Anderson, South Carolina Explained

Anderson
Settlement Type:City
Nickname:The Electric City, Friendliest City in South Carolina
Motto:"Teamwork Integrity Professionalism"
Pushpin Map:South Carolina#USA#North America
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Name1:South Carolina
Subdivision Name2:Anderson
Unit Pref:Imperial
Population Total:28106
Population As Of:2020
Population Est:29980
Pop Est As Of:2023
Total Type:Total
Area Total Km2:41.09
Area Land Km2:41.00
Area Water Km2:0.10
Area Water Percent:0.25
Population Density Km2:685.56
Population Urban:118369 (US: 286th)[1]
Population Density Urban Km2:476.4
Population Density Urban Sq Mi:1233.8
Named For:Robert Anderson
Government Type:Council–manager
Leader Title:Mayor
Leader Title1:City Manager
Leader Name:Terence Roberts
Leader Name1:David McCuen
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:45-01360
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:2403098
Elevation Ft:807
Postal Code Type:ZIP Codes
Postal Code:29621–29626
Area Footnotes:[2]
Area Total Sq Mi:15.87
Area Land Sq Mi:15.83
Area Water Sq Mi:0.04
Population Density Sq Mi:1775.60
Established Title:Founded
Established Date:December 1826
Established Title1:Incorporated
Established Date1:December 19, 1833[3]

Anderson is a city in and the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina, United States.[4] The population was 28,106 at the 2020 census, making it the 16th-most populous city in South Carolina. It is one of the principal cities in the Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 975,480 in 2023.[5] [6] It is included in the larger Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC Combined Statistical Area, which had an estimated population of 1,590,636 in 2023.[6] It is just off Interstate 85 and is from Atlanta and 140miles from Charlotte. Anderson is the smallest of the three primary cities that make up the Upstate region, and is nicknamed the "Electric City" and the "Friendliest City in South Carolina".

History

Anderson Court House

Cherokee first settled the area of what is today the city of Anderson. During the American Revolution, the Cherokee sided with the British. After the American Revolutionary War, the Cherokee's land was acquired as war reparations and colonized. In 1791, the South Carolina Legislature created the Washington District, which comprised Greenville, Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens Counties. The Washington District was then divided into Greenville and Pendleton districts. Anderson, Pickens, and Oconee comprised the newly created Pendleton district. Anderson was settled in 1826 and incorporated in 1828 as Anderson Court House, separate from the Pendleton district. The name Anderson is in honor of Robert Anderson, who fought in the American Revolutionary War and also explored the Anderson region in the mid-18th century. Anderson District (later Anderson County after 1867) was also established in 1826 out of the Pendleton district.

In 1851, the Johnson Female Seminary was established in Anderson as the first college of the town and was named after William Bullein Johnson. One year later, the seminary was renamed Johnson University.[7] During the American Civil War, Johnson University was closed and converted into a Confederate treasury. On May 1, 1865, Union forces invaded Anderson looking for the Confederate treasury. The treasury office of Anderson was ransacked by Union forces, and the main building of Johnson University was used as a Union headquarters. A minor skirmish erupted at the Battle of Anderson, leading to two Union casualties.[8] After the war, a Union garrison was stationed in Anderson.

The Electric City

Anderson became one of the first cities in the Southeastern United States to have electricity. Electricity to Anderson was established by William C. Whitner in 1895 at a hydroelectric plant on the Rocky River, giving the city the name the Electric City. Anderson also became the first city in the world to supply a cotton gin by electricity. In 1895, Anderson Court House was renamed to Anderson.[9] [10] In 1897, Whitner's plant was upgraded with a 10,000-volt generating station at Portman Shoals. Whitner's power plant at Portman Shoals became the first hydroelectric plant in the United States to generate high voltage without step-up transformers .[11] The Portman Dam was swept away in 1901, forcing Anderson into darkness until it was rebuilt in 1902.[12]

Anderson University

In 1911, Anderson College was established by the Anderson Chamber of Commerce. Anderson College was the successor to Johnson University and is affiliated with the South Carolina Baptist Convention. Anderson College became Anderson University.[13] It is accredited as a Level VI institution (offers bachelors, masters, Ph.D. degrees) by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools Commission on Colleges.[14] As of October 2022, it is the largest private university in South Carolina.[15]

Geography

Anderson is located in the northwest corner of South Carolina on the Piedmont plateau. Anderson is a 1-hour drive from the Blue Ridge Mountains and a 4-hour drive from the South Carolina coast. Anderson lies roughly at the midpoint of the I-85 corridor between Atlanta and Charlotte.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of, of which is land and (0.25%) is water.[2]

