Sumter - What's in a name? All southern counties named for Revolutionary War hero

Sumter County dots the map not only in South Carolina, but also in three other Southern states to include Alabama, Georgia and Florida. All are named for Gen. Thomas Sumter of our state, who was an American Revolutionary War hero.

Sumter County, Alabama, is by far the smallest with 12,345 residents as of the 2020 Census. Our Sumter County is the second largest behind Sumter County, Florida, which had 129,752 residents in 2020.

Although historically rural, Sumter County, Florida, has grown exponentially since the 1990s as a retirement community. Of all counties in the U.S., it has the oldest median age at 68.3 years old. (Share that fact with your friends!)

COUNTIES WITH THE SAME NAME AND THEIR CURRENT POPULATION

Sumter County, South Carolina, 105,556

Sumter County, Alabama, 12,345

Sumter County, Georgia, 29,616

Sumter County, Florida, 129,752

WHAT ABOUT CITIES AND TOWNS?

It may seem unusual, but there is only one city or town named Sumter in the U.S., and you are living in it. But, put a "P" in the name, and the U.S. Census Bureau has four Sumpters listed. All are relatively small, with Sumpter, Michigan, the largest with 9,660 residents. Sumpter, Arkansas, is the smallest with 119 people.

MUNICIPALITIES WITH SIMILAR NAMES AND THEIR POPULATION

City of Sumter, South Carolina, 43,463

Town of Sumpter, Arkansas, 119

Township of Sumpter, Michigan, 9,660

City of Sumpter, Oregon, 204

Town of Sumpter, Wisconsin, 1,055

And what is up with Sumterville?

According to online sources, there is one Sumterville in the U.S., and it is an unincorporated community in Sumter County, Florida. Given it is not designated as a city or town, the U.S. Census Bureau does not record the population in the community.