Editing Oconee County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Distinguish|Oconee County, Georgia}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Oconee County
 | state                = South Carolina
 | seal                 = Oconee County Seal.jpg
 | founded              = 1868
 | seat wl              = Walhalla
 | largest city wl      = Seneca
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 673.57
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 626.56
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 47.01
 | area percentage      = 6.98
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 78607
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 81221 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|34.75|-83.06|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web        = www.oconeesc.com
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | ex image             = Oconee County Courthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Oconee County Courthouse in Walhalla
 | district             = 3rd
 | flag                 = Flag of Oconee County, South Carolina.svg
 | named for            = [[Cherokee]] word for "land beside the water" <ref name="Named for">{{cite web|url= https://oconeelibrary.org/history-of-oconee-county/#:~:text=Oconee%20County%2C%20located%20in%20the,Walhalla%20became%20the%20county%20seat.|title= History Of Oconee County|publisher= www.oconeelibrary.org|access-date= June 13, 2022}}</ref>
 | nickname             = Land Beside The Water
 | logo                 = Oconee County Logo.jpg }}

'''Oconee County''' is the westernmost [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 78,607.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Walhalla, South Carolina|Walhalla]] and its largest community is [[Seneca, South Carolina|Seneca]].<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}}</ref> Oconee County is included in the [[Seneca, South Carolina|Seneca]], SC [[Micropolitan Statistical Area]], which is also included in the [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]]-[[Spartanburg, South Carolina|Spartanburg]]-[[Anderson, South Carolina|Anderson]], SC [[Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, SC Combined Statistical Area|Combined Statistical Area]]. [[South Carolina Highway 11]], the Cherokee Foothills National Scenic Highway, begins in southern Oconee County at Interstate Highway 85 at the Georgia state line.

==History==
Oconee County was named after a historic Cherokee town and the word ''"Ae-quo-nee"'', meaning "land beside the water." Oconee ({{langx|chr|ᎤᏊᏄ|translit=Uquunu}}){{Citation needed|date=November 2024}} town developed on the Cherokee trading path near present-day Oconee Station State Historic Site along Oconee Creek. The town was located along the Cherokee trading path of the early 18th century between the English colonial Atlantic port of [[Charleston, South Carolina|Charleston]] and the [[Mississippi River]] to the west.

Oconee Town did not develop around an ancient [[platform mound]] like those built by ancestral peoples during the period of the [[Mississippian culture|Southern Appalachian Mississippian culture]], approximately 1000CE to 1500CE. In their public architecture, the historic Cherokee built communal [[town houses]] around a central ceremonial pole and council house. The council house was a meeting place for the larger community and council. Through the centuries of their long occupancy, the Cherokee would replace the council house, and maintain and add to nearby mounds, building in distinctly colored layers of earth that are visible to archeologists.<ref>Museum of the Cherokee in South Carolina</ref><ref>Oconee History Museum</ref>

Due to its geographic position, the town was at the intersection of the trading path and the [[Cherokee treaties#Pre-U.S. Constitution|Cherokee treaty boundary of 1777]]. In 1792, the newly formed South Carolina State Militia built a frontier outpost near the town site, and named it Oconee Station.

European-American settlement in this far western area of the colony did not begin until the late eighteenth century. Most did not take place until decades after the [[American Revolutionary War]]. South Carolina jurisdictions were successively called parishes, counties, judicial districts and counties again. Oconee County was not created until 1868, after the [[American Civil War]] and during the [[Reconstruction era]]. It was taken from part of the [[Pickens County, South Carolina|Pickens District]] and named after Oconee Town.

===Post-Revolutionary and 19th-century history===
* 1780s - The rare American wildflower, [[Oconee Bell]], was first recorded by French botanist [[André Michaux]].
* 1780s - Colonel [[Benjamin Cleveland]] and a group of Revolutionary veterans received land grants from the state of Georgia (which then claimed this area according to their colonial charter), in lieu of payment for service, and settled in present-day Oconee County.
* 1787 - Georgia withdrew its claims to the land between the Tugaloo and Keowee rivers by the [[Treaty of Beaufort]] with South Carolina.
* 1816 - Under pressure from encroaching European Americans, the [[Cherokee]] sold their remaining South Carolina land.
* 1850s - The largest town in the county was Tunnel Hill, located above [[Stumphouse Mountain Tunnel]].
* 1868 - Oconee County was formed by the state legislature dividing Pickens County. [[Walhalla, South Carolina|Walhalla]] was designated as the county seat.
* 1870 - Air Line Railroad built a railroad through the county; it stimulated development at stops known as [[Seneca, South Carolina|Seneca]] and [[Westminster, South Carolina|Westminster]]
* 1893 - [[Newry, South Carolina|Newry]] was established as a mill village to house workers of the Courtenay Manufacturing Company, a textile mill that produced cotton, wool, and other textile products.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Project |first=SC Picture |date=December 8, 2010 |title=Newry Mill |url=https://www.scpictureproject.org/oconee-county/newry-mill.html |access-date=August 9, 2022 |website=SC Picture Project |language=en-US}}</ref>

