Brick Pond | North Augusta, SC
Aiken County is the only county in the United States named "Aiken." Formed in 1871 by combining portions of Edgefield, Lexington, Orangeburg, and Barnwell counties, Aiken County was named for William Aiken, who was the first president of the South Carolina Railroad and Canal Company. Mr. Aiken reportedly never visited the County. Aiken County Government History.
The 2010 Census counted 160,099 persons living in the County, an increase of about 18,000 from 2000. Aiken is the fourth largest South Carolina county by land area, and its size of 1,073 square miles is 28 square miles larger than the state of Rhode Island.
Clemson Extension's website points out that Aiken County is located midway between the mountains and the coast and is bordered by the Savannah River on the west, Edgefield and Saluda Counties on the north, Barnwell and Orangeburg Counties on the southeast and by Lexington County on the east. Aiken County consists of 704,000 acres, of which 73,000 acres are part of the U. S. Department of Energy's Savannah River Site. The City of Aiken is the county seat.
Aiken County's major crops are cotton, corn, bermudagrass, hay, soybeans, timber, and peaches. Other crops include peanuts, small grains, and watermelons. Beef cattle, hogs, chickens, and horses are the most common farm animals. Aiken is a major racehorse training area and is famous for its Triple Crown, which consists of the Aiken Trials, the Steeplechase, and the High Goal Polo Game.
Aiken County enjoys a mild climate with an average winter temperature of 48°F and an average summer temperature of 79°F. The average daily maximum temperature is 90°F. The annual precipitation averages 48 inches with the majority falling between April and September. Average seasonal snowfall is 2 inches and average relative humidity is 50%.
Several industrial parks, owned by Aiken County, the City of Aiken, or the City of North Augusta, are available for new and expanding companies. The Aiken-Edgefield Economic Development Partnership coordinates industrial recruitment efforts in Aiken County.
Education in Aiken County is provided by the Aiken County School District and private schools. Post-secondary educational opportunities include the University of South Carolina at Aiken and Aiken Technical College.
Ground transportation is available in Aiken County. Aiken County's Best Friend Express provides local bus travel in and between Aiken and North Augusta, with connections to the Augusta Public Transit bus system. Greyhound Bus Lines provides out-of-County bus travel from its station in Aiken. Interstate 20 travels across Aiken County to connect with Columbia and points east, and Augusta and points west. The extension of I-520 to I-20 near Exit 5 has been completed. Other major highways include US-1, SC-19, US-25, US-78, and US-278. The SC Department of Transportation is responsible for maintenance on all State roads. Their website includes status of current road conditions in Aiken County. Road maintenance on other roads and streets is the responsibility of either Aiken County's Public Works Department, the Public Works Departments of City of Aiken or City of North Augusta, or private citizens depending on the road.
Scheduled air service is available through the Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Chartered and other airport services are available at the City of Aiken Municipal Airport.
Aiken State Park
Have you been selected for jury duty? Read about information on the jury process, and how to get updated information on your required duty.
If you're not registered to vote, you can visit the Registration & Elections office in Aiken.
Public records are issued and maintained by several County and State offices. Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court, which also processes wills and probate matters. Child support, divorce, and custody cases are handled in Family Court, with the Clerk of Court maintaining those records. Birth and death certificates are available from the SC Department of Environmental Control, known locally as the Aiken County Health Department.
Driver's licenses are issued by the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), with locations in Aiken and North Augusta. SCDMV also handles vehicle registrations. Hunting and fishing licenses are issued by the SC Department of Natural Resources. Recreational opportunities abound, with many activities organized by active recreation staffs at Aiken County, the City of Aiken, and the City of North Augusta. The South Carolina Parks, Recreation, & Tourism department supports two State Parks in Aiken County: Redcliffe Plantation and the Aiken State Natural Area. The Aiken-Barnwell-Bamberg-Edgefield (ABBE) Regional Library System operates public libraries in Aiken, Jackson, Midland Valley, New Ellenton, North Augusta, and Wagener. ABBE also operates a bookmobile. You can search their online catalog and get more info by visiting the ABBE Regional website. Education in Aiken County is provided by the Aiken County School District and private schools. Post-secondary educational opportunities include the University of South Carolina at Aiken and Aiken Technical College. Public Education Partners is a local education foundation that serves Aiken County Public schools. Ground transportation is available in Aiken County. The Best Friend Express provides local bus travel in and between Aiken and North Augusta, with connections to the Augusta Public Transit bus system. The Dial-a-Ride service is provided for qualifying persons with special needs. Tri-Development Center and Aiken Area Council on Aging also provide information on local transportation for qualifying persons. Greyhound Bus Lines provides out-of-County bus travel from its station in Aiken. Interstate 20 travels across Aiken County to connect with Columbia and points east, and Augusta and points west. I-520 connects with I-20 at exit 6 in North Augusta. Other major highways include US-1, SC-19, US-25, US-78, and US-278. The SC Department of Transportation is responsible for maintenance on all State roads. Their website includes status of current road conditions in Aiken County. Road maintenance on other roads and streets is the responsibility of either Aiken County's Public Works Department, the Public Works Departments of City of Aiken or City of North Augusta, or private citizens depending on the road. Scheduled air service is available through the Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Chartered and other airport services are available at the City of Aiken Municipal Airport.
