Editing Rock Hill, South Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Rock Hill
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = The Gateway to South Carolina, Football City USA
| motto                    = "Always On."
| image_skyline            = File:Main Street (Rock Hill, SC).jpg
| imagesize                = 
| image_caption            = Downtown Rock Hill
| image_flag               = Rock Hill, SC City Flag.gif
| image_seal               = Rock hill city logo 2.jpg
| image_map                = SCMap-doton-RockHill.PNG
| mapsize                  = 250px
| map_caption              = Location in South Carolina
| image_map1               = 
| mapsize1                 = 300px
| map_caption1             = Rock Hill, SC map with city boundary
| subdivision_type         = Country
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[South Carolina]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in South Carolina|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[York County, South Carolina|York]]
| government_type          = [[Council-Manager]]
| leader_title             = Mayor
| leader_name              = John Gettys
| established_title        = Founded
| established_date         = 1852
| established_title2       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date2        = 1892
| total_type               = Total
| unit_pref                = Imperial
| area_magnitude           = 
| area_total_km2           = 113.58
| area_total_sq_mi         = 43.85
| area_land_km2            = 113.17
| area_land_sq_mi          = 43.69
| area_water_km2           = 0.41
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.16
| area_water_percent       = 0.36
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_total         = 74372
| pop_est_as_of            = 2023
| population_est           = 75654 {{gain}}
| pop_est_footnotes        = 
| population_density_sq_mi = auto
| population_urban         = 218,443 (US: [[List of United States urban areas|176th]])<ref name="urban area">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/geography/guidance/geo-areas/urban-rural.html|title=List of 2020 Census Urban Areas|website=census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 7, 2023}}</ref>
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 1,504.9
| population_metro         = 
| population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
| population_density_km2   = 657.19
| timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern]]
| utc_offset               = &minus;5
| timezone_DST             = Eastern
| population_demonym       = Rock Hillian
| utc_offset_DST           = &minus;4
| coordinates              = {{coord|34|56|17|N|81|1|34|W|region:US-SC_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GR3"/>
| elevation_ft             = 676
| website                  = {{URL|http://www.cityofrockhill.com}}
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]s
| postal_code              = 29730-29734
| area_code                = [[Area codes 803 and 839|803, 839]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 45-61405<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2008-01-31 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref>
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 1250417<ref name="GR3">{{GNIS|1250417}}</ref>
| footnotes                = 
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer/5/query?where=STATE='45'&outFields=NAME,STATE,PLACE,AREALAND,AREAWATER,LSADC,CENTLAT,CENTLON&orderByFields=PLACE&returnGeometry=false&returnTrueCurves=false&f=json|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=October 15, 2022}}</ref>
| named_for                = A rocky hill encountered by railway builders<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cityofrockhill.com/government/city-management/about-rock-hill|title=About Rock Hill|publisher=www.cityofrockhill.com|access-date=December 7, 2022}}</ref>
}}

'''Rock Hill''' is the most populous city in [[York County, South Carolina]], United States, and the [[List of municipalities in South Carolina|5th-most populous city]] in the state.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/SC | work=USA Today | title=Multimedia | access-date=2013-09-24 | archive-date=2018-10-19 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181019144222/https://usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/census/profile/sc | url-status=dead }}</ref> It is also the 4th-most populous city of the [[Charlotte metropolitan area]], behind [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]], [[Concord, North Carolina|Concord]], and [[Gastonia, North Carolina|Gastonia]] (all located in [[North Carolina]]). As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the city's population was 74,372.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US4561405|title=Census - Geography Profile: Rock Hill city, South Carolina|access-date=December 15, 2021}}</ref>

The city is located approximately {{convert|25|mi|km}} south of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] and approximately {{convert|70|mi|km}} north of [[Columbia, South Carolina|Columbia]].

Rock Hill offers scenic riverfront views along the [[Catawba River]] and is home to numerous nature trails, restaurants, and thirty-one parks which are used for both national and local events. Its [[Rock Hill Downtown Historic District|historic downtown]] consist of twelve contiguous buildings built as early as 1840 offering dining and retail options. The city is also home to three colleges, including [[Winthrop University]], a public liberal arts university founded in 1886 which enrolls nearly 6,000 students annually.

==History==
[[File:U.S. Post Office and Courthouse (Rock Hill, South Carolina) 1933.jpg|thumb|right|Historic post office in Rock Hill]]

===Founding===
Although some European settlers had already arrived in the Rock Hill area in the 1830s and 1840s, Rock Hill did not become an actual town until the [[Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad]] Company made the decision to send a rail line through the area. Originally, the railroad had hoped to build a station in the nearby village of [[Ebenezer, South Carolina|Ebenezerville]] which was squarely between [[Charlotte, North Carolina]] and [[Columbia, South Carolina]]. When approached, however, the locals in Ebenezerville refused to have the railroad run through their village since they considered it dirty and noisy. Instead, engineers and surveyors decided to run the line two miles away by a local landmark. According to some, the engineers marked the spot on the map and named it "rocky hill."<ref name=Willoughby>{{cite book|last=Willoughby|first=Lynn|title=The "Good Town" Does Well: Rock Hill, S.C., 1852–2002|year=2002|publisher=Written in Stone|location=Orangeburg, South Carolina|isbn=0-9669707-2-1}}</ref>{{RP|page=26}}

Some of Rock Hill's early founding families—the White family, the Black family, and the Moores—believed that having a rail depot so close to them would be advantageous, so they decided to give the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad the right of way through their properties. As they were the three largest landowners in the area, this settled the matter. [[White House (Rock Hill, South Carolina)#Past Residents|George Pendleton White]] contracted with the railroad to build a section of the line. Construction began in 1848. The first passenger train arrived on March 23, 1852. A few weeks later, on April 17, 1852, the first Rock Hill Post Office opened.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|pages=26–28}}

Now that Rock Hill had a name, a railroad station, and a post office, it began to draw more settlers to the area. Captain J. H. McGinnis built a small general store near the station in 1849 or 1850 to provide supplies for the construction and railroad workers.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|pages=27–28}} Templeton Black, who had leased the land to McGinnis, decided to devote some of his other adjacent land to building a larger town. He hired a local surveyor, Squire John Roddey, to organize a main street. Black sold his first plot of land along that street to Ira Ferguson for $125 a few weeks before the post office opened; other businessmen bought plots quickly after that.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=28}}

Rock Hill Academy, the first school in Rock Hill, opened in September 1854. Despite its official name, most residents referred to it as the Pine Grove Academy after the pine grove it was located in. [[White House (Rock Hill, South Carolina)#Past Residents|Ann Hutchinson White]], wife of George White, donated the land to the school after her husband's death. The school had 60 male pupils in 1856; a school for girls was later opened in the same place.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=28}}

Prior to 1857, the ''Indian Land Chronicle'' was Rock Hill's first newspaper. It was renamed ''The Rock Hill Chronicle'' in 1860.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=33}} Prior to 1860, Rock Hill had at least two doctors.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=33}}

