Learn more with Fact Sheets with relevant information about each of the six counties in the Upcountry.
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The county lies just along I-85 in the southern portion of upstate South Carolina, equidistant to Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. Despite its cosmopolitan neighbors, Anderson County retains the benefits of smaller-town living with friendly people and less traffic than nearby metro cities. Blending the old and new, the county seat of Anderson has revitalized its downtown with new facades, cobblestone areas, fountains, and green spaces. This revitalization complements the stately historic courthouse and the modern new courthouse facing each other on Main Street. Companies throughout the county recruit employees who have received specialized training from area schools, including nearby Tri-County Technical College and Clemson University. From a temperate Southern climate and Lake Hartwell to leading universities and a variety of arts programs, greater Anderson County offers an unmatched combination of quality of life features.
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The county was named for the Cherokee Indians who once made it their home. It was formed in 1897, and the county seat is Gaffney. Iron mining was such an important activity in this region before the Civil War, it is sometimes called the Old Iron District. Today, Cherokee County enjoys a thriving and profitable local economy and an abundance of natural and manufactured resources. Cherokee County sits in a prime location just off I-85 between Charlotte, NC and Greenville/Spartanburg, SC. Charlotte's Douglas International Airport and the Greenville - Spartanburg International Airport are both within 45 miles and the mainline of Norfolk Southern Railroad runs through Cherokee County. The Port of Charleston is easily accessible via major highways. Cherokee County offers an unbeatable combination of such
factors as an abundant and educated work force with customized training by South Carolina Special Schools, a diversified industrial base, a high standard of living and quality of life, pro-business local governments, and easy access to transportation routes.
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Encouraged by abundant streams and rivers, textile manufacturers began operating in the Upstate in the 1820s. Over the past thirty years, Greenville County has transformed from the textile capital of the world to a headquarters, manufacturing and warehousing center. Greenville is also known for its high-technology manufacturing, with the engineering industry having a major presence in the area. As South Carolina's most populous county, Greenville is situated in the northwestern corner of the state and is part of one of the nation's fastest growing areas, "The I-85 Corridor." Greenville is located between Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC on I-85. The Atlantic Ocean and Port of Charleston are 200 miles to the Southeast down I-26, and the Blue Ridge Mountains are just 15 minutes away. The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport has been cited by Condé Nast Traveler as one of the top ten airports in the country. Greenville County has a unique blend of southern traditions and international influences, gentle rolling hills, and beautiful majestic mountains--just the right combinations for a great place to live, work, and visit.
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The county was formed in 1868, and the county seat is Walhalla. This area was home to several Indian tribes, including the Creeks and the Cherokees, who gave up their lands in treaties signed in 1777 and 1785. After the American Revolution, settlers from other parts of the state began moving in, including Germans from Charleston who founded Walhalla in 1850. Oconee County is in the foothills of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and encompasses rivers, lakes, and forests. As one of South Carolina's most scenic and economically stimulating counties, Oconee County is situated in the northwestern corner of the state and is part of one of the nation's fastest growing areas, the I-85 corridor. With a diversified economic base, Oconee offers a wide variety of occupational and recreational opportunities. The towns of Oconee County are also located on the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor that extends from the Upstate to Charleston.
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The county and its county seat were named for Revolutionary War hero Andrew Pickens (1739-1817). This area in the northwestern corner of the state was Indian territory until 1777, and the earliest European settlers in this region were Indian traders. John C. Calhoun (1782-1850), United States vice president, senator, and cabinet member, made his home at Fort Hill plantation in Pickens County. His son-in-law, Thomas Green Clemson (1807-1888), bequeathed the plantation to the state for use as an agricultural college, which led to the founding of Clemson University. Pickens County is also part of one of the nation's fastest growing regions, the I-85 corridor. Nestled in the foothills of the Blue Ridge mountains, Pickens County has the best of both worlds. It has a small town atmosphere while only 30 minutes from Greenville and two hours from Atlanta, GA and Charlotte, NC. Pickens encompasses beautiful Lakes Jocassee and Keowee, and is home to prestigious Clemson University. It is an area rich in history, beauty, and vision for the future.
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Formed in 1785, Spartanburg County and its county seat were named for the Spartan Regiment, a local militia unit that fought in the Revolutionary War. The county has grown from a frontier trading post and later a major textile center to an important, more diversified, manufacturing center with more than 500 manufacturing firms. Spartanburg County also is an international business center with the highest per capita foreign investment and more than 110 international firms, including BMW Manufacturing Corporation. Spartanburg County offers businesses an excellent transportation system, including highways, rail and truck lines, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, and proximity to the Port of Charleston. Spartanburg's location at the crossroads of two major interstate highways, I-85 and I-26, put it on the top of the list for business and personal relocation.
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