Spartanburg, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Spartanburg
City
Top, left to right: Spartanburg skyline, Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium, Wofford College, Daniel Morgan Monument, Chapman Cultural Center
Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  The Hub City, Sparkle City, The Burg
Motto(s):  "Always Doing"
Location in South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Spartanburg
Founded	1787
Incorporated	1831
Named for	The Spartan Regiment
Area
• Total	20.37 sq mi (52.75 km2)
• Land	20.25 sq mi (52.46 km2)
• Water	0.11 sq mi (0.29 km2)  0.54%
Elevation	797 ft (243 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	38,732
• Estimate  (2023)	39,040
• Rank	11th in South Carolina
• Density	1,912.41/sq mi (738.37/km2)
• Urban	196,943 (US: 198th)
• Urban density	1,088.1/sq mi (420.1/km2)
• Metro	383,327 (US: 144th)
Demonym(s)	Spartans
Time zone	UTC−05:00 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−04:00 (Eastern)
ZIP Codes	29301–29307
Area codes	864, 821
FIPS code	45-68290
GNIS feature ID	1250982

Spartanburg is a city in South Carolina, United States. It's the main city of Spartanburg County. In 2020, about 38,732 people lived here, making it the 11th largest city in the state. Spartanburg is often called "The Hub City" or "Sparkle City."

It's the second biggest city in the larger Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson area. This whole region had over 1.5 million people in 2023. Spartanburg is located about 98 miles northwest of Columbia. It's also about 80 miles west of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Spartanburg is home to several colleges, including Wofford College and Converse University. It's also where the company Denny's has its main office.

History of Spartanburg

Spartanburg was created in 1785. It was named after a local group of soldiers called the Spartan Regiment. These soldiers fought in the American Revolutionary War. They were part of an important battle nearby called the Battle of Cowpens.

In 1831, Spartanburg officially became a city. It later got the nickname "Hub City." This was because many railroad lines spread out from the city, like the spokes of a wheel from a hub.

In the late 1800s and early 1900s, Spartanburg became a big center for making textiles (cloth). Around 40 textile mills were built here.

During World War I, a place called Camp Wadsworth trained 100,000 soldiers. Later, in World War II, Camp Croft also trained soldiers. This area is now a state park.

By the 1950s, many textile jobs moved to other countries. This caused the mills in Spartanburg to decline.

Geography and Climate

Spartanburg covers about 20.37 square miles. Most of this area is land, with a small amount of water. The soil here is mostly a type called Cecil.

Spartanburg's Weather

Spartanburg has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has long, hot, and humid summers. Winters are cool to mild.

The average yearly temperature is about 61.6°F (16.4°C). In summer, from June to September, high temperatures are usually in the 80s or low 90s °F (20s to 30s °C). In winter, average highs are in the mid-50s °F (10s °C).

Spartanburg gets rain pretty evenly throughout the year. It doesn't get much snow, with only about 1.4 inches (3.6 cm) on average each year.

People of Spartanburg

Population in 2020

In 2020, Spartanburg had 38,732 people. There were 15,154 households and 8,638 families living in the city.

Population in 2010

In 2010, the city had 37,013 people. About 28.9% of households had children under 18. The average household had 2.33 people.

The median age in the city was 35 years old. The median income for a household was $28,735. About 23.3% of the population lived below the poverty line.

Economy and Jobs

Spartanburg's downtown area has been getting a makeover. Many old buildings have been fixed up. New businesses and company offices have moved downtown. This includes a large Marriott hotel.

Many big companies have offices in Spartanburg. These include Denny's, KYMCO, and Advance America Cash Advance. The Spartanburg Herald-Journal newspaper is also based here.

The economy also gets a boost from the BMW car factory. This factory is in nearby Greer, but it's in Spartanburg County. It employs about 8,800 people and makes around 1,400 vehicles every day.

Milliken & Company, a large textile and chemical company, has its world headquarters and research center in Spartanburg.

QS/1 Data Systems headquarters

Main Employers in Spartanburg

Here are some of the biggest employers in Spartanburg:

• Spartanburg Regional (healthcare)
• Spartanburg County (local government)
• Spartanburg School District 7 (schools)
• RedSail Technologies, LLC
• Wofford College
• City of Spartanburg (city government)
• Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care
• Converse University
• Denny's Corporate Office
• Advance America, Inc.

Arts and Culture in Spartanburg

Spartanburg has many places for arts and culture.

