Editing Pickens County, South Carolina

{{Short description|County in South Carolina, United States}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county               = Pickens County
 | state                = South Carolina
 | seal                 = Pickens County Seal.png
 | founded              = 1826
 | seat wl              = Pickens
 | largest city wl      = Easley
 | city type            = community
 | area_total_sq_mi     = 512.75
 | area_land_sq_mi      = 496.94
 | area_water_sq_mi     = 15.81
 | area percentage      = 3.67
 | population_as_of     = 2020
 | population_total     = 131404
 | pop_est_as_of        = 2023
 | population_est       = 135495 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi        = auto
 | coordinates          = {{coord|34.89|-82.72|type:adm2nd_region:US-SC_source:USCensusBureau2020gazetteerfiles|display=inline,title}}
 | web                  = www.co.pickens.sc.us
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | ex image             = PickensSCCourthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap         = Pickens County Courthouse
 | district             = 3rd
 | named for            = [[Andrew Pickens (congressman)|Andrew Pickens]]
 | motto                = "Adventure Starts Here"
 | logo                 = Pickens County Logo.png }}

'''Pickens County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] located in the northwest part of the [[U.S. state]] of [[South Carolina]]. As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], its population was 131,404.<ref name="2020CensusQuickFacts"/> Its [[county seat]] is [[Pickens, South Carolina|Pickens]].<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> The county was created in 1826.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|title=South Carolina: Individual County Chronologies|website=South Carolina Atlas of Historical County Boundaries|publisher=The Newberry Library|date=2009|access-date=March 21, 2015|archive-date=January 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170103154824/http://publications.newberry.org/ahcbp/documents/SC_Individual_County_Chronologies.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> It is part of the [[Upstate South Carolina|Greenville-Anderson-Greer, SC Metropolitan Statistical Area]].<ref name="2023OMB">{{Cite web |date=July 21, 2023 |title=OMB Bulletin No. 23-01: Revised Delineations of Metropolitan Statistical Areas, Micropolitan Statistical Areas, and Combined Statistical Areas, and Guidance on Uses of the Delineations of These Areas |url=https://bidenwhitehouse.archives.gov/wp-content/uploads/2023/07/OMB-Bulletin-23-01.pdf |access-date=August 10, 2023 |website=[[United States Office of Management and Budget]]}}</ref>

==History==
Pickens County was part of [[Cherokee]] homeland territory until well after the [[American Revolution]]. The Cherokee had allied with the British, hoping to gain expulsion of European-American settlers from their lands. But they were defeated in local battles of the Revolution and forced to cede their lands under various treaties.

This former Cherokee territory was included in the new state's [[Ninety-Six District, South Carolina|Ninety-Six Judicial District]]. In 1791 the state legislature established Washington District, a judicial area composed of present-day [[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville]], [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson]], Pickens, and [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee]] counties (the latter was not organized until 1868); at that time it also included Pendleton County.

Streets for the county seat and courthouse town of Pickensville (near present-day [[Easley, South Carolina|Easley]]) were laid off. New buildings perhaps included a large wooden hotel, which served as a [[stagecoach]] stop. In 1798 Washington District was divided into Greenville and Pendleton districts. The latter included what eventually became Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties. After a new courthouse was erected at [[Pendleton, South Carolina|Pendleton]] to accommodate the Court of General Sessions and Common Pleas, Pickensville began to decline.

In view of the growing population and poor transportation facilities in Pendleton District, the legislature divided it into counties in 1826. But a year later, it decided to establish judicial districts instead. The legislation went into effect in 1828. The lower part became Anderson and the upper Pickens, named in honor of Brigadier General [[Andrew Pickens (congressman)|Andrew Pickens]] of the American Revolution. His home, Hopewell, was on the southern border of the district. A courthouse was established on the west bank of the [[Keowee River]], and a small town called Pickens Court House soon developed here. Since 1825, [[John C. Calhoun]] made his home in what became Pickens County, at [[Fort Hill (Clemson, South Carolina)|Fort Hill]], which became the basis around which [[Clemson University]] would later grow up.

By 1860 Pickens District had a population of more than 19,000 persons, of whom 22 percent were [[Slavery in the United States|enslaved African Americans]]. The district was largely rural and agricultural, with [[cotton]] the most important commodity crop. Its small industry consisted mainly of sawmills, gristmills, and a few other shops producing goods for home consumption. The district's [[Protestant]] churches were numerous, but schools were few. The [[Blue Ridge Railway (1901)|Blue Ridge Railroad]] reached the district in September 1860. There was little organized troop combat here during the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], but the district was frequently plundered by marauders and deserters who swept down from the mountains.

