Cherokee County, South Carolina
According to countryaah.com, Cherokee County, South Carolina is located in the Upstate region of South Carolina and is bordered by Spartanburg County to the north, Union County to the east, York County to the south and Georgia to the west. The county’s population was estimated at 53,743 in 2019 and its county seat is Gaffney.
The terrain of Cherokee County is mostly mountainous with some rolling hills. Much of the area is covered in dense forestland with some open pastureland and agricultural land. The major waterways that pass through Cherokee County are Broad River, Pacolet River, and Little River.
Cherokee County has a diverse economy with its major industries being manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, education services, construction and accommodation/food services. The unemployment rate in Cherokee County stands at 4%. The median household income for residents of Cherokee County was estimated at $41,906 in 2019.
Education plays an important role in Cherokee County with there being several public schools as well as private schools within its borders. There are two institutions of higher learning located here: Limestone College and University of South Carolina Upstate both located in Gaffney.
The culture of Cherokee County reflects its diverse population with there being many festivals throughout the year such as Strawberry Festival held each June or the annual Christmas parade which kicks off on Thanksgiving Day each year. There are also many historic sites within the county such as Cowpens National Battlefield which offers visitors insight into this region’s past while art galleries showcase works by local artists. Outdoor activities abound here including hiking trails that take you through scenic forests or fishing spots where you can catch bass or trout from rivers like Broad River or Little River.
Cherokee County is a great place to live work or visit thanks to its diverse economy strong educational system and wealth of cultural attractions that make it an ideal destination for those looking for an unforgettable experience.
History of Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee County, South Carolina is located in the Upstate region of the state and is bordered by Spartanburg County to the north, Union County to the east, York County to the south and Georgia to the west. The county’s population was estimated at 53,743 in 2019 and its county seat is Gaffney.
The history of Cherokee County dates back to 1777 when it was formed from parts of both York and Union counties. It was named after the Cherokee Indians who had inhabited the area prior to European settlement. During the early 19th century, Cherokee County saw a surge in population due to an influx of settlers coming from Virginia and North Carolina. These settlers were mainly farmers who sought out fertile land for their crops and livestock.
The mid-19th century saw an increase in industry with cotton mills being built along rivers such as Broad River and Little River. This growth in industry led to a boom in population which was further bolstered by railroad construction that connected local towns with larger cities such as Spartanburg and Charlotte.
The Civil War had a major impact on Cherokee County as battles were fought here between Union forces trying to occupy Confederate territory. After Reconstruction, African Americans living in Cherokee County were denied basic civil rights until passage of civil rights legislation during the 1960s which finally allowed them access to voting booths, public schools, restaurants, hotels, etc.
Today, Cherokee County is a thriving community that has seen substantial economic growth thanks largely to manufacturing jobs created by companies such as Milliken & Co., Michelin Tire Corp., Piedmont Natural Gas Co., etc. The terrain of Cherokee County is mostly mountainous with some rolling hills while its major waterways are Broad River, Pacolet River, and Little River. The county has a diverse economy with its major industries being manufacturing, healthcare, retail trade, education services, construction and accommodation/food services while its unemployment rate stands at 4%. Education plays an important role here with there being several public schools as well as private schools within its borders including Limestone College and University of South Carolina Upstate both located in Gaffney. There are also many festivals throughout the year such as Strawberry Festival held each June or the annual Christmas parade which kicks off on Thanksgiving Day each year plus plenty of outdoor activities like hiking trails or fishing spots where you can catch bass or trout from rivers like Broad River or Little River making it an ideal destination for those looking for an unforgettable experience.
Major cities and towns in Cherokee County, South Carolina
Cherokee County, South Carolina is home to a variety of vibrant cities and towns. Gaffney, the county seat, is the largest city in the county and a major business and commercial center. This city is known for its historical landmarks, such as the Cowpens National Battlefield, and its annual festivals like the Strawberry Festival. Gaffney also offers plenty of shopping opportunities with stores like Walmart Supercenter and Belk. In addition to Gaffney, there are several other smaller cities in Cherokee County that offer their own unique attractions.
Blacksburg is a small city located in the foothills of South Carolina and home to several historic sites such as The Broad River Mill Historic District and The Lilesville Historic District. This town also offers plenty of outdoor activities such as fishing, hiking, camping, boating, rafting, canoeing, kayaking and mountain biking. In addition to these activities there are several annual events that draw visitors from all over such as the Blackstock Music Festival and The Blackstock Bluegrass Festival which take place each year at various locations around Blacksburg.
Cowpens is a small town located in Cherokee County that was once an important strategic location for Confederate troops during the Civil War Battle of Cowpens. Today, it offers visitors an array of historical sites including The Cowpens National Battlefield Park where visitors can learn about this pivotal battle or take tours of nearby historic homes such as The John Dillard House or The Moses Sudduth House which were used by General Daniel Morgan prior to the battle.
Limestone College is another popular destination located in Gaffney which was established back in 1845 as a private liberal arts college for women before becoming coeducational in 1974. This college offers students a variety of academic programs including nursing, business administration and education among others while providing numerous student organizations ranging from sports teams like baseball or softball to honor societies like Phi Beta Kappa or Delta Epsilon Iota Academic Honor Society which allows students to network with professionals from around the world.
The small town of Kings Creek rounds out some of Cherokee County’s most notable towns offering visitors plenty of outdoor activities like fishing or canoeing on Lake Cooley plus access to nearby attractions such as Table Rock State Park where they can enjoy scenic views while hiking or biking on trails throughout this beautiful parkland area.
Cherokee County boasts many interesting cities and towns each offering its own unique attractions making it an ideal destination for those looking for an unforgettable experience.
Population in Cherokee County, South Carolina
According to Act-Test-Centers, Cherokee County, South Carolina is located in the northwest corner of the state and is home to a diverse population of over 55,000 people. The county seat is Gaffney and the largest cities are Blacksburg and Gaffney. According to the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2019 estimates, the population of Cherokee County is 54,845 with a median age of 43.1 years old.
The racial composition of Cherokee County is predominantly white (78%), followed by Black or African American (17%), Native American (1%), Asian (1%) and other races (3%). There is also a significant Hispanic or Latino population which makes up 5% of the total population in Cherokee County.
In terms of religion, Christianity is the dominant faith in Cherokee County with almost 80% of residents identifying as Christian while 11% identify as non-religious or unaffiliated with any religion. Other religious faiths represented in this county include Judaism, Islam, Buddhism and Hinduism among others.
The median household income for Cherokee County was $40,907 in 2019 which was significantly lower than both the state average ($51,744) and national average ($61,937). Additionally, 10% of residents were living below poverty level which was slightly above both state (9%) and national averages (10%).
In terms of education level, almost 25% have completed high school or equivalent while only 13% have earned a bachelor’s degree or higher which lags behind both state (31%) and national averages (34%). This could be attributed to lack of access to higher education opportunities due to limited resources available within this rural area.
