Anderson County is a county located in the U.S. state of South Carolina. As of the 2010 census, its population was 187,126. Its county seat is Anderson. Named for Revolutionary War leader Robert Anderson, the county is located in northwestern South Carolina, along the state line of Georgia. Anderson County is included in the Greenville-Anderson-Mauldin, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area. Anderson County contains Lake Hartwell, a U.S. Army Corps of Engineers lake with nearly of shoreline for residential and recreational use. The area is a growing industrial, commercial and tourist center. It is the home of Anderson University, a private, selective comprehensive university of approximately 3,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (5.5%) is water. Anderson County is in the Savannah River basin and the Saluda River basin.
Adjacent counties
Pickens County – north
Greenville County – northeast
Laurens County – east
Abbeville County – south
Elbert County, Georgia – southwest
Hart County, Georgia – west
Oconee County – northwest
Major highways
Demographics
2020 census
* Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos can be of any race.
As of the 2020 United States census, there were 203,718 people, 75,825 households, and 52,038 families residing in the county.
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 187,126 people, 73,829 households, and 51,922 families residing in the county. The population density was . There were 84,774 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the county was 80.1% white, 16.0% black or African American, 0.8% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 1.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 2.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 15.9% were American, 13.6% were Irish, 10.8% were English, and 10.2% were German.
Of the 73,829 households, 33.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.1% were married couples living together, 14.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 29.7% were non-families, and 25.4% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.98. The median age was 39.7 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,871 and the median income for a family was $53,229. Males had a median income of $41,885 versus $30,920 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,117. About 12.4% of families and 15.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 23.0% of those under age 18 and 10.2% of those age 65 or over.
Government
Anderson County has a Council-Administrator form of government under South Carolina law. County Council members are elected from seven single-member districts for two-year terms. All seven council seats are open for election every two years.
Anderson County Councilmen are:
District 1: Craig Wooten (R-North Anderson)
District 2: Vacant (South & East Anderson)
District 3: Ray Graham (R-Belton/Starr/Iva area)
District 4: Brett Sanders (R-Pendleton area)
District 5: Tommy Dunn (R-West Anderson)
District 6: Jimmy Davis (R-Powdersville area)
District 7: M. Cindy Wilson (R-Williamston/Honea Path area)
The Anderson County Administrator is Rusty Burns.
Operations
Anderson County has ten divisions:
Administration
Parks, Recreation & Tourism
Central Services
Economic Development
Emergency Services
EMS & Special Operations
Environmental Services
Finance
Planning
Transportation
Politics
Since the 1970s, Anderson County has been a rock-solid Republican bastion, with the party going on a streak of winning the county in each presidential election since 1984. The exceptions came in 1976 and 1980, when Southerner Jimmy Carter overwhelmingly captured the county in the former election and fairly solidly in the latter.
Economy
Early industry in the county was textile mills, processing southern cotton. In the 21st century, industry has diversified with more than 230 manufacturers, including 22 international companies. 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 has 11 automotive suppliers and is a major player in the plastic industry, with 27 plastic companies located within its borders.
Communities
Cities
Anderson
Belton
Clemson (mostly in Pickens County)
Easley (mostly in Pickens County)
Towns
Honea Path (partly in Abbeville County)
Iva
Pelzer
Pendleton
Starr
West Pelzer
Williamston
Census-designated places
Centerville
Fair Play (mostly in Oconee County)
Homeland Park
Northlake
Piedmont (partly in Greenville County)
Powdersville
Unincorporated communities
Craytonville
La France
Sandy Springs
Townville (partly in Oconee County)
Cheddar
Piercetown
