Greenwood County, South Carolina

Greenwood_County_Courthouse,_Greenwood,_South_Carolina

Greenwood County, South Carolina

Greenwood County, South Carolina is a county located in the state of South Carolina, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 69,351. The county seat is Greenwood. The county was formed in 1897 from parts of Abbeville and Edgefield counties.

History

Greenwood County was established in 1897, named after its county seat, Greenwood. The area was originally inhabited by the Cherokee and other Native American tribes before European settlers arrived in the 18th century. The county has a rich history, including its role in the American Civil War and its development during the Industrial Revolution.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 463 square miles (1,200 km²), of which 455 square miles (1,180 km²) is land and 8.2 square miles (21 km²) (1.8%) is water. The county is part of the Piedmont region, characterized by rolling hills and numerous lakes and rivers.

Adjacent counties

• Laurens County - northeast
• Newberry County - east
• Edgefield County - south
• Saluda County - southeast
• Abbeville County - west
• McCormick County - southwest
• Anderson County - northwest

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, there were 69,351 people, 26,803 households, and 17,890 families residing in the county. The population density was 152 people per square mile (59/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 60.2% White, 34.5% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, and 3.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.4% of the population.

Economy

Greenwood County has a diverse economy with significant contributions from manufacturing, healthcare, education, and retail sectors. Major employers include Self Regional Healthcare, Greenwood School District, and various manufacturing companies.

Education

The county is served by several public school districts, including Greenwood School District 50, Greenwood School District 51, and Greenwood School District 52. Higher education institutions include Lander University and Piedmont Technical College.

Transportation

Greenwood County is served by several major highways, including U.S. Route 25, U.S. Route 178, and U.S. Route 221. The county also has a regional airport, the Greenwood County Airport.

Communities

City

• Greenwood

Towns

• Hodges
• Ninety Six
• Troy
• Ware Shoals

Unincorporated communities

• Bradley
• Cokesbury
• Coronaca
• Kirksey
• Promised Land

Notable People

• Benjamin Mays, a prominent civil rights leader and mentor to Martin Luther King Jr., was born in Greenwood County.

See also

• List of counties in South Carolina
• National Register of Historic Places listings in Greenwood County, South Carolina