In the 1700s, the area that would become Chesterfield County was settled primarily by immigrants from England and Wales, as well as by smaller numbers of immigrants from County Antrim, Ireland, in what has since become Northern Ireland.

"[4] Under the post-American Civil War (1861–1865) state constitution of 1867, passed during the Reconstruction era, South Carolina districts became counties with home rule.

On April 10, 2020, a case of Influenza A virus subtype H7N3 was confirmed in what The Post and Courier described as "a commercial turkey flock" which resulted in the disinfecting & quarantine of the farm.

[7] Clemson University released the map of the control area for the first turkey farm infected by the virus on May 4.

25.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

It was represented by Democrat, and former 2010 candidate for governor, Vincent Sheheen, in District 27 until 2020.

[22][23][24] In the US House of Representatives, Chesterfield County is entirely located in South Carolina's 7th Congressional District.

As of the 2022 House elections, it is represented by Republican Russell Fry, who comes from Horry County.

Chesterfield County was formerly located in South Carolina's 5th Congressional District which was one of the seats that the Democrats lost to the Republicans during the 2010 election; before the 2010 election, congressman John M. Spratt had represented the district since 1983 but was defeated 55% to 45% by Republican Mick Mulvaney in 2010.

[26] In 2014, Sheriff Sam Parker was found guilty of charges that he used inmates for personal work and provided them contraband such as alcohol and an iPad.

[32] As of April 2024[update], some of the top employers in the county include Black+Decker, Chesterfield County School District, Crown Holdings, McLeod Health, Northeastern Technical College, and Walmart.

Golf is extremely popular and many local courses are frequented by visitors from throughout the region.

There is a lot of hunting and fishing in the swamps of the Black Creek and Lake Robinson.