===American Civil War===
Shortly before the [[American Civil War]] began, a census had been taken of the population in York County where Rock Hill is located. Half of the district's 21,800 residents were enslaved people, integral to local cotton production. The 4,379 white males in the county formed fourteen infantry companies; some of the men joined cavalry or artillery units instead. By the end of the war, 805 of these men had died, and hundreds more were wounded. Men from Rock Hill and York County were involved in many of the major Civil War battles.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=35}}

Due to its position on the railroad, Rock Hill became a transfer point for Confederate soldiers and supplies moving to and from the front. Since there was no local hospital, townspeople nursed sick and wounded soldiers in their homes. Refugees fleeing the coastal blockade or [[William T. Sherman|General Sherman's]] troops, also came to Rock Hill.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=39}}

Beginning in the spring of 1862, local area farmers switched from cotton to corn in order to produce more food.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=39}} Records show that prices in Rock Hill changed frequently during the war, reflecting both shortages and the inflation of the [[Confederate money|Confederate paper money]].<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=41}}

[[P. G. T. Beauregard|Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard]] set up a temporary headquarters in Rock Hill on February 21, 1865.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=41}} He ordered the roads to Charlotte blocked to try to prevent General Sherman from reaching the city; Sherman ultimately went in a different direction.

When [[Robert E. Lee|General Lee]] surrendered at the [[Battle of Appomattox Court House|Appomattox Court House]], it was actually a future Rock Hill resident who was responsible for waving the white flag. Captain Robert Moorman Sims, a farmer from Lancaster County, was sent by [[James Longstreet|General James Longstreet]] to inform Union troops that the Confederate troops wanted a truce.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=42}}

===Post-Civil War===
The Civil War changed the social, economic, and political situation in Rock Hill tremendously, as it did elsewhere in the South. Rock Hill grew as a town, taking in war refugees, widows and their families, and the return of the men who had left to fight in the war.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=58}} The formerly wealthy elite sold off their land to stay afloat financially. Town life would begin to become more important than rural life.

Most of the merchants in Rock Hill around 1870 were former Confederate soldiers; many were entrepreneurs who were new to town, trying to start over.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=59}} In 1870, even the largest stores in Rock Hill were only one story tall, and there were no sidewalks along the roads. The first drug store in Rock Hill opened in the 1870s.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=61}} A locally contentious bordello was built in 1881 and introduced the town's first paved sidewalk.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=61}}

===Incorporation===
The town was not officially incorporated until 1870, on the third try.

The first attempt to get Rock Hill incorporated was made in 1855. A petition, signed by major landholders and businessmen from the Rock Hill area, was presented to the General Assembly on October 19, 1855.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=29}} No action on the matter was taken by the General Assembly.

The second attempt was in 1868. In their petition, the townspeople claimed that Rock Hill had over 300 residents, "eleven stores, two churches, two bars, two hotels, two carriage shops, three blacksmith shops, three shoe shops, one tannery, one cabinet shop, and elementary schools for white girls and boys." The petition was signed by 48 men, most relative newcomers to Rock Hill, with only a few members of the old, established, landed families. The larger landholders opposed incorporation because of the taxes it would bring. They filed a counter-proposal which claimed that there were only 100 residents, many of them temporary.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=63}} The situation was a strong indication of the changes Rock Hill experienced as it transitioned from mostly farms to a business community. Ultimately, the state legislature did not act on either petition and Rock Hill was still not incorporated.

The third, successful petition was made in 1869, only one year after 1868's failed petition. This time there were 57 signers in favor of incorporation, with only seven opponents. The opponents collectively owned 80% of the land that would be incorporated into Rock Hill if the petition was successful. They were unsuccessful at preventing incorporation this time; Rock Hill was officially incorporated on February 26, 1870.<ref name=Willoughby />{{RP|page=64}}

===Civil rights movement===
Rock Hill was the setting for two significant events in the [[civil rights movement]]. In February 1961, nine African-American men went to jail at the [[York County, South Carolina|York County]] prison farm after staging a [[sit-in]] at a [[Racial segregation|segregated]] [[McCrory's]] lunch counter in downtown Rock Hill. The current location is now known as "Kounter" which has the names of the activists engraved. Their offense was reported to be "refusing to stop singing hymns during their morning devotions." The event gained nationwide attention as the men followed an untried strategy called "jail, no bail."<ref name="AP"/> Rejecting bail was a way to lessen the huge financial burden which civil rights groups were facing as the [[sit-in movement]] spread across the South.<ref name="AP">{{cite news |title='Sing-In' Negroes Eat Hearty; Say 'Jail—No Bail' |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=The Spartanburg Herald |date=February 21, 1961 |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=g3ssAAAAIBAJ&pg=7405,2802776&dq=rock+hill+sit-in&hl=en |access-date=December 1, 2010 |quote=Eight Negro Demonstrators in a disciplinary cell at the York County Prison Camp accepted and ate second helpings Monday of the full meal given every third day to prisoners on bread and water. }}</ref> As their actions gained widespread national news coverage, the tactic was adopted by other civil rights groups. The men became known as the [[Friendship Nine]] because eight of the nine men were students at Rock Hill's [[Friendship Junior College]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Rawlinson |first=Brittany |date=2004-02-22 |title=The Friendship 9 / January 31, 1961 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-herald-the-friendship-9-january-31/164510165/ |access-date=2025-02-02 |work=The Herald |page=8C |publication-place=Rock Hill, South Carolina |via=[[Newspapers.com]] |quote=They were students at Friendship College and called themselves the Friendship Nine. The members of this group were James Wells, William "Dub" Massey, Robert McCullough, John Gaines, William "Scoop" Williamson, Willie McLeod, Thomas Gaither, Clarence Graham, Charles Taylor and Mack Workman.}}</ref>

Later in 1961, Rock Hill was the first stop in the [[Deep South]] for a group of 13 [[Freedom Riders]], who boarded buses in Washington, DC, and headed South to test the [[Boynton v. Virginia|1960 ruling]] by the [[Supreme Court of the United States|U.S. Supreme Court]] outlawing racial segregation in all interstate public facilities. When the civil rights leader [[John Lewis]] and another black man stepped off the bus at Rock Hill, they were beaten by a white mob that was uncontrolled by police. The event drew national attention.

In 2002, Lewis, by then a US Congressman from [[Georgia (U.S. state)|Georgia]], returned to Rock Hill, where he had been invited as a speaker at [[Winthrop University]] and was given the [[key to the city]]. On January 21, 2008, Rep. Lewis returned to Rock Hill again and spoke at the city's [[Martin Luther King Jr. Day]] observance. Mayor Doug Echols officially apologized to him on the city's behalf for the Freedom Riders' treatment in the city.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Schonberg |first=Jessica |date=2008-01-22 |title=Thank you, my brother |url=https://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article12206531.html |access-date=2016-01-18 |website=The Herald}}</ref>
[[File:Group of men and girls working in the Aragon Mill. Rock Hill, S.C. - NARA - 523538.jpg|thumb|upright|Child laborers at Aragon Mill in Rock Hill, 1912. Photo by [[Lewis Hine]].]]

