Editing Westminster, South Carolina

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
|official_name            = Westminster, South Carolina
|settlement_type          = [[City]]
|nickname                 = 
<!-- Images -->
|image_skyline            = Westminster South Carolina.jpg
|imagesize                = 
|image_caption            = Southern Railways historic passenger depot
|image_flag               = 
|image_seal               =

<!-- Maps -->
|image_map                = Oconee County South Carolina incorporated and unincorporated areas Westminster highlighted.svg
|mapsize                  = 260px
|map_caption              = Location in [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee County]] and the state of [[South Carolina]].

<!-- Location -->
| 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        = [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee]]

<!-- Government -->
|government_footnotes     = 
|government_type          = 
|leader_title             = 
|leader_name              = 
|leader_title1            = 
|leader_name1             = 
|established_title        = 
|established_date         =

<!-- Area -->
|unit_pref  = Imperial
|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|accessdate=October 15, 2022}}</ref>
|area_magnitude           = 
|area_total_km2           = 8.94
|area_land_km2            = 8.93
|area_water_km2           = 0.01
|area_total_sq_mi         = 3.45
|area_land_sq_mi          = 3.45
|area_water_sq_mi         = 0.00

<!-- Population -->
|population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
|population_footnotes     = <ref name="USCensusDecennial2020CenPopScriptOnly"/>
|population_total         = 2353
|population_density_km2   = 263.60
|population_density_sq_mi = 682.82

<!-- General information -->
|timezone                 = [[North American Eastern Time Zone|Eastern (EST)]]
|utc_offset = &minus;5
|timezone_DST             = EDT
|utc_offset_DST = &minus;4
|elevation_footnotes      = <ref name="GR3"/>
|elevation_m              = 
|elevation_ft             = 929
|coordinates              = {{coord|34|39|59|N|83|5|43|W|region:US-SC_type:city|display=inline,title}}
|postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
|postal_code              = 29693
|area_codes                = [[Area codes 864 and 821|864, 821]]
|blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
|blank_info               = 45-76165<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              = 1227504<ref name="GR3">{{GNIS|1227504}}</ref>
|website                  = [http://www.westminstersc.org/ www.westminstersc.org]
|footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}
'''Westminster''' is a city in [[Oconee County, South Carolina|Oconee County]], [[South Carolina]], United States. The population was 2,418 at the 2010 census.

==History==
Westminster was founded in 1874 upon completion of the [[Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway]] and incorporated on March 17, 1875 when the charter was signed.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westminstersc.org/about|title=About - City of Westminster|website=www.westminstersc.org|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref> It was founded as a water stop on the [[Southern Railway – Carolina Division|Southern Railway]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.discoversouthcarolina.com/cities/550|title= South Carolina Department of Parks and Tourism |publisher= South Carolina Department of Parks and Tourism |access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref> As stores, shops and factories started to set up around the train stop, it bloomed into a decent-sized town. Its peak of expansion came in the 1920s.

The [[Retreat Rosenwald School]] and [[Southern Railway Passenger Station (Westminster, South Carolina)|Southern Railway Passenger Station]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.cr.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110923.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2011-09-23|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 9/12/11 through 9/16/11|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

The Apple Festival is celebrated annually.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.oconeecountry.com/westminster.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070504205003/http://www.oconeecountry.com/westminster.html|url-status=usurped|archive-date=May 4, 2007|title=Westminster South Carolina SC Information|website=www.oconeecountry.com|access-date=2018-02-20}}</ref>

==Geography==
Westminster is located at {{coord|34|39|59|N|83|5|43|W|type:city}} (34.666292, -83.095352).<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref>

According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of 3.4&nbsp;square miles (8.9&nbsp;km<sup>2</sup>), all land.

Located in the foothills of the [[Blue Ridge Mountains]], Westminster is surrounded by several rivers, 150 waterfalls, and two major lakes.

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1880= 162
|1890= 532
|1900= 857
|1910= 1576
|1920= 1847
|1930= 1774
|1940= 2014
|1950= 2219
|1960= 2413
|1970= 2521
|1980= 3114
|1990= 3120
|2000= 2743
|2010= 2418
|2020= 2353
|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|publisher=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|accessdate=Oct 15, 2022}}</ref>
}}

===2020 census===
{| class="wikitable"
|+Westminster racial composition<ref>{{Cite web|title=Explore Census Data|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=1600000US4576165&tid=DECENNIALPL2020.P2|access-date=2021-12-14|website=data.census.gov}}</ref>
!Race
!Num.
!Perc.
|-
|[[White (U.S. Census)|White]] (non-Hispanic)
|1,846
|78.45%
|-
|[[African American (U.S. Census)|Black or African American]] (non-Hispanic)
|205
|8.71%
|-
|[[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]]
|2
|0.08%
|-
|[[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]]
|8
|0.34%
|-
|[[Race (United States Census)|Other/Mixed]]
|137
|5.82%
|-
|[[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]]
|155
|6.59%
|}
As of the [[2020 United States census]], there were 2,353 people, 1,076 households, and 630 families residing in the city.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2000, there were 2,743 people, 1,191 households, and 761 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|796.6|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 1,333 housing units at an average density of {{convert|387.1|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 85.60% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 11.81% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.04% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 0.18% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 1.20% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.17% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.48% of the population.