===Post-Civil War to present===
After the war, the region was largely destitute. The South Carolina Constitutional Convention of 1868, meeting during the first year of Congressional [[Reconstruction era|Reconstruction]], changed the name "district" to "county" throughout the state. The convention also organized Oconee County, from a portion of Pickens District that was west of the Keowee and [[Seneca River (South Carolina)|Seneca]] rivers, plus a small area around the Fort Hill estate formerly belonging to statesman [[John C. Calhoun]]. In the 1960s, this small area around the Calhoun property was transferred to Pickens County.

A new courthouse for Pickens County was erected at its present location. Many of the residents of Old Pickens, on the Keowee River, moved to the newly created town, some relocating their dismantled homes. The loss of the Oconee area greatly reduced the population of Pickens County. It did not again reach 19,000 until 1900.

The county's growth was accelerated by the building of the [[Atlanta and Charlotte Air Line Railway]] (later called the [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]]) in the 1870s. The town of Easley, named for General W. K. Easley, was chartered in 1874. The towns of [[Liberty, South Carolina|Liberty]] and [[Central, South Carolina|Central]] sprang up along the railroad about the same time and were soon incorporated. Calhoun (now part of [[Clemson, South Carolina|Clemson]]) was founded in the 1890s, to be followed in the early 1900s by [[Six Mile, South Carolina|Six Mile]] and [[Norris, South Carolina|Norris]] as incorporated areas.

A major factor in Pickens County's growth was the development of the regional [[textile industry]], which had earlier been based in [[New England]] and [[New York (state)|New York]]. The county's first modern [[cotton mill]], organized by D. K. Norris and others, was established at [[Cateechee, South Carolina|Cateechee]] in 1895. By 1900 the county boasted three cotton mills, two railroads, three banks, three roller mills, 37 sawmills, ten shingle mills, and four brickyards.

Yet until 1940, with a population of 37,000 (13.2 percent black), the county remained primarily rural and agricultural. Like many other [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] counties, Pickens had a one-crop economy. Its citizens were engaged mainly in growing cotton or manufacturing it into cloth. A notable change in the Pickens landscape was the coming of paved highways; one completed across the county, about 1930, ran from [[Greenville, South Carolina|Greenville]] to [[Walhalla, South Carolina|Walhalla]] by way of Easley, Liberty, and Central.<ref name="SChistory"/>

The most significant developments in the county's history have occurred since World War II. By 1972 there were 99 manufacturing plants in the county, employing almost 15,000 personnel and producing not only textiles but a wide variety of other products. The population today{{when?|date=July 2024}} is estimated to be 93,894 residents.{{fact|date=July 2024}} According to an article written for ''Pickens County Heritage'', new residents continue to be attracted to Pickens County "because of its climate, industrial opportunity, proximity to Greenville's labor market, and scenic beauty".<ref name="SChistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.co.pickens.sc.us/history/default.aspx|title=History|website=Co.pickens.sc.us|access-date=January 2, 2018 | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20180110205523/http://www.co.pickens.sc.us/history/default.aspx | archivedate = January 10, 2018 }}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=8|id=Q513905|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Pickens County}}
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has a total area of {{convert|512.75|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|496.94|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|15.81|sqmi}} (3.67%) 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> The county also contains the highest natural point in South Carolina, [[Sassafras Mountain]], with an elevation of {{convert|3560|ft|m}}.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.summitpost.org/mountain/rock/152371/sassafras-mountain.html|title=Sassafras Mountain : Climbing, Hiking & Mountaineering : SummitPost|website=Summitpost.org|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref> [[Table Rock State Park (South Carolina)|Table Rock State Park]] is in Pickens County.

Pickens County is in the [[Savannah River]] basin, the [[Saluda River]] basin, and the [[French Broad River]] basin.

