The Upstate
Encyclopedia
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, also known as The Upcountry, which is the historical term. Although loosely defined among locals, the general definition includes the 10 counties of the commerce-rich I-85 corridor
I-85 Corridor
The I-85 Corridor is a multi-state region that follows Interstate 85 across the Southeastern United States. It stretches from Montgomery, Alabama to Petersburg, Virginia...
in the northwest corner of South Carolina. The region's population was 1,362,073 at the 2010 Census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
,. The Upstate is the fastest growing region in the state, and given its strategic position between Atlanta and Charlotte
CHARLOTTE
- CHARLOTTE :CHARLOTTE is an American blues-based hard rock band that formed in Los Angeles, California in 1986. Currently, they are signed to indie label, Eonian Records, under which they released their debut cd, Medusa Groove, in 2010. Notable Charlotte songs include 'Siren', 'Little Devils',...
, future development and growth prospects are bright. After BMW's initial investment, foreign companies especially from Germany have made a substantial presence in the Upstate, and several large corporations have established regional, national, or continental headquarters in the region. Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
is the largest city in the region and the base of most commercial activity. Spartanburg is the second largest city in the region. The third largest city in the region is Anderson
Anderson, South Carolina
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...
.
Counties
There are ten counties included in the upstate of South Carolina: GreenvilleGreenville County, South Carolina
- External Links :*...
, Spartanburg, Anderson
Anderson County, South Carolina
-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units...
, Pickens, Cherokee
Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The county was formed in 1897 from parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties. It is included in the Gaffney, South Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 United States Census, the county's...
, Oconee, Union, Laurens, Greenwood, and Abbeville
Abbeville County, South Carolina
Abbeville County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2010, its population was 25,147. Its county seat is Abbeville. It is the first county in the United States alphabetically.-History:...
.
| County | Year Founded | County Seat | 2010 Census Population |
July 1, 2009 Population Estimate. |
Area (Sq. Mi.) |
| Abbeville County | 1785 | Abbeville | 25,417 | 25,098 | 511 |
| Anderson County Anderson County, South Carolina -Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units... |
1826 | Anderson | 187,126 | 184,901 | 757 |
| Cherokee County Cherokee County, South Carolina Cherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The county was formed in 1897 from parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties. It is included in the Gaffney, South Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 United States Census, the county's... |
1897 | Gaffney | 55,342 | 54,714 | 397 |
| Greenville County | 1786 | Greenville | 451,225 | 451,428 | 795 |
| Greenwood County | 1897 | Greenwood | 69,661 | 69,671 | 463 |
| Laurens County | 1785 | Laurens | 66,537 | 70,045 | 724 |
| Oconee County | 1868 | Walhalla | 74,273 | 71,514 | 674 |
| Pickens County | 1868 | Pickens | 119,224 | 118,144 | 512 |
| Spartanburg County | 1785 | Spartanburg | 284,307 | 286,822 | 819 |
| Union County | 1798 | Union | 28,961 | 27,362 | 516 |
| Total | 1,362,073 | 1,359,699 | 6,168 | ||
Metropolitan, Micropolitan, and Combined Statistical Areas
There is a total of three Metropolitan Statistical Areas and four Micropolitan Statistical Areas. The larger Greenville–Spartanburg–Anderson Combined Statistical Area includes all three metropolitan areas and three out of the four micropolitan areas (excluding Greenwood). One county, Abbeville, is not part of any metropolitan or micropolitan area.
As of the 2010 Census, the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson CSA had a population of 1,266,995.
- Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSAs)
- Anderson MSAAnderson County, South Carolina-Demographics:As of the census of 2010, there were 187,126 people and 70,597 households residing in the county. The population density was 260.6 people per square mile . There were 84,092 housing units...
- Anderson County
- Greenville-Mauldin-Easley MSAGreenville-Mauldin-Easley metropolitan areaThe Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purpose only, is an area consisting of three counties in Upstate South Carolina, anchored mainly by...
- Greenville County
- Laurens County
- Pickens County
- Spartanburg MSA
- Spartanburg County
- Anderson MSA
- Micropolitan Statistical Areas (μSAs)
- Gaffney μSACherokee County, South CarolinaCherokee County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The county was formed in 1897 from parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties. It is included in the Gaffney, South Carolina Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the 2010 United States Census, the county's...
- Cherokee County
- Greenwood μSA
- Greenwood County
- Seneca μSA
- Oconee County
- Union μSA
- Union County
- Gaffney μSA
Communities
Primary cities
The primary cities in the upstate area are GreenvilleGreenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
, Spartanburg
Spartanburg, South Carolina
thgSpartanburg is the largest city in and the county seat of Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is the second-largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region of South Carolina, and is located northwest of Columbia, west of Charlotte, and about northeast of...
