Editing Cherokee County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Cherokee County
 | state                = South Carolina
 | ex image             = Limestone College.png
 | ex image cap         = [[Limestone College]] at [[Limestone Springs Historic District]] in Gaffney
 | founded              = 1897
 | named for            = [[Cherokee Indians]]
 | seal                 = Cherokee County Seal, SC.webp
 | flag                 = Cherokee County Flag.gif
 | seat wl              = Gaffney
 | largest city wl      = Gaffney
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 397.47
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 392.96
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 4.51
 | area percentage      = 1.13
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 56216
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 56714 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|35.05|-81.61|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.cherokeecountysc.com
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | district             = 5th }}

'''Cherokee County''' is a [[county (United States)|county]] in the U.S. state of [[South Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 56,216.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> The [[county seat]] is [[Gaffney, South Carolina|Gaffney]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150509170006/http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |archive-date=May 9, 2015 }}</ref> The county was formed in 1897 from parts of [[York County, South Carolina|York]], [[Union County, South Carolina|Union]], and [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg]] counties. It was named for the [[Cherokee people]] who historically occupied this area prior to European encounter.<ref>{{cite book|author=Federal Writers' Project|author-link=Federal Writers' Project|title=Palmetto Place Names|url=https://babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=uc1.c056089075&view=1up&seq=19|year=1941|publisher=Sloane Printing Co.|page=13}}</ref> Cherokee County comprises the Gaffney, SC [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Upstate South Carolina|Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC Combined Statistical Area]].

==History==
This area was occupied for thousands of years by [[indigenous peoples]] and by the historic [[Cherokee people]] before the arrival of Europeans.

When European traders and settlers entered the area, they used the existing Native American paths: called collectively the [[Trading Path]]. The Upper Road and Lower Cherokee Traders Path were paths that passed through the piedmont. The former connected to [[Fredericksburg, Virginia]], leading from the Virginia Tidewater, into the Piedmont, and continue down further South.

The Lower Cherokee Traders Path especially connected areas in present-day western North Carolina, upstate South Carolina and northeastern Georgia. In the mid-18th century, waves of British migrants and immigrants, an estimated 250,000 people, traveled by these paths into Cherokee and neighboring counties in the piedmont. This backcountry area was initially settled especially by immigrant [[Ulster Scots people]], along with Germans and Anglo-Americans migrating into the area. Up until the mid-19th century, plantations were developed in the county. Enslaved African-Americans, for their labor, and as “property,” were the basis of the county's economy until the end of the Civil War.

During the [[American Revolutionary War]], the [[Battle of Cowpens]] was fought on January 17, 1781, in northwestern Cherokee County, north of the town of [[Cowpens, South Carolina]], an engagement in the [[Southern theatre of the American Revolutionary War|American Revolution's southern theatre]] resulting in a [[Patriot (American Revolution)|Patriot]] victory.

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q619609|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Cherokee County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|397.47|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|392.96|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|4.51|sqmi}} (1.13%) is water.<ref>{{Cite web |date=August 23, 2022 |title=2020 County Gazetteer Files – South Carolina |url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_counties_45.txt |access-date=September 10, 2023 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> It is the third-smallest county in South Carolina by land area and fourth-smallest by total area.

===Mountain peaks===
* [[Draytonville Mountain]]
* [[Brown's Mountain]]
* [[Thicketty Mountain]]
* [[Whitaker Mountain]]
Draytonville Mountain is known to locals as McKown's Mountain, named for a farmer who owned much of the land in that area.

===Major water bodies===
* [[Broad River (Carolinas)|Broad River]]
* [[McKowns Creek (South Carolina)|McKowns Creek]]
* [[Pacolet River]]

===National protected areas===
* [[Cowpens National Battlefield]]
* [[Kings Mountain National Military Park]] (part)

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[London Creek Wildlife Management Area]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=SCDNR Public Lands |url=https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/County |access-date=April 1, 2023 |website=www2.dnr.sc.gov}}</ref>
* [[Magness-Humphries House]]
* [[Peachoid]]

=== Adjacent counties ===
* [[Cleveland County, North Carolina]] – north
* [[York County, South Carolina|York County]] – east
* [[Union County, South Carolina|Union County]] – south
* [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg County]] – west
* [[Rutherford County, North Carolina]] – northwest

