Greenwood County, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Greenwood County
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Greenwood County Courthouse
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Location within the U.S. state of South Carolina
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 South Carolina's location within the U.S. |
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| Country |  United States |
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| State |  South Carolina |
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| Founded | 1897 | |
| Named for | Greenwood Plantation | |
| Seat | Greenwood | |
| Largest community | Greenwood | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 463.81 sq mi (1,201.3 km2) | |
| • Land | 455.60 sq mi (1,180.0 km2) | |
| • Water | 8.21 sq mi (21.3 km2) 1.77% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 69,351 | |
| • Estimate
(2023)
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69,460  |
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| • Density | 149.5246/sq mi (57.7318/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) | |
| Congressional district | 3rd | |
Greenwood County is a county in South Carolina, a state in the United States. In 2020, about 69,351 people lived there. The main town and county seat is Greenwood. Greenwood County is the largest county in the Greenwood, SC Micropolitan Statistical Area. This area is part of the Piedmont region of South Carolina.
Contents
History of Greenwood County
Early Days and Trade Routes
Long ago, English and Scottish traders from Charles Town (now Charleston) explored this area. It was the home of the Cherokee Nation, a group of Native Americans. Traders used a path called the "Cherokee Path" to reach their customers. They marked distances by how far they could travel in a day. They also noted special landmarks, like groups of creeks. This is how the nearby area and town of "Ninety-Six" got its name.
Farms and Factories Grow
After the Cherokee people moved from the area, European settlers arrived. They started large cotton farms. These farms relied on the work of enslaved Africans. The invention of the cotton gin made it easier to process cotton. This made cotton farming very profitable. In 1852, the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad was built. This helped farmers send their cotton to markets.
Later, factories that made cloth from cotton started in the area. Before this, most cotton was sent to other places to be processed. The first cotton mill in Greenwood opened in 1890. A man named James C. Self later helped the Greenwood Cotton Mill become one of the biggest in the industry.
Forming the County
Greenwood County was officially created in 1897. It was made from parts of Abbeville and Edgefield counties. The county was named after its main town, Greenwood. The town itself was named around 1824 after a cotton farm owned by an early settler, John McGehee. Even today, farming is still important in the county, though the types of crops have changed.
Challenges and Changes
In the late 1800s, there were big challenges for African Americans. Laws were passed that made it very hard for them to vote. There were also conflicts around elections. For example, in 1898, there was a serious event called the Phoenix Election riot. This involved disagreements about voting rights. Several African American men lost their lives during this time.
The economy faced problems too. Cotton crops were damaged by tiny insects called boll weevils. Many African Americans moved away from the South in the early 1900s. This was part of the Great Migration. They sought better jobs and to escape unfair treatment.
The Great Depression in the 1930s also hit Greenwood County hard. Farmers struggled, and land became less valuable. The government started programs like the New Deal to help. These programs created jobs by building new things for the community.
One big project was building the Buzzard's Roost Dam on the Saluda River. This created Lake Greenwood. It also made electricity for the county. Today, the lake is a popular place for fun activities.
Since 1950, Greenwood County has grown its industries. Companies like Capsugel, Fujifilm, Monsanto (now Ascend), and VELUX have built factories here.
Geography of Greenwood County
Greenwood County covers about 463.81 square miles. Most of this is land, with about 8.21 square miles of water. The county is located in the areas where the Savannah and Saluda rivers flow.
Important Natural Areas
- Lake Greenwood
- Saluda River
- Halfway Swamp Creek
Protected Places
- Ninety Six National Historic Site
- Sumter National Forest (a part of it)
- Lake Greenwood State Park
- Long Cane Scenic Area
- Cedar Springs Historic District
Neighboring Counties
- Laurens County – to the north
- Newberry County – to the northeast
- Edgefield County - to the southeast
- Saluda County – to the southeast
- McCormick County – to the southwest
- Abbeville County – to the west
Main Roads
US 25
US 178
US 221
SC 10
SC 34
SC 72
SC 246
SC 248
SC 252
SC 702
Airport
- Greenwood County Airport
People of Greenwood County
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1900 | 28,343 | — | |
| 1910 | 34,225 | 20.8% | |
| 1920 | 35,791 | 4.6% | |
| 1930 | 36,078 | 0.8% | |
| 1940 | 40,083 | 11.1% | |
| 1950 | 41,628 | 3.9% | |
| 1960 | 44,346 | 6.5% | |
| 1970 | 49,686 | 12.0% | |
| 1980 | 57,847 | 16.4% | |
| 1990 | 59,567 | 3.0% | |
| 2000 | 66,271 | 11.3% | |
| 2010 | 69,661 | 5.1% | |
| 2020 | 69,351 | −0.4% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 69,460 | −0.3% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010 2020 |
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Population in 2020
In 2020, there were 69,351 people living in Greenwood County. There were 28,544 households and 17,855 families.
