History
The City of Anderson was originally called Anderson Courthouse until the districts became counties in 1868. It is located along what was once the General’s Road (now Main Street), which ran from Abbeville Courthouse to General Pickens’ home (Hopewell) near present day Clemson University. Pendleton District was split between Pickens District and Anderson District in December of 1826. Anderson County contains many smaller towns that each have their own unique flavor and history. Anderson County contains 718 square miles in the Piedmont area. It is bordered on the west by the Savannah River and Lake Hartwell, on the North by Pickens and Oconee Counties, on the east by the Saluda River, and on the south by Abbeville County.
Location
Anderson County lies along I-85 in the northwestern portion of Upstate South Carolina, halfway between Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA. The area, with one of the lowest costs of living in the United States, is a thriving industrial, commercial, and tourist center. With more than 15 universities and colleges within 50 miles of Anderson, there are many great higher education options for students. With all of these, Anderson County has the integrated resources available to help train and develop a highly skilled workforce with the prestigious education and training programs of institutions including Anderson University, Clemson University, and Tri-County Technical College. Anderson County is also home to 55,950-acre Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake with nearly 1,000 miles of shoreline for residential and recreational use. Its communities have a small-town feel that make people want to stay.
Residents
Anderson County had a total population count of 205,882 in 2019, with 38% traveling less than 10 miles to work. Within the County, there are nine municipalities and multiple communities that have unity that cannot be replicated anywhere else. Residents have witnessed their towns and communities flourish and evolve in the last 50 years with the growth of the textile mills and now the manufacturing industry.
Workforce
With 20+ international manufacturers, the opportunities are endless for careers. Industries are very well represented in Anderson County and provide residents the ability to work with a short commute. Anderson County was home to the textile mill industry in the 1900s and, with the development of new technology, currently represents many manufacturing industries throughout the county. About 68% of workers live less than 25 miles from their workplace and over half live in Anderson County. It truly is a place that you want to live, work, and play!
Quality of Life
The experience of living in Anderson County is one that is unmatched by any other location and brings a combination of quality of life features that make for an ideal home for all of its citizens. With the Upstate’s temperate southern climate, it boasts opportunity for families to get outside and enjoy all the beauty. Lake Hartwell brings year round fun for families to get outside as well as our proximity to the mountains and the SC Coast. There are endless possibilities to go outside and experience Anderson County.
