Are you looking for a friendly, small-town setting but prefer a more progressive culture? Check out Greenwood County, South Carolina. Known as a small town with a big personality, Greenwood is in South Carolina’s beautiful Upstate area. Besides the beautiful spots and outdoor adventure, the county has a well-rounded quality of life. Find excellent schools, cultural fun, a growing economy, and more. Discover what it’s like to live in Greenwood County, SC. 

About Greenwood County

Greenwood is tucked into the Piedmont or Upstate area’s lower region. Laurens, Abbeville, McCormick, Saluda, and Newberry counties surround this historic part of South Carolina.

People come here to escape the Lowcountry heat. The Upstate has a mild and seasonable climate with an average temperature of 68F. The winter sees very little icy precipitation and snow, allowing residents to enjoy outdoor activities all year round.

Greenwood County is in the Lakelands region because five different lakes are within a 30-to 40-minute drive. These lakes are resources for fishing, boating, and water sports.

The most significant is Lake Greenwood, a major tourist attraction for Greenwood County. The expansive lake and parts of the Saluda River make up the entire northeastern border. People come for beautiful lake views, championship golfing, and relaxed vibe.

Sumter National Forest makes up most of the southern portion of the county. Some small, historic towns dot the national forest area.

Greenwood County History

The Native American inhabitants of Greenwood County included the Catawba, Creek, and Cherokee peoples. They took advantage of the Piedmont region’s abundant resources and wildlife.

Early European settlers included traders and cattle drivers. During the area’s pioneer-era history, Scots-Irish farmers immigrated from Pennsylvania. An early plantation was established on Cherokee Pass in the Town of Ninety-Six. This town was established in 1769 as the judicial center for the backcountry. The backstory claims the town’s name came from the estimated distance to Keowee, a Cherokee town.

During the American Revolution, British forces built a star fort at Ninety-Six, which was held under siege by Major General Nathanael Greene. The British abandoned and burned the fort in the summer of 1781, but the town was reborn in 1786. Today, history buffs can explore the site.

The county seat of Greenwood grew up around a log house built in 1823 by lawyer John McGehee. Railroad construction in 1850 shifted the village center as businesses clustered around the railroad depot. By 1900, the town had become an Upstate agricultural market and transportation hub thanks to the five railroad lines running through the area.

Textile production was important. Greenwood was part of the cotton-growing region and had numerous cotton mills, which processed the crop into products. The region’s fields were also ideal for producing tobacco and supporting cattle.

The Great Depression severely impacted Greenwood County. Local textile mills struggled to survive, as did farmers who were hit twice as hard by declining land values. The largest New Deal project paid for constructing Buzzard’s Roost Dam on the Saluda River, which created Lake Greenwood and generated hydroelectricity.

Manufacturing increased in Greenwood County starting in the 1950s. Major corporations like FujiFilm, Monsanto, Velux, and Park Seed Company set up shop to take advantage of its water sources, transportation network, and low cost of doing business.

Greenwood County Cities and Areas

The county seat of Greenwood County is Greenwood, the town that gave the county its name. Greenwood, SC, has a population of over 23,000 residents. Besides being a transportation network, Lander University and regional healthcare resources help stabilize the town’s economy.

Ninety-Six is a historic town nine miles east of Greenwood. It has some notable Revolutionary War sites and is an integral part of the South Carolina Heritage Corridor. Beautiful golf courses and parks add to Ninety-Six’s appeal. 

Ware Shoals is a small town along the banks of the Saluda River shared with Abbeville and Laurens County. The annual Catfish Festival is its hallmark event.  

Lake Greenwood and its 212 miles of shoreline is the most significant feature of Greenwood County, South Carolina. Lake Greenwood and the Saluda River create the entire northeastern border. The lake is a popular fishing and vacation home destination.

Greenwood County Job Market

Greenwood County is a manufacturing hub that has experienced investment from International companies in the 21st century. In 2014, the county ranked among the top 10 in the state for capital investments.  About a quarter of its workforce is employed in manufacturing, which spans from pharmaceuticals to advanced materials. The county supports this workforce with Greenwood Promise, a program that helps students earn two-year degrees or technical certificates tuition-free.

The common employment sectors in Greenwood, SC, are health care, retail trade, accommodation and food service, and education services. 

