Spartanburg is a city located in Spartanburg County in South Carolina, a state of the United States of America, and 98 miles (158 km) northwest of Columbia. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 39,673. Spartanburg's Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) population is 264,230 and the Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson Combined Statistical Area (CSA) population is 1,173,433 according to 2004 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau. It is the county seat of Spartanburg County and the second largest city of the three primary cities in the Upstate region.
Spartanburg is located at 34°56'48" North, 81°55'39" West (34.946771, -81.927603).
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 49.9 km2 (19.2 mi2). 49.6 km2 (19.1 mi2) of it is land and 0.2 km2 (0.1 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 0.47% water.
The average annual temperature is 60.6 °F (15.9 °C), with the average January temperature being 41.8 °F (5.4 °C) and the average July temperature as 80.5 °F (26.9 °C). There are four distinct but not extreme seasons. Average precipitation is 47.5 inches (1206 mm) and the average growing season is 231 days.
As of the census of 2000, there are 39,673 people, 15,989 households, and 9,721 families residing in the city. The population density is 799.9/km2 (2,066.3/mi2). There are 17,696 housing units at an average density of 356.8/km2 (923.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 47.15% White, 49.55% African American, 0.18% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.76% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,989 households out of which 28.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 34.0% are married couples living together, 23.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.2% are non-families. 34.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.33 and the average family size is 3.00.
In the city the population is spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 12.2% from 18 to 24, 26.6% from 25 to 44, 20.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 35 years. For every 100 females there are 79.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 73.9 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $28,735, and the median income for a family is $36,108. Males have a median income of $30,587 versus $23,256 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,136. 23.3% of the population and 19.4% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 34.6% of those under the age of 18 and 15.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
The economy of Spartanburg benefits from the BMW manufacturing facility located in the western end of Spartanburg County. Manufacturing began in 1996 with certain types of the 3 Series (from the E36 platform) and with the Z3 roadster. However, a year later when the newer 3 Series (E46) platform emerged, BMW decided not to build it at the Spartanburg plant, but instead exclusively manufacture variants of the popular Z4. The plant currently manufactures its Z4 roadster and X5 SUV.
Spartanburg is also home to the world headquarters and research facility for Milliken & Company. With over 12,000 associates located at more than 60 facilities worldwide, Milliken is one of the largest privately held textile and chemical manufacturers in the world. Milliken is consistently recognized as an industry leader, and has received numerous awards for its leadership and contributions in the areas of quality (including the Malcolm Baldrige National Quality Award), safety, and innovation. Milliken has also been recognized as one of the top employers in the U.S.; it was ranked 16th and 38th in FORTUNE Magazine's 2004 and 2006 lists of the 100 Best Companies to Work For.
The world headquarters of Denny's restaurants is also located in Spartanburg. QS/1 Data Systems and Extended Stay America have earch constructed new office buildings downtown to serve as their respective headquarters.
Spartanburg is serviced by two airports, Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport, a small, mostly private airport, and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), a large, international airport.
In order to establish rule over the lawless backcountry of South Carolina, in 1789 a courthouse and a jail were established near a spring. These buildings were in the center of a large rectangular plot of land around which lots were laid out. The spring acted as the settlement's water supply, and over time, more people began to settle in the area. The village of Spartanburgh was established in 1831 (2006 marks the City's 175th anniversary). Over time the "h" was dropped. In the 1870s the village's status was changed to "city," which was a testament to the rapid growth that was occurring in the area.
When the United States entered World War I in 1917 one of the 16 divisional cantonments, Camp Wadsworth, for the training of National Guard troops, was established near the town in the vicinity of present Westgate Mall. A South Carolina historical marker is located on W.O. Ezell Boulevard. Most of the New York State troops were trained there.
During World War II Camp Croft south of the city trained Army recruits. This is now a SC State park with the same name. Some portions of the park contain the original kwanza (1/2 metal tube structures).
Hampton Heights was the first historic district in Spartanburg listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Facts:
Source:
SpartanburgSouthCarolina.com
HOTELS • REAL ESTATE • JOBS