EZ Home Search Guide to Living in Spartanburg County, SC

Welcome to historic Spartanburg County, South Carolina, a member of the Upstate region. Here, you’ll find gently rolling hills and low mountain peaks. People come to soak in the natural beauty and play in the Appalachian foothills. They stay for a relaxed lifestyle and bountiful opportunities. 

Spartanburg County is a developed region in South Carolina, but it still has plenty of small-town charm. Not only do you have outdoor adventures nearby, but there’s plenty of restaurants, events, and entertainment amenities to suit a range of interests. Discover what life is like for Spartanburg County residents.

About Spartanburg County

The Upcountry region of South Carolina is known for its natural beauty and rolling landscape. Spartanburg County is no exception. This county in the northwest region of the upstate shares a border with North Carolina, Greenville, Cherokee, Union, and Lauren counties.

According to the cost of living index, where 100 represents the national average, Spartanburg posted an overall 80.2. South Carolina had an 88.2 index. In Spartanburg County, utilities were the most expensive COI, at 103, while housing had the lowest index. 

Between the winding valleys, you will find several rivers. William C Bowen Lake is a popular recreation destination in the northern area of the county, while Lake Lyman provides boating on the western side. The Middle and North branches of the Tyger River originate in Spartanburg County and merge with the Tyger River. The Pacolet River is another fishing and recreational opportunity, and the Enoree River forms Spartanburg’s southern border.

Getting around Spartanburg is pretty easy as two interstates, I-26 and I-85, bisect the county. You can be onward and upward to other major metropolitan areas relatively quickly thanks to these interstates. 

Spartanburg County History

Evidence of Native American occupation goes back thousands of years. When European settlers arrived, the Cherokee was the dominating group in the Spartanburg County area. Before the American Revolution, Spartanburg was the frontier next to the Cherokee Nation. The Cherokee ceded the lands to English settlers in 1755.

Among the earliest settlers were the Scots-Irish immigrants from Pennsylvania and traders. It served as a frontier trading post. At first, there was peace between the European immigrants and the Native Americans, however, during the Indian Wars, tensions rose, and several forts were built in the area. These include Fort Prince, Gowan’s Fort, and Fort Nichols. The present-day Greenville County and Spartanburg County boundary was established to separate Indian territory from Colonial territory.

Spartanburg was also a hot spot for the Revolutionary War, with bloody battles between the Loyalists and the Patriots. The Battle of Cowpens was a pivotal battle in the American Revolution. Brigadier General Daniel Morgan led the American assault. A monument to him stands in the Spartanburg City Square.

Throughout the 18th century, Spartanburg grew as a commercial and educational center. The construction of several rail lines through the area transported the area’s textile goods and brought tourists to the resorts setup along several mineral springs. Spartanburg became known as “The Hub of the Piedmont” for its wheel-hub shape and the many railroad lines that crossed the area. 

Spartanburg also served as an educational center, home to Wolford and Converse Colleges, a public library, and an opera house.

In World War I, Camp Wadsworth trained 100,000 men for service. A decade later, Camp Croft trained 200,000 men for World War II. Camp Wadsworth is now the site of Westgate Mall, but Camp Croft was preserved as Camp Croft State Park.

Area industry began to diversify after World War II. During the late 1950s and early 1960s, several foreign industries moved into the Spartanburg area. Modern Spartanburg has several foreign trade zones. 

Spartanburg County Cities and Areas

In the center of the county lies Spartanburg, the town bearing the same name as the county. This is a regional hub. Here you will find five different colleges. It’s also the center for industries, including serving as the headquarters for restaurant chain Denny’s.

Inman residents live in the foothills close to Lake Bowen and its water recreation opportunities. It has a historic Main Street District ideal for dining and shopping. Inman is accessible by I-26 and I-85. 

Greer is one of South Carolina’s fastest-growing cities. It lies on the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. People are attracted to Greer for its balance of urban amenities and small-town feel. At the city limits are Lake Robinson and Lake Cunningham. The BMW Manufacturing Plant is nearby.

Woodruff is a small-town community inside Spartanburg County. It has a thriving downtown, parks, and historical attractions. It’s expanding its use of multi-use trails and walkable sidewalks. 