Demographics

2020 census

Anderson racial composition[16] !Race!Num.!Perc.
White (non-Hispanic)16,39258.32%
Black or African American (non-Hispanic)8,27629.45%
Native American460.16%
Asian4161.48%
Pacific Islander50.02%
Other/Mixed1,2224.35%
Hispanic or Latino1,7496.22%

As of the 2020 census, there were 28,106 people, 11,412 households, and 6,112 families residing in the city.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,[17] there were 25,514 people, 10,641 households, and 6,299 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,843.7 people/sq mi (711.8/km2). The 12,068 housing units averaged 872.1/sq mi (336.7/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 63.12% White, 34.01% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.78% Asian American, 0.72% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Hispanics or Latinos of any race were 1.48% of the population.

Cityscape

Historic districts

Other historical locations

See also: National Register of Historic Places listings in Anderson County, South Carolina.

Parks

Economy

Anderson is home to the largest Glen Raven, Inc. manufacturing center facility, which focuses on manufacturing Sunbrella fabrics.[18] Anderson's economy revolves around manufacturing. It has over 230 manufacturers, including 22 international companies. In the county, Anderson has a thriving business climate. Its top major industries 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. More than 27 BMW suppliers are the Upstate region, which is recognized internationally as an automotive supplier hub. The plastics industry has a strong presence in the Upstate, with 244 plastic companies located within the 10 counties of the state's northwest corner. Anderson County, in particular, has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry, with 27 plastics companies located within its borders.[19] [20]

Hospitals

AnMed Health is one of the top employers in the county, and the primary healthcare network for Anderson. AnMed Health Medical Center is the main medical facility, offering all the amenities of a standard hospital, as well as a heart and vascular center, and stroke/neurological center. Located 2.5 miles north of the facility is the AnMed Health Campus, which includes a women's and children's hospital, minor care, cancer center, speech and occupational therapy, and more. The AnMed Rehabilitation Hospital is located between the two facilities. AnMed has recently received national attention being awarded the "National Presidents Circle Award," and the "American College of Cardiology Foundation’s 2012 NCDR ACTION Registry–GWTG Platinum Performance Achievement Award."

In addition to these three network hospitals, AnMed also operates several smaller facilities throughout the city and county that range from a free clinic and minor care to doctor's offices.

Education

The city of Anderson is served by the Anderson County School System (specifically, Anderson School District Five). The school district has 11 elementary schools, five middle schools, and two high schools. Anderson is home to Anderson University, a private university with roughly 3,900 undergraduate and graduate students.

Elementary schools

Middle schools

High schools

Private schools

Higher education

Library

Anderson has a public library, a branch of the Anderson County Library System.[21]

Transportation

Airports

Anderson is served by Anderson Regional Airport. The airport is 3miles away from Anderson and has 2 runways; runway 5/23 is 6000feet and runway 17/35 is 5000feet. The airport also has helipads. The airport has no control tower but can accommodate regional jet aircraft. In addition, the airport has a small terminal.

The nearest airport with commercial service is Greenville–Spartanburg International Airport, about away.

Roads and highways

Anderson has five signed exits on I-85, currently the city's only freeway. Several notable highways pass through the city, including US 29, US 76, US 178 (co-signed along Clemson Boulevard, also known as SC 28 Bus.), and SC 187.

In 2011, construction began on a new east–west connector that is about 3miles long between Clemson Boulevard and South Carolina Highway 81.[22] On August 16, 2010, the connector was voted to have four lanes with turn and bike lanes, and a completion date set in October 2012.[23]

On November, 8th, 2013, the East-West Parkway formally opened to traffic.

Public transit

Anderson has six bus routes that travel to most major areas of the city, running every hour.[24] [25] The city also receives service from Clemson Area Transit (CATS) via the 4U route.[26] The city uses both newer hybrid buses and older style trolleys resembling Anderson's old streetcars. Inter-city bus travel is available through Greyhound Lines.

One of the Southeast High-Speed Rail Corridor alternatives for a Charlotte - Greenville - Atlanta route includes a stop at Anderson.[27] [28] This would mark the first time that passenger rail reached Anderson, since the passing of Piedmont and Northern Railway in ca. 1947[29] [30] and the Blue Ridge Railway in ca. 1951 from Anderson.[31] [32]

Government

Anderson is governed using the mayor-council system. The mayor is elected at-large. The city council consists of eight members; six are elected from districts and the other two are elected at-large.