=== Present day ===
Current residents refer to Oconee County as the "Golden Corner" due to its status as South Carolina's north-western most county.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ruinard |first=Ken |title=Seneca growing in the Golden Corner of South Carolina |url=https://www.greenvilleonline.com/videos/news/2020/01/28/seneca-growing-golden-corner-south-carolina/4555436002/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=The Greenville News |language=en-US}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q513833|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Oconee County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|673.57|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|626.56|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|47.01|sqmi}} (6.98%) 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> Three large man-made lakes provide residents with [[sport fishing]], [[water skiing]], and [[sailing]] as well as [[hydroelectric]] power. The largest lake is [[Lake Hartwell]], built by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers between 1955 and 1963. [[Lake Keowee]] is the second-largest lake and the [[Oconee Nuclear Station]] operates by the lake. [[Lake Jocassee]] is the third-largest and is a source of [[hydroelectric energy]], but is also popular for its scenery and numerous [[waterfalls]].

Bad Creek Reservoir, located in the mountains above Jocassee, is also used for generating electricity during peak hours. The water level can fall by tens of feet per hour and, during off-peak times, water is pumped back into the lake for the next peak period. Because of the dramatic changes in water level due to these uses, boating and swimming are prohibited in this reservoir.

Oconee County is in the [[Savannah River]] basin.

===National protected areas===
* [[Ellicott Rock Wilderness]] (part)
* [[Sumter National Forest]] (part)

===State and local protected areas/sites===
{{See also|Category:Protected areas of Oconee County, South Carolina}}
* [[Brasstown Creek Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands">{{Cite web |title=SCDNR Public Lands |url=https://www2.dnr.sc.gov/ManagedLands/ManagedLand/County |access-date=2023-04-01 |website=www2.dnr.sc.gov}}</ref>
* [[Buzzard Roost Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Chau Ram County Park]]
* [[Devils Fork State Park]]
* [[High Falls County Park]]
* [[Horsepasture River]]
* [[Lake Hartwell State Recreation Area]]
* [[Oconee State Park]]
* [[Oconee Station State Historic Site]]
* [[Piedmont Forestry Center]]
* [[List of South Carolina state forests|Poe Creek State Forest]] (part)
* [[South Cove County Park]]
* [[Stumphouse Mountain Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Sumter National Forest - Andrew Pickens Ranger District]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[W.P. Anderson City Park]]
* [[Yellow Branch Falls Recreation Area]]

===Major water bodies===
* [[Chattooga River]]
* [[Keowee River]]
* [[Lake Hartwell]]
* [[Lake Jocassee]]
* [[Lake Keowee]]
* [[Little River (Oconee County, South Carolina)|Little River]]
* [[Savannah River]]

===Adjacent counties===
{{div col}}
* [[Jackson County, North Carolina]] – north
* [[Transylvania County, North Carolina]] – northeast
* [[Pickens County, South Carolina|Pickens County]] – east
* [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]] – southeast
* [[Hart County, Georgia]] – south
* [[Franklin County, Georgia]] – south
* [[Stephens County, Georgia]] – southwest
* [[Habersham County, Georgia]] – west
* [[Rabun County, Georgia]] – west
* [[Macon County, North Carolina]] – northwest
{{div col end}}

