Facts & Figures
Learn more about the ten counties that comprise the Upstate of South CarolinaPopulation of the Upstate
Total Household Number
Average Household Income
Median Upstate Age
Residents Under the Age of 45
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Residents With HS Diploma or Higher
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Explore Upstate South Carolina
Abbeville
Abbeville County, founded in 1785, is the “Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy” and claims John C. Calhoun as a native son. Abbeville County covers 508 square miles and encompasses Calhoun Falls State Park and Marina, Richard Russell Dam, and Sumter National Forest. Historically, Abbeville County includes the Abbeville Opera House and historic district, the Burk-Stark Mansion (circa 1841), and Erskine College, located in the town of Due West.
Population (2021): 24,299
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Flexible Technologies, Inc.
- Prysmian Power Cables and systems Usa, LLC
- Burnstein Von Seelan Precision Castings Corporation
- Kelley & Strahl Company, Inc.
- Flex-Tek Group (us) Inc.
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Abbeville County Economic Development Partnership, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Anderson
Techtronis Industries North AmericaAnderson County has been able to merge its historic past with a business-minded present. Anderson County’s 230 manufacturers have led the way for the theme of “Making News… Making Progress” that has developed Anderson County into the state’s number one capital investment location. The county is also renowned for the inviting Lake Hartwell, its state parks, and its waterfalls.
Population (2021): 206,908
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Techtronis Industries North America
- Electrolux
- Bosch
- PepsiCo
- Ingles Markets
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Anderson County Economic Development, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Cherokee
Cherokee County is named for the Cherokee people who historically occupied this area prior to European encounter. The county was formed in 1897 and is most famous for the Battle of Cowpens during the Revolutionary War. The City of Gaffney resides within the county and is recognized across the United States for the famous Peachoid Water Tower, which stands along Interstate 85.
Population (2021): 56,052
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- PepsiCo
- GE
- NIKE
- Siemens
- General Motors (GM)
Sources: ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Greenville
Greenville County is the most populous county in South Carolina. Over the past thirty years, Greenville County has diversified and expanded to become the commercial, cultural, and recreational heart of the Upstate. It is the home of many international and national corporate offices and boasts such attractions as Falls Park, the Peace Center, Caesars Head State Park, and the Bon Secours Wellness Arena.
Population (2021): 533,844
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- GE
- BMW Group
- ZF Group
- Michelin North America
- BMW Manufacturing
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Anderson County Economic Development, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Greenwood
Greenwood County is an economic leader in South Carolina and is home to the Greenwood Genetic Center, which provides clinical genetic services, diagnostic laboratory testing, educational programs, and research in the field of medical genetics. In recent years, Greenwood has seen an increase in the number of homes built for vacation and retirement as people discover the beauty of the county’s lakeshore, including Lake Greenwood State Recreation Area. Greenwood’s natural assets are showcased each June during the South Carolina Festival of Flowers.
Population (2021): 69,241
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Fujifilm Manufacturing U.S.A., Inc
- Lonza Greenwoof LLC
- CPF Holdings LLC
- Old CPF LLC
- Greenwood Mills, Inc.
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Greenwood Partnership Alliance, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Laurens
Considered to be the gateway to the region, Laurens County welcomes visitors to the Upstate. Organized in 1785, Laurens County was established as an area centered on textiles. Today, textiles have been replaced by a mix of industries, including plastics, automotive, and advanced manufacturing. Laurens County is also home to the Musgrove Mill State Historic Site.
Population (2021): 67,803
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Ceramtec North America LLC
- Laurens CB&I Inc
- BPM-CPG Technology, Inc.
- Kimura, Inc.
- American-Metric Corporation
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Laurens County Development Corporation, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Oconee
Oconee County is now a proven performer for business and industry, where Fortune 500 companies such as Duke Energy have invested more than $220 million in recent years. From this solid economic base have come many new occupational opportunities in Oconee County. The county is situated amidst the countless rivers, lakes, and forests that give Oconee County its natural beauty. The county is home to numerous waterfalls and hiking trails. Oconee County hosts the South Carolina Apple Festival, Oktoberfest, and the Spring Heritage Festival.
Population (2021): 79,203
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Duke Energy
- BorgWarner
- Itron
- JTEKT/Koyo Bearings
- Schneider Electric
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Oconee Economic Alliance, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Pickens
Pickens is the former home of the United States’ seventh Vice President, John C. Calhoun. The land became the home of Clemson University, which was named the “Public School of the Year” in 2000 by Time Magazine and has brought many industrial gains to the county. Pickens County hosts the Pumpkin Festival, Heritage Day at Hagood Mill, and Dacusville Farm Days. The county also boasts such beautiful natural sites as Lakes Keowee and Jocasse, Sassafras Mountain, and Table Rock State Park.
Population (2021): 132,229
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Kentwool Company
- Tri Sate Pump and Control, Inc.
- Foothills Machining, Inc.
- Durham’s Hardwoods of Pickens, Inc.
- Bee Well Honey Farm & Supply, Inc.
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Alliance Pickens, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Spartanburg
Spartanburg is the home of more per capita international investment than anywhere else in the country. Centered along the intersection of two major interstates, the area has become host to more than 110 international firms, including the American headquarters of BMW manufacturing company and Milliken Company. Spartanburg County is also rich in the preservation of natural wonders and historical sites, including Cowpens National Battlefield, Walnut Grove Plantation, and Hatcher Garden and Woodland Preserve.
Population (2021): 335,864
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- BMW Group
- Siemens
- BMW Manufacturing
- Ingles Markets
- Magna International
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Spartanburg Economic Futures Group, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Union
Union County was named for Union Church, erected in 1765 to serve the predominantly Scotch-Irish settlers from Virginia and Pennsylvania. The area contains a wealth of natural resources, including long stretches of the Broad and Tyger Rivers, five lakes, and 55,000 acres of preserved land in the Sumter National Forest. History buffs can tour the home and gardens of the antebellum Rose Hill Plantation State Park.
Population (2022): 26,900
Top Manufacturing Employers Include:
- Gestamp Automoción
- Milliken & Co. (Cedar Hill Plant)
- Timken
- Haemonetics
- Standard Textile Carolina
Sources: South Carolina Appalachian Council of Governments, Union County Development Board, ESRI Business Analyst; US Census Bureau, Upstate SC Alliance
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Top Manufacturing Employers
BMW Manufacturing Co. LLC
Michelin North America, Inc.
GE Power & Water
Milliken & Co.
Regional Organizations