Notable people

Sister cities

Anderson has two sister cities, as designated by Sister Cities International:[41]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: 2020 Census Qualifying Urban Areas and Final Criteria Clarifications . United States Census Bureau . Federal Register . December 29, 2022 . January 30, 2023 . December 30, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221230035004/https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2022/12/29/2022-28286/2020-census-qualifying-urban-areas-and-final-criteria-clarifications . live .
  2. Web site: ArcGIS REST Services Directory . United States Census Bureau . October 15, 2022 . February 13, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230213082645/https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE%3D%2745%27&outFields=NAME%2CSTATE%2CPLACE%2CAREALAND%2CAREAWATER%2CLSADC%2CCENTLAT%2CCENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json . live .
  3. Web site: About . 17 May 2016 . www.cityofandersonsc.com . March 11, 2023 . March 11, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230311211117/https://www.cityofandersonsc.com/about/ . live .
  4. Web site: Find a County . 2011-06-07 . National Association of Counties . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20110531210815/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx . 2011-05-31.
  5. Web site: July 21, 2023 . OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas . July 21, 2023 . August 10, 2023 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20230721214234/https://www.whitehouse.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf . live .
  6. Web site: March 14, 2024 . Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas Population Totals: 2020-2023 . March 15, 2024 . United States Census Bureau, Population Division.
  7. News: Johnson Female Seminary . The Abbeville Banner . January 29, 1851 . November 20, 2016 . November 20, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161120151208/http://digital.tcl.sc.edu/cdm/ref/collection/bro/id/902 . live .
  8. News: Area schools affected by Civil War . 20 November 2016 . Independent Mail . July 5, 2014 . November 20, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161120151045/http://archive.independentmail.com/news/local/area-schools-affected-by-civil-war-ep-413213245-345852102.html . live .
  9. Web site: History of Anderson, South Carolina . u-s-history.com . February 9, 2016 . August 10, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160810025307/http://www.u-s-history.com/pages/h2371.html . live .
  10. Web site: Anderson: "The Electric City" . 9 February 2016 . February 15, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160215133508/http://www.hmdb.org/marker.asp?marker=10693 . live .
  11. Web site: The South Carolina man who put the electric in "The Electric City" . Appalachianhistory.net . 20 November 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161120211940/http://www.appalachianhistory.net/2015/07/south-carolina-man-who-put-electric-in.html . 2016-11-20 . dead.
  12. Web site: Portman Dam and Power Plant Historical Marker . 2022-11-06 . www.hmdb.org . en . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106213610/https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=10697 . live .
  13. Web site: Anderson University - Anderson, South Carolina . Sciway.net . 20 November 2016 . November 21, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20161121170842/http://www.sciway.net/sc-photos/anderson-county/anderson-college.html . dead .
  14. Web site: institutions-sacscoc . sacscoc.org . July 7, 2023 . July 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162856/https://sacscoc.org/institutions/?institution_name=Anderson+university&results_per_page=25&curpage=1 . live .
  15. Web site: Anderson University Celebrates Highest Enrollment in its 111-Year History . Andersonuniversity.edu . July 7, 2023 . July 7, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20230707162935/https://andersonuniversity.edu/news/record-enrollment-2022 . live .
  16. Web site: Explore Census Data . 2021-12-14 . data.census.gov . December 14, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211214192839/https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4501360&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2 . live .
  17. Web site: U.S. Census website . 2008-01-31 . . December 3, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20211203054608/https://www.census.gov/ . live .
  18. Web site: Glen Raven expanding Anderson County Sunbrella® manufacturing center . South Carolina Department of Commerce . 22 July 2021 . July 22, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210722183012/https://www.sccommerce.com/news/glen-raven-expanding-anderson-county-sunbrella%25C2%25AE-manufacturing-center . live .
  19. Web site: Manufacturing in Anderson County - Anderson Area Chamber of Commerce - Anderson, SC, SC . 2022-11-06 . www.andersonscchamber.com . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106213608/https://www.andersonscchamber.com/manufacturing-in-anderson-county . live .