, and Anderson
Anderson, South Carolina
Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was estimated at 26,242 in 2006, and the city was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530...
.
Other Communities with at least 20,000 residents
Cities: GreenwoodGreenwood, South Carolina
Greenwood is a city in and the county seat of Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 22,071 at the 2000 census and had slightly increased to 22,710 according to a 2009 estimate.-Geography:...
, Greer
Greer, South Carolina
Greer is a city in Greenville and Spartanburg counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, between the cities of Greenville and Spartanburg. The population was 25,515 at the 2010 census. It is projected to hit 30,000 within 4 years. Each day, more than three times that number of people pass...
, Mauldin
Mauldin, South Carolina
Mauldin is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 15,224 at the 2000 census. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
CDP's: Taylors
Taylors, South Carolina
Taylors is a census-designated place in Greenville County, United States. The population was 20,125 at the 2000 census. Taylors is the Greenville/Spartanburg area's largest suburb although it is not incorporated as a city. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan...
, Wade Hampton
Wade Hampton, South Carolina
Wade Hampton is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 20,458 at the 2000 census...
Communities with more than 10,000 residents
Cities: ClemsonClemson, South Carolina
Clemson is a college town located in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 11,939 at the 2000 census and center of an urban cluster with a total population of 42,199...
, Easley
Easley, South Carolina
Easley is a city in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the city lies in Pickens County, with only a very small portion of the city in Anderson County...
, Gaffney
Gaffney, South Carolina
Gaffney is a city in and the county seat of Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States, in the upstate region of South Carolina. Gaffney is also sometimes referred to as the Peach capital of South Carolina. The population was 12,414 at the 2010 census...
, and Simpsonville
Simpsonville, South Carolina
Simpsonville is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 14,352 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 17,778 in 2009...
. If students from Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
are included, Clemson has close to 30,000 residents.
CDP's: Berea
Berea, South Carolina
Berea is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 14,158 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Five Forks, Gantt
Gantt, South Carolina
Gantt is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 13,962 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, Parker
Parker, South Carolina
Parker is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 10,760 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
Communities with fewer than 10,000 inhabitants
Communities in the upstate with under 10,000 residents include:Cities:
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Inman, South Carolina Inman is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,321 at the 2010 census.Inman is a small community located in the Upstate region of South Carolina... Landrum, South Carolina Landrum is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,376 at the 2010 census.It was founded in 1880 and incorporated in 1912... Laurens, South Carolina Laurens is a city in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 9,916 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Laurens County.-History:... Liberty, South Carolina Liberty is a city in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area... |
Pickens, South Carolina Pickens, formerly called Pickens Courthouse, is a city in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,012 at the 2000 census, at which time it was listed as a town; the change to a city was made in 1998, but not reported to the Census Bureau until 2001. It is the county seat... Seneca, South Carolina Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is the principal city of the Seneca Micropolitan Statistical Area Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,652 at the 2000 census. It is... Travelers Rest, South Carolina Travelers Rest is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,099 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. "TR", as the city is known around the area, is just north of Greenville... Union, South Carolina Union is the county seat of Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 8,393 at the 2010 census.It is the principal city of the Union Micropolitan Statistical Area , an which includes all of Union County and which is further included in the greater... |
Walhalla, South Carolina Walhalla is a mountain city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. It is located from Clemson University in Clemson, South Carolina and is also located in the Appalachian Mountains of South Carolina. The population was 3,801 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Oconee County... Wellford, South Carolina Wellford is a city in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,378 at the 2010 census . Wellford was founded in 1840 by a man named Wellington who was building a railroad in the area. He settled and named the town Wellington... Westminster, South Carolina Westminster is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. It was started mostly as a station on the Southern Railway. Then as stores, shops and factories started to set up around the train stop, it bloomed into a decent-sized town. Its peak of expansion came in the 1920s. The... Woodruff, South Carolina Woodruff is a city in Woodruff is a city in Woodruff is a city in [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina, located in the "Upstate" area... |
Towns:
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- BlacksburgBlacksburg, South CarolinaBlacksburg is a town in Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,848 at the 2010 census. The communities of Cherokee Falls, Kings Creek, Cashion Crossroads, Buffalo, and Mt...
- Calhoun FallsCalhoun Falls, South CarolinaCalhoun Falls is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,303 at the 2000 census.The Calhoun Falls State Recreation Area is located nearby. Lake Richard B. Russell, which straddles the Georgia-South Carolina border, is approximately 3 miles west of Calhoun...