Greenwood’s top employers based on their size include but are not limited to, Ascend Performance Materials, Capsugel Manufacturing, Colgate-Palmolive Company, Eaton Corporation, Fujifilm Manufacturing, Greenwood Mills, Lander University, Velux Greenwood, and Wesley Commons. 

The July 2024 unemployment rate in Greenwood was 5.5%, a figure above the United States national average. A decade ago, the unemployment rate was 12%, but this declined to its lowest point In 2019 before the pandemic, 3.0%.

A Greenwood County Community profile projected that the job market would increase 6.7% from 2016 to 2026. The industries with the most anticipated growth were:

• Transportation and warehousing
• Administrative and support roles
• Real estate and leasing
• Enterprise management

Greenwood County South Carolina Real Estate Market

Greenwood County real estate offers a selection of small-town living and rural estates.

The most recent market data from June 2024 shows that Greenwood County has entered a more stable housing market. Year-over-year, the median sales price was up 2.5% to $250,000, almost $60,000 more than in 2021. The average cost for a home was $347,264 in June 2024.

Inventory has risen 36.4%, assisted by 28% growth in new listings. The month’s supply for Greenwood, SC, homes was 3.6 months. The median home was on the market for 91 days, or just over three months.

When it comes to state property taxes, Greenwood County, on average, collects 0.75% of a property’s assessed fair market value. The median property tax for Greenwood County was $955 per year for a home worth a median value of $128,000.

Greenwood County Population 

The latest data about Greenwood County puts its residential population at 69,351 as of April 2020, a 0.005% change from the 2010 Census. The population by 2030 is anticipated to be 79,750. 

Demographically, the age bracket with the most residents was the 20- to 24-year-old group, although the median age of a resident was 33. As of 2020, around 22% of the county residents had a bachelor’s degree or higher. Another 28% had some college education. 

Greenwood County Education

The Greenwood School District 50 is the largest of the three school districts in Greenwood County. It runs 16 public schools for just over 9,000 students: eight Elementary schools, three middle schools, two high schools, one alternative center, and one technology center.

Greenwood School District 52 operates in the Ninety-Six region. It operates four schools: one primary, one elementary, one middle, and one high school. 

Ware Shoals School District 51 is shared across the county border in the northern reaches of Greenwood County. It runs four schools: one primary, elementary, middle, and high school each. 

Greenwood County residents have seven private schools to choose from. Two of the top-ranked private schools are Greenwood Christian School and Hopewood Academy.

Greenwood County started Greenwood Promise as a commitment to providing more job opportunities to locals and attracting more businesses. It’s a tuition-free program that provides higher education and helps locals earn essential certificates and degrees. Take the courses at the Piedmont Technical College, with its main campus in Greenwood. The college serves the seven counties of the larger Lakelands region. 

Another higher education option is Lander University, a public university located in Greenwood. It is the state’s second-smallest publicly-funded undergraduate Institution. Around 3,500 students have 80 areas of study to choose from. 

Greenwood County Health Care

As the Lakelands region hub, Greenwood County residents benefit from having larger medical providers close at hand. The first is the Self Regional Healthcare, a major referral and medical center with a 322-bed facility. Specialized services include cardiac care, pediatrics, sleep disorders, ambulatory care, cancer care, neurology, and vascular care. 

Greenwood Regional Rehabilitation Hospital specializes in rehabilitative services for patients recovering from disabilities caused by injuries, illnesses, or chronic medical conditions. 

Greenwood County Outdoor Adventures

The star of the landscape is Lake Greenwood’s 11,400 water acres, which make it the prime place for summertime water adventures. Families zip across the lake, pulling skiers and tubers. The fishermen come all year for its renowned bass and crappie fishing.

Lake Greenwood State Park has a fishing pier, two boat ramps, paved campsites, a conference center, and a nature trail. The park hosts the South Carolina Festival of Flowers Triathlon each June. 

Residents who enjoy golf have several courses to test their skills. The most prominent is the Greenwood Country Club, one of the country’s oldest private golf clubs and the only private country club in Greenwood. It provides a world-class full-service golf experience. It has an 18-hole award-winning golf course and a state-of-the-art tennis facility. Grand Harbor, a golf and yacht community, has lakefront views from its award-winning golf course. Players of the game can find public and affordable golf at Par Three West and Fort Club.

