Information about Greenville, SC

Greenville is located in the northwestern corner of South Carolina, halfway on the I-85 between Charlotte, NC and Atlanta, GA
Greenville and the surrounding areas are commonly referred to as the Upstate or the Piedmont region.
Lying in the rolling foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with the first ridge of the mountains approximately 20 miles to the northwest and on an elevation between 800 to 1,100 feet above sea level the climate for Greenville is pleasant year-round, with spectacular seasonal changes during the year.
The weather in Greenville is moderate with an average low temperature of 48 degrees F and an average high temperature of 78 degrees F, peaking sometimes in the 90's.

Greenville is an inviting upstate city on the banks and at the waterfalls of the Reedy River with beautiful tree-lined streets.
Greenville's emergence as a cosmopolitan city is reflected in the variety and cheer number of great places to eat. Downtown is home to more than 80 restaurants, 30 of which have opened since 2000 and there are more than 600 restaurants in the immediate area.
Downtown attractions are the Bi-Lo Center, a 16,000 seat sports and entertainment arena, The Peace Center for the Performing Arts with a 2,100 seat concert hall that features Broadway, dance and orchestral music, several theaters, an Art Museum, retail shops, galeries, hotels, the Governors School of Art and the Reedy River Falls Park with a 60-foot natural waterfall, walking trails, public garden and a spectacular pedestrian bridge.
There are more than 50 golf courses in the area. The Upcountry offers superb hiking, camping, boating, fishing, hunting, biking, horseback riding and more.
Because Greenville offers tremendous advantages in every aspect of today's businesses, Greenville is the number one choice for new, expanding, and relocating companies. In addition to an excellent business climate and a quality labor force, Greenville supports a broad range of cultural, educational and recreational activities which creates a rich quality of life.

The areas beautiful mountains, dramatic waterfalls, and numerous lakes and rivers and the North Carolina's mountain region serve as a wonderfull setting for all types of outdoor adventures. In less than an hour ride you can visit Ashville, Chimney Rock Park, the Blue Ridge Parkway, Ceaser's Head, Jones Gap, Paris Mountain, Table Rock, Keowee, Jocasee, Whitewater Falls, Raven Cliff and much more.

The South Carolina coast with sandy beaches, historic places, Plantations of the Old South, Myrtle Beach, Charleston, and the Lowcountry Islands, Georgia's historic South, Metro Atlanta, or Charlotte, NC are also great places to go for a day trip.

In addition there are numerous festivals, concerts, and different events in downtown Greenville throughout the year.

The Upstate is also home to more than 250 international firms and has the highest level of foreign capital investment per capita in the nation. There are international companies from more than 25 countries, including the headquarters of BMW, Michelin, Hitachi and Bowater in the greater Greenville area located.

Greenville can easely be reached by car, train or plane. Interstate I-85, I-385 and I-26 connects Greenville to Atlanta, Cahrlotte, Charleston and the Port of Charleston. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is located about 10 miles outside downtown Greenville.

..more Facts

Population and Housing Profile: Greenville County, South Carolina

POPULATION OF Greenville County:
In 2003, Greenville County had a household population of 384,000 - 199,000 (52 percent) females and 186,000 (48 percent) males. The median age was 36.6 years. Twenty-five percent of the population were under 18 years and 12 percent were 65 years and older.
For people reporting one race, 76 percent were White alone; 19 percent were Black or African American; less than 0.5 percent were American Indian and Alaska Native; 1 percent were Asian; less than 0.5 percent were Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander, and 3 percent were Some other race. One percent reported Two or more races. Five percent of the people in Greenville County were Hispanic. Seventy-four percent of the people in Greenville County were White non-Hispanic. People of Hispanic origin may be of any race.

HOUSEHOLDS AND FAMILIES:
In 2003 there were 155,000 households in Greenville County. The average household size was 2.47 people.
Families made up 70 percent of the households in Greenville County that year. This figure includes both married-couple families (52 percent) and other families (18 percent). Nonfamily households made up 30 percent of all households in Greenville County. Most of the nonfamily households were people living alone, but some were comprised of people living in households in which no one was related to the householder.