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1900= 21359
|1910= 26179
|1920= 27570
|1930= 32201
|1940= 33290
|1950= 34992
|1960= 35205
|1970= 36791
|1980= 40983
|1990= 44506
|2000= 52537
|2010= 55342
|2020= 56216
|estyear=2023
|estimate=56714
|estref=<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=March 16, 2015|archive-date=August 11, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120811110448/http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu/|url-status=dead}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/sc190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|editor-last=Forstall|editor-first=Richard L.|date=March 27, 1995|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20221009/https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=October 9, 2022 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|date=April 2, 2001|access-date=March 16, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF"/> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/cherokeecountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Cherokee County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Cherokee County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45021&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|39,576
|70.4%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|11,292
|20.09%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|161
|0.29%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|341
|0.61%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|14
|0.02%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|2,055
|3.66%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|2,777
|4.94%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 56,216 people, 20,699 households, and 11,592 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 55,342&nbsp;people, 21,519&nbsp;households, and 14,941&nbsp;families residing in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45021
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213032716/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45021
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref><ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45021.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060610112110/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45021.html |archive-date=June 10, 2006 |access-date=November 22, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|140.9|PD/sqmi}}. There were 23,997 housing units at an average density of {{convert|61.1|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45021
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184033/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45021
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 75.0% white, 20.4% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 2.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.7% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 14.7% were American, 9.7% were Irish, 6.6% were English, and 6.5% were German.<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45021
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031136/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45021
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 21,519&nbsp;households, 35.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples living together, 17.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 30.6% were non-families, and 25.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 3.03. The median age was 38.3 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $34,132 and the median income for a family was $46,164. Males had a median income of $39,048 versus $27,390 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,862. About 14.3% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 27.5% of those under age 18 and 11.0% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45021
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 9, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213024552/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45021
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=May 14, 2011 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 52,537 people, 20,495 households, and 14,612 families residing in the county. The population density was {{convert|134|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 22,400 housing units at an average density of {{convert|57|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 76.92% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 20.56% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.20% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.31% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.84% from two or more races. 2.08% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 39.1% were of "American", 6.8% Irish, 5.8% English and 5.6% German ancestry according to [[Census 2000]]. Most of those claiming "American" ancestry are of Scots-Irish and/or English descent, but have family who have been in the country for so long, that they no longer differentiate such national origins and choose to identify simply as "American".<ref>[https://books.google.com/books?id=SVoAXh-dNuYC&dq=Sharing+the+dream:+white+males+in+multicultural+America++english+ancestry&pg=PA57 Sharing the Dream: White Males in a Multicultural America] By Dominic J. Pulera.</ref><ref>Reynolds Farley, 'The New Census Question about Ancestry: What Did It Tell Us?', ''Demography'', Vol. 28, No. 3 (August 1991), pp. 414, 421.</ref><ref>Stanley Lieberson and Lawrence Santi, 'The Use of Nativity Data to Estimate Ethnic Characteristics and Patterns', ''Social Science Research'', Vol. 14, No. 1 (1985), pp. 44–6.</ref><ref>Stanley Lieberson and Mary C. Waters, 'Ethnic Groups in Flux: The Changing Ethnic Responses of American Whites', ''Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science'', Vol. 487, No. 79 (September 1986), pp. 82–86.</ref><ref>Mary C. Waters, ''Ethnic Options: Choosing Identities in America'' (Berkeley: University of California Press, 1990), p. 36.</ref>

There were 20,495 households, out of which 32.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.30% were married couples living together, 15.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.70% were non-families. 25.00% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 3.01.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 25.80% under the age of 18, 9.00% from 18 to 24, 29.60% from 25 to 44, 23.20% from 45 to 64, and 12.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 93.80 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $33,787, and the median income for a family was $39,393. Males had a median income of $30,984 versus $21,298 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,421. About 11.00% of families and 23.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.90% of those under age 18 and 15.20% of those age 65 or over.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-45.xls |title=Archived copy |access-date=December 5, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110917061927/http://www.census.gov/popest/counties/tables/CO-EST2005-01-45.xls |archive-date=September 17, 2011 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

== Government and politics ==
Like the rest of northwest South Carolina, Cherokee County has been a [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] stronghold since the Reagan era, and increasingly so in recent years. Each presidential election from 2016 onward has broken the record for the strongest Republican support in the county since 1972.