• Chapman Cultural Center: This is a main spot for history, art, theater, dance, music, and science. It has museums, a science center, and a theater. It opened in 2007.
• Converse University: This university is known for its music and art programs. It hosts many events for the public. Its Twichell Auditorium is home to the Greater Spartanburg Philharmonic Orchestra.
• Hub City Writers Project: This group is a local publishing company and bookstore.
• Spartanburg County Public Library: The main library has many books, movies, and local history items. It also hosts concerts and presentations.
• Spartanburg Memorial Auditorium: This place has hosted many famous performers and shows. It was built in an Art Deco style and updated around 2002.
• Wofford College: This college has been growing its arts programs. It offers creative writing, theater, and studio art.

Fun Places to Visit

• Cottonwood Trail: A walking trail in the Edwin M. Griffin Nature Preserve. It's great for cycling, jogging, and walking. You can see wildlife like deer and wild turkeys here.
• Hampton Heights Historic District: This is the city's oldest neighborhood with many historic homes.
• Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve: A beautiful garden and woods that used to be an eroding gully. It's now a home for birds and other wildlife.
• Lawson's Fork Creek: A creek known for its clear waters and wildlife. Parks and woodlands are along its banks.
• Magnolia Street Train Depot: One of Spartanburg's oldest buildings. It reminds people of the city's "Hub City" nickname. It's now an Amtrak station and home to the Hub City Railroad Museum.
• Morgan Square: The main downtown area. It was the original courthouse village. A statue of Daniel Morgan, a general from the American Revolution, is here.
• Walnut Grove Plantation: An 18th-century farmhouse preserved by the Spartanburg County Historical Association. It was the site of a skirmish during the American Revolutionary War.

Spartanburg was once called the "Lowell of the South" because of its many cotton mills. These mills used the power of the local rivers. While most mills are now closed, some old buildings remain.

• Beaumont Mill: This mill is now used by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare for offices.
• Converse Mill: Located along the Pacolet River. It was rebuilt in 1903 after a flood.
• Glendale Mill: Located off Lawson's Fork Creek. Even though it burned in 2004, some parts still stand. The old company store is now Wofford College's Environmental Studies Center.

Events and Festivals

• Dickens of a Christmas: A Victorian holiday event held downtown every year after Thanksgiving.
• The Greek Festival: A street festival in September with Greek food and culture.
• Festifall: A historical celebration at Walnut Grove Plantation in October.
• The Hub City Farmers Market: An outdoor market on Saturday mornings with local produce.
• The Hub City Hog Fest: An annual barbecue festival and competition downtown.
• The International Festival: An event at Barnet Park in October that shows cultures and foods from around the world.
• Music on Main: Street concerts held every Thursday from April to August downtown.
• Red, White and Boom: A Fourth of July event at Barnet Park with patriotic music and fireworks.
• Spring Fling: A weekend festival in May with live artists, rides, and other fun things.

Sports in Spartanburg

Quarterback Cam Newton and the Carolina Panthers participated in training camp at Wofford College in 2011.

The Carolina Panthers NFL team used to hold their training camp at Wofford College from 1995 to 2023. They moved their camp to Charlotte in 2024.

Duncan Park Stadium is one of the oldest baseball stadiums in the country. It has been home to several minor league baseball teams. It is now the home field for Spartanburg High School's baseball teams.

The Shrine Bowl of the Carolinas is a high school football all-star game. It's played each year at Wofford's Gibbs Stadium. It features top players from South Carolina and North Carolina.

Several colleges in the area have sports teams. These include the USC Upstate Spartans, Spartanburg Methodist College Pioneers, Wofford College Terriers, and Converse University Valkyries. The Southern Conference sports league also has its main office in Spartanburg.

Spartanburg hosts the Spartanburg Criterium, a yearly bicycle race. It's known as the “fastest night in Spartanburg.”

Upward Sports, a Christian sports organization for kids, is based in Spartanburg.

A new baseball team, the Hub City Spartanburgers, will start playing in downtown Spartanburg in 2025.

Education in Spartanburg

Wilson Hall at Converse University

Old Main at Wofford College

USC Upstate's Johnson College of Business and Economics downtown

Colleges and Universities

Spartanburg is a college town with several places for higher education:

• Spartanburg Community College Downtown Campus
• Converse University, founded in 1889, offers many different programs.
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) – Carolinas Campus, which started classes in 2011.
• Wofford College, founded in 1854, is a liberal arts college with about 1,500 students.

Other colleges nearby include:

• The University of South Carolina Upstate
• Spartanburg Community College's main campus
• Spartanburg Methodist College, which now offers four-year programs.
• Sherman College of Chiropractic, South Carolina's only chiropractic college.