===20th century to present===
Rock Hill experienced steady growth in the twentieth century. The city boundary expanded far beyond its original limits. Four [[Unincorporated area|unincorporated communities]] of York County were annexed into the city including [[Boyd Hill, South Carolina|Boyd Hill]] in the late 1940s, [[Ebenezer, South Carolina|Ebenezer]] and Mexico in the 1960s, and [[Oakdale, South Carolina|Oakdale]] in the 1980s.

Rock Hill celebrated its [[centennial]] in 1952 and its [[sesquicentennial]] in 2002.

Rock Hill hosted the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships at the Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track in Riverwalk with an estimated direct economic impact of $19.2 million.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Thackham |first=David |date=2017-08-16 |title=How much money did the BMX championships bring to Rock Hill? |url=https://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article167279927.html |access-date=2017-11-06 |website=The Herald |language=en}}</ref>

On April 7, 2021, former [[National Football League|NFL]] player [[Phillip Adams (American football)|Phillip Adams]] [[2021 Rock Hill shooting|shot and killed]] six people, including two children, at a house in Rock Hill. He committed suicide the next day.<ref>{{cite news|first=Timothy|last=Bella|title=Six dead in S.C. shooting committed by ex-NFL player Phillip Adams, who then killed himself, authorities say|date=April 8, 2021|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2021/04/08/south-carolina-shooting-rock-hill/|access-date=April 9, 2021}}</ref>

==Geography==
{{maplink|frame=yes|zoom=10|id=Q960774|type=shape-inverse|text=Interactive map of Rock Hill}}
[[File:Catawba River Rock Hill.JPG|thumb|A view of the Catawba River at River Park]]

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|43.85|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|43.69|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|0.16|sqmi}} (0.36%) is water.<ref name="TigerWebMapServer"/>

Rock Hill is located along the [[Catawba River]] in the north-central section of the [[Piedmont (United States)|Piedmont]] of South Carolina, south of the city of [[Charlotte, North Carolina|Charlotte]] in [[North Carolina]]. The city sits at an elevation of around {{convert|676|ft}} above sea level. It is located approximately {{convert|150|mi}} from the [[Atlantic Ocean]] and {{convert|75|mi}} from the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]]. The northern limits of the city reside along [[Lake Wylie]], a large man-made reservoir.

===Neighborhoods===
[[File:Main Street (Rock Hill, SC).jpg|alt=Downtown Rock Hill|thumb|Downtown Rock Hill]]

Rock Hill consists of numerous neighborhoods, some of which were independent towns and communities at one time that were later annexed into Rock Hill city limits.

*[[Rock Hill Downtown Historic District|Downtown]], the city's central business district that is home to twelve contiguous buildings built as early as 1870. It is also home to the city's government offices and numerous restaurants.
*[[Ebenezer, South Carolina|Ebenezer]], located north of downtown along Ebenezer Road. This area is home to Piedmont Medical Center as well as both newly developed subdivisions and historic neighborhoods.
*[[Oakdale, South Carolina|Oakdale]], southern city limits located south of downtown and bordered by S.C. Highway 901 to the north and east. The area is home to South Pointe High School and the Rock Hill Country Club golf course.
*[[Newport, South Carolina|Newport]], while still considered to be a census-designated place, has been mostly annexed into the city. This fast-growing area with numerous subdivisions is home to the Rock Hill Aquatic Center and located northwest of Ebenezer along S.C. Highway 161.
*[[Boyd Hill, South Carolina|Boyd Hill]], historic neighborhood bordered by downtown to the south, Ebenezer to the north and S.C. Highway 901 to the west. While the neighborhood is often considered a low-income portion of the city, it is also home to the city's municipal football and soccer stadium.

===Natural disasters===
Four notable major natural disasters have struck the city since 1926.

====1926 Rock Hill tornado====
On November 26, 1926, a destructive tornado struck downtown Rock Hill. It was the day after Thanksgiving, late in the season for such a violent storm. The "black as ink twister" took less than 10 minutes to change the face of the business section. The storm touched down in western York County, and entered Rock Hill from the west. Once in the town, the twister cut a path about three blocks wide, leaving 60 homes heavily damaged, the hospital roof removed, and cars flipped or crushed. By the end, the total damage for the whole town was $150,000. The tornado was responsible for one death and 12 injuries within Rock Hill.

====Hurricane Hugo====
[[Hurricane Hugo]] struck the city on the morning of September 22, 1989. The storm ripped through the city with sustained winds over {{convert|90|mph}}, toppling massive oak and pine trees. Schools were closed for weeks because of widespread damage to roads and facilities. The total damage cost for the entire state of South Carolina was around $4.2 billion. The storm was a category 3 when it entered the county and was a category 2 as it left the county.

====The "Great Carolina Snowstorm" of 2004====
A complex series of low pressure systems moved across South Carolina from February 25–27 of 2004. Starting as a mix of snow and sleet, the storm became all snow as the low pulled off the Carolina coast. Cold arctic air settled over the Carolinas and dumped {{convert|22|in|cm}} of snow, with lightning, gusty winds, and some areas getting up to {{convert|28|in|cm}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Winter Weather Event, February 25–27, 2004|url=http://www.dnr.sc.gov/climate/sco/Publications/winter_Feb25_27_2004.php|publisher=South Carolina State Climatology Office|access-date=10 January 2012}}</ref> Sustained winds over {{convert|40|mph}} across Rock Hill knocked out power, resulting in schools' closing for a week. It was the worst overall blizzard to hit the area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Remembering that time south Charlotte got almost 2 feet of snow in 2004 |url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/weather/remembering-that-time-south-charlotte-got-almost-2-feet-of-snow-in-2004/275-415508092 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=wcnc.com |language=en-US}}</ref>

====2011 Rock Hill Tornado====
During the [[Tornado outbreak of November 14–16, 2011]], a deadly EF-2 tornado struck about {{convert|8|mi}} south and {{convert|5|mi}} southwest of Rock Hill that travelled for {{convert|2|mi}} after touchdown. The storm, which left a {{convert|200|yd}} wide path of destruction and had wind speeds of up to {{convert|135|mph}}, left 3 people dead, caused 5 injuries, and 7-8 damaged homes. This event caused the first ever tornado related deaths to be recorded in York Country history.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.wsoctv.com/news/3-dead-after-tornado-rips-through-york-county/222930664/|title=3 dead after tornado rips through York County|website=wsoctv.com|access-date=2021-03-07|language=en}}</ref>

===Climate===
[[File:Snow in Rock Hill.jpg|thumb|Snow in Rock Hill]]