- CampobelloCampobello, South CarolinaCampobello is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, along the South Pacolet River. The population was 502 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Campobello is located at ....
- CarlisleCarlisle, South CarolinaCarlisle is a town in Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 436 according to the 2010 United States Census.-Geography:Carlisle is located at ....
- CentralCentral, South CarolinaCentral is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States, along SC Highway 93. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina...
- Central PacoletCentral Pacolet, South CarolinaCentral Pacolet is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, along the Pacolet River. The population was 216 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Central Pacolet is located at ....
- CowpensCowpens, South CarolinaCowpens is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,162 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Cowpens is located at ....
- Cross HillCross Hill, South CarolinaCross Hill is a town in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 601 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- DonaldsDonalds, South CarolinaDonalds is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 354 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Donalds is located at ....
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- Due WestDue West, South CarolinaDue West is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,209 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Due West is located at ....
- DuncanDuncan, South CarolinaDuncan is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,181 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Duncan is located at ....
- Gray CourtGray Court, South CarolinaGray Court is a town in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,021 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- HodgesHodges, South CarolinaHodges is a town in Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 158 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Hodges is located at ....
- Honea PathHonea Path, South CarolinaHonea Path is a town in Abbeville and Anderson counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 3,504 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Honea Path is located at ....
- IvaIva, South CarolinaIva is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,156 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Iva is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- JonesvilleJonesville, South CarolinaJonesville is a town in Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 911 at the 2010 United States Census.-Geography:Jonesville is located at ....
- LockhartLockhart, South CarolinaLockhart is a town in Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 488 at the 2010 United States Census.-Geography:Lockhart is located at ....
- LowndesvilleLowndesville, South CarolinaLowndesville is a town in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 166 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lowndesville is located at ....
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- LymanLyman, South CarolinaLyman is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. It is a suburb of Greer. The population of Lyman was 3,243 at the 2010 census.-History:...
- Ninety SixNinety Six, South CarolinaNinety Six is a town in Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,936 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Ninety Six is located at ....
- NorrisNorris, South CarolinaNorris is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 847 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Norris is located at ....
- PacoletPacolet, South CarolinaPacolet is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,235 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Pacolet is located at ....
- PelzerPelzer, South CarolinaPelzer is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States, along the Saluda River. The population was 97 at the 2000 census.-Government:As of 2010 the town was governed by a Mayor and four council members, for a population of 89.-Geography:...
- PendletonPendleton, South CarolinaPendleton is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,966 at the 2000 census. It is a sister city of Stornoway in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland....
- ReidvilleReidville, South CarolinaReidville is a town in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 601 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Reidville is located at ....
- SalemSalem, South CarolinaSalem is a town in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 135 at the 2010 United States Census..-Geography:Salem is located at ....
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- Six MileSix Mile, South CarolinaSix Mile is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 553 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area....
- StarrStarr, South CarolinaStarr is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 173 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Starr is located at ....
- TroyTroy, South CarolinaTroy is a town in Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 105 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Troy is located at .According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , all of it land....
- Ware ShoalsWare Shoals, South CarolinaWare Shoals is a town in Abbeville, Greenwood, and Laurens counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina, along the Saluda River. The population was 2,363 at the 2000 census....
- WaterlooWaterloo, South CarolinaWaterloo is a town in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 203 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:Waterloo is located at ....
- West UnionWest Union, South CarolinaWest Union is a town in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States, Even though its name suggests that it is near Union, they are about four counties apart...
- West PelzerWest Pelzer, South CarolinaWest Pelzer is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States, along the Saluda River. The population was 879 at the 2000 census.-Geography:West Pelzer is located at ....
- WilliamstonWilliamston, South CarolinaWilliamston is a town in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States, The population was 3,791 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Williamston is located at ....
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According to the 2010 Census, no town in the Upstate has a population greater than 6000.
