Wikipedia

Anderson, South Carolina

Andersonis a city in and thecounty seatofAnderson County, South Carolina,United States.[6]The population was 28,106 at the2020 census,making it the16th-most populous cityin South Carolina.[7]It is one of the principal cities in theGreenville-Anderson-Greer,SCMetropolitan Statistical Area,which had an estimated population of 975,480 in 2023.[8][9]It is included in the largerGreenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SCCombined Statistical Area,which had an estimated population of 1,590,636 in 2023.[9]It is just offInterstate 85and is 120 miles (190 km) fromAtlantaand 140 miles (230 km) fromCharlotte.Anderson is the smallest of the three primary cities that make up theUpstateregion, and is nicknamed the "Electric City" and the "Friendliest City in South Carolina".

Anderson
City
Top, left to right: Downtown Anderson, First Baptist Church of Anderson, Old Anderson County Courthouse, Anderson University, Anderson County Courthouse, Lake Hartwell view from City of Anderson Recreation Park
Top, left to right: Downtown Anderson, First Baptist Church of Anderson,Old Anderson County Courthouse,Anderson University,Anderson County Courthouse,Lake Hartwellview from City of Anderson Recreation Park
Flag of Anderson
Flag
Official seal of Anderson
Seal
Nickname(s):
The Electric City, Friendliest City in South Carolina
Motto:
"Teamwork | Integrity | Professionalism"
Location in South Carolina
Location in South Carolina
Anderson is located in South Carolina
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson is located in the United States
Anderson
Anderson
Anderson is located in North America
Anderson
Anderson
Coordinates:34°30′12″N82°39′01″W/ 34.50333°N 82.65028°W/34.50333; -82.65028
CountryUnited States
StateSouth Carolina
CountyAnderson
FoundedDecember 1826
IncorporatedDecember 19, 1833[1]
Named forRobert Anderson
Government
• TypeCouncil–manager
•MayorTerence Roberts
•City ManagerDavid McCuen
Area
[2]
• Total
15.87 sq mi (41.09 km2)
• Land15.83 sq mi (41.00 km2)
• Water0.04 sq mi (0.10 km2) 0.25%
Elevation
[3]
807 ft (246 m)
Population
(2020)[5]
• Total
28,106
• Estimate
(2023)
29,980
• Density1,775.60/sq mi (685.56/km2)
•Urban
118,369 (US:286th)[4]
• Urban density1,233.8/sq mi (476.4/km2)
ZIP Codes
29621–29626
Area codes864, 821
FIPS code45-01360
GNISfeature ID2403098[3]
Websitewww.cityofandersonsc

History

edit

Anderson Court House

edit
Downtown Anderson in 1876

Cherokeefirst settled the area of what is today the city of Anderson. During theAmerican Revolution,the Cherokee sided with the British. After theAmerican Revolutionary War,the Cherokee's land was acquired aswar reparationsand colonized. In 1791, the South Carolina Legislature created the Washington District, which comprised Greenville, Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. The Washington District was then divided into Greenville and Pendleton districts. Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee comprised the newly created Pendleton district. Anderson was settled in 1826 and incorporated in 1828 as Anderson Court House, separate from the Pendleton district. The name Anderson is in honor ofRobert Anderson,who fought in the American Revolutionary War and also explored the Anderson region in the mid-18th century. Anderson District (laterAnderson Countyafter 1867) was also established in 1826 out of the Pendleton district.

In 1851, the Johnson Female Seminary was established in Anderson as the first college of the town and was named afterWilliam Bullein Johnson.One year later, the seminary was renamed Johnson University.[10]During theAmerican Civil War,Johnson University was closed and converted into aConfederatetreasury.On May 1, 1865,Union forcesinvaded Anderson looking for the Confederate treasury. The treasury office of Anderson was ransacked by Union forces, and the main building of Johnson University was used as a Union headquarters. A minor skirmish erupted at theBattle of Anderson,leading to two Union casualties.[11]After the war, a Union garrison was stationed in Anderson.

