Anderson County, South Carolina
Anderson County | |
---|---|
Motto(s): "Experience, Excel, Enjoy In Anderson County, SC" | |
Coordinates: 34°31′N 82°38′W / 34.52°N 82.64°W | |
Country | United States |
State | South Carolina |
Founded | 1826 |
Named for | Robert Anderson |
Seat | Anderson |
Largest city | Anderson |
Area | |
• Total | 757 sq mi (1,960 km2) |
• Land | 715 sq mi (1,850 km2) |
• Water | 42 sq mi (110 km2) 5.5% |
Population | |
• Estimate (2021) | 206,908 |
• Density | 289.4/sq mi (111.7/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | 3rd |
Website | www |
Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2020 census, its population was 203,718.[1] Its county seat is Anderson.[2] Named for Revolutionary War leader Robert Anderson,[3] the county is located in northwestern South Carolina, along the state line of Georgia. 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
History
Anderson County was founded in 1826 after the dissolution of the Pendleton District and was named after Robert Anderson, an American Revolutionary War general. During the Civil War, the county became a center of ammunitions production for the Confederate States Army.[4] The county seat and largest city is Anderson; both the county and city are also located in the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Agriculturally, the county is ranked high in production. Its ranked first in the southeast, second in the south, and twenty-third in the United States according to the United States Department of Commerce. Cotton, corn, and various fruits and vegetables are grown along with a large poultry industry located the county.[5]
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.[6] Anderson County is in the Savannah River basin and the Saluda River basin.
State and local protected areas
Major water bodies
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 29 Bus.
US 29 Conn.- US 76
- US 178
US 178 Conn.- SC 8
- SC 20
SC 20 Conn.- SC 24
- SC 28
SC 28 Bus. (Anderson)
SC 28 Bus. (Pendleton)- SC 81
- SC 88
- SC 187
- SC 252
- SC 247
Major infrastructure
Demographics
Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
---|---|---|---|
1830 | 17,169 | — | |
1840 | 18,493 | 7.7% | |
1850 | 21,475 | 16.1% | |
1860 | 22,873 | 6.5% | |
1870 | 24,049 | 5.1% | |
1880 | 33,612 | 39.8% | |
1890 | 43,696 | 30.0% | |
1900 | 55,728 | 27.5% | |
1910 | 69,568 | 24.8% | |
1920 | 76,349 | 9.7% | |
1930 | 80,949 | 6.0% | |
1940 | 88,712 | 9.6% | |
1950 | 90,664 | 2.2% | |
1960 | 98,478 | 8.6% | |
1970 | 105,474 | 7.1% | |
1980 | 133,235 | 26.3% | |
1990 | 145,196 | 9.0% | |
2000 | 165,740 | 14.1% | |
2010 | 187,126 | 12.9% | |
2020 | 203,718 | 8.9% | |
2021 (est.) | 206,908 | [7] | 1.6% |
U.S. Decennial Census[8] 1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10] 1990–2000[11] 2010–2019[12] 2020[13] |
2020 census
Race / Ethnicity* | Pop 2010[14] | Pop 2020[15] | % 2010 | % 2020 |
---|---|---|---|---|
White alone (NH) | 147,362 | 152,396 | 78.75% | 74.81% |
Black or African American alone (NH) | 29,810 | 30,214 | 15.93% | 14.83% |
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 420 | 425 | 0.22% | 0.21% |
Asian alone (NH) | 1,384 | 2,404 | 0.74% | 1.18% |
Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 29 | 46 | 0.02% | 0.02% |
Some Other Race alone (NH) | 183 | 698 | 0.10% | 0.34% |
Mixed/Multi-Racial (NH) | 2,491 | 7,961 | 1.33% | 3.91% |
Hispanic or Latino | 5,447 | 9,574 | 2.91% | 4.70% |
Total | 187,126 | 203,718 | 100.00% | 100.00% |
* Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 203,718 people, 75,825 households, and 52,038 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 187,126 people, 73,829 households, and 51,922 families residing in the county.[16][12] 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).[17] 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.[16] In terms of ancestry, 15.9% were American, 13.6% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were German.[18]
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.[16]
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.[19]
Law and 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.[20]
Anderson County Councilmen are:[20]
- District 1: John B. Wright Jr. (North Anderson)
- District 2: Glenn A. Davis (South & East Anderson)
- District 3: S. Ray Graham (Belton/Starr/Iva area)
- District 4: Brett Sanders (Pendleton area)
- District 5: Tommy Dunn (West Anderson)
- District 6: Jimmy Davis (Powdersville area)
- District 7: M. Cindy Wilson (Williamston/Honea Path area)
The Anderson County Administrator is Rusty Burns.[21]
Operations
Anderson County has ten divisions:
- Administration
- Parks, Recreation & Tourism
- Central Services
- Economic Development
- Emergency Services
- EMS & Special Operations
- Environmental Services
- Finance
- Planning
- Transportation
Politics
Since the 1970s, Anderson County has been a rock-solid Republican bastion, with the party going on a streak of winning the county in each presidential election since 1984. The exceptions came in 1976 and 1980, when Southerner Jimmy Carter overwhelmingly captured the county in the former election and fairly solidly in the latter.