CDP's:
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Cross Anchor, South Carolina Cross Anchor is a census designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population in the 2010 United States Census is 126.- Geography :... Dunean, South Carolina Dunean is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 4,158 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... East Gaffney, South Carolina East Gaffney is a census-designated place in Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,085 at the 2010 United States Census.-Geography:East Gaffney is located at .... Fair Play, South Carolina Fair Play is a Census-designated place located in the Northwestern corner of the U.S. State of South Carolina. The CDP is located mostly in southern Oconee County, but with a portion located in Anderson County. According to the 2010 United States Census, the population was 687. The community is... Golden Grove, South Carolina Golden Grove is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,348 at the 2000 census... Homeland Park, South Carolina Homeland Park is a census-designated place in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,337 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Homeland Park is located at .... Inman Mills, South Carolina Inman Mills is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,050 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Inman Mills is located at .... |
Joanna, South Carolina Joanna is a census-designated place in Laurens County, South Carolina, along the Bush River. The population was 1,609 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.... Judson, South Carolina Judson is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,456 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Lake Secession, South Carolina Lake Secession is a census-designated place in Abbeville County, South Carolina, United States located near a lake by the same name. The population was 928 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Lake Secession is located at .... Mayo, South Carolina Mayo is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,592 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Mayo is located at .... Monarch Mill, South Carolina Monarch Mill is a census-designated place in Union County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,811 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Monarch Mill is located at .... Mountville, South Carolina Mountville is a census-designated place in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 130 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Newry, South Carolina Newry is a Census-designated place in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census, the population of the CDP was 172.- Newry Historic District :... Northlake, South Carolina Northlake is a census-designated place in Anderson County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,659 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Northlake is located at .... Piedmont, South Carolina Piedmont is a census-designated place along the Saluda River in Anderson and Greenville counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 4,684 at the 2000 census.... Princeton, South Carolina Princeton is a census-designated place in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 65 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... Promised Land, South Carolina Promised Land is a census-designated place in Greenwood County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 559 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Promised Land is located at .... |
Roebuck, South Carolina Roebuck is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 2,200 at the 2010 census.-History:Roebuck is home to the Walnut Grove Plantation, a preserved 18th-century farmhouse and tourist attraction... Sans Souci, South Carolina Sans Souci is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 7,836 at the 2000 census... Saxon, South Carolina Saxon is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,424 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Saxon is located at .... Slater-Marietta, South Carolina Slater-Marietta is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States, along the North Saluda River. The population was 2,228 at the 2000 census... Southern Shops, South Carolina Southern Shops is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 3,767 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Southern Shops is located at .... Startex, South Carolina Startex is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 859 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Startex is located at .... Tigerville, South Carolina Tigerville is a Census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. According to the 2010 United States Census the population is 1,312. It lies north of Taylors, northeast of Travelers Rest, and northwest of Greer... Utica, South Carolina Utica is a census-designated place in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 1,322 at the 2000 census.-Geography:Utica is located at .... Valley Falls, South Carolina Valley Falls is a census-designated place in Spartanburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,299 at the 2010 census.-Geography:Valley Falls is located at .... Ware Place, South Carolina Ware Place is a Census-designated place located in Greenville County in the U.S. State of South Carolina. According to the 2010 United States Census, the population was 228.-Geography:Ware Place is located at... Watts Mills, South Carolina Wattsville is a census-designated place in Laurens County, South Carolina, United States.The town got its name from Watts Mill, a textile mill in the center of town. The town is sometimes referred to as Watts Mill, which is the textile mill and not the name of the town. The population was 1,635... Welcome, South Carolina Welcome is a census-designated place in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 6,390 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:... |
Institutions of higher education
The following table shows the major institutions of higher education in the Upstate.| Name | Type | Enrollment |
| Anderson University Anderson University (South Carolina) Anderson University is a private comprehensive university located in Anderson, South Carolina, offering bachelors, masters, and doctoral degrees in approximately 60 areas of study. Anderson is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention and is accredited as a Level V institution by the... |
Private Senior | 2,000 |
| Bob Jones University Bob Jones University Bob Jones University is a private, for-profit, non-denominational Protestant university in Greenville, South Carolina.The university was founded in 1927 by Bob Jones, Sr. , an evangelist and contemporary of Billy Sunday... |
Private Senior | 5,000 |
| Clemson University Clemson University Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States.... |
Public Senior | 17,585 |
| Converse College Converse College Converse College is a liberal arts women's college in Spartanburg, South Carolina, USA. It was established by a group of Spartanburg citizens and named after Dexter Edgar Converse.-History:... |
Private Senior | 1,938 |