===State and local protected areas/sites===
* [[Cateechee Point County Park]]
* [[Causey Tract, Gravely Wildlife Management Area, Clemson University]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands">{{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>
* [[Eastatoe Creek Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Glassy Mountain Heritage Preserve]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Hagood Mill|Hagood Mill Historic Site]]
* [[Jocassee Gorges Wilderness Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Keowee-Toxaway State Park]]
* [[Keowee Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Laurel Fork Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Long Shoals Roadside Park]]
* Meadow Falls
* [[Nine Times Forest]]
* [[Nine Times Preserve]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>
* [[Pinnacle Mountain]]
* [[List of South Carolina state forests|Poe Creek State Forest]] (part)
* [[Table Rock State Park (South Carolina)|Table Rock State Park]]
* [[Twelve Mile Recreation Area]]
* [[Wadakoe Mountain Heritage Preserve/Wildlife Management Area]]<ref name="SCDNR Public Lands"/>

===Major water bodies===
* [[Lake Hartwell]]
* [[Lake Jocassee]]
* [[Lake Keowee]]
* [[Keowee River]]
* [[South Saluda River]]
* [[Table Rock Reservoir (South Carolina)|Table Rock Reservoir]]

===Adjacent counties===
* [[Transylvania County, North Carolina]]&nbsp;– north
* [[Greenville County, South Carolina|Greenville County]]&nbsp;– east
* [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]]&nbsp;– south
* [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee County]]&nbsp;– west

===Major highways===
{{div col|colwidth=21em}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|76}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|123}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US-Conn|123|dab1=Easley}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|US|178}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|8}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Conn|8|dab1=Easley}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|11}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|28}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC-Bus|28|dab1=Pendleton}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|88}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|93}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|124}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|133}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|135}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|137}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|153}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|183}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|186}}
* {{Jct|state=SC|SC|288}}
{{div col end}}

===Major infrastructure===
* [[Clemson station|Clemson Station]]
* [[Greenville-Pickens Speedway]]
* [[Pickens County Airport (South Carolina)|Pickens County Airport]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1830= 14473
|1840= 14356
|1850= 16904
|1860= 19639
|1870= 10269
|1880= 14389
|1890= 16389
|1900= 19375
|1910= 25422
|1920= 28329
|1930= 33709
|1940= 37111
|1950= 40058
|1960= 46030
|1970= 58956
|1980= 79292
|1990= 93894
|2000= 110757
|2010= 119224
|2020= 131404
|estyear=2023
|estimate=135495
|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/pickenscountysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Pickens County, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=March 22, 2024}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Pickens County racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0500000US45077&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=December 14, 2021|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|107,247
|81.62%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|8,421
|6.41%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|304
|0.23%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|2,723
|2.07%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|37
|0.03%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|6,100
|4.64%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|6,572
|5.0%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 131,404 people, 48,203 households, and 31,630 families residing in the county.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]], there were 119,224&nbsp;people, 45,228&nbsp;households, and 29,540&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/DPDP1/0500000US45077
  |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/20200213030931/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US45077
  |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/45/45077.html |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606130626/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/45/45077.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011 |access-date=November 25, 2013 |publisher=United States Census Bureau}}</ref> The population density was {{convert|240.2|PD/sqmi}}. There were 51,244 housing units at an average density of {{convert|103.2|/sqmi}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45077
  |access-date=March 11, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213185815/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US45077
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 88.7% white, 6.6% black or African American, 1.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 1.4% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 3.1% 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/DP02/0500000US45077
  |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/20200213023447/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US45077
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 45,228&nbsp;households, 30.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.7% were non-families, and 25.2% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.48 and the average family size was 2.95. The median age was 34.9 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $41,898 and the median income for a family was $53,911. Males had a median income of $41,615 versus $31,464 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,647. About 8.9% of families and 16.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 18.3% of those under age 18 and 7.8% 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/DP03/0500000US45077
  |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/20200213025215/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US45077
  |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 110,757 people, 41,306 households, and 28,459 families residing in the county. The [[population density]] was {{convert|223|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people}}. There were 46,000 housing units at an average density of {{convert|93|/mi2|/km2}}. The racial makeup of the county was 90.27% [[Race (United States Census)|White]], 6.82% [[Race (United States Census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.16% [[Race (United States Census)|Native American]], 1.18% [[Race (United States Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Race (United States Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.70% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 0.85% from two or more races. 1.70% of the population were [[Race (United States Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Race (United States Census)|Latino]] of any race. 27.9% were of [[United States|American]], 11.8% [[English people|English]], 11.6% [[Irish people|Irish]], 10.3% [[Germans|German]] and 5.0% [[Ulster Scots people|Scotch-Irish]] ancestry according to [[Census 2000]].

There were 41,306 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 23.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.50 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 17.50% from 18 to 24, 27.60% from 25 to 44, 21.20% from 45 to 64, and 11.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,214, and the median income for a family was $44,507. Males had a median income of $31,795 versus $22,600 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the county was $17,434. About 7.80% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 11.70% of those age 65 or over.

