SOUTH CAROLINA FARM NUMBERS UNCHANGED
FROM PREVIOUS YEAR
Columbia, S.C., February 2, 2005: The number of farms in SOUTH CAROLINA in 2004 is estimated at 24,400, unchanged from 2003, and down 100 from the 24,500 in 2002, the USDA NASS South Carolina Statistical Office announced today. Total land in farms for 2004 is 4.85 million acres, unchanged from 2003 and 2002. The average size of farms in 2004 was 199 acres, unchanged from 2003 and 2002. Farms with $100,000 or more in sales totaled 1,800 in 2004, accounting for 7.4 percent of all farms and an increase of 100 farms from 2003.
NUMBER OF FARMS, LAND IN FARMS, AND AVERAGE SIZE, SOUTH CAROLINA,1999 - 2004 1/
YEAR |
SOUTH CAROLINA |
||
Number of Farms |
Land in Farms |
Average Size Farms |
|
|
- Number - |
- Thou. Acres - |
- Acres - |
1999 |
25,000 |
4,940 |
198 |
2000 |
24,200 |
4,910 |
203 |
2001 |
24,400 |
4,880 |
200 |
2002 |
24,500 |
4,850 |
199 |
2003 |
24,400 |
4,850 |
199 |
2004 2/ |
24,400 |
4,850 |
199 |
1/ A farm is any establishment from which $1,000 or more of agricultural products were sold or would normally be sold during the year. 2/ Preliminary.
The number of farms in the UNITED STATES in 2004 is estimated at 2.11 million, 0.6 percent fewer than in 2003. Total land in farms, at 936.6 million acres, decreased 2.25 million acres, or 0.2 percent, from 2003. The average size farm during 2004 was 443 acres, an increase of two acres from the previous year. The decline in the number of farms and land in farms continues to reflect consolidation in farming operations and transfers of agricultural land to competing uses. Texas leads the nation in number of farms.
For additional information call: Robert A. Graham, Director
Steve Pavlasek, Deputy Director