kids encyclopedia robot

Duncan, South Carolina facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Duncan, South Carolina
Main Street (SC 290)
Main Street (SC 290)
Location of Duncan, South Carolina
Location of Duncan, South Carolina
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Spartanburg
Area
 • Total 5.52 sq mi (14.29 km2)
 • Land 5.42 sq mi (14.03 km2)
 • Water 0.10 sq mi (0.27 km2)
Elevation
866 ft (264 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 4,041
 • Density 746.26/sq mi (288.12/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP codes
29334, 29390, 29391
Area code(s) 864
FIPS code 45-21265
GNIS feature ID 1247572

Duncan is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. Its population was 3,181 at the 2010 census.

History

In 1811, a post office was established on what is now S.C. Highway 290. A tiny settlement sprung up around it, and both the post office and community were named New Hope. In 1854, the town changed its name to Vernonville or Vernonsville in honor of local physician J.J. Vernon.

In the mid-1850s, plans were under way to put a railroad line through Duncan, but the impending Civil War disrupted them. It was not until 1873 that the Atlanta and Richmond Railroad laid a line through the town.

Shortly after the Civil War, Leroy Duncan came to town and began buying land. Duncan was an ambitious man who craved recognition. During celebrations for the new railroad line, he promised townspeople he would provide land for city streets if they would agree to rename the town after him. In 1881, the name change became official.

Duncan became the site of an important footnote in Spartanburg County's African-American history when the Rock Hill Negro School opened in Duncan in 1881.

Within two years of its name change, Duncan boasted a population of 200, along with several general stores, saw and flour mills and a cotton gin. The town received its charter in 1889.

The Hughes Hotel, opened in 1892, became a focal point of the town and drew travelers from the Greenville-Spartanburg road.

Geography

Duncan is located at 34°56′6″N 82°8′5″W / 34.93500°N 82.13472°W / 34.93500; -82.13472 (34.934983, -82.134801). The town is concentrated around the intersection of South Carolina Highway 290 and South Carolina Highway 292, west of Spartanburg and east of Greenville. Its corporate boundaries extend northward to beyond U.S. Route 29, and southward to Interstate 85. The Middle Tyger River passes through the northern part of Duncan, and provides part of the town's boundary with Lyman to the northeast.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 3.5 square miles (9.1 km2), all land.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1900 149
1910 190 27.5%
1920 115 −39.5%
1930 406 253.0%
1940 631 55.4%
1950 599 −5.1%
1960 1,186 98.0%
1970 1,266 6.7%
1980 1,259 −0.6%
1990 2,152 70.9%
2000 2,870 33.4%
2010 3,181 10.8%
2020 4,041 27.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

2020 census

Duncan racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 2,098 51.92%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 1,235 30.56%
Native American 8 0.2%
Asian 58 1.44%
Pacific Islander 4 0.1%
Other/Mixed 202 5.0%
Hispanic or Latino 436 10.79%

As of the 2020 United States census, there were 4,041 people, 1,323 households, and 843 families residing in the town.

Economy

Staubli's, Röchling Group, and Dräxlmaier Group North American headquarters are located in Duncan.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Duncan (Carolina del Sur) para niños

kids search engine
Duncan, South Carolina Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.