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=18em}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|I|85}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|76}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|123}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|11}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|24}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|28}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|59}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|107}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|130}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|182}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|183}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|188}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|243}}
{{div col end}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Oconee County Regional Airport]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1870= 10536
|1880= 16256
|1890= 18687
|1900= 23634
|1910= 27337
|1920= 30117
|1930= 33368
|1940= 36512
|1950= 39050
|1960= 40204
|1970= 40728
|1980= 48611
|1990= 57494
|2000= 66215
|2010= 74273
|2020= 78607
|estyear=2023
|estimate=81221
|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 18, 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 18, 2015}}</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 18, 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 18, 2015}}</ref> 2010<ref name="QF"/> 2020<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/oconeecountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Oconee County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center;"
|+'''Oconee County, South Carolina – Racial and ethnic composition'''<br><small>{{nobold|''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.''}}</small>
!Race / Ethnicity <small>(''NH = Non-Hispanic'')</small>
!Pop 2000<ref name=2000CensusP004>{{Cite web|title=P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Oconee County, South Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/table?g=050XX00US45073&tid=DECENNIALSF12000.P004|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!Pop 2010<ref name=2010CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Oconee County, South Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US45073&tid=DECENNIALPL2010.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!{{partial|Pop 2020}}<ref name=2020CensusP2>{{Cite web|title=P2: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) – Oconee County, South Carolina |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?q=p2&g=050XX00US45073&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|website=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date= }}</ref>
!% 2000
!% 2010
!{{partial|% 2020}}
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino whites|White]] alone (NH)
|58,259
|63,807
|style='background: #ffffe6; |64,696
|87.98%
|85.91%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |82.30%
|-
|[[Non-Hispanic or Latino African Americans|Black or African American]] alone (NH)
|5,533
|5,550
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5,119
|8.36%
|7.47%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |6.51%
|-
|[[Native Americans in the United States|Native American]] or [[Alaska Native]] alone (NH)
|133
|152
|style='background: #ffffe6; |176
|0.20%
|0.20%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.22%
|-
|[[Asian Americans|Asian]] alone (NH)
|232
|421
|style='background: #ffffe6; |591
|0.35%
|0.57%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.75%
|-
|[[Native Hawaiian]] or [[Pacific Islander Americans|Pacific Islander]] alone (NH)
|7
|8
|style='background: #ffffe6; |16
|0.01%
|0.01%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.02%
|-
|[[Race and ethnicity in the United States census|Other race]] alone (NH)
|45
|41
|style='background: #ffffe6; |182
|0.07%
|0.06%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |0.23%
|-
|[[Multiracial Americans|Mixed race or Multiracial]] (NH)
|444
|945
|style='background: #ffffe6; |3,443
|0.67%
|1.27%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4.38%
|-
|[[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] (any race)
|1,562
|3,349
|style='background: #ffffe6; |4,384
|2.36%
|4.51%
|style='background: #ffffe6; |5.58%
|-
|'''Total'''
|'''66,215'''
|'''74,273'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''78,607'''
|'''100.00%'''
|'''100.00%'''
|style='background: #ffffe6; |'''100.00%'''
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 78,607 people, 31,530 households, and 21,214 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name="QF">{{cite web |title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45073.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629015139/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45073.html |archive-date=June 29, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> there were 74,273&nbsp;people, 30,676&nbsp;households, and 21,118&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45073
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=March 11, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030744/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45073
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|118.6|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|inhabitants&nbsp;|inhabitants|}}. There were 38,763 housing units at an average density of {{convert|61.9|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45073
  |access-date=March 11, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185538/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45073
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 87.8% white, 7.6% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 4.5% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry,<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45073
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 11, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213012717/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45073
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 30,676&nbsp;households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.8% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 31.2% were non-families, and 26.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.86. The median age was 43.4 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $42,266 and the median income for a family was $52,332. Males had a median income of $40,943 versus $29,841 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,055. About 11.8% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 22.7% of those under age 18 and 9.4% 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/DP03/0500000US45073
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=March 11, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213025357/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45073
  |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 66,215 people, 27,283 households, and 19,589 families living in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|106|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 32,383 housing units at an average density of {{convert|52|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the county was 89.14% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 8.38% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.22% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 0.35% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.02% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.06% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.82% from two or more races. 2.36% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 26.5% were of [[United States|American]], 13.1% [[Irish people|Irish]], 11.9% [[Germans|German]] and 10.5% [[English people|English]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

There were 27,283 households, out of which 28.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.80% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.20% were non-families. 24.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.85.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 15.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.50 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,666, and the median income for a family was $43,047. Males had a median income of $31,032 versus $22,156 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $18,965. About 7.60% of families and 10.80% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.00% of those under age 18 and 12.90% of those age 65 or over.

==Government and politics==
A solidly [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]] county for much of its early history like the rest of the South, Oconee has since 1984 swung heavily into the [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] column. The Republican tilt in the county has been increasing in recent years, with 2016, 2020 and 2024 all breaking the record for the strongest Republican showing since Nixon's 1972 landslide.

{{PresHead|place=Oconee 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|31,772|9,987|505|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|29,698|10,414|556|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|24,178|7,998|1,459|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|21,611|8,550|505|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|21,164|9,481|487|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|18,811|8,395|326|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|15,364|7,571|640|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|10,503|7,398|2,051|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|10,379|6,617|3,483|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|10,184|4,299|102|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|8,625|3,333|86|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Democratic|5,651|7,677|263|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|3,805|8,447|60|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|6,824|1,740|164|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|American Independent|2,618|2,009|4,742|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|2,712|5,560|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Democratic|1,886|4,328|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|911|3,510|376|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Democratic|1,624|3,230|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|135|666|1,156|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|106|1,316|76|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|143|1,593|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|53|2,057|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|14|1,803|1|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|70|1,263|2|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|5|989|33|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|70|1,249|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|59|885|3|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|58|760|69|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|62|720|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|69|873|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|199|1,392|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1892|Democratic|220|909|428|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1888|Democratic|231|1,212|2|South Carolina}}