==Law, government, and public safety==
===Police===
The Pickens County Sheriff's Office is the largest law enforcement agency in the county, and provides its services to all unincorporated areas of the county, incorporated communities without a police department, and may assist a city or town police department upon request by the department. The sheriff's office consists of the command staff, administrative support division, uniform patrol division, detective division, and judicial services division. Within these divisions are the uniform patrol unit, the chaplain unit, special victims unit, sex offender unit, forensics unit, special operations unit, general investigations unit, animal enforcement unit, school resource officers unit, victim services unit, marine patrol unit, aviation unit, K-9 unit, professional standards unit, civil process unit, training unit, records unit, communications unit, detention unit, transport unit, court security unit, community action team, and special weapons and tactics team. The sheriff's office is headquartered at the Pickens County Law Enforcement Center in Pickens. The Pickens County Detention Center is a stand-alone facility located in Pickens that is also managed by the sheriff's office. The sheriff's office has a total of 199 full and part-time personnel. The current sheriff is Rick Clark.

The City of Easley Police Department is the second largest law enforcement agency in the county, and provides its services to persons living within the city limits of Easley. The department consists of an administration division, uniform patrol division, and detective division. There are 42 police officers and 3 civilians working for the department. The department is headquartered at the Easley Law Enforcement Center in downtown Easley. The current chief of police is Stan Whitten.

The City of Pickens Police Department provides its services to persons living within the city limits of Pickens. The department is headquartered at the Pickens Police Station next to the Pickens Fire Station. The current chief of police is Randall Beach.

The City of Clemson Police Department provides its services to persons living within the city limits of Clemson. The department is headquartered at the Clemson Law Enforcement Center. The current chief of police is Jimmy Dixon.

The City of Liberty Police Department provides its services to persons living within the city limits of Liberty. The department is headquartered at Liberty Town Hall in downtown Liberty. The current chief of police is Adam Gilstrap.

The Town of Central Police Department provides its services to persons living within the town limits of Central. The department consists of the chief of police, an investigative sergeant, training sergeant, five officers, and a victims advocate/administrative assistant. The department's headquarters are located in downtown Central.

The Clemson University Police Department provides its services to the Clemson University campus. The current police chief is Greg Mullen.

The South Carolina Highway Patrol provides its services on all roads, highways, and interstate highways in the county. There is one SCHP barracks in Pickens County, Post B, serving both Oconee and Pickens counties. Post B falls under SCHP Troop 3. (Oconee/Pickens/Anderson/Greenville/Spartanburg counties)

===Fire safety===
There is no countywide fire department, but several communities in the county do maintain their own fire departments.

{{Div col}}
* Central Fire Department
* Central Rural Fire Department
* Clemson University Fire Department
* Crosswell Fire Department
* Dacusville Rural Fire Department
* Easley Fire Department
* Liberty Fire Department
* Norris Fire Department
* Pickens Fire Department
* Six Mile Fire Department
{{Div col end}}

===Politics===
Pickens County was one of the first areas of South Carolina to turn [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]. It has gone Republican all but twice since 1952, and at all times since 1980. [[Jimmy Carter]]'s narrow loss in 1980 is the last time that a [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democrat]] has won even 40 percent of the county's vote. Despite this, Democrats held most state and local offices well into the 1990s.

Since 2000, it has been the most Republican county in the state, with the GOP taking 70+ percent of the vote each time. In 2008, it was the only county in the state to give [[John McCain]] over 70% of the vote. 
{{PresHead|place=Pickens County, South Carolina|whig=no|source1=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=Uselectionatlas.org|access-date=January 2, 2018}}</ref>|source2=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://geoelections.free.fr/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20051118120032/http://geoelections.free.fr/|url-status=dead|archive-date=November 18, 2005|title=Géographie électorale|website=geoelections.free.fr|access-date=January 13, 2021}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP/Whig vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|45,728|13,891|832|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|42,907|13,645|994|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|36,236|10,354|2,459|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2012|Republican|33,474|11,156|919|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2008|Republican|32,552|11,691|885|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2004|Republican|29,759|10,287|464|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|24,681|8,927|974|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1996|Republican|17,151|8,369|2,380|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1992|Republican|17,008|8,275|4,211|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|17,448|6,103|145|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|15,155|4,481|128|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|9,575|7,789|559|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1976|Democratic|8,029|8,505|121|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|11,776|2,255|265|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1968|Republican|6,873|2,016|4,424|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1964|Republican|5,882|3,506|3|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|4,201|2,546|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1956|Democratic|1,747|1,847|684|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|3,096|2,865|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1948|Dixiecrat|165|435|1,344|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1944|Democratic|211|1,662|595|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1940|Democratic|76|2,122|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1936|Democratic|50|2,678|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1932|Democratic|57|2,685|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1928|Democratic|192|1,110|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1924|Democratic|35|1,044|3|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1920|Democratic|63|955|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1916|Democratic|7|1,139|52|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1912|Democratic|15|815|18|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1908|Democratic|56|1,241|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1904|Democratic|6|914|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1900|Democratic|60|933|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresRow|1896|Democratic|170|1,261|0|South Carolina}}
{{PresFoot|1892|Democratic|129|603|464|South Carolina}}