| Erskine College Erskine College Erskine College is a four year, Christian liberal arts college located in Due West, South Carolina.-Early history:Established in 1839 by the Associate Reformed Synod of the South as an academy for men, Erskine College became the first four year, church-related college in South Carolina... |
Private Senior | 600 |
| Furman University Furman University Furman University is a selective, private, coeducational, liberal arts college in Greenville, South Carolina, United States. Furman is one of the oldest, and more selective private institutions in South Carolina... |
Private Senior | 2,660 |
| Greenville Technical College Greenville Technical College Greenville Technical College is a technical college located in South Carolina. Founded in 1960, it began operation in September 1962.-Campuses:Greenville Tech currently has six locations in Greenville County:... |
Public Technical | 14,338 |
| Lander University Lander University Lander University is a public university located in Greenwood, South Carolina. It is the state's smallest publicly-funded baccalaureate institution.-History:... |
Public Senior | 3,000 |
| Limestone College Limestone College Limestone College is a private four-year, coeducational liberal-arts college located in Gaffney, South Carolina. Limestone College is a Christian non-denominational college. Its programs lead to the Bachelor of Arts, Bachelor of Science, Bachelor of Social Work, Associate of Arts or Associate of... |
Private Senior | 3,000 |
| North Greenville University North Greenville University North Greenville University is a comprehensive university affiliated with South Carolina Baptist Convention and the Southern Baptist Convention, and is accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools. The institution awards Bachelor, Master, and... |
Private Senior | 2,071 |
| Piedmont Technical College Piedmont Technical College Piedmont Technical College is a comprehensive two-year community college that serves seven counties in the Lakelands region of South Carolina. The college's primary site is the Lex Walters Campus in Greenwood, South Carolina. Six additional County Centers also serve students in Abbeville County,... |
Public Technical | 4,600 |
| Presbyterian College Presbyterian College Presbyterian College is a private liberal arts college in Clinton, South Carolina, USA. Presbyterian College, or PC, is affiliated with the Presbyterian Church USA. PC was founded in 1880 by William Plumer Jacobs, a prominent Presbyterian minister who also founded the nearby Thornwell Home and... |
Private Senior | 1,200 |
| Southern Wesleyan University Southern Wesleyan University Southern Wesleyan University is a four-year and graduate Christian college, with its main campus in the town of Central, South Carolina. The university was founded in 1906 by what is now the Wesleyan Church.... |
Private Senior | 2,414 |
| Spartanburg Methodist College Spartanburg Methodist College Spartanburg Methodist College is a private, two-year institution of higher learning, or junior college, located in Spartanburg, South Carolina. It is the only independent, regionally-accredited, residential two-year college in South Carolina.... |
Private Two-Year | 797 |
| Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg Community College Spartanburg Community College , is a public, suburban, two-year comprehensive, open-admission institution of higher education serving the citizens of Spartanburg, Cherokee, and Union counties in Upstate South Carolina... |
Public Technical | 4,300 |
| Tri-County Technical College | Public Technical | 6,000 |
| University Center - Greenville | Public Two-Year | N/A |
| University of South Carolina-Upstate University of South Carolina Upstate The University of South Carolina Upstate is a public university located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. Formerly known as the University of South Carolina Spartanburg, the school changed its name in the summer of 2004... |
Public Senior | 4,851 |
| University of South Carolina-Union University of South Carolina Union The University of South Carolina Union is a public university with its main campus in Columbia, South Carolina and a branch campus in Laurens. It is one of the 4 regional USC campuses and is currently a Southern Association of Colleges and Schools accredited two-year school in the USC System... |
Public Two-Year | 363 |
| Wofford College Wofford College Established in 1854 and related to the United Methodist Church, Wofford College is an independent, Phi Beta Kappa liberal arts college of 1,525 students located in downtown Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States. The historic campus is recognized as a national arboretum and features “The... |
Private Senior | 1,350 |
Economy
The majority of business and commerce in the Upstate takes place in Greenville County. Greenville has the largest concentration of businesses and financial institutions in its downtown area. In fact, the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson MSA was ranked seventh in the nation by site consultants considering the top markets for economic development. Many financial institutions have regional offices located in downtown Greenville. These include WachoviaWachovia
Wachovia was a diversified financial services company based in Charlotte, North Carolina. Before its acquisition by Wells Fargo in 2008, Wachovia was the fourth-largest bank holding company in the United States based on total assets...
and Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
. Other major industries of commerce in the Upstate include the auto industry which is concentrated mainly along the corridor between Greenville and Spartanburg around the BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
manufacturing facility in Greer. The other major industry in the Upstate is the healthcare and pharmaceuticals. Greenville Hospital System and Bon Secours St. Francis Health System are the area's largest in the healthcare sector, while the pharmaceutical corporation of Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb
Bausch & Lomb, an American company based in Rochester, New York, is one of the world's leading suppliers of eye health products, such as contact lenses and lens care products today. In addition to this main activity, in recent years the area of medical technology has been developed...
have set up regional operations alongside smaller recently developed local companies like IRIX Manufacturing, Incorporated and Pharmaceutical Associates. The Upstate is also home to a large amount of private sector and university-based research including R&D facilities for Michelin, Fuji and General Electric and research centers to support the automotive, life sciences, plastics and photonics industries. Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
, BMW
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, and Michelin
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
have combined their resources to create International Center for Automotive Research (ICAR)
Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research
The Clemson University International Center for Automotive Research is a automotive and motorsports research campus in Greenville, South Carolina...