There were 1,191 households, out of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.7% were married couples living together, 14.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.1% were non-families. 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 23.5% under the age of 18, 9.6% from 18 to 24, 27.0% from 25 to 44, 24.6% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.0 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,802, and the median income for a family was $36,678. Males had a median income of $30,104 versus $21,690 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $17,121. About 6.8% of families and 9.3% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 14.2% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Economy==
Westminster is home to several industries; among them are: US Engine Valve plant, [[Ulbrich (company)|Ulbrich]] (flat wire manufacturing plant), and [[Sandvik]] Tooling Supply, a global supplier of [[tungsten carbide]] cutting tools.

==Education==
[[West-Oak High School]] is the public [[High school (North America)|high school]] that most students from Westminster attend. The school draws students from across one half of Oconee County. The city also offers several elementary schools: Westminster Elementary, Orchard Park Elementary, and Fair Oak Elementary. Westminster Elementary and Orchard Park Elementary are both pre-kindergarten to 5th grade, though Fair Oak different because it is pre-kindergarten to 3rd grade and then the students transfer over to Fair Oak Intermediate for 4th and 5th grade. Oakway intermediate is now closed an Fair Oak services Pre-K to 5th. The town also offers a middle school for grades 6 to 8.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://westminstersc.org/schools/|title=Schools - City of Westminster}}</ref>

Westminster has a [[public library|lending library]], a branch of the Oconee County Public 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>

==Arts and culture==

===Annual culture events===
Westminster is the home of the South Carolina Apple Festival. The annual celebration is held during the first two weeks of September, and features a parade, street vendors and booths, a rodeo, and other family activities.<ref name = SCApple>{{cite web | title = Scenes from the 2009 Festival | work = South Carolina Apple Festival | publisher = www.westminstersc.com | url = http://www.westminstersc.com/festival.htm | access-date = 19 December 2009 }}</ref>  Westminster and the nearby community of [[Long Creek, South Carolina|Long Creek]] have several commercial apple orchards.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.westminstersc.com/hist.htm|title= Westminster Chamber of Commerce |publisher= Westminster Chamber of Commerce |access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref>

Westminster hosts the South Carolina Bigfoot Festival each October.<ref name="Westminster South Carolina">{{cite web|url= http://www.westminstersc.org |title= Westminster South Carolina |publisher= Westminster South Carolina |access-date= January 7, 2015}}</ref>

Westminster welcomes car enthusiasts and is a very popular 'cruising' destination where people come from all over the tri-state area to cruise town and show off their vehicles. Westminster proudly holds the title, "The Southeast's Cruising Destination."

April - October, the town has Music on Main where Main Street is roped off and a stage is set up for musicians to perform live.

In April and September of each year, "pickers" from near and far gather on Main Street for the Westminster Bluegrass Jam. An event where people bring their instruments and gather on the street to play music together.<ref name="Westminster South Carolina"/>

There is also a Christmas Parade, Veterans Day Parade, and Apple Festival Parade each year on Main Street.

===Museums and other points of interest===
The [[Southern Railway Passenger Station (Westminster, South Carolina)|train depot]], which is on the [[National Register of Historic Places]], burned due to vandalism in 2005. It has been rebuilt.

Oconee Heritage Center General Store Museum is located on Main St. in Downtown Westminster.  This museum displays a vast collection of original artifacts from the historic England's General Merchandise store of Westminster and features exhibits on the history of the greater Westminster, SC, area.

Gateway Arts Center is located on Windsor Street, just one block off main, and offers gallery showings, youth camps andafter school programs.<ref name="Westminster South Carolina"/>

Westminster has their own recreation department located on Anderson Avenue.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.westminstersc.org/recreation|title=Recreation - City of Westminster}}</ref>

==Education==
*[[Cherokee Creek Boys School]]

==Notable people==<!--consensus reached to standardize this heading per WP:WikiProject Cities/US Guideline -->
* [[Gresham Barrett]], former [[United States House of Representatives|U.S. Representative]] for {{ushr|SC|3}}; born in Westminster.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://bioguide.congress.gov/scripts/biodisplay.pl?index=b001239|title=BARRETT, James Gresham, (1961 - )|publisher= Biographical Directory of United States Congress|access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Jared Burton]], [[Major League Baseball]] player for the [[Minnesota Twins]]; born in Westminster.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/b/burtoja01.shtml|title= Jared Burton|publisher= Baseball-Reference.Com|access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref>
* [[Chrisley Knows Best#Family members|Todd Chrisley]], entrepreneur and reality television star; raised in Westminster.<ref>{{cite web |title= Chrisley Knows Best Cast Bio: Todd Chrisley |url= https://www.usanetwork.com/chrisley-knows-best/credits/cast/todd-chrisley |website= USA Network |access-date= January 3, 2021}}</ref>
* [[Andy Lee (American football)|Andy Lee]], [[American football]] [[punter (football position)|punter]] for the [[Carolina Panthers]] of the [[National Football League]]; born in Westminster.<ref>{{cite web|url= https://www.pro-football-reference.com/players/L/LeexAn20.htm|title= Andy Lee|publisher= Pro-Football-Reference.Com|access-date= October 3, 2012}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

==External links==
* [http://www.westminstersc.org City of Westminster]
* {{usurped|1=[https://web.archive.org/web/20070504205003/http://www.oconeecountry.com/westminster.html#WestminsterVideo Video tour of Westminster from 1924]}}
* [http://www.city-data.com/city/Westminster-South-Carolina.html City-Data.com]

{{Oconee County, South Carolina}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:Cities in South Carolina]]
[[Category:Cities in Oconee County, South Carolina]]