== Economy ==
In 2022, the [[Gross domestic product|GDP]] was $5 billion (about $37,089 per capita),<ref>{{Cite web |last=U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis |date=2001-01-01 |title=Gross Domestic Product: All Industries in Pickens County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/GDPALL45077 |access-date=2024-05-04 |website=FRED, Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis}}</ref> and the [[Real gross domestic product|real GDP]] was $4.2 billion (about $30,795 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 Pickens County, SC |url=https://fred.stlouisfed.org/series/REALGDPALL45077 |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 [[Aramark]], the city of [[Clemson, South Carolina|Clemson]], [[Clemson University]], [[Danfoss]], [[Ingles]], [[Lowe's]], [[Merck & Co.]], [[Prisma Health]], [[Publix]], [[St. Jude Medical]], and [[Walmart]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |date=April 19, 2024 |title=Pickens County |url=https://lmi.dew.sc.gov/lmi%20site/Documents/CommunityProfiles/04000077.pdf |journal=Community Profiles |publisher=S.C. Department of Employment & Workforce - Business Intelligence Department |publication-place=Columbia, SC |issue=4000077}}</ref>
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|+ Employment and Wage Statistics by Industry in Pickens 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;" | 5,848 || style="text-align:right;" | 15.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 19,292
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Administrative and Support and Waste Management and Remediation Services || style="text-align:right;" | 971 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 39,572
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting || style="text-align:right;" | 71 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.2 || style="text-align:right;" | 35,100
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Arts, Entertainment, and Recreation || style="text-align:right;" | 1,186 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 21,788
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Construction || style="text-align:right;" | 1,377 || style="text-align:right;" | 3.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 51,740
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Educational Services || style="text-align:right;" | 8,192 || style="text-align:right;" | 21.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 73,424
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Finance and Insurance || style="text-align:right;" | 575 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 67,340
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Health Care and Social Assistance || style="text-align:right;" | 3,679 || style="text-align:right;" | 9.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 56,056
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Information || style="text-align:right;" | 179 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 124,228
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Management of Companies and Enterprises || style="text-align:right;" | 53 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.1 || style="text-align:right;" | 81,484
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Manufacturing || style="text-align:right;" | 5,183 || style="text-align:right;" | 13.5 || style="text-align:right;" | 67,704
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Other Services (except Public Administration) || style="text-align:right;" | 916 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.4 || style="text-align:right;" | 36,452
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services || style="text-align:right;" | 1,025 || style="text-align:right;" | 2.7 || style="text-align:right;" | 75,764
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Public Administration || style="text-align:right;" | 1,771 || style="text-align:right;" | 4.6 || style="text-align:right;" | 44,772
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Real Estate and Rental and Leasing || style="text-align:right;" | 356 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.9 || style="text-align:right;" | 41,184
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Retail Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 5,769 || style="text-align:right;" | 15.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 32,136
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Transportation and Warehousing || style="text-align:right;" | 315 || style="text-align:right;" | 0.8 || style="text-align:right;" | 63,024
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Utilities || style="text-align:right;" | 401 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.0 || style="text-align:right;" | 84,656
|-
| style="text-align:left;" | Wholesale Trade || style="text-align:right;" | 499 || style="text-align:right;" | 1.3 || style="text-align:right;" | 66,352
|-
| style="text-align:left; font-weight:bold;" | '''Total''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''38,366''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''100.0%''' || style="text-align:right; font-weight:bold;" | '''50,879'''
|}

==Education==
===School districts===
[[Pickens County School District (South Carolina)|Pickens County School District]] is the sole school district of the county.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45077_pickens/DC20SD_C45077.pdf|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Pickens County, SC|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|access-date=2024-07-22}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st45_sc/schooldistrict_maps/c45077_pickens/DC20SD_C45077_SD2MS.txt Text list]</ref>