Schools for Kids

Most public schools in Spartanburg are part of Spartanburg County School District 7. Students in this district usually go to Spartanburg High School. Some parts of the city are served by Spartanburg County School District 6.

The South Carolina School for the Deaf and the Blind has its main campus near Spartanburg. Spartanburg Preparatory School is a public charter school for K-8 grades.

There are also several private schools in Spartanburg. These include Spartanburg Christian Academy, Spartanburg Day School, Oakbrook Preparatory, and Westgate Christian schools. The Montessori Academy of Spartanburg offers a Montessori approach for PreK-8. St. Paul the Apostle Catholic School is also in downtown Spartanburg.

Media in Spartanburg

Spartanburg has several newspapers and is part of a large TV market.

• The Post and Courier (from Charleston) has a Spartanburg office and publishes local news online.
• The Spartan Weekly News is a weekly newspaper that covers Spartanburg County.
• Spartanburg Herald-Journal is the city's main newspaper. It also publishes Spartanburg magazine.

Spartanburg is part of the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville TV market. This is the 37th largest market in the country. It is served by major TV channels like:

• WYFF 4 (NBC)
• WSPA 7 (CBS), which broadcasts from Spartanburg
• WLOS 13 (ABC)
• WHNS 21 (Fox)
• WYCW 62 (The CW Network), which broadcasts from Spartanburg

Transportation in Spartanburg

Major Roads

Many important highways run through or near Spartanburg, connecting it to other cities. These include:

• I-26
• I-85
• I-585
• US 29
• US 176
• US 221

Public Transportation

A hybrid SPARTA bus at the downtown Passenger Center.

Spartanburg has a public bus system called Spartanburg Area Regional Transit Agency (SPARTA). It has 8 routes that cover the city and nearby areas. All SPARTA buses have bike racks. The SPARTA Passenger Center is also a stop for Greyhound buses.

Spartanburg County also has a Dial-A-Ride service. This is a door-to-door service available six days a week.

Airports

The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP) is near Spartanburg, in Greer. It's one of the busiest airports in South Carolina.

The Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport (SPA) is a smaller airport for general aviation. It's owned by the city.

Train Station

Amtrak's Crescent train stops in Spartanburg. This train connects Spartanburg to major cities like New York, Washington, D.C., Atlanta, and New Orleans. The Amtrak station is at 290 Magnolia Street.

Healthcare in Spartanburg

Healthcare in Spartanburg County is mainly provided by Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System. This is a public, not-for-profit system with several facilities.

• Spartanburg Medical Center (SMC): A research and teaching hospital with two locations. It has 747 beds and offers many services, including emergency care, surgery, and cancer treatment.
• Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care (SHRC): A hospital for long-term acute care.
• Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute: Provides cancer care and access to new treatments.
• Bearden-Josey Center for Breast Health: A modern center for breast health imaging.
• Medical Group of the Carolinas: A group of doctor's offices throughout Spartanburg and Upstate S.C.

Notable People from Spartanburg

Many interesting people have come from Spartanburg:

• Pink Anderson (1900–1974), a blues musician who helped inspire the band Pink Floyd.
• James Francis Byrnes (1882–1972), a lawyer, congressman, senator, and even Secretary of State.
• Marshall Chapman (born 1949), a singer-songwriter.
• Stephen Davis (born 1974), a professional football running back.
• Hank Garland (1930–2004), a famous Nashville guitarist who played with Elvis.
• Lee Haney (born 1951), who won the Mr. Olympia bodybuilding title eight times.
• Dennis Hayes (born 1950), who invented the Hayes modem.
• The Marshall Tucker Band, a Southern rock band with members from Spartanburg.
• Roger Milliken (1915–2010), a billionaire who owned a large textile company.
• David Pearson (1934–2018), a NASCAR champion.
• Kitty Black Perkins (born 1948), the chief designer for Barbie dolls, who designed the "First Black Barbie."
• Betsy Rawls (born 1928), a professional golfer and Hall of Famer.
• Zion Williamson (born 2000), a professional basketball player for the New Orleans Pelicans.

Gallery

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  Clock tower

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  City Hall

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  Closeup of Morgan Square fountain

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  Part of downtown Spartanburg

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  Citizens and Southern National Bank

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  First Baptist Church

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  High steeple of First Baptist Church

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  First Presbyterian Church

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  St. Paul the Apostle Catholic Church

See also

In Spanish: Spartanburg para niños