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 40,625 | 58.58% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 20,820 | 30.02% |
| Native American | 102 | 0.15% |
| Asian | 678 | 0.98% |
| Pacific Islander | 41 | 0.06% |
| Other/Mixed | 2,336 | 3.37% |
| Hispanic or Latino | 4,749 | 6.85% |
Population in 2010
In 2010, the county had 69,661 people. About 62.9% were white, and 31.4% were black or African American. About 5.4% of the people were of Hispanic or Latino background. The average age was 37.9 years old.
The average income for a household was $38,797. About 17.6% of the population lived below the poverty line. This included 27.3% of those under 18 years old.
Economy and Jobs
Greenwood County has a strong and varied economy. Fujifilm has its North American research, manufacturing, and distribution center here. The Greenwood Genetic Center also does important genetics research. About 26% of the jobs in the county are in manufacturing.
In 2015, the average household income was $37,060. Many people work in manufacturing, healthcare, and retail. The cost of living in Greenwood County is lower than the average for South Carolina and the whole country. This means things like groceries and housing are generally less expensive.
Major Employers
Some of the biggest employers in Greenwood County include:
- Self Regional Healthcare
- Greenwood County School Districts
- Eaton Corporation
- FujiFilm Manufacturing, U.S.A.
- Carolina Pride
- Capsugel
- Lander University
- Piedmont Technical College
- Cardinal Health
- Ascend Performance Materials
- VELUX
Key Industries
The county has important industries in:
- Life Sciences (like healthcare and research)
- Food Processing
- Advanced Materials (making new types of materials)
- Wood Products
The average yearly wage in Greenwood County was $51,218 in late 2023. The unemployment rate was 4.0% in September 2017.
| Industry | Employment Counts | Employment Percentage (%) | Average Annual Wage ($) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and Food Services | 2,635 | 9.7 | 18,200 |
| Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services | 849 | 3.1 | 43,576 |
| Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting | 94 | 0.3 | 59,488 |
| Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation | 241 | 0.9 | 17,576 |
| Construction | 1,079 | 4.0 | 55,900 |
| Educational Services | 2,520 | 9.3 | 49,504 |
| Finance and Insurance | 509 | 1.9 | 64,168 |
| Health Care and Social Assistance | 5,988 | 22.1 | 65,208 |
| Information | 128 | 0.5 | 48,152 |
| Management of Companies and Enterprises | 108 | 0.4 | 93,236 |
| Manufacturing | 5,365 | 19.8 | 63,232 |
| Other Services (except Public Administration) | 507 | 1.9 | 38,688 |
| Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services | 495 | 1.8 | 61,048 |
| Public Administration | 1,212 | 4.5 | 46,644 |
| Real Estate and Rental and Leasing | 274 | 1.0 | 38,844 |
| Retail Trade | 3,458 | 12.8 | 30,056 |
| Transportation and Warehousing | 501 | 1.9 | 47,372 |
| Utilities | 248 | 0.9 | 72,644 |
| Wholesale Trade | 839 | 3.1 | 76,648 |
| Total | 27,050 | 100.0% | 51,218 |
Education in Greenwood County
Greenwood County has three main school districts. They are Greenwood School District 50, Greenwood School District 51, and Greenwood School District 52.
School Districts
- Greenwood School District 50 serves the Greenwood city area. It has 8 elementary schools, 3 middle schools, and 2 high schools.
- Greenwood School District 51 serves the town of Ware Shoals. It also includes students from nearby counties.
- Greenwood School District 52 serves the town of Ninety Six and surrounding areas.
Schools in Greenwood County
- Elementary Schools: Benjamin E. Mays, Hodges, Lakeview, Mathews, Merrywood, Ninety Six Elementary, Ninety Six Primary, Pinecrest, Rice, Ware Shoals Elementary, Ware Shoals Primary, Woodfields.
- Middle Schools: Brewer, Edgewood, Northside, Westview.
- High Schools: Emerald High School, Greenwood High School, Ninety Six High School, Ware Shoals High School.
Higher Education
- Lander University (a four-year state university)
- Piedmont Technical College (a two-year college)
Other Education Centers
- G. Frank Russell Technology Center (for high school students)
- Genesis Education Center (for middle and high school students, and adults)
Communities in Greenwood County
Cities and Towns
- Greenwood (the county seat and largest community)
- Hodges
- Ninety Six
- Troy
- Ware Shoals (partly in other counties)
Other Communities
- Census-designated places: These are areas that the census bureau defines for counting people. They include Bradley, Cokesbury, Coronaca, and Promised Land.
- Unincorporated communities: These are smaller places not officially part of a city or town. They include Callison, Epworth, Kirksey, Phoenix, Pittsburg, Shoals Junction, and Verdery.
Images for kids
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Greenwood County Seal
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Greenwood (Carolina del Sur) para niños
