Greenville County SC

Greenville County South Carolina

Greenville County is the economic engine of the Upstate region; it is a county on the move. As we grow, we are committed to being a vibrant, diverse community, with abundant opportunities for unmatched quality of life, one that blends innovation with respect for tradition.

Greenville County is a county located in the state of South Carolina, United States. As of 2006, the population is 417,166, making it the most populous county in the state. It is included in the Greenville, South Carolina Metropolitan Statistical Area. Its county seat is Greenville

While the low country of South Carolina had been settled for many years, Greenville County, once the stronghold of the Cherokee Indians, was not ceded until 1777. The Greenville District was created in 1786, but was known as Pleasantburg until 1831. The origins of the name Greenville County are uncertain. The county was either named for an early resident, Isaac Green or Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene.

The first settler in present Greenville County was Richard Pearis. He married a Cherokee woman and records indicate that the Cherokee tribe thought so highly of him that he was given several tracts of land by the Cherokee Indian tribe. On part of this estate now stands the City of Greenville and Paris Mountain, it's name a derivative of Pearis.

The city of Greenville was founded in 1770 at the site of the Reedy River Falls Park in downtown Greenville. The falls were once the source of power for early industries. The land around Greenville became a village centered around a trading post and grist mill.

Greenville evolved at the vision of Vardry McBee, whom some call the "Father of Greenville". He was instrumental in moving Furman University from Edgefield to Greenville in 1851 and in securing Greenville's first railroad. McBee encouraged the construction of mills to take advantage of Greenville's proximity to fast-flowing water, the Reedy River. Soon the town was the home to a number of grist, textile and paper mills and the largest carriage factory east of the Mississippi. By the end of the 19th century and into the next, Greenville industry was expanding up and down the banks of the Reedy River.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,059 km² (795 mi²). 2,046 km² (790 mi²) of it is land and 13 km² (5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.61% water.

Adjacent Counties
Henderson County, North Carolina - north
Polk County, North Carolina - northeast
Spartanburg County, South Carolina - east
Laurens County, South Carolina - southeast
Abbeville County, South Carolina - south
Anderson County, South Carolina - southwest
Pickens County, South Carolina - west
Transylvania County, North Carolina - northwest

Demographics
As of the census2estimate of 2003, there are 395,357 people thus making this the most populous county in the state. There are 149,556 households, and 101,997 families residing in the county. The population density is 186/km² (480/mi²). There are 162,803 housing units at an average density of 80/km² (206/mi²). The racial makeup of the county is 77.53% White, 18.30% Black or African American, 0.19% Native American, 1.38% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 1.42% from other races, and 1.14% from two or more races. 3.76% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 149,556 households out of which 31.90% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.30% are married couples living together, 12.30% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.80% are non-families. 26.80% of all households are made up of individuals and 8.50% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.47 and the average family size is 3.00.

In the county, the population is spread out with 24.60% under the age of 18, 9.60% from 18 to 24, 31.20% from 25 to 44, 22.80% from 45 to 64, and 11.70% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 94.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 91.60 males.

The median income for a household in the county is $41,149, and the median income for a family is $50,332. Males have a median income of $37,313 versus $26,034 for females. The per capita income for the county is $22,081. 10.50% of the population and 7.90% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 13.20% of those under the age of 18 and 10.60% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

Cities and Towns
(population figures are from the 2000 census)

Fountain Inn (pop. 6,017)
Greenville (pop. 56,002)
Greer (pop. 16,843)
Mauldin (pop. 15,224)
Simpsonville (pop. 14,352)
Travelers Rest (pop. 4,099)

Unincorporated Communities
Berea
City View
Dunean
Five Forks
Gantt
Golden Grove
Highlands
Jackson Grove
Judson
Parker
Sans Souci
Slater-Marietta
Taylors
Tigerville
Wade Hampton
Welcome

Find A Greenville SC Real Estate Agent