== Economy ==
In 2022, the [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] was $4.5 billion (about $56,008 per capita),<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Oconee County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45073 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> and the [[Real gross domestic product|real GDP]] was $3.7 billion (about $45,856 per capita) in [[Chained dollars|chained 2017 dollars]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Real Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Oconee County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45073 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref>

{{As of|2024|April}}, some of the largest employers in the county include [[Apex Tool Group]], [[BorgWarner]], [[CSL Plasma]], [[Duke Energy]], [[Ingles]], [[Itron]], [[Kelly Services]], [[Prisma Health]], [[Sandvik]], [[Schneider Electric]], and [[Walmart]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Oconee County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000073.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |issue=4000073}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Oconee County, South Carolina - Q3 2023<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;" | 2,150 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 20,332
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 1,264 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 49,244
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 134 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 30,108
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation || style="text-align:right;" | 650 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 21,008
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 1,665 || style="text-align:right;" | 7.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 51,688
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 587 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 67,860
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 2,887 || style="text-align:right;" | 12.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 64,636
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 342 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 59,540
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Management of Companies and Enterprises || style="text-align:right;" | 10 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 82,212
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 5,598 || style="text-align:right;" | 24.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 65,312
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 835 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 37,700
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 760 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 67,288
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 1,174 || style="text-align:right;" | 5.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 47,164
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 254 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 48,776
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 3,628 || style="text-align:right;" | 16.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 33,904
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 194 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 57,564
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 476 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 62,348
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''22,608''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''50,300'''
|}

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Seneca, South Carolina|Seneca]] (largest community)
* [[Walhalla, South Carolina|Walhalla]] (county seat)
* [[Westminster, South Carolina|Westminster]]

===Towns===
* [[Salem, South Carolina|Salem]]
* [[West Union, South Carolina|West Union]]

===Census-designated places===
{{Div col}}
* [[Chickasaw Point, South Carolina|Chickasaw Point]]
* [[Fair Play, South Carolina|Fair Play]] (partly in Anderson County)
* [[Keowee Key, South Carolina|Keowee Key]]
* [[Long Creek, South Carolina|Longcreek]]
* [[Newry, South Carolina|Newry]]
* [[South Union, South Carolina|South Union]]
* [[Tamassee, South Carolina|Tamassee]]
* [[Utica, South Carolina|Utica]]
{{Div col end}}

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Corinth, South Carolina|Corinth]]
* [[Madison, South Carolina|Madison]]
* [[Mountain Rest, South Carolina|Mountain Rest]]
* [[Oakway, South Carolina|Oakway]]
* [[Picket Post, South Carolina|Picket Post]]
* [[Richland, South Carolina|Richland]]
* [[Tokeena Crossroads, South Carolina|Tokeena Crossroads]]
* [[Townville, South Carolina|Townville]] (partly in Anderson County)
{{div col end}}

==In popular culture==
The Oconee region is mentioned in the song "Yankee Bayonet (I Will Be Home Then)" by the [[indie rock]] group [[the Decemberists]], on their 2006 album ''[[The Crane Wife]]''. The reference is "When I was a girl how the hills of Oconee made a seam to hem me in."

Parts of the film [[Deliverance]] were filmed on the Oconee side of the [[Chattooga River]], including specifically some scenes shot in [[Salem, South Carolina|Salem]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=May 21, 2012 |title=Scenic adventure and remembering "Deliverance" in Oconee County, S.C. |url=https://www.ajc.com/travel/scenic-adventure-and-remembering-deliverance-oconee-county/a80B8gD1L9xUMTKYEOWqEN/ |access-date=December 10, 2023 |website=The Atlanta Journal-Constitution |language=en-US}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[List of counties in South Carolina]]
* [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Oconee County, South Carolina]]

==References==
{{reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|1357530}}
* {{Official website|https://oconeesc.com/}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Oconee County, South Carolina
|North     = [[Jackson County, North Carolina]]
|Northeast = [[Transylvania County, North Carolina]]
|East      = [[Pickens County, South Carolina|Pickens County]]
|Southeast = [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]]
|South     = [[Franklin County, Georgia]] and [[Hart County, Georgia]]
|Southwest = [[Stephens County, Georgia]]
|West      = [[Rabun County, Georgia]] and [[Habersham County, Georgia]]
|Northwest = [[Macon County, North Carolina]]
}}
{{Oconee County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Cherokee}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Oconee County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:South Carolina placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1868 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1868]]