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2020 | 67,565 | 70.31% | 27,169 | 28.27% | 1,359 | 1.41% |
2016 | 56,232 | 69.87% | 21,097 | 26.21% | 3,154 | 3.92% |
2012 | 48,709 | 67.45% | 22,405 | 31.03% | 1,098 | 1.52% |
2008 | 48,690 | 65.99% | 24,132 | 32.70% | 965 | 1.31% |
2004 | 43,355 | 66.99% | 20,697 | 31.98% | 670 | 1.04% |
2000 | 35,827 | 63.21% | 19,606 | 34.59% | 1,248 | 2.20% |
1996 | 24,137 | 52.74% | 17,460 | 38.15% | 4,172 | 9.12% |
1992 | 24,793 | 51.68% | 16,072 | 33.50% | 7,106 | 14.81% |
1988 | 25,939 | 67.58% | 12,281 | 32.00% | 163 | 0.42% |
1984 | 24,123 | 69.54% | 10,324 | 29.76% | 244 | 0.70% |
1980 | 15,667 | 44.38% | 18,801 | 53.25% | 837 | 2.37% |
1976 | 9,496 | 33.14% | 19,002 | 66.32% | 156 | 0.54% |
1972 | 17,514 | 75.19% | 5,241 | 22.50% | 537 | 2.31% |
1968 | 5,661 | 24.33% | 5,218 | 22.43% | 12,384 | 53.23% |
1964 | 8,398 | 41.85% | 11,670 | 58.15% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 3,845 | 21.67% | 13,901 | 78.33% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 2,186 | 14.80% | 11,344 | 76.80% | 1,241 | 8.40% |
1952 | 3,338 | 22.25% | 11,664 | 77.75% | 0 | 0.00% |
1948 | 105 | 2.61% | 2,581 | 64.08% | 1,342 | 33.32% |
1944 | 89 | 2.99% | 2,687 | 90.23% | 202 | 6.78% |
1940 | 86 | 2.23% | 3,763 | 97.77% | 0 | 0.00% |
1936 | 26 | 0.64% | 4,025 | 99.36% | 0 | 0.00% |
1932 | 30 | 0.73% | 4,067 | 99.27% | 0 | 0.00% |
1928 | 61 | 3.31% | 1,780 | 96.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
1924 | 9 | 0.61% | 1,455 | 99.18% | 3 | 0.20% |
1920 | 33 | 1.31% | 2,489 | 98.69% | 0 | 0.00% |
1916 | 6 | 0.23% | 2,609 | 99.50% | 7 | 0.27% |
1912 | 25 | 1.10% | 2,158 | 95.28% | 82 | 3.62% |
1908 | 58 | 2.69% | 2,099 | 97.18% | 3 | 0.14% |
1904 | 66 | 3.27% | 1,952 | 96.73% | 0 | 0.00% |
1900 | 68 | 3.53% | 1,858 | 96.47% | 0 | 0.00% |
1896 | 368 | 10.53% | 3,109 | 88.98% | 17 | 0.49% |
1892 | 193 | 7.47% | 2,248 | 86.96% | 144 | 5.57% |
Economy
Early industry in the county was textile mills, processing southern cotton. In the 21st century, industry has diversified 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.[23]
Communities
Cities
- Anderson (County seat and largest city)
- 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
See also
- List of counties in South Carolina
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Anderson County, South Carolina
- South Carolina State Parks
References
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Anderson County, South Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
- ^ Federal Writers' Project (1941). Palmetto Place Names. Sloane Printing Co. p. 11.
- ^ "Anderson | county, South Carolina, United States | Britannica". www.britannica.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "Anderson County, South Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
- ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Anderson County, South Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
- ^ a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
- ^ "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Anderson County, South Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Anderson, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ "P2 HISPANIC OR LATINO, AND NOT HISPANIC OR LATINO BY RACE - 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Anderson, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 14, 2021.
- ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ "DP02 Selected Social Characteristics in the United States – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ "DP03 Selected Economic Characteristics – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
- ^ a b "County Council". Anderson County. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ "County Administrator". Anderson County. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
- ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
- ^ "Anderson County Development Partnership". Andersonpartnership.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 1999. Retrieved December 22, 2011.