The Electric City

edit
Portman Shoals Power Plant around 1920.

Anderson became one of the first cities in theSoutheastern United Statesto have electricity. Electricity to Anderson was established by William C. Whitner in 1895 at a hydroelectric plant on theRocky River,giving the city the name the Electric City. Anderson also became the first city in the world to supply a cotton gin by electricity. In 1895, Anderson Court House was renamed to Anderson.[12][13]In 1897, Whitner's plant was upgraded with a 10,000-volt generating station at Portman Shoals. Whitner's power plant at Portman Shoals became the first hydroelectric plant in the United States to generate high voltage without step-up transformers.[14]The Portman Dam was swept away in 1901, forcing Anderson into darkness until it was rebuilt in 1902.[15]

Anderson University

edit

In 1911, Anderson College was established by the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. Anderson College was the successor to Johnson University and is affiliated with theSouth Carolina Baptist Convention.Anderson College becameAnderson University.[16]It is accredited as a Level VI institution (offers bachelors, masters, Ph.D. degrees) by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.[17]As of October 2022, it is the largest private university in South Carolina.[18]

Geography

edit
Interactive map of Anderson

Anderson is located in the northwest corner of South Carolina on thePiedmont plateau.Anderson is a 1-hour drive from theBlue Ridge Mountainsand a 4-hour drive from the South Carolina coast. Anderson lies roughly at the midpoint of the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte.

According to theUnited States Census Bureau,the city has a total area of 15.87 square miles (41.1 km2), of which 15.83 square miles (41.0 km2) is land and 0.04 square miles (0.10 km2) (0.25%) is water.[2]

Demographics

edit
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1860625—
18701,432129.1%
18801,85029.2%
18903,01863.1%
19005,49882.2%
19109,65475.6%
192010,5709.5%
193014,38336.1%
194019,42435.0%
195019,7701.8%
196041,316109.0%
197027,556−33.3%
198027,5460.0%
199026,184−4.9%
200025,514−2.6%
201026,6864.6%
202028,1065.3%
2023 (est.)29,980[7]6.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[19][5]

2020 census

edit
Anderson racial composition[20]
Race Num. Perc.
White(non-Hispanic) 16,392 58.32%
Black or African American(non-Hispanic) 8,276 29.45%
Native American 46 0.16%
Asian 416 1.48%
Pacific Islander 5 0.02%
Other/Mixed 1,222 4.35%
HispanicorLatino 1,749 6.22%

As of the2020 census,there were 28,106 people, 11,412 households, and 6,112 families residing in the city.

2000 census

edit

At the2000 census,[21]there were 25,514 people, 10,641 households, and 6,299 families residing in the city. Thepopulation densitywas 1,843.7 people/sq mi (711.8/km2). The 12,068 housing units averaged 872.1/sq mi (336.7/km2). Theracial makeupof the city was 63.12% White, 34.01% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.78% Asian American, 0.72% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.48% of the population.

Cityscape

edit
TheCaldwell-Johnson-Morris Cottagewas built around 1851

Historic districts

edit

Other historical locations

edit
See also:National Register of Historic Places listings in Anderson County, South Carolina

Parks

edit
  • Anderson Memorial Stadium,ballfield/stadium on 12 acres (4.9 ha) of land on White Road, it was renovated in 2007 with stadium-style seating. It is home to the Anderson University Trojans.
  • Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center,300-acre (120 ha) park, it includes the Anderson Civic Center, a 37,000-square-foot (3,400 m2) facility, as well as one of South Carolina's largest amphitheaters that can accommodate 15,000 people, a huge castle-like play structure with play equipment, a 64-acre (26 ha) sports center with seven baseball/softball fields, three soccer fields, a disc golf course, and eight tennis courts. The lake has a park, picnic shelters, and miles of nature trails. The center is Anderson's largest recreational area.
  • Rocky River Nature Conservancy, a nature reserve started by Anderson University to protect wetlands habitats. It has a lot of trails and a boardwalk over the wetlands. It is named after the Rocky River which runs through the conservancy.