, a research park that specializes in the development of automotive technology.
Corporations based in or with a major presence in the Upstate
The following corporations have a major presence in the Upstate: AdidasAdidas
Adidas AG is a German sports apparel manufacturer and parent company of the Adidas Group, which consists of the Reebok sportswear company, TaylorMade-Adidas golf company , and Rockport...
, Bank of America
Bank of America
Bank of America Corporation, an American multinational banking and financial services corporation, is the second largest bank holding company in the United States by assets, and the fourth largest bank in the U.S. by market capitalization. The bank is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina...
, Bi-Lo
BI-LO (United States)
BI-LO is a supermarket chain headquartered in Mauldin, South Carolina. As of May 2010, BI-LO operates 207 supermarkets in South Carolina, North Carolina, Georgia, and Tennessee. The company employs approximately 17,000 people. Supermarket News ranked BI-LO No...
, BMW of North America
BMW
Bayerische Motoren Werke AG is a German automobile, motorcycle and engine manufacturing company founded in 1916. It also owns and produces the Mini marque, and is the parent company of Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. BMW produces motorcycles under BMW Motorrad and Husqvarna brands...
, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System http://www.stfrancishealth.org, Bosch North America, Bowater, SunTrust, Toronto-Dominion Bank, Charter Communications
Charter Communications
Charter Communications is an American company providing cable television, high-speed Internet, and telephone services to more than 4.7 million customers in 25 states. By revenues, it is the fourth-largest cable operator in the United States, behind Comcast, Time Warner Cable, and Cox Communications...
, Denny's Restaurants
Denny's
Denny's is a full-service coffee shop/family restaurant chain. It operates over 1,500 restaurants in the United States , Canada, Curaçao, Costa Rica, Honduras, Jamaica, Japan , Mexico, New Zealand, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates.Denny's is known for always being...
, Dunlop Slazenger Group
Slazenger
Slazenger is a British sports equipment brand name sold throughout the world, involving a variety of sporting categories namely cricket, tennis and hockey...
, Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young
Ernst & Young is one of the largest professional services networks in the world and one of the "Big Four" accountancy firms, along with Deloitte, KPMG and PricewaterhouseCoopers ....
, Fluor Corporation, Freightliner LLC
Freightliner LLC
Freightliner Trucks is an American manufacturer of heavy duty trucks, chassis and semi-trailer trucks in the United States. The company was founded as Freightliner Inc in 1942 and is now a division of Daimler Trucks North America, a subsidiary of the German Daimler AG...
, GE Power Systems
Gê
Gê are the people who spoke Ge languages of the northern South American Caribbean coast and Brazil. In Brazil the Gê were found in Rio de Janeiro, Minas Gerais, Bahia, Piaui, Mato Grosso, Goias, Tocantins, Maranhão, and as far south as Paraguay....
, Greenville Hospital System http://www.ghs.org, IBM
IBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, Liberty Corporation, Mary Black Health System, Michelin of North America
Michelin
Michelin is a tyre manufacturer based in Clermont-Ferrand in the Auvergne région of France. It is one of the two largest tyre manufacturers in the world along with Bridgestone. In addition to the Michelin brand, it also owns the BFGoodrich, Kleber, Riken, Kormoran and Uniroyal tyre brands...
, Microsoft
Microsoft
Microsoft Corporation is an American public multinational corporation headquartered in Redmond, Washington, USA that develops, manufactures, licenses, and supports a wide range of products and services predominantly related to computing through its various product divisions...
, Milliken & Co.
Milliken & Co.
Milliken & Company is an innovation company that has been exploring, discovering, and creating ways to enhance people’s lives since 1865. With corporate headquarters is located in Spartanburg, South Carolina, the company has expertise across a breadth of disciplines including specialty chemical,...
, Perrigo Company of South Carolina, and Spartanburg Regional Health System.