Aiken County, with its large land area, is served by several utility and franchised companies for services including electric, natural gas, water and sewer, and telephone.
Langley Pond
We are glad you are visiting us. There are many things for you to do or see while enjoying your visit in Aiken County. Download the Official Aiken County Visitor's Guide.
Some of the attractions you shouldn't miss while here in Aiken County are Hopeland Gardens, the Aiken County Historical Museum at Banksia, Hitchcock Woods, Redcliffe Plantation, the Dupont Planetarium, the Thoroughbred Hall of Fame and the Silver Bluff Audubon Center and Sanctuary.
Aiken County has a wide variety of events occurring all year long. Some of the many events are the Chitlin’ Strut in Salley and the Sassafras Festival in Burnettown in the fall, the Christmas Lights at Hopeland Gardens in December, and Aiken’s Triple Crown in the spring.
Various equine events, including cutting horse events, horse shows, and polo matches, occur all during the year at different venues throughout the county. Rowing and jet ski events are held on Langley Pond in Langley. The Battle of Aiken Civil War reenactment takes place in February each year. The Lobster Races in the Alley in downtown Aiken during May draw quite a crowd. You will find a diverse selection of cultural events, concerts and productions taking place in Aiken County during the year. Productions and concerts are presented at USC Aiken’s Etheridge Center on the campus of the university. The Aiken Community Playhouse located in their new facility in downtown Aiken has several productions during the year. Every summer there are concerts and events at Hopeland Gardens during their Summer Concert Series.
Ground transportation is available in Aiken County. Aiken County's Best Friend Express provides local bus travel in and between Aiken and North Augusta, with connections to the Augusta Public Transit bus system. The Dial-a-Ride service is provided for qualifying persons with special needs. Greyhound Bus Lines provides out-of-County bus travel from its station in Aiken. Interstate 20 travels across Aiken County to connect with Columbia and points east, and Augusta and points west.
Other major highways include I-520, US-1, SC-19, US-25, US-78, and US-278. The SC Department of Transportation is responsible for maintenance on all State roads. Their website includes status of current road conditions in Aiken County.
Scheduled air service is available through the Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Chartered and other airport services are available at the City of Aiken Municipal Airport.
Aiken County Government Center
The County normally has several job openings available to qualified applicants, as do the City of Aiken and the City of North Augusta. The South Carolina OneStop Job Center offers many great resources to assist you in your search for new and better employment.
State government provides helpful information to new and existing businesses at their Business One-Stop website, their Business site at SCBOS.SC.GOV, and at the SC Department of Commerce website. Business licenses are required in some of the incorporated areas of the County, but are not required in the unincorporated areas.
Public records are issued and maintained by several County and State offices. Marriage licenses are issued by the Probate Court, which also processes wills and probate matters. Child support, divorce, and custody cases are handled in Family Court, with the Clerk of Court maintaining those records. Birth and death certificates are available from the SC Department of Environmental Control, known locally as the Aiken County Health Department.
Driver's licenses are issued by the SC Department of Motor Vehicles (SCDMV), with locations in Aiken and North Augusta. SCDMV also handles vehicle registrations. Hunting and fishing licenses are issued by the SC Department of Natural Resources.
Several industrial parks, owned by Aiken County, the City of Aiken, or the City of North Augusta, are available for new and expanding companies. The Aiken-Edgefield Economic Development Partnership coordinates industrial recruitment efforts in Aiken County.
Ground transportation is available in Aiken County. The Best Friend Express provides local bus travel in and between Aiken and North Augusta, with connections to the Augusta Public Transit bus system. Greyhound Bus Lines provides out-of-County bus travel from its station in Aiken. Interstate 20 travels across Aiken County to connect with Columbia and points east, and Augusta and points west. The extension of I-520 to US 1 in North Augusta was completed in 2004, with funding being sought to continue this new Palmetto Parkway to I-20 near Exit 5. Other major highways include US-1, SC-19, US-25, US-78, and US-278. The SC Department of Transportation is responsible for maintenance on all State roads. Their website includes status of current road conditions in Aiken County. Road maintenance on other roads and streets is the responsibility of either Aiken County's Public Works Department, the Public Works Departments of City of Aiken or City of North Augusta, or private citizens depending on the road.
Scheduled air service is available through the Augusta Regional Airport (AGS) and the Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE). Chartered and other airport services are available at the City of Aiken Municipal Airport.
Aiken County, with its large land area, is served by several utility and franchised companies for services including electric, natural gas, water and sewer, and telephone
Aiken County Employment Opportunities
All applications for external postings are received at Aiken County Government (1930 University Parkway in Aiken) or at the SC Works Center (1571 Richland Ave East in Aiken). All applications must be received by the posted deadline specified in the job listing for the vacancy. Where there is no date, the position will be posted until it is filled. Applications will only be accepted for positions that are currently vacant.
To apply for Aiken County Sheriff's Office positions such as Dispatcher, Detention Officer, or Deputy Sheriff, please complete the Sheriff's Office Job Application. To apply for all other Aiken County Government jobs, please use the County's Job Application form.
Aiken County is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
If you're having problems with or questions about this website, please email the County's Webmaster: webmanager@aikencountysc.gov
If you're not sure where to go, please stop by the Service Center on the second floor, or call during regular office hours: 803.642.1500
Government Center, 1930 University Pkwy | Aiken, SC 29801 Aiken County Government | © 2024