{{PresHead|place=Cherokee County, South Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|last=Leip|first=David|website=uselectionatlas.org|access-date=March 13, 2018}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|18,697|5,939|203|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|18,043|6,983|244|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|15,167|6,092|500|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|13,314|7,231|228|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|13,305|7,215|246|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|12,090|6,466|158|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|9,900|6,138|285|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|6,689|5,821|1,129|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|6,887|5,453|2,217|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|7,763|4,322|66|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,655|4,101|53|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|5,379|6,889|150|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,931|7,765|36|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|7,570|2,107|123|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|2,853|1,998|5,642|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|3,627|4,258|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,565|5,391|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|907|3,687|308|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,529|5,545|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|77|605|1,076|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|68|1,620|33|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|36|2,069|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|23|2,280|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|37|2,363|2|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|89|1,388|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|24|1,186|6|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|48|1,771|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|13|1,271|35|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|16|1,259|7|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|31|1,507|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1900|Democratic|59|1,084|0|South Carolina}}

==Economy==
Cherokee County is the only county to have three national parks within its boundaries: the [[Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail]], [[Kings Mountain National Military Park]] and [[Cowpens National Battlefield]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 7, 2017 |title=National Parks in South Carolina |url=https://everything-everywhere.com/national-park-service-sites-in-south-carolina/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=Everything Everywhere |language=en-US}}</ref> Several historic homes dot the landscape of Cherokee County. While many are not generally open to the public, several annual tours of these homes take place.<ref>{{Cite web |title=National Register Sites in Cherokee County |url=http://www.nationalregister.sc.gov/cherokee/nrcherokee.htm |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=www.nationalregister.sc.gov}}</ref>

Gaffney Little Theatre and [[Limestone College]] serve theater enthusiasts, offering plays and musicals ten to twelve times a year.

Located outside the city of [[Gaffney, South Carolina|Gaffney]] is the Cherokee Speedway, a 3/8th mile dirt racing track that hosts several short track stock car racing events. Originally constructed in the 1950s, it has had notable early racecar drivers like [[Bobby Isaac]] and [[Curtis Turner]] compete there.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Staff Writer |date=July 15, 1989 |title=Down in the dirt GAFFNEY |url=https://www.goupstate.com/story/news/1989/07/15/down-in-the-dirt-gaffney/29514746007/ |access-date=April 12, 2024 |website=Spartanburg Herald-Journal |language=en-US}}</ref>

A major shopping center is Prime Outlets-Gaffney, which attracts almost 3,000,000 visitors per year, and contains over 80 retail outlets. Floyd Baker Boulevard is a major commercial area in Gaffney. It has numerous stores and restaurants. Uptown Gaffney offers many upscale boutiques, shops and cafes.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gaffney Historical Marker |url=https://www.hmdb.org/m.asp?m=7245 |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=www.hmdb.org |language=en}}</ref>

The area's newest attraction is the Cherokee County History and Arts Museum. It is located at the old Central School. Cherokee County's history, its contributions to the arts, and its role in shaping the culture of the southeast are explored.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Society |first=Cherokee Historical and Preservation |title=Museum |url=https://cherokeecountyhistory.org/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=Cherokee Historical and Preservation Society |language=en-US}}</ref>

In 2022, the GDP of Cherokee County was $2.1 billion (roughly $37,764 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Cherokee County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45021 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> In [[Chained dollars|chained 2017 dollars]], the real GDP was $1.8 billion (about $31,928 per capita).<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Cherokee County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45021 |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> Its unemployment rate has fluctuated between 3.2-5.3% during 2022 through 2024.<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics |date=1990-01-01 |title=Unemployment Rate in Cherokee County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/SCCHER1URN |access-date=2024-05-01 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref>

{{As of|2024|April}}, [[Dollar Tree]], [[Limestone University]], [[Nestlé]], [[Timken Company]], and [[Walmart]] are some of the largest employers in the county.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Cherokee County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000021.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, South Carolina |issue=4000021}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Cherokee County, South Carolina<ref name=":0" />
! style="text-align:left;" | Industry
! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Counts
! style="text-align:right;" | Employment Percentage (%)
! style="text-align:right;" | Average Annual Wage ($)
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Accommodation and Food Services || style="text-align:right;" | 1,739 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 20,384
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 1,181 || style="text-align:right;" | 6.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 35,360
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 13 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 24,336
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation || style="text-align:right;" | 216 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 26,520
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 755 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 66,300
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Educational Services || style="text-align:right;" | 1,471 || style="text-align:right;" | 8.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 51,428
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 246 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 61,776
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 1,056 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 34,164
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 58 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 36,400
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 5,782 || style="text-align:right;" | 31.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 55,796
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 418 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 27,664
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 226 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 62,140
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 670 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 44,876
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 121 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 48,568
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 2,295 || style="text-align:right;" | 12.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 27,612
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 1,188 || style="text-align:right;" | 6.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 52,156
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Utilities || style="text-align:right;" | 175 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 94,900
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 645 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 52,988
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''18,255''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''45,063'''
|}

===Nuclear power plant===
In 2002, the President [[George W. Bush]] administration initiated the [[Nuclear Power 2010 Program]], to encourage the development of nuclear power plants to meet energy needs. The program developed a streamlining of approval processes for licensing and had subsidies. Additional incentives were authorized under the Nuclear Power Act of 2005.

