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South of Charlotte, this county was founded by settlers from Lancaster County, Pa., in the 18th century, and is the birthplace of President Andrew Jackson (1767-1845). The county has three incorporated communities—Lancaster, Kershaw and Heath Springs—as well as eight townships. Bordered by the Catawba River and close to a number of lakes and waterways, the county is home to Springs Industries and the Andrew Jackson State Park. Although the county has been primarily agricultural, gold mining began there in the 1820s and textile manufacturing sprang up following the Civil War. Governor and U. S. Senator Stephen Decatur Miller (1787-1838), surgeon J. Marion Sims (1813-1883), industrialist Elliott White Springs (1896-1959), and astronaut Charles M. Duke, Jr. were all Lancaster County residents. County population: 65,500. Median household income: $43,600. Per capita income: $21,100.
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