NATIVITY AND LANGUAGE:
Six percent of the people living in Greenville County in 2003 were foreign born. Ninety-four percent were native, including 62 percent who were born in South Carolina.
Among people at least five years old living in Greenville County in 2003, 9 percent spoke a language other than English at home. Of those speaking a language other than English at home, 65 percent spoke Spanish and 35 percent spoke some other language; 44 percent reported that they did not speak English "very well."

GEOGRAPHIC MOBILITY:
In 2003, 85 percent of the people at least one year old living in Greenville County were living in the same residence one year earlier; 11 percent had moved during the past year from another residence in the same county, 3 percent from another county in the same state, 1 percent from another state, and less than 0.5 percent from abroad.

EDUCATION:
In 2003, 82 percent of people 25 years and over had at least graduated from high school and 26 percent had a bachelor's degree or higher. Among people 16 to 19 years old, 1 percent were dropouts; they were not enrolled in school and had not graduated from high school.
The total school enrollment in Greenville County was 100,000 in 2003. Preprimary school enrollment was 8,500 and elementary or high school enrollment was 72,000 children. College enrollment was 20,000.

DISABILITY:
In Greenville County, among people at least five years old in 2003, 16 percent reported a disability. The likelihood of having a disability varied by age - from 6 percent of people 5 to 20 years old, to 15 percent of people 21 to 64 years old, and to 41 percent of those 65 and older.

INDUSTRIES:
In 2003, for the employed population 16 years and older, the leading industries in Greenville County were Manufacturing, 22 percent, and Educational, health, and social services, 15 percent

OCCUPATIONS AND TYPE OF EMPLOYER:
Among the most common occupations were: Management, professional, and related occupations, 33 percent; Sales and office occupations, 27 percent; Production, transportation, and material moving occupations, 17 percent; Service occupations, 14 percent; and Construction, extraction, and maintenance occupations, 9 percent. Eighty-four percent of the people employed were Private wage and salary workers; 10 percent were Federal, state, or local government workers; and 6 percent were Self-employed.

TRAVEL TO WORK:
Eighty-six percent of Greenville County workers drove to work alone in 2003, 10 percent carpooled, less than 0.5 percent took public transportation, and 1 percent used other means. The remaining 3 percent worked at home. Among those who commuted to work, it took them on average 21 minutes to get to work.

INCOME:
The median income of households in Greenville County was $39,817. Eighty-three percent of the households received earnings and 16 percent received retirement income other than Social Security. Twenty-nine percent of the households received Social Security. The average income from Social Security was $12,576. These income sources are not mutually exclusive; that is, some households received income from more than one source.

POVERTY AND PARTICIPATION IN GOVERNMENT PROGRAMS:
In 2003, 13 percent of people were in poverty. Sixteen percent of related children under 18 were below the poverty level, compared with 14 percent of people 65 years old and over. Nine percent of all families and 19 percent of families with a female householder and no husband present had incomes below the poverty level.

HOUSING CHARACTERISTICS:
In 2003, Greenville County had a total of 172,000 housing units, 9.8 percent of which were vacant. Of the total housing units, 67 percent were in single-unit structures, 22 percent were in multi-unit structures, and 11 percent were mobile homes. Thirty percent of the housing units were built since 1990.

OCCUPIED HOUSING UNIT CHARACTERISTICS:
In 2003, Greenville County had 155,000 occupied housing units - 103,000 (66 percent) owner occupied and 53,000 (34 percent) renter occupied. Two percent of the households did not have telephone service and 9 percent of the households did not have access to a car, truck, or van for private use. Multi-vehicle households were not rare. Forty percent had two vehicles and another 19 percent had three or more.

HOUSING COSTS:
The median monthly housing costs for (specified) mortgaged owners was $1,108, (specified) nonmortgaged owners $274, and (specified) renters $572. Twenty-nine percent of owners with mortgages, 11 percent of owners without mortgages, and 52 percent of renters in Greenville County spent 30 percent or more of household income on housing.
U.S.Census Bureau / 2003

Driving in South Carolina

Refer to the South Carolina Driver's Manual for an index of traffic signs and rules of the road.