• BMW's only North American manufacturing plant is located in Spartanburg County, with an investment of $3.7 billion.
http://www.bmwusfactory.com/#/home/
• Fuji Film located their first manufacturing facility in the U.S. in Greenwood County.
http://www.fujifilm-sc.com/index.html
• Michelin of North America has five manufacturing plants and their R&D facility located in the Upstate.
http://www.michelin-us.com/north-america/
• Walgreens has their southeastern distribution center located in Anderson County, which employs mentally handicapped workers as nearly 40% of their workforce.
http://www.mmh.com/article/CA6466542.html
Transportation
The Upstate is served by two major interstate highways, I-85Interstate 85
Interstate 85 is a major interstate highway in the Southeastern United States. Its current southern terminus is at an interchange with Interstate 65 in Montgomery, Alabama; its northern terminus interchanges with Interstate 95 in Petersburg, Virginia, near Richmond...
and I-26
Interstate 26
Interstate 26 is a nominally east–west main route of the Interstate Highway System in the Southeastern United States. I-26 runs from the junction of U.S. Route 11W and U.S. Route 23 in Kingsport, Tennessee, generally southeastward to U.S. Route 17 in Charleston, South Carolina...
. Other major interstate spurs include I-185
Interstate 185 (South Carolina)
Interstate 185 is located in the city of Greenville, South Carolina. The northern portion, which ends just shy of the Greenville city limits, was opened in the 1960s and is cosigned with U.S. 29. The southern portion, which connects the I-85/I-185 interchange with the I-385/U.S. 276 interchange ,...
, I-385
Interstate 385
Interstate 385 starts where it meets the Interstate 26, near Clinton and heads in a northwest direction where it ends with exit 42, near downtown Greenville. After exit 42, I-385 turns into Business Spur 385 that then promptly ends at U.S. 29 near the Bi-Lo Center in downtown Greenville. It is one...
, and I-585
Interstate 585
Interstate 585 stretches from Interstate 85 to Spartanburg, South Carolina. I-585 is co-signed the entire length with U.S. Highway 176 and it uses US 176's exit number system instead of its own. Between exits 23 and 25B the road is a freeway but has substandard or no shoulders. To the south of...
. The major airport in the region is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport , also known as GSP International Airport or Roger Milliken Field, is a public airport located in unincorporated Greenville and Spartanburg counties in South Carolina, United States, 3 miles south of central Greer; the airport serves Greenville and...
, located nearly halfway between Greenville and Spartanburg in suburban Greer. Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Clemson, Pickens, Union, and Gaffney each have smaller airfields. AMTRAK
Amtrak
The National Railroad Passenger Corporation, doing business as Amtrak , is a government-owned corporation that was organized on May 1, 1971, to provide intercity passenger train service in the United States. "Amtrak" is a portmanteau of the words "America" and "track". It is headquartered at Union...
service along the Crescent Line
Crescent (Amtrak)
The Crescent is a passenger train operated by Amtrak in the eastern part of the United States. It runs daily from Pennsylvania Station in New York City to New Orleans Union Passenger Terminal in New Orleans, Louisiana as train 19 and returns, on the same route, as train 20. Most of the route of...
stops in Spartanburg, Greenville, and Clemson.
Media
The Upstate region is served by 3 regional newspapers: The Greenville News, the (Spartanburg) Herald-JournalSpartanburg Herald-Journal
The Spartanburg Herald-Journal is a daily newspaper, and the primary newspaper for Spartanburg, South Carolina, United States.It is part of the New York Times Regional Media Group.- History :...
and the Anderson Independent-Mail, each of which serves their individual city and surrounding area respectively.
The Upstate is part of the vastly larger Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson-Asheville
Asheville, North Carolina
Asheville is a city in and the county seat of Buncombe County, North Carolina, United States. It is the largest city in Western North Carolina, and the 11th largest city in North Carolina. The City is home to the United States National Climatic Data Center , which is the world's largest active...
designated market area, which extends into western North Carolina
North Carolina
North Carolina is a state located in the southeastern United States. The state borders South Carolina and Georgia to the south, Tennessee to the west and Virginia to the north. North Carolina contains 100 counties. Its capital is Raleigh, and its largest city is Charlotte...
and northeastern Georgia
Georgia (U.S. state)
Georgia is a state located in the southeastern United States. It was established in 1732, the last of the original Thirteen Colonies. The state is named after King George II of Great Britain. Georgia was the fourth state to ratify the United States Constitution, on January 2, 1788...
. The following television stations serve the region:
- WYFFWYFFWYFF is the NBC-affiliate television station based in Greenville, South Carolina. It serves a media market which includes Greenville/Spartanburg and Anderson in South Carolina and Asheville/Hendersonville, North Carolina. The market covers large portions of western North Carolina and upstate South...