On March 16, 2006 [[Duke Power]] announced that a Cherokee County site had been selected for a potential new [[nuclear power plant]], to be called the [[William States Lee III Nuclear Generating Station]], informally known as Lee Station. The site is jointly owned by Duke Power and [[Southern Company]]. Duke plans to develop the site for two [[Westinghouse Electric Company]] [[AP1000]] (advanced passive) [[pressurized water reactor]]s. Each reactor is capable of producing approximately 1,117 megawatts. (See [[Nuclear Power 2010 Program]].) This site is adjacent to the old [[Cherokee Nuclear Power Plant]] site, which was never completed and ultimately abandoned. It was used by [[James Cameron]] as a set for the 1989 film ''[[The Abyss]]''.

On December 14, 2007 [[Duke Power]] submitted a [[Combined Construction and Operating License]] to the [[Nuclear Regulatory Commission]], with an announcement that it will spend $160&nbsp;million in 2008 on the plant with a total cost of 5–6&nbsp;billion dollars.<ref>{{cite news| url=https://www.reuters.com/article/companyNewsAndPR/idUSN1324347520071213 | work=Reuters | title=UPDATE 1-Duke Energy files to build new nuclear power plant | date=December 13, 2007}}</ref> Due to a slowdown in licensing and increase in costs, a federal license for what is estimated to be an $11&nbsp;billion plant is not expected until 2016. Duke Energy will decide after that point whether to go forward with construction.<ref>[http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/27/4644116/duke-energy-wont-buy-into-sc-nuclear.html#storylink=cpy "Duke Energy won't buy into SC nuclear plant &#91;Santee Cooper&#93;"] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141229155853/http://www.charlotteobserver.com/2014/01/27/4644116/duke-energy-wont-buy-into-sc-nuclear.html#storylink=cpy |date=December 29, 2014 }}, ''Charlotte Observer'', January 27, 2014, accessed December 28, 2014</ref> In August 2017, Duke Energy announced that construction plans at the site had been put on an indefinite hold. The company retains the rights to restart construction in the future.<ref>{{cite news|title=Duke Seeks To Cancel William States Lee Nuclear Power Project – News – Nuclear Power News – Nuclear Street – Nuclear Power Plant News, Jobs, and Careers|url=https://nuclearstreet.com/nuclear_power_industry_news/b/nuclear_power_news/archive/2017/08/25/duke-seeks-to-cancel-william-states-lee-nuclear-power-project-082502|access-date=August 27, 2017|work=nuclearstreet.com|language=en}}</ref>

==Transportation==
The lifeline of Cherokee County, [[Interstate 85 in South Carolina|I-85]], runs through the city limits of [[Gaffney, South Carolina|Gaffney]]. It carries traffic and trade contributing to the business development along Floyd Baker Blvd, the county's main thoroughfare, which bisects I-85. Much of the county's growth occurs along I-85.

With no airports of its own, Cherokee County is served by [[Charlotte Douglas International Airport]] and [[Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport]]. A study to determine the feasibility of building an airport in the county revealed that an airport is desperately needed by businesses. Previous studies have determined the structure of the airport and possible airport sites have been narrowed down to two sites – one located just south of Gaffney and one located outside of Blacksburg. A major economic feasibility study is now being conducted, as required for funding by the federal government. If the airport is economically viable, the government could contribute 95% of the funds needed to construct the airport, if the project is authorized by Congress. If the study fails, then no federal funding will be provided.<ref>{{Cite web |last=ohtadmin |date=October 30, 2020 |title=Airport again a hot topic for county council – The Gaffney Ledger |url=https://www.gaffneyledger.com/articles/airport-again-a-hot-topic-for-county-council/ |access-date=June 12, 2022 |website=The Gaffney Ledger -}}</ref>

===Major highways===
* {{Jct|state=SC|I|85}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|29}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|221}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US-Alt|221|dab1=Chesnee}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|5}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|11}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|18}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|18|dab1=Gaffney}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|97}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|105}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|105|dab1=Cherokee County}} (near Draytonville)
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|105|dab1=Saratt}} (Saratt)
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|110}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|150}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|198}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|211}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|329}}

