Florence, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Florence
City
Aerial view of the Florence Center
Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  Flo-Town, The Magic City
Motto(s):  "Full Life. Full Forward."
Location in South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Florence
Incorporated	December 24, 1890
Founded by	Jerome P. Chase
Named for	Florence Harllee
Area
• Total	23.49 sq mi (60.83 km2)
• Land	23.39 sq mi (60.59 km2)
• Water	0.09 sq mi (0.24 km2)  0.38%
Elevation	138 ft (42 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	39,899
• Estimate  (2023)	40,609
• Rank	SC: 11th
• Density	1,705.45/sq mi (658.47/km2)
• Urban	89,436 (US: 335th)
• Urban density	1,314.5/sq mi (507.5/km2)
• Metro	199,630 (US: 233rd)
• Demonym	Florentine
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP Codes	29501–29506
Area code(s)	843, 854
FIPS code	45-25810
GNIS feature ID	1222461

Florence is a city in South Carolina, United States. It is the main city in the Florence area. You can find it where two major highways, I-20 and I-95, meet.

Florence is also the county seat of Florence County. It's part of the historic Pee Dee region of South Carolina. In 2020, about 39,899 people lived here, making it one of the largest cities in the state. In 1965, Florence was even named an All-American City.

History of Florence

The city of Florence was officially started in 1871. It became a full city in 1890, after Florence County was created in 1888. Before it was a city, the area was part of one of the first settlements planned in 1719.

Early settlers were farmers. They grew crops like indigo and cotton. They also harvested timber and other forest products. These goods were sent down the Great Pee Dee River to the port at Georgetown for trade.

In the mid-1800s, two important railroads were built here. These were the Wilmington and Manchester Railroad and the Northeastern Railroad. General William Harllee, who led the Wilmington and Manchester railroad, built his home at this railroad crossing. He named the community "Florence" after his daughter.

Florence During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Florence was a key place for the Confederacy. It was a center for supplies and railroad repairs. It was also home to the Florence Stockade, a prison camp.

Thousands of Union soldiers were held there as prisoners of war. Sadly, over 2,800 prisoners died from illness. They were buried in a nearby field. After the war, this burial ground became the Florence National Cemetery.

Growth in the 20th Century

After the Civil War, Florence grew a lot. The railroads helped the city trade cotton, timber, and later, tobacco. In the 1900s, Florence's economy started to focus on healthcare. This was thanks to two big hospitals and several medicine factories.

Industries also grew, especially after World War II. Florence became known for textiles (fabrics), medicines, paper, and manufacturing. Farming products remained important too.

Florence also has a lively theater scene. The Community Players group started in 1923. Over the years, they changed names and performed in different places. In 1968, the first Florence Little Theater was built. A new, larger theater was built in 2008. In 2023, the Florence Little Theater celebrated 100 years of shows!

Making Downtown Shine Again

Around 2010, Florence began a big project to make its downtown area better. Many projects have been finished, and more are planned. The downtown area covers a large space in the heart of the city. It now includes the Timrod Park area with its old homes.

This effort has even given Florence a new look. There are new city logos and signs to help people find their way around. Old buildings have been fixed up and now have new uses.

Some of the new places include the Drs. Bruce and Lee Foundation Library. There's also the new Florence Little Theater and the Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center. The new Florence Museum of Art, Science & History opened in 2014. The city wants to make Evans Street a busy place for shops and homes again.

Geography of Florence

Florence is located in the flat coastal plain of South Carolina. It is in the northeastern part of the state. The city is about 140 feet (42 meters) above sea level.

Jeffries Creek is a small river that flows through the city. It passes south of the city center. This creek eventually flows into the Great Pee Dee River. The city covers about 23.49 square miles (60.83 square kilometers). Most of this area is land.

Florence's Climate

Florence has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has mild autumns, winters, and springs. Winter nights can sometimes be below freezing, but it rarely stays cold for long.

Summers in Florence can be very hot and humid. Like other cities in the Southeast, Florence can sometimes have "inversions." These can trap air pollution over the area.

People in Florence

Florence's Population in 2020

In 2020, the city of Florence had 39,899 people living there. There were 15,624 households and 9,671 families.

Religion in Florence

Like many cities in the southern United States, Florence has a large number of Protestant Christians. The biggest groups are Southern Baptists and Methodists. Other Protestant groups, as well as Roman Catholic and Greek Orthodox Churches, are also present.

The Greek Orthodox Church holds a big Greek Festival every September. There is also one Reform Judaism synagogue in Florence, called Beth Israel Congregation. A small Hindu temple can also be found in the city.

Florence's Economy

Over the past few decades, Florence's economy has changed a lot. It used to be mainly about railroads and farming. Now, it's a busy center for business, money, transportation, healthcare, and industry.

Many companies have chosen Florence for their offices. This includes over nine foreign companies and fourteen Fortune 500 companies. In 2009, the Florence area's total economic output was $6.8 billion. This was one of the highest in the state.

In 2008, Florence was ranked as one of the top-growing small cities in the U.S. This report looked at how well cities create jobs and grow their economy.

Florence has become a strong center for medical care. There are four main medical providers: McLeod Regional Medical Center, Medical University of South Carolina Hospital, Regency Hospital, and HealthSouth. These hospitals have helped change the look of Florence.

Because of the strong medical community, many companies have their main offices in Florence. These include GE Healthcare (which makes MRI machines) and TRICARE (an insurance company for the U.S. military). Assurant, an insurance company, also has offices here. Florence is also important for the pharmaceutical industry.

