Hampton County was born in 1878 after a petition of citizens asked that the area be cut off from the Beaufort District. When the geographic center of the county was determined to be unsuitable for the county seat, the area known as Hoover's Station was selected. The land for the courthouse, jail, and other buildings was donated by Colonel George Hoover, Mrs. Josephine Lewis Hoover, Major W.H. Mauldin and Captain A.A. Browning.
The town is located in the northeastern section of the county. Major highways through the town include Highway 278, Highway 601, and Highway 363.