==Healthcare==
Gaffney is home to several healthcare institutions:

===Cherokee Medical Center===
Cherokee Medical Center, a division of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System, is a 125-bed acute care facility located in Gaffney, S.C., that services Cherokee County and the surrounding areas.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spartanburgregional.com/locations/cherokee-medical-center/|title=Cherokee Medical Center – Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System|website=www.spartanburgregional.com|access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref> The hospital provides services including emergency, medical, surgical and imaging. Formerly Gaffney Medical Center, the hospital joined Mary Black Health System in 2015 and became Mary Black Health System – Gaffney. Mary Black facilities became part of Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System in 2019.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://discoverhealth.org/know-more/spartanburg-regional-completes-mary-black-acquisition-|title=Spartanburg Regional completes Mary Black acquisition|author=Staff Reports|date=December 31, 2018|website=DiscoverHealth.org|language=en|access-date=January 28, 2019|archive-date=January 29, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129010528/https://discoverhealth.org/know-more/spartanburg-regional-completes-mary-black-acquisition-|url-status=dead}}</ref>

===Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute at Gaffney===
Based in Spartanburg, Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute provides comprehensive cancer care to the Upstate South Carolina community and beyond. One of four locations, Gibbs at Gaffney opened in September 2011 with the mission of providing oncology services to the Cherokee County community.

Gibbs at Gaffney provides medical oncology and infusion services.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spartanburgregional.com/care-treatment/cancer/|title=Cancer Treatment at Gibbs Cancer Center – Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System|website=www.spartanburgregional.com|access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref>

===Immediate Care Center – Gaffney===
Located on Floyd Baker Boulevard, Immediate Care Center – Gaffney provides a hybrid of urgent and primary care.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.spartanburgregional.com/locations/immediate-care-centers/|title=Immediate Care Centers – Spartanburg Regional Healthcare System|website=www.spartanburgregional.com|access-date=January 28, 2019}}</ref>

=== Medical Group of the Carolinas ===
A network of more than 100 practices in Upstate South Carolina, Medical Group of the Carolinas includes several medical practices in Cherokee County. The local offices include family and internal medicine, cardiology, orthopaedics, hematology oncology, urology and women's care.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.medicalgroupofthecarolinas.com/mgc/|title=Medical Group of the Carolinas|website=www.medicalgroupofthecarolinas.com|language=en|access-date=January 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190129181349/https://www.medicalgroupofthecarolinas.com/mgc/|archive-date=January 29, 2019|url-status=dead}}</ref>

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Chesnee, South Carolina|Chesnee]] (partly in Spartanburg County)
* [[Gaffney, South Carolina|Gaffney]] (county seat and largest community)

===Towns===
* [[Blacksburg, South Carolina|Blacksburg]]
* [[Smyrna, South Carolina|Smyrna]] (mostly in York County)

===Census-designated places===
* [[Cherokee Falls, South Carolina|Cherokee Falls]]
* [[East Gaffney, South Carolina|East Gaffney]]

===Other unincorporated communities===
* [[Cashion Crossroads, South Carolina|Cashion Crossroads]]
* [[Draytonville, South Carolina|Draytonville]]
* [[Goucher, South Carolina|Goucher]]
* [[Grassy Pond, South Carolina|Grassy Pond]]
* [[Kings Creek, South Carolina|Kings Creek]]
* [[Macedonia, South Carolina|Macedonia]]
* [[State Line, South Carolina|State Line]]
* [[Thicketty, South Carolina|Thicketty]]

=== Ghost towns ===

* [[Ezell, South Carolina|Ezell]]

==See also==
* [[List of counties in South Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Cherokee County, South Carolina]]
* [[Tryon County, North Carolina]], former county in [[North Carolina]] which included modern-day parts of Cherokee County

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|2532499}}
* {{Official website|https://cherokeecountysc.gov/}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060713005214/http://www.cherokeechamber.org/ Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060624001711/http://www.cherokeecountyhistory.org/ Cherokee County Historical & Preservation Society]
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20170606160317/https://www.rootsandrecall.com/cherokee/ Cherokee County history and images]

{{Geographic location
|Centre    = Cherokee County, South Carolina
|North     = [[Cleveland County, North Carolina|Cleveland County]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[York County, South Carolina|York County]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Union County, South Carolina|Union County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Spartanburg County, South Carolina|Spartanburg County]]
|Northwest = [[Rutherford County, North Carolina]]
}}
{{Cherokee County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Cherokee County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:South Carolina placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1897 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1897]]