  20. Web site: Plastic Omnium expanding operations in Anderson County South Carolina Department of Commerce . 2022-11-06 . www.sccommerce.com . November 6, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20221106213607/https://www.sccommerce.com/news/plastic-omnium-expanding-operations-anderson-county . live .
  21. Web site: South Carolina libraries and archives . SCIWAY . 7 June 2019 . June 7, 2019 . https://web.archive.org/web/20190607194043/https://www.sciway.net/lib/counties.html . live .
  22. Web site: News – City of Anderson, SC . Cityofandersonsc.com . 2014-06-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627150132/http://www.cityofandersonsc.com/news/planning.html . 2014-06-27.
  23. Web site: Foster . Kisha . 4-Lanes Approved For East-West Connector | WYFF Home - WYFF Home . Wyff4.com . 2010-08-17 . 2014-06-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20120323010847/http://www.wyff4.com/news/24652646/detail.html . 2012-03-23.
  24. Web site: February 13, 2018 . Transit . October 28, 2023 . www.cityofandersonsc.com . en-US . October 28, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231028164142/https://www.cityofandersonsc.com/transit/ . live .
  25. Web site: February 4, 2016 . Transit Time and Fares . October 28, 2023 . www.cityofandersonsc.com . June 20, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210620115509/https://www.cityofandersonsc.com/wp-content/uploads/neighborhoods-and-transit/transit-times-and-fares.pdf . live .
  26. Web site: Clemson Area Transit - Anderson Route . Catbus.com . 2014-06-26 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20140627213905/http://www.catbus.com/home/anderson-route-2.html . 2014-06-27.
  27. "Atlanta to Charlotte Passenger Rail Corridor Investment Plan - Alternatives Development Report". Atlanta, Georgia: Georgia Department of Transportation. October 2015. Retrieved October 19, 2019.
  28. Web site: Henderson, Bruce (October 18, 2019). "High-speed rail could link Charlotte to Atlanta in 2 hours. Have your say next week". The Charlotte Observer. Retrieved October 19, 2019. . March 11, 2021 . November 14, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20201114050115/https://www.charlotteobserver.com/news/local/article236401808.html . live .
  29. Piedmont and Northern Railway . Official Guide of the Railways . National Railway Publication Company . 78 . 12 . May 1946.
  30. Piedmont and Northern Railway, freight only branch; reporting from June 1, 1947 timetable . Official Guide of the Railways . National Railway Publication Company . 80 . 11 . April 1948.
  31. Blue Ridge Railway . Official Guide of the Railways . National Railway Publication Company . 82 . 3 . August 1949.
  32. Carolina and Northwestern Railway, 'Belton and Walhalla (Anderson Division)', freight only . Official Guide of the Railways . National Railway Publication Company . 84 . 7 . December 1951.
  33. Web site: Gilbey . Ryan . Chadwick Boseman obituary . The Guardian . 29 August 2020 . 29 August 2020 . August 29, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200829135657/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2020/aug/29/chadwick-boseman-obituary . live .
  34. Web site: Yung Carter's Profile On Beat Making Videos . 2015-01-30 . June 6, 2017 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170606101533/http://www.beatmakingvideos.com/Producer/yung-carter . live .
  35. Web site: Former Hanna QB Preston Jones returns to alma mater as receivers coach . independentmail.com . July 19, 2012 . November 17, 2014 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20141219033950/http://www.independentmail.com/sports/gofridaynight/former-hanna-qb-preston-jones-returns-to-alma-as . December 19, 2014.
  36. Book: Who Was Who in America, Historical Volume, 1607-1896 . Marquis Who's Who . Chicago . 1963.
  37. Ferber . Lawrence . The Other White Meat . June 11, 2023 . . December 25, 2008 . February 18, 2018 . https://web.archive.org/web/20180218092911/https://www.advocate.com/arts-entertainment/film/2008/12/25/other-white-meat . live .
  38. News: Anderson mayor released from hospital after aneurysm . . July 12, 2017 . January 17, 2022 . https://web.archive.org/web/20220117173421/https://www.wrdw.com/content/news/Anderson-mayor-released-from-hospital-after-aneurysm-434082243.html . live .
  39. Web site: Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles: "Candy Jim" Taylor . 2020-08-20 . www.nlbemuseum.com . April 18, 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210418190000/https://nlbemuseum.com/history/players/taylorcj.html . live .
  40. Web site: Negro Leagues Baseball eMuseum: Personal Profiles: "Steel Arm Johnny" Taylor . 2020-08-20 . www.nlbemuseum.com . February 18, 2020 . https://web.archive.org/web/20200218163959/http://www.nlbemuseum.com/nlbemuseum/history/players/taylorsaj.html . live .
  41. Web site: Interactive City Directory . 2017-02-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170207193940/http://www.sister-cities.org/interactive-map/Anderson,%20South%20Carolina . 2017-02-07 . dead.

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