Anderson, South Carolina
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Anderson is a city located in Anderson County, South Carolina. As of the United States 2000 Census, the city had a population of 25,514 and was the center of an urbanized area of 70,530 (one part of the larger Greenville-Spartanburg Metropolitan Area). It is the county seat of Anderson County[Geographic references#6GR6]. Anderson is the smallest of the three primary cities that makes up the Upstate region. Anderson is nicknamed "The Electric City" and "The Friendliest City in South Carolina".
History
Anderson was named for a Revolutionary War hero, General Robert Anderson. General Anderson and Andrew Pickens surveyed the land in the area. The Cherokees lived in the area until 1777. The land was then ceded to South Carolina by the Cherokee in a treaty negotiated by Andrew Pickens. This area was then called the Pendleton District for official purposes. In 1826, the Pendleton District was divided into two districts — Anderson and Pickens. Because the town of Pendleton was at the top of the county, too close to the Pickens border, a new courthouse was built at the center of the county. A small town, named Anderson Courthouse built around the courthouse and this community eventually became known as Anderson. The original courthouse was built of logs, but 10 years later a courthouse made of bricks was erected to replace it. A still-standing Anderson County Courthouse, built in 1898, now faces the current courthouse and is built on the site of the original. Also, there is still a small town called Pendleton today. In that town there is Pendleton High School, home of the bulldogs, Riverside Middle, and many elementerary schools.The settlers of this area were mostly Scots-Irish who came here from Virginia and Pennsylvania to farm. Farmers grew corn and raised hogs. Much later, cotton became the cash crop of the area. By the late 1800s the Anderson area was filled with numerous textile mills. Due to the innovation of Anderson engineer William Whitner, electricity could be conducted by wire to mills throughout the county. Anderson was the first city in the United States to have a continuous supply of electric power which in turn was supplied by a water mill located in the high shoals area of the Rocky River in Anderson County. The first cotton gin in the world to be operated by electricity was in Anderson County in 1897. Several areas of Anderson are named in his honor including a downtown street. Anderson became known as "The Electric City," a nickname that it still holds today.
Geography
Anderson is located at (34.514506, -82.648944)[Geographic references#1GR1].
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 35.9 km² (13.9 mi²). 35.8 km² (13.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.07% is water.
Economy
Anderson's economy revolves around manufacturing. Anderson has 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. It has one unionized company in the area - Anderson is a growing area in the form of economics.Education
The city of Anderson is served by the Anderson County School System (Specifically Anderson School District Five). The school district has three middle schools, eleven elementary schools, and two high schools.Elementary Schools in Anderson: Calhoun Academy of the Arts, Centerville, Concord, Homeland Park, Nevitt Forest, New Prospect, McLees, Midway, South Fant, Varennes, Whitehall
Middle Schools in Anderson: Lakeside, McCants, and Southwood
9th Grade Academies added to the High Schools: T.L. Hanna & Westside High
Hanna-Westside Extension Campus (high school trade school)
Higher Education
There are two colleges within a 30-mile radius of Anderson:- Anderson University, in Anderson
- Clemson University, in Clemson, which is in Pickens County
Attractions/Events
The city of Anderson is host to many recreational events. These include:
- An Annual Chili Cook-Off — local restaurants contend for the title of "Anderson's Best Chili."
- The Soiree — When springtime comes to Anderson, the streets are filled with local artists and vendors.
- Freedom Weekend Aloft — A Memorial Day Weekend festival involving concerts by country stars, a fair-like environment, and a hot-air balloon competition that features in excess of 100 balloons from all over the country.
Demographics
As of the United States 2000 Census[Geographic references#2GR2], there are 25,514 people, making up 10,641 households and 6,299 families residing in the city. The population density is 711.8/km² (1,843.7/mi²). There are 12,068 housing units at an average density of 336.7/km² (872.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 63.12% European American, 34.01% African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.78% Asian American, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.68% from other races, and 1.16% from two or more races. Of the population, 1.48% is Hispanic or Latino.Of these 10,641 households, 25.4% have children under the age of eighteen living with them, 36.9% are married couples living together, 18.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 40.8% are non-families. Thirty-six percent of these households consist of a single individual each, and 16.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.22 and the average family size is 2.89.
In terms of the population's age spans, 22.2% are under the age of 18, 10.7% are from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 20.4% from 45 to 64, and 20.4% are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females, there are 82.3 males. For every 100 females aged 18 and over, there are 77.5 males.
The median household income is $27,716, and the median income for a family is $39,176. Males have a median income of $29,829; females, $21,840. The per capita income for the city is $18,577. Over one-fifth (20.8%) of the population and 15.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 30.4% of those under the age of 18 and 18.2% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Anderson is the central city of an urbanized area with a total population of 70,530 (2000 census). This urban area is within the larger Greenville-Spartanburg metropolitan statistical area.
Notable Residents/ Former Residents
- Jim Ed Rice: former professional baseball player with the Boston Red Sox
- Shaun Ellis: Current professional football player
- James Robert "Radio" Kennedy: subject of the motion picture "Radio"
- Ruth Marie Milliman: contestant in the 12th series of CBS' hit Reality show Survivor.
- James Lawrence Orr: former Governor of South Carolina and Speaker of the United States House of Representatives.
- James Michael Tyler: actor, most famous role as Gunther as NBC sitcom "Friends".
- Dr. P. A. Wilhite: physician, credited by some authorities as the disoverer of ether of anasthetic purposes
- Amy the Mexican Marvel: super hero/professional wrestler, protector of the innocent and inventor of the triple lock over the shoulder flying burrito sleeper hold.
External links
- [Official Web site of the City of Anderson]
- [Anderson Independent, area newspaper]
- [Official tourism information site for Anderson County]
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