Anderson County, South Carolina

Last updated

Anderson County
County
Andersoncourthouse2017.jpg
Anderson County Courthouse
Anderson County Flag.png
Flag
Anderson County Seal.jpg
Seal
Anderson County Logo.png
Logo
Motto(s): 
"Experience, Excel, Enjoy In Anderson County, SC"
Map of South Carolina highlighting Anderson County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
South Carolina in United States.svg
South Carolina's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 34°31′N82°38′W / 34.52°N 82.64°W / 34.52; -82.64
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of South Carolina.svg South Carolina
Founded1826
Named after Robert Anderson
Seat Anderson
Largest communityAnderson
Area
 • Total
755.76 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)
 • Total
203,718
 • Estimate 
(2024)
217,183 Increase2.svg
 • Density270/sq mi (100/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 3rd
Website www.andersoncountysc.org

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. The county is included in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC metropolitan statistical area. [4] Anderson County contains 55,950-acre (22,640 ha) Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake with nearly 1,000 miles (1,600 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 with about 4,000 undergraduate and graduate students. [5]

Contents

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. [6] The county seat and largest city is Anderson; both the county and city are also located in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer metropolitan statistical area. [4] Agriculturally, the county is ranked first in the southeast, second in the south, and 23rd 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. [7]

Geography

Anderson County, South Carolina
Interactive map of Anderson County

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 755.76 square miles (1,957.4 km2), of which 41.91 square miles (108.5 km2) (5.55%) are covered by water. [8] 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%±
1830 17,169—
1840 18,4937.7%
1850 21,47516.1%
1860 22,8736.5%
1870 24,0495.1%
1880 33,61239.8%
1890 43,69630.0%
1900 55,72827.5%
1910 69,56824.8%
1920 76,3499.7%
1930 80,9496.0%
1940 88,7129.6%
1950 90,6642.2%
1960 98,4788.6%
1970 105,4747.1%
1980 133,23526.3%
1990 145,1969.0%
2000 165,74014.1%
2010 187,12612.9%
2020 203,7188.9%
2024 (est.)217,183 [10] 6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [11]
1790–1960 [12] 1900–1990 [13]
1990–2000 [14] 2010 [15] 2020 [1]

2020 census

Anderson County, South Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition
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 (NH = Non-Hispanic)Pop 2010 [16] Pop 2020 [17] % 2010% 2020
White alone (NH)147,362152,39678.75%74.81%
Black or African American alone (NH)29,81030,21415.93%14.83%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)4204250.22%0.21%
Asian alone (NH)1,3842,4040.74%1.18%
Pacific Islander alone (NH)29460.02%0.02%
Some other race alone (NH)1836980.10%0.34%
Multiracial (NH)2,4917,9611.33%3.91%
Hispanic or Latino 5,4479,5742.91%4.70%
Total187,126203,718100.00%100.00%

As of the 2020 census, 203,718 people, 75,825 households, and 52,038 families were 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. [18] [15] 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). [19] 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. [18] In terms of ancestry, 15.9% were American, 13.6% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were German. [20]

Of the 73,829 households, 33.3% had children under 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were not 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. [18]

The median income for a household in the county was $42,871 and 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 18 and 10.2% of those 65 or over. [21]

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. [22]

Anderson County councilmen are: [22]

The Anderson county administrator is Rusty Burns. [23]

Operations

Anderson County has 10 divisions:

Politics

United States presidential election results for Anderson County, South Carolina [24]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
1892 1937.47%2,24886.96%1445.57%
1896 36810.53%3,10988.98%170.49%
1900 683.53%1,85896.47%00.00%
1904 663.27%1,95296.73%00.00%
1908 582.69%2,09997.18%30.14%
1912 251.10%2,15895.28%823.62%
1916 60.23%2,60999.50%70.27%
1920 331.31%2,48998.69%00.00%
1924 90.61%1,45599.18%30.20%
1928 613.31%1,78096.69%00.00%
1932 300.73%4,06799.27%00.00%
1936 260.64%4,02599.36%00.00%
1940 862.23%3,76397.77%00.00%
1944 892.99%2,68790.23%2026.78%
1948 1052.61%2,58164.08%1,34233.32%
1952 3,33822.25%11,66477.75%00.00%
1956 2,18614.80%11,34476.80%1,2418.40%
1960 3,84521.67%13,90178.33%00.00%
1964 8,39841.85%11,67058.15%00.00%
1968 5,66124.33%5,21822.43%12,38453.23%
1972 17,51475.19%5,24122.50%5372.31%
1976 9,49633.14%19,00266.32%1560.54%
1980 15,66744.38%18,80153.25%8372.37%
1984 24,12369.54%10,32429.76%2440.70%
1988 25,93967.58%12,28132.00%1630.42%
1992 24,79351.68%16,07233.50%7,10614.81%
1996 24,13752.74%17,46038.15%4,1729.12%
2000 35,82763.21%19,60634.59%1,2482.20%
2004 43,35566.99%20,69731.98%6701.04%
2008 48,69065.99%24,13232.70%9651.31%
2012 48,70967.45%22,40531.03%1,0981.52%
2016 56,23269.87%21,09726.21%3,1543.92%
2020 67,56570.31%27,16928.27%1,3591.41%
2024 71,82873.07%25,28125.72%1,1871.21%

