Anderson County, South Carolina

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, 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

Anderson County
County
Anderson County Courthouse
Anderson County Courthouse
Flag of Anderson County
Flag
Official seal of Anderson County
Seal
Official logo of Anderson County
Logo
Motto(s): 
"Experience, Excel, Enjoy In Anderson County, SC"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Anderson County
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
Map of the United States highlighting South Carolina
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°31′N 82°38′W
Country United States
State South Carolina
Founded1826
Named forRobert Anderson
SeatAnderson
Largest communityAnderson
Area
 • Total755.76 sq mi (1,957.4 km2)
 • Land713.85 sq mi (1,848.9 km2)
 • Water41.91 sq mi (108.5 km2)  5.55%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total203,718
 • Estimate 
(2022)
209,581
 • Density285.38/sq mi (110.19/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district3rd
Websitewww.andersoncountysc.org

History
See also: Anderson, South Carolina § History; and Blaine, South Carolina

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 755.76 square miles (1,957.4 km2), of which 713.85 square miles (1,848.9 km2) is land and 41.91 square miles (108.5 km2) (5.55%) 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

Major highways

Major infrastructure

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
183017,169—
184018,4937.7%
185021,47516.1%
186022,8736.5%
187024,0495.1%
188033,61239.8%
189043,69630.0%
190055,72827.5%
191069,56824.8%
192076,3499.7%
193080,9496.0%
194088,7129.6%
195090,6642.2%
196098,4788.6%
1970105,4747.1%
1980133,23526.3%
1990145,1969.0%
2000165,74014.1%
2010187,12612.9%
2020203,7188.9%
2022 (est.)209,581[1]2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010[12] 2020[1]

2020 census
Anderson County, South Carolina – Racial and Ethnic Composition
(NH = Non-Hispanic)
Note: the U.S. 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 may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity* Pop 2010[13] Pop 2020[14] % 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%

As of the 2020 census, there were 203,718 people, 75,825 households, and 52,038 families residing in the county.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 187,126 people, 73,829 households, and 51,922 families residing in the county.[15][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).[16] 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.[15] In terms of ancestry, 15.9% were American, 13.6% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were German.[17]

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.[15]

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.[18]

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.[19]

Anderson County Councilmen are:[19]

  • 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.[20]

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.

United States presidential election results for Anderson County, South Carolina[21]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
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.[22]

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

See also

References
  1. "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Anderson County, South Carolina". www.census.gov. Retrieved June 11, 2022.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Federal Writers' Project (1941). Palmetto Place Names. Sloane Printing Co. p. 11.
  4. "Anderson". www.britannica.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  5. "Anderson County, South Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  6. "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  7. "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  10. Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  11. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  12. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  13. "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.
  14. "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.
  15. "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.
  16. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  17. "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.
  18. "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.
  19. "County Council". Anderson County. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  20. "County Administrator". Anderson County. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  21. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  22. "Anderson County Development Partnership". Andersonpartnership.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 1999. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
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