ANDERSON COUNTY, SOUTH CAROLINA

'Anderson County' is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. In 2000, its population was 173,500; in 2005, the U.S. Census Bureau estimated that its population had reached 175,514. Its county seat is Anderson⁶. It is included in the Anderson, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Named for Revolutionary War leader Robert Anderson, the county is located in northwestern South Carolina, along the Georgia border. Anderson County contains Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake with nearly of shoreline for residential and recreational use. The area is a growing industrial, commercial and tourist center.

Contents

Awards and Honors

Business Climate

Government

County Council

Geography

Adjacent Counties

Demographics

Cities and towns

Awards and Honors

Due to Anderson County's progressive personality, the list of awards and recognition is extensive. Below are just a few:

Certificate of Achievement for Excellence in Financial Reporting (CAFR)

• Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA)- 2006 Budget Presentaion Award
  
• National Association of County Information Officers Superior and Excellent Awards
  
• International Association of Emergency Manager's Interagency Disaster Preparedness Award
  
• SC Association of Counties' 2006 Barrett Lawrimore Regional Cooperation Award
  
• SC Military Dept's Five Star Award for Employer Support for the Guard and Reserves
  
• Association of Public Safety Communication Officials' Emergency 9-1-1 Center of the Year Award
  
  
• All-America City Award 2000
  For a more comprehensive list, visit the Anderson County website at www.andersoncountysc.org
  

  Business Climate

  
  With over 230 manufacturers, including 22 international companies, in the county, Anderson has a thriving business climate. The top major industries in Anderson include manufacturers of automotive products, metal products, industrial machinery, plastics, publishing and textiles. Two industries that many times interconnect are the plastic and automotive sectors. There are more than 27 BMW Suppliers in the Upstate, which is recognized internationally as an automotive supplier hub. The plastic industry has a strong presence in the Upstate with 244 plastic companies located within the 10 counties of the northwest corner of SC. Anderson County, in particular, has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry with 27 plastic companies located within its borders.
  

  Government

  
  Anderson County has a Council-Administrator form of government under South
  Carolina law. County Councilmen are elected in seven districts for two year terms. All seven council seats are open for election every two years.
  Anderson County Councilmen are:
  District 1: Bob Waldrep (R-North Anderson)
  
  District 2: Gracie Floyd (D-South & East Anderson)
  
  District 3: Larry Greer (R-Belton/Starr/Iva area)
  
  District 4: Bill McAbee (R-Pendleton area)
  
  District 5: Michael G. Thompson (R-West Anderson)
  
  District 6: Ron Wilson (R-Powdersville area)
  
  District 7: M. Cindy Wilson (R-Williamston/Honea Path area)
  
  Anderson County Administrator is Joey R. Preston.
  Government Operations
  
  Anderson County has eight divisions:
  
  
  
  • Administration
    
  • Anderson Sports and Entertainment
    
  • Central Services
    
  • Community Relations
    
  • Economic Development
    
  • Emergency Services
    
  • Environmental Services
    
  • Finance
    
  • Planning
    
  • Transportation
  
  

  County Council

  
  Anderson County Council convened for the new year on January 2, 2007. Installation of new Council persons took place during this first meeting of the year.
  

  Geography

  
  According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,962 km² (757 mi²). 1,860 km² (718 mi²) of it is land and 102 km² (39 mi²) of it (5.21%) is water.
  

  Adjacent Counties

  
  
  ★ Pickens County, South Carolina - north
  
  ★ Greenville County, South Carolina - northeast
  
  ★ Laurens County, South Carolina - east
  
  ★ Abbeville County, South Carolina - south
  
  ★ Elbert County, Georgia - southwest
  
  ★ Pickens County, South Carolina - west
  
  ★ Hart County, Georgia - west
  
  ★ Oconee County, South Carolina - northwest
  

  Demographics

  
  As of the census² of 2000, there were 165,740 people, 649 households, and 4 families residing in the county. The population density was 89/km² (231/mi²). There were 73,213 housing units at an average density of 39/km² (102/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 81.56% White, 16.59% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.42% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.40% from other races, and 0.79% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
  There were 65,649 households out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 45 living with them, 55.00% were married couples living together, 12.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.00% were non-families. 24.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.94.
  In the county, the population was spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 8.40% from 18 to 24, 29.10% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 13.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.20 males.
  The median income for a household in the county was $36,807, and the median income for a family was $44,229. Males had a median income of $32,316 versus $23,834 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,365. About 9.10% of families and 12.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.30% of those under age 18 and 13.80% of those age 65 or over.
  

  Cities and towns

  
  
  ★ Anderson
  
  ★ Belton
  
  ★ Centerville (Unincorporated)
  
  ★ Clemson (Anderson/Pickens County)
  
  ★ Homeland Park (Unincorporated)
  
  ★ Honea Path
  
  ★ Iva
  
  ★ Northlake (Unincorporated)
  
  ★ Pelzer
  
  ★ Pendleton
  
  ★ Piedmont (Anderson/Greenville Counties) (Unincoporated)
  
  ★ Powdersville (Unincorporated)
  
  ★ Sandy Springs
  
  ★ Starr
  
  ★ West Pelzer
  
  ★ Williamston