More historic than 18% of U.S. towns · #108 of 169 in South Carolina. What drives it
Most of Burnettown was built recently: 6% of its homes predate 1940 and the median home dates from 1983. Below: maps from 1923 on and the census since 1950.
On its age, its old homes and the National Register, Burnettown is more historic than 18% of U.S. towns, #108 of 169 in South Carolina. Its share of homes from before 1940 holds the grade up; its National Register listings pull it down.
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HistoryA character grade: shown, never part of Burnettown’s overall grade.
South Carolina towns list more on the Register than most of the country (a typical South Carolina town has 3.2 per 10,000 residents, the U.S. 2.4), so Burnettown’s 0.0 sits below most of its state (23% of South Carolina towns have fewer) while its 0 listings outnumber those of 23% of U.S. towns.
How sure. Graded on two of the three inputs, so a change in either one moves the letter more than it would with three. The pre-1940 share is a Census survey estimate (±4.2 points).
Founding year: our sources. Homes: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register: National Park Service, May 2026 list; each listing counted once (boundary changes and added documentation belong to their listing), and a historic district counts its contributing buildings. How TownRatings grades history →
What stands out about Burnettown’s past
Read from the archive, the National Register and the record. The page puts what stands out first.
In 1890, Daniel Burnette purchased the land of what is now Burnettown on the side of a route between Augusta, Georgia, and Aiken, South Carolina. By 1901, Burnette had sold some lots to home builders.
From 1902 to 1929, the Aiken-Augusta Interurban Trolley Line ran through the valley. The area was referred to as “Mr. Burnette’s Land” by passengers wishing to make a stop.
On June 5, 1941, a charter was granted to incorporate Burnettown. At the time, it was the largest tract of land that a mill in the area did not own.
Burnettown is more historic than 18% of U.S. towns, #108 of 169 in South Carolina. The History grade combines the town’s founding era, the share of homes built before 1940 and its National Register listings. It’s a character grade, so it isn’t part of the overall grade. How it works.
How old are the homes in Burnettown?
6% of Burnettown’s homes were built before 1940 (Census estimate, ±4.2 points), against a typical 3.5% for a South Carolina town; the median home was built in 1983.
Founding dates: Wikidata, Wikipedia, the U.S. post office records of Blevins & Helbock (CC0) and the Census. Homes by year built: Census ACS 2020–24. National Register of Historic Places: National Park Service (list of May 22, 2026). Old photos, postcards and papers: Wikimedia Commons, the Library of Congress and other public archives, credited on each item’s page. Maps: U.S. Geological Survey historical topographic maps (via Esri) and Sanborn fire-insurance maps (Library of Congress). History text and census tables: Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Places that used to be: USGS Geographic Names Information System (2021).
From Wikimedia Commons (1), Wikipedia, U.S. Geological Survey historical maps, U.S. Census counts (via Wikipedia) and the USGS Geographic Names Information System. Archive images are copied here with their credits and licenses, shown on each photo’s page. Refreshed monthly.
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