Rock Hill has a [[humid subtropical climate]] with four distinct seasons, characterized by hot humid summers and cool dry winters. The city itself is part of the USDA hardiness zone 7b with yearly minimum low temperature extremes between {{convert|5|and|10|°F|0}}, typically occurring in the month of January.<ref>{{cite web|title=USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map|url=http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|publisher=United States Department of Agriculture|access-date=2014-06-01|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140227032333/http://planthardiness.ars.usda.gov/PHZMWeb/|archive-date=2014-02-27|url-status=dead}}</ref> Precipitation does not vary greatly between seasons, but is highly dependent on moisture supplied from the [[Gulf of Mexico]]. July is the hottest month, with an average high temperature of {{convert|91|°F|0}} and an average low temperature of {{convert|71|°F|0}}.<ref name="TWCRockHill">{{cite web|title=Monthly Averages for Rock Hill, SC|url=http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxclimatology/monthly/USSC0292|publisher=The Weather Channel|access-date=November 21, 2011|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120309155224/http://www.weather.com/outlook/travel/vacationplanner/wxclimatology/monthly/USSC0292|archive-date=2012-03-09|url-status=dead}}</ref> The coldest month of the year is January, when the average high temperature is {{convert|51|°F|0}} and the average low temperature is {{convert|31|°F|0}}.<ref name="TWCRockHill"/> The warmest temperature ever recorded in the city was {{convert|106|°F|0}} in 1983 and tied in 2007.<ref name="TWCRockHill"/> The coldest temperature ever recorded in the city was {{convert|-4|°F|0}} in 1985.<ref name="TWCRockHill"/>

{{Weather box
|location = Rock Hill, South Carolina ([[Winthrop University]]) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1899–present
|single line = Y
|Jan record high F = 80
|Feb record high F = 83
|Mar record high F = 90
|Apr record high F = 96
|May record high F = 100
|Jun record high F = 105
|Jul record high F = 108
|Aug record high F = 106
|Sep record high F = 106
|Oct record high F = 98
|Nov record high F = 86
|Dec record high F = 81
|year record high F = 108
|Jan high F = 53.5
|Feb high F = 57.8
|Mar high F = 65.5
|Apr high F = 74.8
|May high F = 81.2
|Jun high F = 87.6
|Jul high F = 90.7
|Aug high F = 89.0
|Sep high F = 83.5
|Oct high F = 74.0
|Nov high F = 63.8
|Dec high F = 55.6
|year high F = 73.1
|Jan mean F = 43.0
|Feb mean F = 46.4
|Mar mean F = 53.5
|Apr mean F = 62.3
|May mean F = 69.9
|Jun mean F = 77.0
|Jul mean F = 80.2
|Aug mean F = 78.9
|Sep mean F = 73.3
|Oct mean F = 62.6
|Nov mean F = 52.3
|Dec mean F = 45.4
|year mean F = 62.1
|Jan low F = 32.6
|Feb low F = 35.0
|Mar low F = 41.6
|Apr low F = 49.9
|May low F = 58.6
|Jun low F = 66.5
|Jul low F = 69.7
|Aug low F = 68.9
|Sep low F = 63.0
|Oct low F = 51.2
|Nov low F = 40.9
|Dec low F = 35.2
|year low F = 51.1
|Jan record low F = −4
|Feb record low F = 5
|Mar record low F = 4
|Apr record low F = 20
|May record low F = 34
|Jun record low F = 40
|Jul record low F = 50
|Aug record low F = 49
|Sep record low F = 38
|Oct record low F = 25
|Nov record low F = 12
|Dec record low F = 2
|year record low F= −4
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation inch = 3.58
|Feb precipitation inch = 3.12
|Mar precipitation inch = 3.90
|Apr precipitation inch = 3.73
|May precipitation inch = 3.53
|Jun precipitation inch = 4.11
|Jul precipitation inch = 3.57
|Aug precipitation inch = 3.72
|Sep precipitation inch = 3.56
|Oct precipitation inch = 2.94
|Nov precipitation inch = 3.28
|Dec precipitation inch = 3.58
|year precipitation inch = 42.62
|unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days = 9.9
|Feb precipitation days = 9.4
|Mar precipitation days = 10.1
|Apr precipitation days = 8.7
|May precipitation days = 8.4
|Jun precipitation days = 9.3
|Jul precipitation days = 9.1
|Aug precipitation days = 9.2
|Sep precipitation days = 6.6
|Oct precipitation days = 6.8
|Nov precipitation days = 7.7
|Dec precipitation days = 9.2
|year precipitation days = 104.4
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name=nws>{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=gsp
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = May 15, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCDC>
{{cite web
| url =https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00389350&format=pdf
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration 
| title = Station: Winthrop UNIV, SC
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020)
| access-date = May 15, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 809
|1890= 2744
|1900= 5485
|1910= 7216
|1920= 8809
|1930= 11322
|1940= 15009
|1950= 24502
|1960= 29404
|1970= 33846
|1980= 35327
|1990= 41643
|2000= 49765
|2010= 66154
|2020= 74372
|estyear=2023
|estimate=75654
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2023">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/rockhillcitysouthcarolina|title=QuickFacts: Rock Hill city, South Carolina|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=May 16, 2024}}</ref>
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|website=Census.gov|access-date=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly">{{cite web|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=P1_001N,NAME&for=place:*&in=state:45&key=5ccd0821c15d9f4520e2dcc0f8d92b2ec9336108|title=Census Population API|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=Oct 15, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Rock Hill racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4561405&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-15|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|35,264
|47.42%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|28,580
|38.43%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|283
|0.38%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|1,471
|1.98%
|-
|[[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]]
|55
|0.07%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|2,962
|3.98%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|5,757
|7.74%
|}

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], there were 74,372 people, 32,341 households, and 18,379 families residing in the city.

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States census|2010 census]],<ref name="GR8">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=2017-07-22 |title=U.S. Census website }}</ref> there were 66,154 people and 16,059 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|619.2|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|people|people|abbr=on}}. There were 29,159 housing units at an average density of {{convert|252.4|/km2|/mi2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}. The racial makeup of the city was 54.6% [[Caucasian (U.S. Census)|White]], 38.3% [[African American (U.S. Census)|Black]], 1.7% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.5% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.1% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 2.7% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.1% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 25,966 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, w ith 24.4% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

==Economy==
{| class="wikitable" style="float:right"
|+Top 10 Largest Employers<ref>[http://www.bestplacelive.com/USA/SC/Rock-Hill/Profile/Top-Companies-Jobs.aspx Rock Hill, SC Top Companies | Live Data]. Bestplacelive.com. Retrieved on 2012-10-15.</ref>
|-
|[[3D Systems]]
|-
|Amida Industries, INC.
|-
|Carolina Energy
|-
|City of Rock Hill
|-
|[[Comporium Communications]]
|-
|Cytec Carbon Filters, LLC.
|-
|[[Hyosung|Hyosung Corporation]]
|-
|Langer Transport Corporation
|-
|[[York County School District 3|Rock Hill Schools]]
|-
|[[Winthrop University]]
|}
Rock Hill's economy was once dominated by the textile industry, and the restructuring of that industry in moving jobs overseas caused a decline in the local economy at one time. Over the past decade, Rock Hill has transitioned to a relatively strong manufacturing workforce.