Landrum sits against the backdrop of the Blue Ridge Mountains. It is a historic town surrounded by scenic roads, quaint eateries, and unique specialty shops.

Over 5,000 people call Pacolet home. The community has fishing piers, parks, and nature trails to explore.

As you keep looking around Spartanburg County, you’ll find even more small towns that are proud of their charm and character. These include Campobello, Chesnee, Cowpens, Duncan, Lyman, Reidville, and Welford. 

Spartanburg County Job Market

Spartanburg traditionally has a rather strong job market and economy things to the diaper stuff I’d Industries available in the area. The top employing industries are manufacturing, retail trade, transportation and warehousing, Healthcare and Educational Services. The top employers based on their size include but are not limited to Michelin North America, Sage Automotive Interiors, Spartanburg County School District, Amazon.com, BMW Manufacturing, Cryovac, and QuikTrip Corporation.

Several companies have headquarters in the Spartanburg region, including BMW’s North American manufacturing plant, Milliken & Co, one of the world’s largest privately held textile and chemical companies, and Michelin North America, a tire manufacturer.

The 2020 unemployment rate in Spartanburg was 6.6%, in line with the South Carolina reported figure but below the United States average. This was still well below its highest rate, 12% in 2010, but above the 2019 rate of 2.5%. The unemployment rate as of June 2021 in Spartanburg County was 4.5%, which again was near the South Carolina reported figure and below the United States average. 

A Spartanburg County Community profile projected that from 2016 to 2026, the job market would increase by 11.4%. The industries with the most anticipated growth were:

• Transportation and warehousing.
• Administrative and support roles.
• Accommodation and food services.
• Enterprise management. 

Spartanburg County Real Estate Market

The Spartanburg Association of Realtors provides real estate market information. The most recent monthly indicators from July 2021 show that Spartanburg County had a 21.7% drop in the month’s supply of inventory and an 8.8% year-over-year increase in the median sales price.

Historically, over the last two years, the days on the market for the county have been declining. In July 2021, it stood at 12 days, a 76.5% decrease. New listings have been slowly growing from their bottom in the summer of 2020. Year-over-year, they were up 8.8%.

The median sales price in July was $223,000. Median sales prices for the region have been increasing since spring 2019.

The month’s supply of inventory stands at 1.8 months. The 1.8 months’ supply figure has been relatively stable since January 2021. The months’ supply figure had been steadily declining since 2011 when the supply reached its peak.

Drilling down further into the various regions of Spartanburg County, we see:

• The northern half of Spartanburg County, area 15, had a 33.6% growth in new listings year-over-year. The median sales price was $257,008, a 9.6% increase. The days on the market were down 79% to just 17 days. 
• The southern half of Spartanburg County, area 33, had a 31% growth in new listings year-over-year in July 2021. The median sale price hits $241,000 and the days on the market was 25.

Spartanburg County Population 

Spartanburg County’s population has been steadily growing since the 1970s. The latest data about Spartanburg County puts its population at 327,997 as of April 2020, a 12.5% increase over 2010. The projected number of residents by 2030 is 336,810.

Demographically, the average age of a Spartanburg County resident was 38.2 years. The age bracket with the most residents was the 45-to-50-year-old group, but the age distribution was relatively equal until age 60. 

Around 73% of Spartanburg County residents identified as white, while 20.6% identified as black. Approximately 21% of the residents reported a bachelor’s degree or higher for their education. Another 30% said they had some college or an associate’s degree. This makes Spartanburg County a highly educated area of the state. 

