Anderson, South Carolina

Anderson, South Carolina
Name	Anderson
Settlement type	City
Nickname	The Electric City
Pushpin label	Anderson
Coordinates	34, 30, 45, N...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	United States
Subdivision type1	State
Subdivision name1	South Carolina
Subdivision type2	County
Subdivision name2	Anderson
Established title	Founded
Established date	1826
Established title1	Incorporated (town)
Established date1	1833
Established title2	Incorporated (city)
Established date2	1882
Government type	Council-Manager
Leader title	Mayor
Leader name	Terence Roberts
Leader title1	City Manager
Leader name1	David McCuen
Unit pref	Imperial
Area total km2	37.80
Area total sq mi	14.59
Area land km2	37.60
Area land sq mi	14.52
Area water km2	0.20
Area water sq mi	0.08
Elevation ft	761
Population as of	2020
Population total	28,106
Population density km2	747.5
Population density sq mi	1,935.7
Timezone	EST
Utc offset	-5
Timezone DST	EDT
Utc offset DST	-4
Postal code type	ZIP Codes
Postal code	29621-29626
Area code	864
Blank name	FIPS code
Blank info	45-01360
Blank1 name	GNIS feature ID
Blank1 info	1244916
Website	www.cityofandersonsc.com
Pop est as of	2022
Population est	28788

Anderson, South Carolina is the county seat of Anderson County, South Carolina and a principal city within the Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville Combined Statistical Area. Nicknamed "The Electric City" for being among the first in the nation to have a continuous supply of electric power from a water-powered generator in 1895, it is a commercial and industrial hub for the Upstate region. The city is anchored by Anderson University and is situated near the Lake Hartwell reservoir, a major Army Corps of Engineers project on the Savannah River.

History

The area was originally part of the historic Cherokee lands until the Revolutionary War period, with early settlement following the 1777 Treaty of DeWitt's Corner. The city was founded in 1826 and named for Revolutionary War figure Robert Anderson; it was incorporated as a town in 1833 and as a city in 1882. Its development was heavily influenced by the Pendleton District and the rise of cotton cultivation, facilitated by the arrival of the Greenville and Columbia Railroad in 1851. The city gained national prominence in 1895 when engineer William C. Whitner harnessed power from the Rocky River to provide the first long-distance alternating current transmission system in the nation, earning its enduring nickname. The 20th century saw significant growth with the construction of Lake Hartwell in the 1960s and the expansion of manufacturing, particularly in the textile industry.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 14.59 square miles, of which 14.52 square miles is land and 0.08 square miles is water. It is located in the Piedmont region of northwestern South Carolina, approximately 30 miles southwest of Greenville, South Carolina and 120 miles northeast of Atlanta. The primary water bodies are the Rocky River and the nearby Lake Hartwell, a 56,000-acre reservoir on the Savannah River created by the Army Corps of Engineers. The city's topography is characterized by rolling hills, and it lies within the Savannah River basin.

Demographics

As of the 2020 census, the population was 28,106, with a population density of approximately 1,935.7 people per square mile. The racial makeup was 58.5% White, 33.5% African American, 2.0% Asian, and 4.6% identifying as two or more races; Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 7.1% of the population. The median household income was $44,167, with about 20.3% of the population living below the poverty line. The city is part of the Anderson County Metropolitan Statistical Area and the larger Greenville-Spartanburg-Asheville Combined Statistical Area.

Economy

Historically dominated by textile mills, the local economy has diversified into advanced manufacturing, logistics, and healthcare. Major employers include Michelin, Bosch, TTI, Inc., and the AnMed Health Medical Center. The city is a key logistics and distribution point due to its proximity to Interstate 85 and the Port of Charleston. Anderson University is a significant educational and economic institution, while tourism related to Lake Hartwell and events like the Anderson Soiree and the Electric City Playhouse also contribute. The Carolina Anderson South Carolina Anderson County Anderson University AnMed Health Michelin Bosch contribute to the economic base.

Culture and recreation

The city is home to the Anderson County Museum and the Anderson Arts Center, located in the historic Carnegie library building. Performing arts are centered at the Electric City Playhouse and the Anderson Symphony Orchestra. Annual events include the Anderson Soiree street festival, the Electric City Arts Festival, and the Anderson County Fair. Outdoor recreation is focused on Lake Hartwell, which offers boating, fishing, and camping, managed by the Army Corps of Engineers. The city maintains several parks, including Darlington Anderson Sports Center and Denver Anderson County Anderson South Carolina Anderson University AnMed Health Michelin Bosch Anderson County Museum Anderson Arts Center Electric City Playhouse Anderson Symphony Orchestra Anderson Soiree Electric City Arts Festival Anderson County Fair Lake Hartwell Darlington Anderson Sports Center Anderson County.

Government

Anderson operates under a council-manager system established by its City charter. The legislative body is an elected seven-member City Council, which includes the mayor and six council members representing single-member districts. The council appoints a professional city manager, currently David McCuen, to oversee daily administrative operations. The current mayor is Terence Roberts. The city provides services including police, fire, public works, and utilities, and is part of South Carolina's 3rd congressional district represented by Jeff Duncan.

Category:Cities in South Carolina Category:Anderson County, South Carolina Category:County seats in South Carolina Category:Upstate South Carolina