Other major companies in Rock Hill with headquarters or North American headquarters include [[Hyosung]], [[Comporium Communications]], [[3D Systems]], and [[Atlas Copco]].

The median income for a household in the city was $37,336, and the median income for a family was $45,697. Males had a median income of $32,156 versus $24,181 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $18,929. About 9.7% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over. The unemployment rate of the city was 8.7 percent and 11,874 of the 71,459 residents lived and worked in the city with a daytime population change of +5,208 as of March 2011.<ref>[http://www.heraldonline.com/2010/08/21/2396558/area-sees-little-change-in-jobs.html "Area sees little change in jobs"] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100824112814/http://www.heraldonline.com/2010/08/21/2396558/area-sees-little-change-in-jobs.html |date=2010-08-24 }}, ''Herald Online''</ref> The city is transitioning to a retail and manufacturing economy, and has been working to attract national and global companies.

[[Rock Hill Galleria]] is a regional shopping mall founded in 1991. [[Rock Hill Mall]] (1968–{{circa|1993}}, demolished 2006), and [[Town Center Mall (Rock Hill)|Town Center Mall]] (1975–1993) are former major shopping centers inside the city.

==Arts and culture==
Rock Hill's Historic Old Town area is home to many of the city's [[National Register of Historic Places listings in Rock Hill, South Carolina|historic buildings]], art galleries, history museums, and cultural events.

===Seasonal events===
* Blues and Jazz Festival - a music festival celebrating the roots of modern music.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blues & Jazz Festival |url=https://www.yorkcountyarts.org/bluesandjazz |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=yorkcountyarts.org|language=en-US}}</ref>
* ChristmasVille - an annual holiday festival<ref>{{Cite web |title=ChristmasVille Rock Hill |url=https://www.christmasvillerockhill.com/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=christmasvillerockhill.com |language=en}}</ref>
* [[Come See Me Festival]] - an annual salute to spring.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About The Come See Me Festival |url=https://www.comeseeme.org/about/ |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=ComeSeeMe.org |language=en}}</ref>
* Don't Sweat It Fest - a festival that celebrates local music, community, and summer fun.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Don't Sweat It Fest |url=https://www.visityorkcounty.com/event/dont-sweat-it-fest-2024/14308/ |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=visityorkcounty.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Rock Hill Pride Festival - an annual grassroots celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. Hosted and funded by local businesses.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Rock Hill Pride Festival |url=https://cdmercantile.com/rock-hill-pride/ |access-date=2024-06-09 |website=cdmercantile.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Underexposed Film Festival YC - an international, independent short film festival.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Underexposed Film Festival YC |url=https://www.underexposedfilmfestivalyc.org/ |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=yorkcountyarts.org |language=en}}</ref>
* South Carolina Ag + Art Tour - a free, self-guided tour of farms and markets featuring local artisans. Originally started in York County, it has since grown to include a total of 20 South Carolina counties.<ref>{{Cite web |title=About the Tour |url=https://www.agandarttour.com/about |access-date=29 June 2024 |website=agandarttour.com |language=en}}</ref>

===Visual and performing arts===
Rock Hill has a vibrant visual arts and performing arts scene that is primarily sustained by its local artists and arts [[nonprofit organizations]].

====Art galleries and venues====
* Center for the Arts - home to the Arts Council of York County, art galleries, and local artist studios.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Center for the Arts |url=https://www.visityorkcounty.com/listing/center-for-the-arts/635/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.visityorkcounty.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
* Tom S. Gettys Center for the Arts - the historic [[United States Post Office and Courthouse (Rock Hill, South Carolina)|U.S. Post Office and Courthouse]] which has been repurposed to include artist studios, galleries, the Rock Hill Pottery Center, and a performing arts space in the building's original courtroom space.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Gettys Art Center |url=https://www.visityorkcounty.com/listing/gettys-art-center/1274/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.visityorkcounty.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

====Public art installations ====
*Mural Mile - a recent initiative involving the creation of multiple murals throughout the Old Town area,<ref>{{Cite web |title=Only in Old Town - Mual Mile |url=https://www.onlyinoldtown.com/muralmile |access-date=29 Jun 2024 |website=onlyinoldtown.com |language=en-us}}</ref> including one painted in 2021 by South Carolina artist [[Shepard Fairey]], who grew up spending time with family in the city and surrounding area.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ROCK HILL, SC – MURAL & PRINTED MATTERS PHOTO RECAP |url=https://obeygiant.com/rock-hill-sc-mural-printed-matters-photo-recap/ |access-date=29 Jun 2024 |website=obeygiant.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
*Freedom Walkway - An alleyway installation honoring local heroes for justice and equality.<ref>{{Cite web |title=What is Freedom Walkway? |url=https://www.freedomwalkway.com/ |access-date=29 Jun 2024 |website=freedomwalkway.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
[[File:Gateway Intersection in Rock Hill, South Carolina.jpg|thumbnail|Columns at the gateway intersection]]
*Four ''civitas'' and the gateway were installed in 1991.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM23R5_Civitas_Statues_Rock_Hill_SC|title=Civitas Statues – Rock Hill, SC – Figurative Public Sculpture|website=Waymarking.com|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> Each holds a disc that symbolizes the four features of the city's economy: gears of industry, flames of knowledge, stars of inspiration, and bolts of energy. The ribbons in the civitates clothing and hair transform into wings, inferring the textile industry as the foundation of the city's growth.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.cityofrockhill.com/departments/general-government/city-management/about-rock-hill#civitas|title=Rock Hill, SC : About Rock Hill|website=Cityofrockhill.com|language=en|access-date=2017-01-27}}</ref> The {{convert|22|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} ''Civitas'' statues were made of bronze by sculptor [[Audrey Flack]]. In 1992, a fifth ''civitas'' statue by Flack was placed at City Hall. The {{convert|60|ft|m|adj=mid|-tall}} columns that form the gateway came an [[Egyptian Revival]] Masonic Temple in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]]. They were gifted to the city by the [[First Union Corporation]].<ref>{{cite book |last1=Rhea |first1=Betty Jo |title=I'm Not at Liberty to Say |date=2020 |publisher=Bellagio Press |location=Tega Cay, SC |isbn=978-1-62732-040-5}}</ref>

===Museums===
* Museum of York County is a [[natural history museum]].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Culture & Heritage Museums |url=https://chmuseums.org/myco/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=chmuseums.org}}</ref>
* Comporium Telephone Museum features the history of technology in Rock Hill.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Comporium Telephone Museum |url=https://discoversouthcarolina.com/products/571 |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=discoversouthcarolina.com |language=en}}</ref>
* Rock Hill Fire Museum features the history of the Rock Hill Fire Department.<ref>{{Cite web |title=The Rock Hill Fire Department Museum |url=https://www.visityorkcounty.com/listing/the-rock-hill-fire-department-museum/549/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.visityorkcounty.com |language=en-us}}</ref>
* Main Street Children's Museum features children's learning and educational activities.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Culture & Heritage Museums |url=https://chmuseums.org/childrens/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=chmuseums.org}}</ref>
* [[White House (Rock Hill, South Carolina)|White Home]] is a historic site and museum.

