trend was comparable for the state as a whole.  When comparing the county to the state, however, there appears to be slightly more persons in the workforce in other areas of the state than in Chesterfield County.

 

TABLE 21:  PERCENT OF PERSONS 16 YEARS AND OVER IN THE LABOR FORCE BY SEX,  1990 & 2000
		PERSONS	PERCENT OF PERSONS 16+			PERSONS	PERCENT OF PERSONS 16+
		16 YEARS	IN THE LABOR FORCE 1990			16 YEARS	IN THE LABOR FORCE 2000
COUNTY		& OVER 1990	TOTAL	MALE	FEMALE	& OVER 2000	TOTAL	MALE	FEMALE
	Chesterfield	29,220	63.8