Clinton, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Clinton, South Carolina
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Broad Street
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 Clinton, South Carolina
Location in South Carolina
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  South Carolina |
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| County | Laurens | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Council–Manager | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 10.45 sq mi (27.05 km2) | ||
| • Land | 10.38 sq mi (26.89 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.06 sq mi (0.16 km2) | ||
| Elevation | 676 ft (206 m) | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 7,633 | ||
| • Density | 735.07/sq mi (283.82/km2) | ||
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP code |
29325
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| Area codes | 864, 821 | ||
| FIPS code | 45-15295 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1247319 | ||
| Website | www.cityofclintonsc.com | ||
Clinton is a city located in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the larger Greenville-Mauldin-Easley area in upstate South Carolina. In 2020, about 7,633 people lived in Clinton. The city is also home to Presbyterian College, a well-known school.
Contents
History of Clinton
Clinton was first settled by people from Scotland and Ireland. This happened about 20 years before the American Revolutionary War. The town officially became a city in 1852. It was named after Henry Clinton Young. He was a lawyer from Laurens who helped design the first streets.
Some important historical places in Clinton are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Clinton Commercial Historic District, Duncan's Creek Presbyterian Church, and the Thornwell-Presbyterian College Historic District.
Geography of Clinton
Clinton is located in South Carolina at specific coordinates: 34°28′17″N 81°52′30″W. These numbers help pinpoint its exact spot on a map.
The city covers a total area of about 27.05 square kilometers (10.45 square miles). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water.
People and Population in Clinton
The population of Clinton has changed over many years. Here is how the number of people living in Clinton has grown or shrunk over time:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1860 | 197 | — | |
| 1880 | 459 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,021 | 122.4% | |
| 1900 | 1,869 | 83.1% | |
| 1910 | 3,272 | 75.1% | |
| 1920 | 3,767 | 15.1% | |
| 1930 | 5,643 | 49.8% | |
| 1940 | 5,704 | 1.1% | |
| 1950 | 7,168 | 25.7% | |
| 1960 | 7,937 | 10.7% | |
| 1970 | 8,138 | 2.5% | |
| 1980 | 8,596 | 5.6% | |
| 1990 | 7,987 | −7.1% | |
| 2000 | 8,091 | 1.3% | |
| 2010 | 8,490 | 4.9% | |
| 2020 | 7,633 | −10.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
What the 2020 Census Shows
In 2020, there were 7,633 people living in Clinton. Most residents identified as White (about 54.5%). The next largest group was Black or African American (about 38%). Other groups included Asian, Native American, and people of mixed races. About 2.7% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.
Life in Clinton (2014-2015)
Around 2014-2015, Clinton had about 8,619 residents. Most people lived in urban areas. The population had grown by 6.5% since 2000. The average age in Clinton was about 29.8 years old.
Many people in Clinton had a high school diploma. Some also had college degrees. The average income for households was lower than the state average. The value of homes in Clinton also saw some growth during this period.
Education in Clinton
Clinton has several schools that serve its students. These schools are part of Laurens County School District 56.
- Eastside Elementary
- Clinton Elementary
- Joanna-Woodson Elementary
- Clinton Middle School
- Clinton High School
- Summit Classical School
Science Olympiad Success
Both Clinton Middle School and Clinton High School are famous for their Science Olympiad teams. The middle school team has won many state competitions. They have won 20 of the 34 South Carolina Science Olympiad Division B competitions. This includes winning every competition since 2003. The high school team has also won many state tournaments.
Colleges and Institutions
Clinton is home to Presbyterian College. It also has Thornwell Orphanage. Both of these places were started by William Plumer Jacobs. He was a Presbyterian minister and a kind person who helped others.
Media Outlets in Clinton
Clinton has two main media sources that serve the community.
Local Newspaper
The Clinton Chronicle is the local newspaper. It is the only print newspaper in town. New editions are published every week. The Chronicle was founded in 1900. They also publish breaking news online at www.clintonchronicle.com and www.myclintonnews.com.
Radio Station
The local radio station is WPCC. You can listen to it on 96.5 FM and 1410 AM. This station plays beach music and easy listening songs. It also broadcasts sports games through partnerships with ESPN Radio and Motor Racing Network. WPCC is also connected with the Atlanta Braves radio network.
Notable People from Clinton
Many interesting people have come from Clinton. Here are a few:
- Cal Cooper (1922–1994), a pitcher in MLB.
- Jackie K. Cooper (born 1941), an author and film critic.
- Claude Crocker (1924–2002), another MLB pitcher.
- Chick Galloway (1896–1969), an MLB shortstop.
- Kevin Long (born 1955), a running back in the NFL.
- Carl Anthony Payne II (born 1969), an actor.
- Johnny Riddle (1905–1998), an MLB player.
- Arthur Smith (1921–2014), a famous guitarist and songwriter.
- Charlie Wilson (1905–1970), an MLB shortstop and third baseman.
