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Newberry, South Carolina
Newberry Opera House
Newberry Opera House
Official seal of Newberry, South Carolina
Seal
Motto(s): 
"The City of Friendly Folks."
Location of Newberry, South Carolina
Location of Newberry, South Carolina
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Newberry
Area
 • Total 9.00 sq mi (23.30 km2)
 • Land 8.99 sq mi (23.29 km2)
 • Water 0.00 sq mi (0.01 km2)
Elevation
492 ft (150 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 10,691
 • Density 1,188.95/sq mi (459.04/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP code
29108
Area code(s) 803, 839
FIPS code 45-49570
GNIS feature ID 1249864
Website www.cityofnewberry.com

Newberry is a city located in Newberry County, South Carolina, in the United States. It's about 43 miles (69 km) northwest of Columbia. Newberry is the main town, or county seat, of Newberry County. Long ago, it was even called Newberry Courthouse.

The city officially became a city in 1976. However, for a while, it was still listed as a town in the census. Newberry is also home to Newberry College, which is a private college.

Geography of Newberry

Newberry is found at a specific spot on the map: 34°16′40″N 81°37′00″W / 34.277655°N 81.616560°W / 34.277655; -81.616560.

The city covers a total area of about 9.00 square miles (23.30 km²). All of this area is land, meaning there are no large lakes or rivers within the city limits.

People of Newberry

Population Growth Over Time

The number of people living in Newberry has changed quite a bit over the years. Here's a look at how the population has grown since the mid-1800s:

Historical population
Census Pop.
1850 509
1870 1,891
1880 2,343 23.9%
1890 3,020 28.9%
1900 4,607 52.5%
1910 5,028 9.1%
1920 5,894 17.2%
1930 7,298 23.8%
1940 7,510 2.9%
1950 7,546 0.5%
1960 8,208 8.8%
1970 9,218 12.3%
1980 9,866 7.0%
1990 10,542 6.9%
2000 10,580 0.4%
2010 10,277 −2.9%
2020 10,691 4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

Newberry's Population in 2020

In 2020, the United States Census counted 10,691 people living in Newberry. These people lived in 4,047 households, and 2,233 of these were families.

The table below shows the different groups of people who make up Newberry's population, based on the 2020 census:

Newberry racial composition
Race Num. Perc.
White (non-Hispanic) 4,378 40.95%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic) 4,529 42.36%
Native American 19 0.18%
Asian 78 0.73%
Pacific Islander 2 0.02%
Other/Mixed 373 3.49%
Hispanic or Latino 1,312 12.27%

History of Newberry

Early Settlers and County Formation

Many European settlers, mainly from Germany, Scotland, Ireland, and England, started arriving in the Newberry area around the 1750s. Newberry County was officially created in 1785. Because of its central location, the town of Newberry was chosen as the main town, or county seat, for Newberry County in 1789.

This area was known for its many cotton farms. Wealthy farm owners, called planters, had a lot of influence in the county and town's politics. By 1851, when the railroad arrived, Newberry had become a busy center for trade. This continued until the 1860s.

Newberry During the Civil War

During the American Civil War, Newberry College was used as a hospital. It cared for soldiers from both the Confederate and later the Union armies. The historic Newberry Court House was not burned by General William Tecumseh Sherman's troops during their march through the South.

Historic Places in Newberry

Many places in Newberry are recognized for their historical importance. They are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include:

  • Boundary Street-Newberry Cotton Mills Historic District
  • Burton House
  • Caldwell Street Historic District
  • Coateswood
  • College Street Historic District
  • Cousins House
  • Hannah Rosenwald School
  • Harrington Street Historic District
  • Francis B. Higgins House
  • Main Street Historic District
  • George Mower House
  • Newberry College Historic District
  • Newberry County Memorial Hospital
  • Newberry Historic District
  • Newberry Opera House
  • Oakland Mill
  • Old Courthouse
  • Ike Reighley House
  • Summer Brothers Stores
  • Timberhouse
  • Vincent Street Historic District
  • Wells Japanese Garden
  • Osborne Wells House
  • West Boundary Street Historic District

Education in Newberry

Newberry has a public library. It is a part of the Newberry County Library System, offering books and resources to the community.

Notable People from Newberry

Many interesting people have come from Newberry. Here are a few:

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