Economy

edit

Anderson is home to the largestGlen Raven, Inc.manufacturing center facility, which focuses on manufacturing Sunbrella fabrics.[22]Anderson's economy revolves aroundmanufacturing.It has over 230 manufacturers, including 22 international companies. In the county, Anderson has a thriving business climate. Its top major industries 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. More than 27BMWsuppliers are the Upstate region, which is recognized internationally as an automotive supplier hub. Theplastics industryhas a strong presence in the Upstate, with 244 plastic companies located within the 10 counties of the state's northwest corner. Anderson County, in particular, has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry, with 27 plastics companies located within its borders.[23][24]

Hospitals

edit

AnMed Health is one of the top employers in the county, and the primary healthcare network for Anderson.AnMed Health Medical Centeris the main medical facility, offering all the amenities of a standard hospital, as well as a heart and vascular center, and stroke/neurological center. Located 2.5 miles north of the facility is the AnMed Health Campus, which includes a women's and children's hospital, minor care, cancer center, speech and occupational therapy, and more. The AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital is located between the two facilities. AnMed has recently received national attention being awarded the "National Presidents Circle Award," and the "American College of Cardiology Foundation’s 2012 NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award."

In addition to these three network hospitals, AnMed also operates several smaller facilities throughout the city and county that range from a free clinic and minor care to doctor's offices.

Education

edit

The city of Anderson is served by the Anderson County School System (specifically,Anderson School District Five). The school district has 11 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools. Anderson is home toAnderson University,a private university with roughly 3,900 undergraduate and graduate students.

Elementary schools

edit
  • Calhoun Academy of the Arts
  • Centerville Elementary
  • Concord Elementary
  • Homeland Park Primary School
  • McLees Academy of Leadership
  • Midway Elementary School of Science and Engineering
  • Nevitt Forest Community School of Innovation
  • New Prospect STEM Academy
  • North Pointe Elementary School
  • Varennes Academy of Communications and Technology
  • Whitehall Elementary, A Global Communication School

Middle schools

edit
  • McCants Middle School
  • Southwood Academy of the Arts
  • Robert Anderson Middle School
  • Glenview Middle School
Anderson University

High schools

edit

Private schools

edit
  • Anderson Christian School (PK-12)
  • First Presbyterian Church Day School (PK)
  • Grace Kindergarten
  • Montessori School of Anderson(PK-12)
  • New Covenant School (PK-12)[25]
  • Learn Upstate Hybrid Academy (PK-12)
  • Oakwood Christian School (K-12)
  • St. Joseph Catholic School (PK-8)
  • Temple Christian Academy (K-12)
  • West Anderson Christian Academy (PK/K)

Higher education

edit

Library

edit

Anderson has apublic library,a branch of the Anderson County Library System.[26]

Transportation

edit

Airports

edit

Anderson is served byAnderson Regional Airport.The airport is 3 miles (4.8 km) away from Anderson and has 2 runways; runway 5/23 is 6,000 feet (1,800 m) and runway 17/35 is 5,000 feet (1,500 m). The airport also has helipads. The airport has no control tower but can accommodate regional jet aircraft. In addition, the airport has a small terminal.

The nearest airport with commercial service isGreenville–Spartanburg International Airport,about 42 miles (68 km) away.

Roads and highways

edit

Anderson has five signed exits onI-85,currently the city's only freeway. Several notable highways pass through the city, includingUS 29,US 76,US 178(co-signed along Clemson Boulevard, also known asSC 28 Bus.), andSC 187.

In 2011, construction began on a new east–west connector that is about 3 miles (4,800 m) long between Clemson Boulevard andSouth Carolina Highway 81.[27]On August 16, 2010, the connector was voted to have four lanes with turn and bike lanes, and a completion date set in October 2012.[28]

On November, 8th, 2013, the East-West Parkway formally opened to traffic.