Since the 1980s, 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.

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. More than 27 BMW suppliers are 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 the state. Anderson County has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry, with 27 plastic companies located within its borders. [25]

As of April 2024, some of the top employers in the county include AnMed Health Medical Center, Anderson University, Bosch, the City of Anderson, Glen Raven, Inc., Ingles, Michelin, Walmart, and Walgreens. [26] Between 2021 and 2024, the unemployment rate has fluctuated around 3%. [27] In 2022, its GDP was $9.1 billion (approx. $44,670 per capita). [28] In chained 2017 dollars, its real GDP was $7.6 billion (approx. $37,306 per capita). [29]

Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Anderson County, South Carolina [26]
IndustryEmployment CountsEmployment Percentage (%)Average Annual Wage ($)
Accommodation and Food Services7,86511.119,760
Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services2,6953.838,272
Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting1670.249,712
Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation8641.216,016
Construction2,9474.256,368
Educational Services5,8228.250,440
Finance and Insurance1,0431.560,476
Health Care and Social Assistance11,07615.754,652
Information4750.762,816
Management of Companies and Enterprises2120.3121,992
Manufacturing16,04222.761,048
Mining, Quarrying, and Oil and Gas Extraction970.170,616
Other Services (except Public Administration)1,4652.140,560
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services2,1533.054,444
Public Administration2,6343.745,708
Real Estate and Rental and Leasing5320.844,824
Retail Trade9,31313.232,344
Transportation and Warehousing2,1853.156,264
Utilities3500.583,304
Wholesale Trade2,7833.961,048
Total70,720100.0%48,004

Communities

Cities

Towns

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities

Education

The Anderson schools are divided into five districts. [30]

See also

References

  1. 1 2 "QuickFacts: Anderson County, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 22, 2024.
  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. 1 2 "OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas" (PDF). United States Office of Management and Budget . July 21, 2023. Retrieved August 10, 2023.
  5. ↑ "Anderson University Celebrates Highest Enrollment in its 111-Year History". andersonuniversity.edu. October 17, 2022. Retrieved October 28, 2023.
  6. ↑ "Anderson". www.britannica.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  7. ↑ "Anderson County, South Carolina". www.carolana.com. Retrieved November 19, 2022.
  8. ↑ "2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. August 23, 2022. Retrieved September 10, 2023.
  9. ↑ "SCDNR Public Lands". www2.dnr.sc.gov. Retrieved April 1, 2023.
  10. ↑ "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  12. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  13. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  14. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Retrieved March 15, 2015.
  15. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved November 22, 2013.
  16. ↑ "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.
  17. ↑ "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.
  18. 1 2 3 "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.
  19. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved March 9, 2016.
  20. ↑ "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.
  21. ↑ "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.
  22. 1 2 "County Council". Anderson County. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  23. ↑ "County Administrator". Anderson County. Retrieved October 2, 2022.
  24. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved March 13, 2018.
  25. ↑ "Anderson County Development Partnership". Andersonpartnership.com. Archived from the original on April 23, 1999. Retrieved December 22, 2011.
  26. 1 2 "Anderson County" (PDF). Community Profile. Columbia, S.C.: S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department. April 19, 2024.
  27. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics (January 1, 1990). "Unemployment Rate in Anderson County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  28. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Anderson County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  29. ↑ U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (January 1, 2001). "Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Anderson County, SC". FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  30. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Anderson County, SC" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 22, 2024. - Text list
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