In 2010 the district was ranked the highest in the state with an "A−" transparency score from [[Sunshine Review]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.independentmail.com/news/2010/jun/23/pickens-school-district-ranked-highest-transparenc/|title=''Independent Mail'', Pickens School District ranked highest in transparency, June 23, 2010|website=Independentmail.com|access-date=January 2, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110629141943/http://www.independentmail.com/news/2010/jun/23/pickens-school-district-ranked-highest-transparenc/|archive-date=June 29, 2011}}</ref>

===Schools===
{{Div col|colwidth=18em}}
* Ambler Elementary – Pickens
* Central Elementary – Central
* Chastain Road Elementary – Liberty
* Clemson Elementary – Clemson
* Crosswell Elementary – Easley
* Dacusville Elementary – Dacusville
* East End Elementary – Easley
* Forest Acres Elementary – Easley
* Hagood Elementary – Pickens
* Liberty Elementary – Liberty
* McKissick Elementary – Easley
* Pickens Elementary – Pickens
* Six Mile Elementary – Six Mile
* West End Elementary – Easley
* Dacusville Middle – Dacusville
* Liberty Middle – Liberty
* Pickens Middle – Pickens
* R.C. Edwards Middle – Central
* R.H. Gettys Middle – Easley
* [[D. W. Daniel High School|D.W. Daniel High]] – Central
* [[Easley High School]] – Easley
* Liberty High – Liberty
* [[Pickens High School (South Carolina)|Pickens High School]] – Pickens
{{Div col end}}

===Colleges and universities===
* [[Clemson University]]
* [[Southern Wesleyan University]]

===Public library===
Pickens County is served by the Pickens County Library System, headquartered in Easley, with four branch libraries in the county.

==Communities==
===Cities===
* [[Clemson, South Carolina|Clemson]] (partly in Anderson County)
* [[Easley, South Carolina|Easley]] (largest community; partly in Anderson County)
* [[Liberty, South Carolina|Liberty]]
* [[Pickens, South Carolina|Pickens]] (county seat)

===Towns===
* [[Central, South Carolina|Central]]
* [[Norris, South Carolina|Norris]]
* [[Six Mile, South Carolina|Six Mile]]

===Census-designated places===
* [[Arial, South Carolina|Arial]]
* [[Cateechee, South Carolina|Cateechee]]
* [[Clemson University, South Carolina (CDP)|Clemson University]]
* [[Dacusville, South Carolina|Dacusville]]

===Unincorporated communities===
{{div col}}
* [[Nine Times, South Carolina|Nine Times]]
* [[Pumpkintown, South Carolina|Pumpkintown]]
* [[Rocky Bottom, South Carolina|Rocky Bottom]]
* [[Sunset, South Carolina|Sunset]]
{{div col end}}

==Notable people==
[[File:Shoeless Joe Jackson by Conlon, 1913.jpeg|thumb|right|Shoeless Joe Jackson]]
* [[Bobby Baker]], scandal-plagued Secretary to the Majority Leader of the Senate until 1963
* [[Charles H. Barker]], awarded a [[Medal of Honor]] for his actions in the Korean War
* [[Benjy Bronk]], in-studio joke writer and on-air persona for the [[Howard Stern Show]]
* [[John C. Calhoun]], influential politician of the first half of the nineteenth century 
* [[DeAndre Hopkins]], wide receiver for the [[Arizona Cardinals]] of the NFL
* [[Shoeless Joe Jackson]], baseball player, born July 16, 1888; closely associated with the [[Black Sox Scandal]] in 1919
* [[Stanley Morgan]], former NFL wide receiver who played for the New England Patriots; was born in [[Easley, South Carolina|Easley]] on February 17, 1955; member of the New England Patriots Hall of Fame
* [[Ray Robinson Williams]], blind lawyer and state senator
* [[Sam Wyche]], former NFL football player and coach, resident

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

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* {{osmrelation|1356994}}
* {{Official website|https://www.co.pickens.sc.us/}}

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Pickens County, South Carolina
|North     = [[Transylvania County, North Carolina]]
|Northeast =
|East      = [[Greenville County, South Carolina]]
|Southeast =
|South     = [[Anderson County, South Carolina|Anderson County]]
|Southwest =
|West      = [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee County]]
|Northwest =
}}
{{Pickens County, South Carolina}}
{{South Carolina}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Pickens County, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:1826 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1826]]
[[Category:Upstate South Carolina]]