Equestrians will find multiple facilities for horseback riding. Lander University exemplifies the community’s love of the equine, as it has its own center which supports a variety of programs, including a minor in therapeutic riding. Grand Harbor is one local community with stables and trails. Just outside the City of Greenwood, ride through picturesque forests along the 26-mile Long Cane Horse Trail. 

Greenwood County, particularly the City of Greenwood, does have more modern recreational options. Skate Away USA has a skating rink and a Laser Tag Facility. 

Top Greenwood Events

One big attraction is the South Carolina Festival of Flowers, recognized as one of the Top 20 Events by the Southeast Tourism Society. Held each June across Greenwood County, it has 20 events for the family and the avid gardener. The spectacular topiaries stand out among the botanical displays for their whimsy and skill. Where else can you find a Jeep made out of plants? The festival includes juried shows, art exhibits, classic car shows, and community theater shows. Fujifilm Manufacturing holds a photography competition during the event.

Other stand-out festivals in Greenwood County are the Festival of Discovery, a weekend of food, music, and amusement rides; the Festival of Stars, which caps with a major fireworks display; and the Catfish Feastival in Ware Shoals. All showcase Greenwood’s homegrown goodness with some classic family-friendly fun, food trucks, live music, and more.

Greenwood County Attractions

The South Carolina Heritage Trail highlights multiple sites of interest in this historic region. In particular, the town of Ninety-Six has an important American Revolution site. The Ninety-Six National Historic Site is the location of one of the first Revolutionary War battles. The star fort survived a 28-day siege in 1781. The battle is reenacted each April. Every October, there is a Candlelight Tour of the park. Other historical attractions surround Ninety-Six, such as the Ninety-Six Presbyterian Church, a historic church founded in 1774. 

Several cultural institutions document and support local culture. The main museum is the Greenwood Museum and Railroad Historical Center, which documents the county’s history. The facilities serve as a community center and have been a leading South Carolina tourist attraction. The exhibits include six restored train cars.

Another culturally significant historic site is the Benjamin Mays Historic Site. Dr. Benjamin E. Mays was an influential civil rights leader. His childhood home has been preserved and furnished with period furniture. It displays information about Dr. Mays’ life. The building is on the site of the Burns Spring African-American School. 

More Things to Do in Greenwood

The Arts Center of Greenwood is 25,000 square feet of usable space that serves as a visitor center, classrooms, artist studios, and a professional art gallery. The Uptown anchor offers art classes for all ages.

Agritourism is another thing to do in Greenwood County. Popular Emerald Farm is a goat farm with a goat milk soap farm store and activities for family-friendly fun. It offers group tours of the facilities. In season, a stop at the Peach Stand is a must for the best South Carolina peaches.

Greenwood County Dining

Find a culinary tradition that mixes chain restaurants with locally-owned venues that leverage homegrown goodness from nearby farms. Some restaurants have been in operation for years and are residents’ favorites. Much of the cuisine is American or Southern-style cooking but you’ll find international cuisine, too. Here’s a sampling of the delicious food options in Greenwood County: 

• Polo’s Restaurant in Greenwood offers a casual dining experience with the freshest ingredients
• Pascal’s Cafe is a bistro-style restaurant serving a blend of French and American Cuisine with Southern Charm
• R Place Grill and Spirits provides classic American Pub food
• Amish Oven whips up homestyle cooking and comfort food 

Greenwood County Shopping

Several shopping malls and centers are spread throughout the county to meet your essential and gifting needs. The largest, the Greenwood Mall, has your name-brand retailers such as Belk, TJ Maxx, Rue21, and Hibbett Sports.

Uptown Greenwood is a beautiful Main Street America shopping district with businesses, retail, and dining options. Take your time browsing the boutique shopping; these local vendors serve the community. Uptown Greenwood also hosts festivals and markets throughout the year. Enjoy live music and a street fair on different Saturdays. The Uptown Market is a place for locally grown produce and other food products. It operates once or twice a week, depending on the time of year. It also runs a special Christmas Market in November and December. 

Living in Greenwood County

Greenwood County, South Carolina, has a lot to offer its residents. Families take advantage of quality education and a small public undergraduate University. There’s a strong job market here, and the cost of living is affordable. Numerous small towns deliver the classic American lifestyle, where the neighbors still know each other’s names. Spend weekends enjoying the parks and recreational opportunities, a community festival, or connecting with your family. Explore Greenwood County real estate to find the right home for you.