Central, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Central, South Carolina
Town
Top, left to right: Downtown Central, Southern Wesleyan University, Central Roller Mills, Central High School
Location of Central within South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Pickens
Incorporated	1875
Area
• Total	3.07 sq mi (7.94 km2)
• Land	3.06 sq mi (7.93 km2)
• Water	0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation	906 ft (276 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	5,296
• Density	1,713.59/sq mi (661.56/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Code	29630
Area codes	864, 821
FIPS code	45-13015
GNIS feature ID	1247236
Website	cityofcentral.org

Central is a friendly town located in Pickens County, South Carolina, in the United States. In 2020, about 5,296 people lived here. Even though its name is 'Central,' it's not actually in the middle of South Carolina! The town got its name because it was a halfway point on an old railway line. This line connected Atlanta and Charlotte. Southern Wesleyan University has its main campus just east of Central's downtown area.

History of Central

Central was started because of a big railroad building boom. This happened in 1873 when the Atlanta and Richmond Air Line Railway was being built. The town was named "Central" because it was the middle point between the cities of Atlanta and Charlotte. Central officially became a town on March 17, 1875.

Later, in 1897, the Southern Railway moved its main offices. This meant trains stopped less often in Central. Many shops and offices in the town closed down. But new things helped Central grow again! A textile factory called Issaqueena Mill opened. Then, in 1906, the Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute was founded. This school is now known as Southern Wesleyan University. Both of these brought more people back to the town.

Several important buildings in Central are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. This means they are special and protected because of their history. These include Central High School and the Morgan House on Church Street. The Central Roller Mills on Madden Bridge Road was added to the list in 2013.

Geography and Location

Central is located in a spot that covers about 2.4 square miles (6.2 square kilometers). All of this area is land. The center of Central is divided by a railway line.

Many old buildings from the late 1800s and early 1900s are still standing downtown. Most of these are single-story buildings. They still look a lot like they did in the past. There are also many older homes near the downtown area. Central also has large apartment buildings. Many students from nearby Clemson University and Southern Wesleyan University live in these apartments. They can use the Clemson Area Transit bus system to get around.

The Central Heritage Society has a museum. It shares information about many historic buildings and homes in the area.

Fun Things to Do

Besides Southern Wesleyan University, Central has a cool place for disc golf. It's called Grand Central Station. This course even hosts tournaments for the Professional Disc Golf Association (PDGA).

Population Changes

Central is part of a larger group of towns and cities. This group is called the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley metropolitan area.

Recent Population Growth

Central's population has grown a lot since the year 2000. This is mostly because new apartment buildings were built. These apartments are for students who go to Clemson University, Southern Wesleyan University, and Tri-County Technical College.

People in Central (2020)

The 2020 United States census counted 5,247 people living in Central. Here's a look at the different groups of people:

Education in Central

Public schools in Central are managed by the School District of Pickens County. This includes D. W. Daniel High School. This high school was recognized as a National Blue Ribbon School in 2005. This award is given to schools that achieve high levels of academic success.

The Central Clemson Regional Branch library is part of the Pickens County Library System. It serves as the public library for the community. Central also shares some school buildings and bus services with the nearby city of Clemson.

Southern Wesleyan University

Central is home to the main campus of Southern Wesleyan University. This is a four-year Christian university that started in 1906. It is approved by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). Over 600 students live and study on the main campus. The campus has several dorms, two places for fine arts, a dining hall, a library, a gym, and many classrooms. The campus also has a church called FWC Alive.

Public Library

Central has a public library. It is a part of the Pickens County Library System.

Famous People from Central

Many notable people have connections to Central:

• Lindsey Graham: He is a senior United States senator from South Carolina. He was born and grew up in Central.
• DeAndre Hopkins: A professional football player, he is a wide receiver for the Tennessee Titans in the NFL. He was born and raised in Central.
• Jarvis Jenkins: A former professional football player, he played as a defensive lineman in the NFL. He was born and raised in Central.
• Shaq Lawson: A professional football player, he is a defensive end for the Buffalo Bills in the NFL. He was born and raised in Central.
• DeShawn Williams: A professional football player, he is a defensive lineman for the Denver Broncos in the NFL.
• Furman L. Smith: He received the Medal of Honor for his bravery during World War II. He fought with the 34th Infantry Division and is buried in Central.
• Timothy L. Smith: A well-known historian and educator, he was born in Central.

See also

In Spanish: Central (Carolina del Sur) para niños