===Library===
Rock Hill has a [[public library]], a branch of the York County Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.sciway.net/lib/counties.html | title=South Carolina libraries and archives | publisher=SCIWAY | access-date=13 June 2019}}</ref>

===Music===
Rock Hill is home to indie rock band [[Elonzo]].

==Sports==
[[File:WinthropColiseum.JPG|thumb|Basketball practice at Winthrop Coliseum]]

Rock Hill has nicknamed itself "Football City USA" because of its prolific production of NFL players.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Spanberg |first1=Erik |title=SC leaders celebrate Panthers' HQ move to Rock Hill |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/charlotte/news/2019/06/05/photos-sc-leaders-celebrate-panthers-hqmove-to.html |website=www.bizjournals.com |publisher=Charlotte Business Journal |access-date=2 February 2023 |date=5 June 2019}}</ref> The city claims to produce more NFL players per capita than any city in the United States.<ref>{{cite web |title=Football City USA |url=https://rhsdfoundation.org/programs/football-city-usa/ |website=Rock Hill Schools Education Foundation, Back the Pack, Teacher Grants |access-date=2 February 2023 |language=en}}</ref> In 2019, Rock Hill was selected as the site for the [[Carolina Panthers]]' {{convert|200|acre|adj=on}} training facility.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.sportspromedia.com/news/carolina-panthers-rock-hill-training-facility-cam-newton-david-tepper|title=Carolina Panthers secure Rock Hill training facility move - SportsPro Media|website=www.sportspromedia.com|date=6 June 2019|access-date=2019-08-29}}</ref> In 2022, the deal was called off.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.wcnc.com/article/money/south-carolina-commerce-officials-blindsided-carolina-panthers-training-camp-rock-hill-construction-stopped/275-130b0383-8ccf-407e-892d-beb13d6e5642#:~:text=Rock%20Hill%20fails%20to%20issue,the%20end%20of%20February%202022 | title='Not good': Records show South Carolina officials caught off guard by termination of Panthers facility | date=26 May 2022 }}</ref>

Rock Hill hosts two national championships, the [[United States Disc Golf Championship]] at Winthrop University, and the [[US Youth Soccer National Championships]] at [[Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex]].

Rock Hill hosted the 2015 [[IQA World Cup]], making it the second consecutive year South Carolina hosted the Quidditch World Cup.<ref name="World Cup 8 Rock Hill USA April 2015">{{cite web|title=World Cup 8 Rock Hill USA April 2015|date=July 2017|url=https://www.usquidditch.org/events/special/world-cup/|website=Usquidditch.org}}</ref>

Rock Hill hosted the 2017 [[UCI BMX World Championships]] in July 2017 at the Riverwalk mixed-use community along the Catawba River.<ref name="2017 BMX World Championships Rock Hill USA">{{cite web|title=2017 BMX World Championships|date=June 2017|url=https://www.rockhillscbmx.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920060347/http://www.rockhillscbmx.com/|url-status=dead|archive-date=2015-09-20}}</ref>

Collegiate sports include the [[Winthrop Eagles|Winthrop University Eagles]], a [[National Collegiate Athletic Association]] (NCAA) [[Division I (NCAA)|Division I]] team.<ref name="Winthrop Eagles">{{cite web|title=Winthrop Eagles|date=July 2017|url=https://www.winthropeagles.com/index.aspx|access-date=2017-07-28|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170731152700/http://www.winthropeagles.com/index.aspx|archive-date=2017-07-31|url-status=dead}}</ref>

The [[Rock Hill Chiefs|Rock Hill Cardinals]], from 1963 to 1968, were a [[Western Carolinas League]] baseball team affiliated with the [[St. Louis Cardinals]].

==Parks and recreation==
[[File:Giordana Velodrome.jpg|thumb|right|Velodrome]]
[[File:Glencairn Gardens Rock Hill SC.jpg|thumb|Glencairn Garden]]

Parks include in the city:
*Cherry Park, {{convert|70|acre|ha|abbr=on|adj=on}} park with a {{convert|1.5|mi|km|abbr=on|adj=on}} trail and athletic fields.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cherry Park {{!}} Rock Hill, SC |url=https://www.cityofrockhill.com/departments/parks-recreation-tourism/parks-facilities/cherry-park |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.cityofrockhill.com |language=en}}</ref>
*Ebenezer Park, beachfront park located along Lake Wylie with swimming and picnic areas.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Ebenezer Park {{!}} York, SC |url=https://www.yorkcountygov.com/212/Ebenezer-Park |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.yorkcountygov.com}}</ref>
*Glencairn Garden, quaint botanical garden featuring a variety of blooming flowers and trees.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Glencairn Garden {{!}} Rock Hill, SC |url=https://www.cityofrockhill.com/departments/parks-recreation-tourism/parks-facilities/glencairn-garden |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=www.cityofrockhill.com |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex|Manchester Meadows]], large park with covered picnic areas and soccer fields.
*Riverwalk and Rock Hill Outdoor Center, {{convert|1000|acre|ha|abbr=on|adj=on}} mixed-use community park with kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. The Giordana Velodrome and Rock Hill BMX Supercross track are located here.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2014-02-25 |title=Rock Hill Outdoor Center {{!}} Visit Rock Hill, SC |url=https://www.visitrockhillsc.com/rock-hill-outdoor-center/ |access-date=2022-11-06 |language=en-US}}</ref>
*Westminster Park, riverside park with access to Catawba River.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Church |first=Westminster Presbyterian |title=300 Acre Park |url=https://www.wpcgo.com/300-acre-park |access-date=2022-11-06 |website=Westminster Presbyterian Church: Rockhill, SC |language=en}}</ref>

==Government==
The city operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The governing body is composed of a mayor and six members. The mayor is determined through a nonpartisan, at-large election for a four-year term of office while council members are chosen through nonpartisan, single-member district elections. Council members are elected to staggered four-year terms of office. The city council is a legislative body, establishing policies with recommendations from the city administrator. The city manager acts as the chief administrator of the council's policies implemented through the administrative control of city departments given to him by ordinance. John Gettys is mayor; his term began January 2018.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.heraldonline.com/news/local/article182774691.html|title=John Gettys: '...We're on a trajectory that is lights out right now'|website=Heraldonline.com|access-date=2017-11-06|language=en}}</ref>