Public transit

edit

Anderson has six bus routes that travel to most major areas of the city, running every hour.[29][30]The city also receives service from Clemson Area Transit (CATS) via the 4U route.[31]The city uses both newer hybrid buses and older style trolleys resembling Anderson's old streetcars. Inter-city bus travel is available throughGreyhound Lines.

One of theSoutheast High-Speed Rail Corridoralternatives for a Charlotte - Greenville - Atlanta route includes a stop at Anderson.[32][33]This would mark the first time that passenger rail reached Anderson, since the passing ofPiedmont and Northern Railwayin ca. 1947[34][35]and theBlue Ridge Railwayin ca. 1951 from Anderson.[36][37]

Government

edit

Anderson is governed using the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected at-large. The city council consists of eight members; six are elected from districts and the other two are elected at-large.

Notable people

edit

Sister cities

edit

Anderson has two sister cities, as designated bySister Cities International:[46]

See also

edit

References

edit
  1. ^"About".cityofandersonsc. May 17, 2016.Archivedfrom the original on March 11, 2023.RetrievedMarch 11,2023.
  2. ^ab"ArcGIS REST Services Directory".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on February 13, 2023.RetrievedOctober 15,2022.
  3. ^abU.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Anderson, South Carolina
  4. ^United States Census Bureau (December 29, 2022)."2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications".Federal Register.Archivedfrom the original on December 30, 2022.RetrievedJanuary 30,2023.
  5. ^ab"Census Population API".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on February 13, 2023.RetrievedOctober 15,2022.
  6. ^"Find a County".National Association of Counties. Archived fromthe originalon May 31, 2011.RetrievedJune 7,2011.
  7. ^ab"QuickFacts: Anderson city, South Carolina".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on February 14, 2024.RetrievedMay 16,2024.
  8. ^"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.Archived(PDF)from the original on July 21, 2023.RetrievedAugust 10,2023.
  9. ^ab"Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023".United States Census Bureau,Population Division. March 14, 2024.RetrievedMarch 15,2024.
  10. ^"Johnson Female Seminary".The Abbeville Banner. January 29, 1851.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2016.RetrievedNovember 20,2016.
  11. ^"Area schools affected by Civil War".Independent Mail. July 5, 2014.Archivedfrom the original on November 20, 2016.RetrievedNovember 20,2016.
  12. ^"History of Anderson, South Carolina".u-s-history.Archivedfrom the original on August 10, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 9,2016.
  13. ^"Anderson:" The Electric City "".Archivedfrom the original on February 15, 2016.RetrievedFebruary 9,2016.
  14. ^"The South Carolina man who put the electric in" The Electric City "".Appalachianhistory.net.Archived fromthe originalon November 20, 2016.RetrievedNovember 20,2016.
  15. ^"Portman Dam and Power Plant Historical Marker".hmdb.org.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2022.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
  16. ^"Anderson University - Anderson, South Carolina".Sciway.net.Archived fromthe originalon November 21, 2016.RetrievedNovember 20,2016.
  17. ^"institutions-sacscoc".sacscoc.org.Archivedfrom the original on July 7, 2023.RetrievedJuly 7,2023.
  18. ^"Anderson University Celebrates Highest Enrollment in its 111-Year History".Andersonuniversity.edu.Archivedfrom the original on July 7, 2023.RetrievedJuly 7,2023.
  19. ^"Census of Population and Housing".Census.gov.Archivedfrom the original on April 26, 2015.RetrievedJune 4,2015.
  20. ^"Explore Census Data".data.census.gov.Archivedfrom the original on December 14, 2021.RetrievedDecember 14,2021.
  21. ^"U.S. Census website".United States Census Bureau.Archivedfrom the original on December 3, 2021.RetrievedJanuary 31,2008.
  22. ^"Glen Raven expanding Anderson County Sunbrella® manufacturing center".South Carolina Department of Commerce.Archivedfrom the original on July 22, 2021.RetrievedJuly 22,2021.