Spartanburg County Education

The Spartanburg County School System is divided into seven districts. In total, there are 86 public schools that serve over 51,000 students. Public School Review lists some of the top-performing schools in the area as Chapman High School, James Byrnes Freshman Academy, and Woodruff High School. Some districts share specialized schools, such as the technology center. About the various districts:

• District 1 serves Campobello, Inman, and Landrum. It operates 11 schools, six Elementary, two Middle schools, two high schools, and one career center. 
• District 2 serves Boiling Springs, Chesnee, Inman, Mayo. It runs nine elementary schools, three middle schools, and two high schools. 
• District 3 serves Cowpens, Pacolet, and Spartanburg. It runs three elementary schools, one middle school, one high school, and one technology center. 
• District 4 serves Woodruff and surrounding rural areas. It operates one primary school, one elementary school, one middle school, and one high school. 
• District 5 serves Duncan, Moore, Reidville, and Wellford. It has six elementary schools, two intermediate schools, two middle schools, one high school, and one technology center.
• District 6 serves Moore, Pauline, Roebuck, and Spartanburg. It has nine elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school, and one technology center. 
• District 7 serves Spartanburg. It operates six elementary schools, three middle schools, one high school, and one specialized school. 

McCarthy Teszler School is a special education school shared between several of the school districts.

There are 14 private schools available to students in Spartanburg during the 2021 school year. Some top-ranked private schools include Eddlemon Adventist School, Spartanburg Day school, and Oakbrook Preparatory School. 

For higher education, Spartanburg is known as a college town. It is proud of its designation because there are seven opportunities for higher education within the county. 

• Wofford College was established in 1854 as an independent liberal arts college. Today offers 27 bachelor’s degrees and has graduates and professionals study programs. In total, there are 67 Majors, minors, and programs. Around 1,700 students enroll each year. 
• Converse College was founded in 1889. It has over 40 undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs. Over 1,300 students enroll each year for a four-year degree program. Its athletic teams play in NCAA Divison II.
• Spartanburg Community College is a two-year school that has 70 programs of study. Its classes train students for high-demand, high-growth careers or to transfer to a university for a bachelor’s degree.
• University of South Carolina Upstate is a four-year school ranked one of the Best Regional Colleges in the South by US News and World Report. The campus has 50 degree programs for undergraduate and graduate studies available. Some popular programs are liberal arts and sciences, business administration, nursing, and education. Around 6,000 students enroll here each year. 
• Spartanburg Methodist College is a liberal arts Christian university that enrolls around 1,000 students for two-year and four-year degrees each year. It offers six different bachelor’s degree courses.
• Edward Via College of Osteopathic Medicine (VCOM) operates a Spartanburg campus. It admits about 150 medical students each year.

Spartanburg County Health Care

Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System is the primary health care provider for Spartanburg County. It operates the Spartanburg Medical Center, a 675-bed facility that includes a research and teaching hospital. There are two campuses located on East Wood Street and the Mary Black Campus on Skyline Drive. It offers a range of medical services, including emergency, maternity, surgical, cancer, cardiovascular care, and inpatient rehabilitation.

Another facility is the Spartanburg Hospital for Restorative Care (SHRC). This 60-bed facility is for patients who require exceptional treatment for pulmonary, cardiac, Reno, infectious diseases, and complex wounds. 

Spartanburg County Things To Do

Spartanburg County is a launching point for the Upcountry’s amenities. Here, residents enjoy access to water recreation through the several lakes and rivers that dot the area. It’s easy to enjoy a day boating, canoeing, kayaking, or fishing with so many water sources in the county. 

The Spartanburg area is also home to several advanced golf courses and country clubs. Choose from The Carolina Country Club, Palmetto Hills Golf Club, The Country Club of Spartanburg, River Falls Plantation, Woodfin Ridge Golf Club.

Spartanburg County also has numerous parks located around the area. Perhaps the largest is Croft State Park.

The different towns in Spartanburg stay busy all year round with various festivals and events. Spartanburg hosts Music on Main and ArtWalk. Seasonally, there’s the International Festival, Dickens at Christmas, and Spring Fling. Greer draws visitors for its Greer Family Get and Chili Cook-Off. Inman’s annual Harvest Day draws thousands of visitors in September, as does its summer concert series. In short, there’s plenty of festivals and things to do. 

The dynamic town of Spartanburg is home to a range of dining and lifestyle amenities. Find mini-golf courses, movie theaters, ax-throwing, and water parks. The Shipwreck Cove Water Park in Duncan has a lazy river and water slides for full family fun.

Spartanburg County Local Attractions

A popular attraction is the BMW Visitors Center and Performance Center, where you can get up close to BMW vehicles and practice your handling skills in a controlled environment. Tours of the BMW manufacturing plant begin at the Zentrum Museum. Admission to the museum is free, but tours do have a fee. 