==Education==
===K–12===
Public education in Rock Hill is administered by [[York County School District 3]]. The district operates twenty-seven schools in the city, including nineteen [[elementary school]]s, five [[middle school]]s, and three [[High school (North America)|high school]]s. The district has a student enrollment of around 25,000.<ref>{{cite web | title = Rock Hill District Three | url = http://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/|website=Rock-hill.k12.sc.us | access-date = 2009-07-21}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | title = Rock Hill District Three Information | url = http://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/districtinformation.aspx| access-date = 2009-07-21 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20090718225543/http://www.rock-hill.k12.sc.us/districtinformation.aspx | archive-date = 2009-07-18 }}</ref>
[[File:Tillman Hall (Winthrop University).jpg|thumb|upright|Tillman Hall at [[Winthrop University]] in Rock Hill|alt=]]

====High schools====
*[[Rock Hill High School (South Carolina)|Rock Hill High School]] (first built high school in the city)
*[[Northwestern High School (Rock Hill, South Carolina)|Northwestern]] (built at the time of school integration in 1970, replacing all-black Emmett Scott High School)
*[[South Pointe High School (Rock Hill, South Carolina)|South Pointe]] (the newest high school in the city)

====Middle schools====
*Saluda Trail Middle School
*Castle Heights Middle School
*Sullivan Middle School
*Rawlinson Road Middle School
*Dutchman Creek Middle School
*Westminster Catawba Christian School

===Private schools===
A variety of [[Parochial school|religious school]]s serve the city of Rock Hill, including St. Anne's Catholic School and [[Westminster Catawba Christian School|Westminster Catawba]]. The city is also home to two [[Charter school]]s: [[York Preparatory Academy]], and Legion Collegiate Academy.

===Higher education===
[[File:Scholars Walk.jpg|alt=Scholars Walk at Winthrop University|thumb|Scholars Walk at Winthrop University]]
There are three [[Higher education in the United States|colleges]] in Rock Hill.

The most prominent institution is [[Winthrop University]], founded in 1886 as a women's college. It is a thriving, public, co-ed four-year [[comprehensive university]] with an annual enrollment of about 6,000 students.<ref>{{cite web |title=Overview of Winthrop University |url=https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/winthrop-university-3456 |website=U.S. News Best Colleges |publisher=U.S. News & World Report |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref>

[[Clinton College (South Carolina)|Clinton College]] is an [[Historically black colleges and universities|HBCU]] founded by the [[African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church]] in 1894.<ref>{{cite web | title = Clinton Junior College | url = http://www.clintonjuniorcollege.edu/about.htm | access-date = 2009-07-21 | url-status = dead | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120722183753/http://www.clintonjuniorcollege.edu/about.htm | archive-date = 2012-07-22 }}</ref> Initially a two-year institution, the [[liberal arts college]] added four-year degree programs in 2013 in addition to the associate degree programs.<ref name="history">{{cite web |title=Clinton College History |url=https://clintoncollege.edu/about-clinton/history/ |publisher=Clinton College |access-date=11 February 2020}}</ref>

[[York Technical College]] opened in Rock Hill in 1964. This two-year [[Community colleges in the United States|community college]] offers associate degrees and provides continuing education for approximately 9,000 area residents annually and is growing each year.<ref>{{cite web | title = York Technical College | url = http://www.yorktech.com/collegeinfo.asp |website=Yorktech.com| access-date = 2009-07-21}}</ref>

==Media==
Rock Hill is home to a daily newspaper, ''[[The Herald (Rock Hill)|The Herald]],'' which covers the area. Rock Hill is home to a free daily online newspaper, the YoCoNews that covers all of York and Lancaster counties. <ref>YoCoNews.com</ref> Magazines include ''Rock Hill Magazine'' and ''YC (York County) Magazine'' (which covers the entire county).

OTS Media Group owns and operates WRHI (News/Sports, 100.1 FM and 1340 AM), WRHM-FM (Country/Sports FM 107.1) and WRHM-FM HD2/W281BE/W232AX (Contemporary Christian, FM 94.3 & 104.1). There are also WAVO (Religious, 1150 AM), [[National Public Radio|NPR]] affiliate [[WNSC-FM]] (88.9 FM), Southside Baptist Church of Rock Hill Christian broadcast station, [[WRHJ-LP]] (93.1 FM) and [[York Technical College]] campus radio station [[WYTX-LP]] (98.5.FM) .

Rock Hill has several television stations: [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] affiliate [[WNSC-TV]] (Channel 30), CN2, a daily cable news program produced by Comporium Communications for York, Chester, and Lancaster counties; [[MyNetworkTV]] station [[WMYT-TV]] Channel 55, is licensed to Rock Hill, but serves the entire Charlotte market, while their studios are shared with sister station [[WJZY-TV]] in unincorporated [[Mecklenburg County, North Carolina|Mecklenburg County, NC]].

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===
====Highway====
From locations across the country, Rock Hill is most easily accessible by interstate highway.
*[[Interstate 77 in North Carolina|Interstate 77]]: Exit numbers 73–82
*[[Interstate 85 in North Carolina|Interstate 85]]: Exit number 102

====Air====
Rock Hill has two local airports. The [[Rock Hill/York County Airport]] is a municipal airport for the city of Rock Hill and serves non-commercial flights. The airport is located minutes from Rock Hill's [[Central business district]]. Also called Bryant Field, it was named for Robert E. Bryant, an aviator with two international records and an inductee in the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame (The name is no longer used for the airport because of confusion with [[Bryant Field (airport)]]). It is owned and operated by the City of Rock Hill, but York County is also represented on the Airport Commission.

The other local airport, the [[Charlotte-Douglas International Airport]], is one of the busiest airports in the United States and is located 20 miles north of Rock Hill in [[Charlotte, North Carolina]].

====Public transportation====
Rock Hill has one regional transit system, The [[Charlotte Area Transit System]] that offers express bus service from downtown Rock Hill to Uptown Charlotte.
* 82X Downtown Rock Hill to Manchester Village to Uptown Charlotte.

Rock Hill currently offers My Ride, an electric bus transit service

====Bike====
Rock Hill is considered to be a bicycle-friendly town with numerous bike routes located throughout the city. There are also designated bike lanes located along major roads such as Eden Terrace and Oakland Avenue.

===Public services===
*Rock Hill Fire Department is a paid department made of two divisions and six fire stations located within the city.
*Rock Hill Police Department is the city's police force, comprising five divisions and nine specialized units.
*Piedmont Medical Center is an acute care hospital with a [[Trauma center#Level III|Level III]] trauma center, located in Rock Hill.

