Supriya Ghosh (Editor)

Anderson County, South Carolina

Updated on
Edit
Like
Comment
Share on FacebookTweet on TwitterShare on LinkedInShare on Reddit
Named for
  
Robert Anderson

Congressional district
  
3rd

Area
  
1,961 km²

Population
  
190,641 (2013)

Largest city
  
Anderson

Time zone
  
Eastern: UTC-5/-4

Founded
  
1826

County seat
  
Anderson


Website
  
www.andersoncountysc.org

Destinations
  
Clemson, Lake Hartwell, Anderson, Piedmont

Colleges and Universities
  
Anderson University, Tri‑County Technical College, Forrest Junior College, Kenneth Shuler School of

Points of interest
  
Lake Hartwell, Sadlers Creek State Park, Carolina Wren Park, Woodburn, Anderson County Museum

Mclaughlin body company comes to anderson county south carolina


Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 187,126. Its county seat is Anderson. Named for Revolutionary War leader Robert Anderson, the county is located in northwestern South Carolina, along the Georgia border.

Contents

Map of Anderson County, SC, USA

Anderson County is included in the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Anderson County contains 55,950-acre (226 km2) Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake with nearly 1,000 miles (2,000 km) of shoreline for residential and recreational use. The area is a growing industrial, commercial and tourist center. It is the home of Anderson University, a private, selective comprehensive university of approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 757 square miles (1,960 km2), of which 715 square miles (1,850 km2) is land and 42 square miles (110 km2) (5.5%) is water. Anderson County is in the Savannah River basin and the Saluda River basin.

Adjacent counties

  • Pickens County – north
  • Greenville County – northeast
  • Laurens County – east
  • Abbeville County – south
  • Elbert County, Georgia – southwest
  • Hart County, Georgia – west
  • Oconee County – northwest
  • Major highways

  • I-85
  • US 29
  • US 76
  • US 178
  • Demographics

    As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 187,126 people, 73,829 households, and 51,922 families residing in the county. The population density was 261.6 inhabitants per square mile (101.0/km2). There were 84,774 housing units at an average density of 118.5 per square mile (45.8/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 80.1% white, 16.0% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 15.9% were American, 13.6% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were German.

    Of the 73,829 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 39.7 years.

    The median income for a household in the county was $42,871 and the median income for a family was $53,229. Males had a median income of $41,885 versus $30,920 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,117. About 12.4% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.

    Government

    Anderson County has a Council-Administrator form of government under South Carolina law. County Council members are elected from seven single-member districts for two-year terms. All seven council seats are open for election every two years.

    Anderson County Councilmen are:

  • District 1: Craig Wooten (R-North Anderson)
  • District 2: Gracie Floyd (D-South & East Anderson)
  • District 3: Ray Graham (R-Belton/Starr/Iva area)
  • District 4: Tom Allen (R-Pendleton area)
  • District 5: Tommy Dunn (R-West Anderson)
  • District 6: Ken Waters (R-Powdersville area)
  • District 7: M. Cindy Wilson (R-Williamston/Honea Path area)
  • The Anderson County Administrator is Rusty Burns.

    Operations

    Anderson County has ten divisions:

  • Administration
  • Parks, Recreation & Tourism
  • Central Services
  • Economic Development
  • Emergency Services
  • EMS & Special Operations
  • Environmental Services
  • Finance
  • Planning
  • Transportation
  • Economy

    Early industry in the county was textile mills, processing southern cotton. In the 21st century, industry has divesified with more than 230 manufacturers, including 22 international companies. The top major industries in Anderson include manufacturers of automotive products, metal products, industrial machinery, plastics, publishing and textiles. Two industries that many times interconnect are the plastic and automotive sectors. There are more than 27 BMW suppliers in the upstate, which is recognized internationally as an automotive supplier hub. The plastic industry has a strong presence in the upstate, with 244 plastic companies located within the 10 counties of the northwest corner of SC. Anderson County has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry, with 27 plastic companies located within its borders.

    Cities

  • Anderson
  • Belton
  • Clemson (mostly in Pickens County)
  • Easley (mostly in Pickens County)
  • Towns

  • Honea Path (partly in Abbeville County)
  • Iva
  • Pelzer
  • Pendleton
  • Starr
  • West Pelzer
  • Williamston
  • Census-designated places

  • Centerville
  • Fair Play (mostly in Oconee County)
  • Homeland Park
  • Northlake
  • Piedmont (partly in Greenville County)
  • Powdersville
  • Unincorporated communities

  • Aaron
  • La France
  • Sandy Springs
  • Townville (partly in Oconee County)
  • Craytonville
  • References

    Anderson County, South Carolina Wikipedia