  23. ^"Manufacturing in Anderson County - Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce - Anderson, SC, SC".andersonscchamber.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2022.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
  24. ^"Plastic Omnium expanding operations in Anderson County | South Carolina Department of Commerce".sccommerce.Archivedfrom the original on November 6, 2022.RetrievedNovember 6,2022.
  25. ^https://newcovschool.net/
  26. ^"South Carolina libraries and archives".SCIWAY.Archivedfrom the original on June 7, 2019.RetrievedJune 7,2019.
  27. ^"News – City of Anderson, SC".Cityofandersonsc. Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2014.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  28. ^Foster, Kisha (August 17, 2010)."4-Lanes Approved For East-West Connector | WYFF Home - WYFF Home".Wyff4. Archived fromthe originalon March 23, 2012.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  29. ^"Transit".cityofandersonsc.February 13, 2018.Archivedfrom the original on October 28, 2023.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
  30. ^"Transit Time and Fares"(PDF).cityofandersonsc.February 4, 2016.Archived(PDF)from the original on June 20, 2021.RetrievedOctober 28,2023.
  31. ^"Clemson Area Transit - Anderson Route".Catbus. Archived fromthe originalon June 27, 2014.RetrievedJune 26,2014.
  32. ^"Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan - Alternatives Development Report". Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia Department of Transportation. October 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  33. ^"Henderson, Bruce (October 18, 2019)." High-speed rail could link Charlotte to Atlanta in 2 hours. Have your say next week ". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 19, 2019".Archivedfrom the original on November 14, 2020.RetrievedMarch 11,2021.
  34. ^"Piedmont and Northern Railway".Official Guide of the Railways.78(12). National Railway Publication Company. May 1946.
  35. ^"Piedmont and Northern Railway, freight only branch; reporting from June 1, 1947 timetable".Official Guide of the Railways.80(11). National Railway Publication Company. April 1948.
  36. ^"Blue Ridge Railway".Official Guide of the Railways.82(3). National Railway Publication Company. August 1949.
  37. ^"Carolina and Northwestern Railway, 'Belton and Walhalla (Anderson Division)', freight only".Official Guide of the Railways.84(7). National Railway Publication Company. December 1951.
  38. ^Gilbey, Ryan (August 29, 2020)."Chadwick Boseman obituary".The Guardian.Archivedfrom the original on August 29, 2020.RetrievedAugust 29,2020.
  39. ^"Yung Carter's Profile On Beat Making Videos".Archivedfrom the original on June 6, 2017.RetrievedJanuary 30,2015.
  40. ^"Former Hanna QB Preston Jones returns to alma mater as receivers coach".independentmail. July 19, 2012. Archived fromthe originalon December 19, 2014.RetrievedNovember 17,2014.
  41. ^Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896.Chicago: Marquis Who's Who. 1963.
  42. ^Ferber, Lawrence (December 25, 2008)."The Other White Meat".The Advocate.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2018.RetrievedJune 11,2023.
  43. ^"Anderson mayor released from hospital after aneurysm".WRDW-TV.July 12, 2017.Archivedfrom the original on January 17, 2022.
  44. ^"Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles:" Candy Jim "Taylor".nlbemuseum.Archivedfrom the original on April 18, 2021.RetrievedAugust 20,2020.
  45. ^"Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles:" Steel Arm Johnny "Taylor".nlbemuseum.Archivedfrom the original on February 18, 2020.RetrievedAugust 20,2020.
  46. ^"Interactive City Directory".Archived fromthe originalon February 7, 2017.RetrievedFebruary 6,2017.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related toAnderson, South Carolina.
Wikivoyage has a travel guide forAnderson, South Carolina.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Anderson,_South_Carolina&oldid=1263014310"