==Notable people==
{{main category|People from Rock Hill, South Carolina}}
* [[Robert O'Neil Bristow]]&nbsp;– award-winning American novelist
* [[Patrick Caddell]]&nbsp;– served in the Jimmy Carter administration, and was a public opinion pollster and a political consultant was born and raised in Rock Hill 
* [[Lauren Cholewinski]]&nbsp;– Olympic speedskater<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://workingwomanreport.com/lauren-cholewinskis-olympic-dream/|title=Lauren Cholewinski's Olympic Dream – Working Woman Report|date=2014-01-05|work=Working Woman Report|access-date=2018-01-24|language=en-US}}</ref>
* [[Matt Christopher]]&nbsp;– children's sports author<ref>Dale Christopher, ''Behind the Desk With Matt Christopher: The #1 Sportswriter for Kids,'' New York: Little, Brown and Company, 2004</ref>
* [[Lafayette Currence]]&nbsp;– baseball player
* [[Ed Currie]]&nbsp;– grew some of the world's hottest peppers, such as the [[Carolina Reaper]] and [[Pepper X]]
* [[Emery (band)|Emery]]&nbsp;– nationally known emo band
* [[William G. Enloe]]&nbsp;– mayor of [[Raleigh, North Carolina]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.fold3.com/document/298122674/|title=Enloe, William Gilmore (1902) › Page 2|website=Fold3.com|access-date=8 July 2015}}</ref>
* [[DJ Felli Fel]]&nbsp;– charted on the Hot 100 with "[[Get Buck in Here]]" 2007
* [[Vernon Grant (Kellogg's)|Vernon Grant]]&nbsp;– commercial artist and creator of the [[Snap, Crackle and Pop]] characters for [[Kellogg's]] [[Rice Krispies]] cereal<ref>{{cite web|url=http://chmuseums.org/vernon-grant-myco/|title=Vernon Grant|website=chmuseums.org|access-date=18 Feb 2022}}</ref>
* [[Jim Hoagland]]&nbsp;– [[journalist]] and a two-time [[Pulitzer Prize]] winner<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hoover.org/profiles/jim-hoagland|title=Jim Hoagland|publisher=Hoover Institution|access-date=September 29, 2018}}</ref>
* [[Ironing Board Sam]]&nbsp;– [[blues]] keyboardist<ref name="Engine">{{cite web|url=http://www.bluessearchengine.com/bluesartists/i/ironingboardsam.html|title=Ironing Board Sam|website=Bluessearchengine.com|access-date=2012-10-16|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140704105659/http://www.bluessearchengine.com/bluesartists/i/ironingboardsam.html|archive-date=2014-07-04|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Cecil Ivory]]&nbsp;– [[Presbyterian]] [[Minister (Christianity)|minister]] and civil rights leader who lead desegregation protests in Rock Hill<ref name="PCUSA">{{cite web |title=Cecil A. Ivory: Presbyterian Leader and Activist |url=https://www.history.pcusa.org/blog/2018/02/cecil-ivory-presbyterian-leader-and-activist |website=The National Archives of the PC(USA) |publisher=Presbyterian Historical Society |access-date=14 June 2022 |date=15 February 2018}}</ref>
* [[Cheslie Kryst]]&nbsp;– [[Miss USA 2019]]<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.newsobserver.com/entertainment/article229975229.html|title=Miss North Carolina USA, a Charlotte lawyer, takes the crown. She's the new Miss USA.|publisher=News Observer|date=May 2, 2019|last=Bollinger|first=Cristina}}</ref>
* [[Edmund Lewandowski]]&nbsp;– Precisionist movement artist, chairman of the art department at Winthrop, from 1973 to 1984<ref>Valerie Ann Leeds, "Edmund Lewandowski's Mosaic Murals," ''American Art Review'', 18(March–April 2006), pp. 142–47.</ref>
* [[William Ivey Long]]&nbsp;– [[Tony Award]]-winning [[costume designer]] 
* [[Ralph Norman]]&nbsp;– U.S. Representative
* [[Jim Ray]]&nbsp;– [[Major League Baseball]] pitcher
* [[Leon Rippy]]&nbsp;– actor in [[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]
* [[Justin Worley]]&nbsp;– former QB for the University of Tennessee

===National Football League players===
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Phillip Adams (American football)|Phillip Adams]]&nbsp;– former NFL cornerback
* [[Jeff Burris]]&nbsp;– former [[National Football League|NFL]] player currently the cornerbacks coach at [[Louisiana Tech Bulldogs football|Louisiana Tech]]
* [[Jadeveon Clowney]]&nbsp;– currently an outside linebacker for the [[Carolina Panthers]]
* [[Gerald Dixon]]&nbsp;– former [[National Football League|NFL]] linebacker for multiple teams
* [[Stephon Gilmore]]&nbsp;– 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, currently a free agent
* [[Tori Gurley]]&nbsp;– former football player in the [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[Canadian Football League|CFL]]
* [[Jonathan Hefney]]&nbsp;– former football player in the [[National Football League|NFL]] and [[Canadian Football League|CFL]]
* [[DeVonte Holloman]]&nbsp;– former football player in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
* [[Chris Hope (American football)|Chris Hope]]&nbsp;– former [[National Football League|NFL]] player and pro bowler
* [[Johnathan Joseph]]&nbsp;– former NFL cornerback
* [[Derion Kendrick]]&nbsp;– currently a cornerback for the [[Los Angeles Rams]]
* [[Spencer Lanning]]&nbsp;– former punter in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
* [[Robert Massey]]&nbsp;– former [[National Football League|NFL]] cornerback for multiple teams
* [[Jonathan Meeks]]&nbsp;– [[National Football League|NFL]] safety that is currently a free agent
* [[Cordarrelle Patterson]]&nbsp;– current running back for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
* [[Derek Ross]]&nbsp;– former cornerback for multiple teams in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
* [[Mason Rudolph (American football)|Mason Rudolph]]&nbsp;– currently a quarterback for the [[Pittsburgh Steelers]]
* [[Rick Sanford]]&nbsp;– former defensive back for the [[New England Patriots]] and [[Seattle Seahawks]]
* [[Jaleel Scott]]&nbsp;– currently a free agent wide receiver
* [[Ko Simpson]]&nbsp;– former safety in the [[National Football League|NFL]]
* [[Benjamin Watson]]&nbsp;– former tight end for the [[New England Patriots]] and New Orleans Saints
{{div col end}}

==In popular culture==
===Films===
* ''[[Asylum (2008 film)|Asylum]]''&nbsp;– 2008, at [[Winthrop University]]
* ''[[Gospel Hill]]''&nbsp;– 2008
* ''[[The Patriot (2000 film)|The Patriot]]''&nbsp;– 2000, parts shot in rural Rock Hill
* ''[[The Rage: Carrie 2]]''&nbsp;– 1999
* ''[[Black Rainbow]]''&nbsp;– 1989
* ''[[Walker Payne]]''&nbsp;– 2006

===Music===
* "[[Promised Land (Chuck Berry song)|Promised Land]]"&nbsp;– 1964 song by [[Chuck Berry]], namechecks the city as a destination the narrator bypasses on his trip out west

==See also==
* [[List of municipalities in South Carolina]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
{{Wikivoyage|Rock Hill}}
* {{osmrelation|194082}}
* {{Official website|http://www.cityofrockhill.com}}

{{York County, South Carolina}}
{{Charlotte/Metrolina}}
{{South Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Rock Hill, South Carolina| ]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1852]]
[[Category:1852 establishments in South Carolina]]
[[Category:South Carolina populated places on the Catawba River]]