Channel 4 - Greenville (NBCNBCThe National Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network and former radio network headquartered in the GE Building in New York City's Rockefeller Center with additional major offices near Los Angeles and in Chicago...
) - WSPA-TVWSPA-TVWSPA-TV channel 7 is the CBS-affiliated television station for western North Carolina and South Carolina. It is licensed to Spartanburg, South Carolina with its transmitter is located on Hogback Mountain southwest of Tryon, North Carolina. Owned by Media General, the station is sister to CW...
Channel 7 - Spartanburg (CBSCBSCBS Broadcasting Inc. is a major US commercial broadcasting television network, which started as a radio network. The name is derived from the initials of the network's former name, Columbia Broadcasting System. The network is sometimes referred to as the "Eye Network" in reference to the shape of...
) - WLOS-TV Channel 13 - Asheville, North Carolina (ABCAmerican Broadcasting CompanyThe American Broadcasting Company is an American commercial broadcasting television network. Created in 1943 from the former NBC Blue radio network, ABC is owned by The Walt Disney Company and is part of Disney-ABC Television Group. Its first broadcast on television was in 1948...
) - WGGS-TVWGGS-TVWGGS-TV is an independent Christian television station licensed to Greenville, South Carolina. It serves the western regions of North and South Carolina. It broadcasts on UHF channel 16, and is owned by Carolina Christian Broadcasting...
Channel 16 - Greenville (TBNTrinity Broadcasting NetworkThe Trinity Broadcasting Network is a major American Christian television network. TBN is based in Costa Mesa, California, with auxiliary studio facilities in Irving, Texas; Hendersonville, Tennessee; Gadsden, Alabama; Decatur, Georgia; Miami, Florida; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Orlando, Florida; and New...
) - WHNSWHNSWHNS is the Fox affiliate television station for western North and South Carolina. Licensed to Greenville, South Carolina; it is owned by the Meredith Corporation. It broadcasts its digital signal on UHF channel 21...
Channel 21 - Greenville (FoxFox Broadcasting CompanyFox Broadcasting Company, commonly referred to as Fox Network or simply Fox , is an American commercial broadcasting television network owned by Fox Entertainment Group, part of Rupert Murdoch's News Corporation. Launched on October 9, 1986, Fox was the highest-rated broadcast network in the...
) - WNTV Channel 29 - Greenville (SCETV)
- WUNF-TV Channel 33 - Asheville (UNC-TVUNC-TVUniversity of North Carolina Television, known on-air as UNC-TV, is a public television network in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is operated by the University of North Carolina, with studios located at the UNC Center for Public Television at Research Triangle Park...
) - WMYA-TVWMYA-TVWMYA-TV is the MyNetworkTV-affiliated television station for Upstate South Carolina and Western North Carolina licensed to Anderson, South Carolina. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 14 from a transmitter in Fountain Inn, South Carolina. The station can also be seen on...
Channel 40 - Anderson (MNTVMyNetworkTVMyNetworkTV is a television broadcast syndication service in the United States, owned by the Fox Entertainment Group, a division of News Corporation...
) - WYCWWYCWWYCW is the CW-affiliated television station for Western North Carolina and Upstate South Carolina licensed to Asheville, North Carolina. It broadcasts a high definition digital signal on UHF channel 45 from a transmitter on Pinnacle Mountain Road, south of Green River Township's Jeter Mountain...
Channel 62 - Asheville (CWThe CW Television NetworkThe CW Television Network is a television network in the United States launched at the beginning of the 2006–2007 television season. It is a joint venture between CBS Corporation, the former owners of United Paramount Network , and Time Warner's Warner Bros., former majority owner of The WB...
)
See also
- I-85 CorridorI-85 CorridorThe I-85 Corridor is a multi-state region that follows Interstate 85 across the Southeastern United States. It stretches from Montgomery, Alabama to Petersburg, Virginia...
- Piedmont AtlanticPiedmont Atlantic MegaRegionThe Piedmont Atlantic Megaregion is the name given to an area of the Southeastern United States that includes the Atlanta, Charlotte, Nashville, Birmingham, Upstate South Carolina, Piedmont Triad, and Raleigh-Durham metropolitan areas. The megaregion generally follows the Interstate 85/20 corridor...
- SC-NC-VA Tornado OutbreakSC-NC-VA Tornado OutbreakThe May 1989 tornado outbreak occurred on May 5, 1989. The outbreak spawned 17 tornadoes in Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina and Virginia, and was responsible for a combined total of $169 million dollars in damage in the four states...
- List of Appalachian Regional Commission counties#South Carolina