If you enjoy a thriving arts and culture scene, you will enjoy living in Spartanburg County. In Spartanburg, you will find the Chapman Cultural Center and Spartanburg Art Museum promoting area arts. 

Glendale Shoals Preserve & Waterfalls is on Lawson’s Fork Creek. A scenic waterfall cascades over a dam. The 13 acres have significant plants, animals, and birdlife. This area was also a significant cotton factory in the 1800s. 

Camp Croft State Park was once a World War II army training base. Today it has 7,000 acres of wooded terrain, 20 miles of biking and hiking trails, picnicking, and camping. You can also fish and boat in one of the two lakes.

The Milliken Arboretum is one of the largest corporate green spaces in the Southeast. It is a nationally recognized Arboretum and a beautiful place to walk around. 

Lake Bowen has 33 miles of shoreline in over fifteen hundred acres of water. You can launch off from anchor Park or find two boat ramps and other waterfront access for fishing. 

Daniel Morgan Monument located in downtown Spartanburg honors the Revolutionary War hero who defeated the Loyalists and British forces in a significant battle. 

Suber’s Corn Mill is one of the few remaining operating grist mills in South Carolina. See the milling process in action.

At Walnut Grove Plantation, you can see how free and enslaved people settled the South Carolina Backcountry, fought for independence, and helped to build a new nation.

The Spartanburg Regional History Museum has permanent exhibits on everything from the early days of Spanish explorers to the world war training camps.

Spartanburg County Dining

Enjoy flavors from across the world with all the dining, winery, and brewery choices in Spartanburg County. Whether you’re looking for a happening joint in downtown Spartanburg or a family restaurant out in the rural areas, you’ll find places with character and delicious dishes. Here’s a sampling of what kind of restaurants you can find in Spartanburg County:

• The Kennedy, a modern bistro serving classic American and southern-inspired cuisine 
• Venus Pie Pizzeria, a Spartanburg pizza mainstay since 1995.
• The Farmers Table brings local and sustainable food to the plate
• Pokenori, a customizable fast-casual sushi bowl place 
• Peddler Steak House, the meat here is cooked the old-fashioned way on charcoal 
• Stax’s Drake House in Landrum serves Southern-style cooking
• RJ Rockers Brewery handcrafts all its beers on tap

Spartanburg County Shopping

As a regional destination, Spartanburg County has a lot of shopping destinations. If you’re looking to visit name brands and big box stores, head to the Westgate Mall. It has all the classics, from Dillard’s to American Eagle to Bath & Body Works.

In downtown Spartanburg, you’ll find local shops and boutiques selling everything from home decor to clothing and gifts. Examples are Lemon Peel Shoes,  Market on Main, and Carolina Cash. 

Greer Station is the town’s central business district. It has 12 square blocks of retail, dining, and entertainment. Woodruff is another small town with a walkable downtown district featuring local shops, antique stores, and restaurants. 

Historic Landrum is known for having unique antique and specialty shops in its downtown and surrounding area. In fact, antiques make up a substantial part of Landrum’s downtown commerce. 

Spartanburg County Local Favorites

Residents love stopping at Downtown Deli and Donuts. The venue has gluten-free, vegan, and keto small-batch artisan donuts made fresh every morning. Once they’re gone, they’re gone.

Spill the Beans sells gourmet coffee and custom-blended ice creams and yogurts. It has a reputation for crazy delicious ice cream. Plus it has an ideal view of Falls Park.

The Hub City Farmer’s Market is an expansive market with fresh produce and more artisanal products. It is a producers-only farmer’s market and one of the longest-running in the upstate. 

Living in Spartanburg County

As you can see, life in Spartanburg, South Carolina is dynamic and fun. You’ll have access to all of the urban amenities as you would expect from a big city but without the dense population center. Small towns offer access to outdoor recreation, local shopping, and special event festivals. You’re close to outdoor recreation opportunities and anything that could spark your interest. All this comes with a relatively affordable price tag. If Spartanburg County sounds like it is a great place to live for you, check out the available homes for sale in Spartanburg.