Florence is a financial and service hub for the Eastern Carolinas. Many banks and business management companies are in the city. Companies like Truist Financial, Monster.com, Otis Elevator, CSX Transportation, and Wells Fargo have regional offices here. AT&T has operations in Florence, and Duke Energy Inc. has its southeastern headquarters here.

Florence's location is a big advantage. It's at the intersection of I-95 and I-20. This means it's about halfway between New York City and Miami. This location helps Florence attract big manufacturers like General Electric, Honda, QVC Distribution Center, and Otis Elevator.

Education in Florence

Public Schools

The Florence Public School District One manages the public schools in the area. In 2010, about 14,500 students attended 20 schools. These include 13 elementary schools, 4 middle schools, and 3 high schools. The district also has a school for students who need extra support. There is a career center and an adult learning center too. The schools in Florence have won many awards for being among the best in the state.

Private Schools

Florence has several private schools:

• All Saints' Episcopal Day School (grades PK–6)
• Florence Christian School (grades PK–12)
• Maranatha Christian School (grades PK–12)
• Montessori School of Florence (grades PK–6)
• The King's Academy (grades PK–12)
• Saint Anthony Catholic School (grades PK–8)
• Trinity Collegiate School (grades 6–12)

Higher Education

For students who want to continue their education after high school, Florence has options. Francis Marion University is a public university located in Florence. Florence–Darlington Technical College is also in Florence. It has other campuses in nearby towns like Hartsville and Lake City.

Public Library

Florence has a public library that is part of the Florence County Library System. The library has a special "South Carolina Room." This room is dedicated to the history and family research of South Carolina.

Healthcare in Florence

McLeod Regional Medical Center

Florence is a major center for healthcare in the region.

• McLeod Regional Medical Center is a large hospital with 453 beds. It is located in downtown Florence. This hospital has special centers for heart care, surgery, and cancer. It also has the only special pediatrics (children's) unit in northeastern South Carolina. McLeod Health also has facilities in other nearby towns.
• Medical University of South Carolina Florence (formerly Carolinas Hospital System) is another large hospital with 420 beds. It serves eight counties in northeastern South Carolina.
• Regency Hospital opened in Florence in 2001. It is a 40-bed hospital that provides long-term care.

McLeod Regional Medical Center and MUSC Florence are the largest employers in the Pee Dee region. This means they provide the most jobs.

Transportation in Florence

Highways

Florence is a key spot for highways:

• I-95 is a four-lane highway that goes through the city. It connects Florence to Fayetteville, North Carolina to the northeast and Savannah, Georgia to the southwest.
• I-20 is another four-lane highway that ends in Florence. It connects Florence to Columbia, Atlanta, and even Texas to the west.
• US 52 goes north and south through downtown Florence.
• US 76 enters Florence from the west and exits to the east. It connects Florence to Sumter and Wilmington, North Carolina.
• US 301 also goes through Florence, often merging with other highways.

Public Transportation

The Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority (PDRTA) provides public transportation in the Florence area. This includes nearby towns like Darlington and Lake City. PDRTA also has routes to other cities like Columbia and Myrtle Beach.

PDRTA offers express shuttles and bus services. It started in 1974 and is the oldest and largest transportation authority in South Carolina. It helps about 2,457 people travel every day.

Air Travel

Florence is served by the Florence Regional Airport (IATA: FLO; ICAO: KFLO). It is located about 2 miles (3 km) east of downtown. American Eagle flies from this airport to Charlotte. It is the second busiest airport in the region.

Train Travel

Amtrak trains connect Florence to many major cities. The Palmetto and Silver Meteor trains stop here. You can travel to cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Orlando, and Miami. The Florence station is also where Amtrak's Auto Train refuels and changes crews. Passengers can get off the train for a short break here.

Bus Travel

Greyhound Lines and Southeastern Stages have a bus station in Florence. This provides bus service to other cities.

Sports in Florence

Baseball

Baseball has a long history in Florence. The Florence Swamp Foxes played here in the 1920s. The Toronto Blue Jays even had a minor league team in Florence from 1981 to 1986. Famous players like Pat Borders and Fred McGriff played in Florence early in their careers.

Florence's Post 1 American Legion baseball team is one of the oldest in the state. It started in 1932. Many players from this team have gone on to play professionally, including Reggie Sanders. They have won many league titles and state championships.

Florence is also home to the Coastal Plain League Florence Flamingos. This is a summer college baseball team. Players from top college conferences, like the Southeastern Conference, play for the Flamingos. They play at the 1,755-seat Sparrow Stadium at Francis Marion University. A new stadium, Carolina Bank Field, is being built for the Flamingos.

Football

Florence was home to the Florence Phantoms, an indoor football team, until 2009. They played at the Florence Civic Center. Florence Memorial Stadium is a large football stadium with 7,000 seats. It is the home field for the three public high schools in Florence.

Hockey

Florence also had a professional hockey team, the Twin City Cyclones, from 2005 to 2007. They played in the Southern Professional Hockey League.

Media in Florence

Florence and the Grand Strand area share a common media market. This includes several counties in South Carolina and North Carolina.

• TV Stations:
  • WBTW 13 (CBS/MyNetworkTV)
  • WPDE-TV 15 (ABC/The CW)
  • WJPM-TV 33 (PBS)
  • WMBF-TV 32 (NBC) and WFXB 43 (Fox) are licensed to Myrtle Beach but also serve Florence.

• Radio: Florence is also a radio market. Large radio companies like Cumulus Media and iHeart Media operate stations here.

• Newspapers: The Morning News is the biggest daily newspaper in the Pee Dee region. It has been published since 1922. There are also several weekly papers, like the News Journal and the Community Times.

Notable People from Florence

See also

In Spanish: Florence (Carolina del Sur) para niños