The speed limit varies between 55 to 65 mph on interstate highways in South Carolina. The maximum speed limit on rural highways is 55 mph and the maximum speed in urban areas is usually 30 mph. Be very careful to keep the speed limit around school zones (25 miles per hour).
Also, it is illegal to pass a stopped school bus (even if you are going in the opposite direction).
Seatbelts are required for the driver and all front-seat passengers in the car. South Carolina law prescribes that children from birth to 1 year old, or who weigh less than 20 pounds, must be secured in a rear-facing child safety seat.
Children 1 through 5 years old weighing 20 to 40 pounds must be restrained in a forward-facing child seat. Children 1 through 5 years old weighing 40 to 80 pounds must be secured in a belt-positioning booster seat.
Children under the age of 6 are not required to be in booster seats if they weigh more than 80 pounds or if they can sit with their backs against the car's seat and bend their legs over the seat edge without slouching. Children under 6 may not sit in the front passenger seat unless the vehicle has no rear passenger seats or if all other rear passenger seats are occupied by children less than 6 years old.
If you have an accident, obtain the name, address, driver's license number, license plate number, and insurance information of the other driver(s) involved and wait for the police to arrive.
Keep a copy of the accident report for insurance purposes.

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Travel & General Information :
Convention and Visitors Bureau
SCIWay / South Carolina Information Highway
SCIWay / South Carolina Information Highway - Greenville
Ersys - Greenville Facts
Discover South Carolina Facts
Discover Upcountry Carolina Association
Discover South Carolina.com
Greenville South
Greenville South Carolina
MySCGov
Greenville South Carolina Community Profil, Census, Demographic..
Greenville South Carolina answers..
Greenville South Carolina Communities, Neighborhoods
Greenville Downtown
Greenville Information at Wikipedia
Greenville Spartanburg International Airport

Arts & Entertainment
Greenville County Museum of Art
The Metropolitan Arts Council
Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery
The Peace Center for the Performing Arts
The Warehouse Theatre
Greenville Chorale
Greenville Symphony Orchestra
Greenville Little Theatre
The Palmetto Expo Center
CentreStage
South Carolina Children's Theatre
The Bi-Lo Center
Upstate Film Society
Artisphere: The International Arts Festival of Greenville
Fall for Greenville
Upstate Visual Arts
Festivals
Greenville Events
Greenville County Library
Movie theater

Attractions
Fall's Park
Greenville Zoo
Roper Mountain Science Center
BMW Zentrum and Gallery

Area Attractions
Great Smoky Mountains Railroad
Lake Lure Tours
Chimney Rock Park
Cowpens National Battlefield
Chattooga Wild and Scenic River
SC Trails
Appalachian Trail
Bob Campbell Geology Museum
South Carolina Botanical Garden
Southeastern Expeditions
Chimney Rock Park
Hollywild Animal Park

German speaking Services & German Products
German American Club of the Carolinas
Swiss American Society of the Piedmont
Deutsche Schule Spartanburg
Gerhard's Cafe / German Restaurant
Strossner's Bakery

-> More Community Links about Greenville <-

Distance from Greenville, SC

Public Transportation

Road
The Greenville Transit Authority provides local bus throughout the city of Greenville, providing service Monday through Saturday. (864) 467-4BUS
The Greenville Transit Authority

Bus / Greyhound
National bus travel is provided by Greyhound Bus Lines. The bus station is located in downtown Greenville.
100 W McBee Avenue
Greenville, SC 29601
Main: 864-235-4741
1-800-231-2222
Baggage: 864-235-4060
Greyhound Package Express: 864-235-4060
Greyhound Charter: 800-454-2487
Greenville's Greyhound Sation
Greyhound bus schedule and tickets

Rail
Railway transportation to Greenville is provided by Amtrak. The Amtrak station is located in downtown Greenville. 1-800-USA-RAIL; (864) 235-4741
Greenville's Amtrak station
Amtrak's Crescent line
Amtrak's Crescent line schedule
Air
The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, located 12 miles from downtown Greenville on I-85, provides passenger service to most domestic and international destinations directly or via connection. (864) 439-4476
Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport / GSP

Greenville, SC / Photo Book