Gaffney, South Carolina
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Gaffney is a city in Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2005 estimate, the city population was 13,149. It is the county seat of Cherokee CountyGR6. It is the principal city of the Gaffney, South Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area (population 52,537 according to year 2000 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau), an (MSA) which includes all of Cherokee County and which is further included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina Combined Statistical Area (population 1,185,534 according to year 2005 U.S. Census Bureau estimates).
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[edit] History
Michael Gaffney, born in Granard, Ireland in 1775, emigrated to America in 1797, arriving in New York and moving to Charleston, South Carolina a few years later. Gaffney moved again in 1804 to the South Carolina Upcountry (The Upstate) and established a tavern and lodging house at what became known as "Gaffney's Cross Roads." The location was perfect for growth because of the two major roads which met here, one from the mountains of North Carolina to Charleston and the other from Charlotte into Georgia. Michael Gaffney died here on September 6, 1854.
In 1872, the area became known as "Gaffney City." Gaffney became the county seat of Cherokee County which was formed out of parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties in 1897. Gaffney became a major center for the textile industry in South Carolina and was the backbone of the county's economy up until the 1980s.
After reaching a peak population of almost 18,000 during the 1950s, the city's population has slowly shrunk to 13,000 due to loss of land within the city limits. This slow population decline can also be attributed to the fact that most of the city is encompassed by historical districts, thus creating strict regulations on how houses should be built within most of the city limits. Because of these and other factors, very few houses are being built within the city.
Despite the small of amount of residential and population growth, businesses and companies continue to locate within the city limits, especially along the bustling Floyd Baker Boulevard and Highway 105 and many other areas within the city limits; however, most population growth occurs outside the city limits.
Uptown Gaffney began to languish after I-85 was built in the county as industries located near the new highway. Recent renovations in downtown Gaffney have prompted more businesses to locate there, but there is still a great deal that is planned for the central part of the city. Many plans have been announced for the downtown area, including a large 20-acre park that will be developed on the grounds of a recently demolished mill. A plaza is being built next to city hall and will include a fountain, benches, a memorial, and landscaping. There are also plans for a large and diverse cultural center to be placed in the downtown area. There are plans for a farmers' market to be built on a site in or near the downtown area. The city's park system is also receiving a huge upgrade as city council recently approved the construction of several parks in various neighborhoods in the city. These plans include a skateboard park, a passive park, and several childrens' playgrounds.
[edit] Geography
Gaffney is located at (35.071667, -81.650000)GR1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.4 km² (7.9 mi²). 20.4 km² (7.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water.
[edit] Media
The Cherokee Chronicle: Local Newspaper, published on Tuesdays, and Thursdays.
The Gaffney Ledger: Local Newspaper, published on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays.
WAGI 105.3 FM & WEAC 1500-AM: Local News Radio, Country music.
http://www.1180wfgn.com/ 1180 WFGN-AM Playing Gospel Music for Gaffney and surrounding areas
http://www.bbnradio.org/ WYFG 91.1 FM: Christian Broadcasting (BIBLE BROADCASTING NETWORK)
[edit] Demographics
As of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 5,304 households, and 3,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 637.0/km² (1,649.7/mi²). There were 5,765 housing units at an average density of 283.2/km² (733.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 53.48% White, 44.19% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.98% of the population.
There were 5,304 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,480, and the median income for a family was $38,449. Males had a median income of $30,145 versus $22,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,755. About 13.3% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 18.0% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Infrastructure
[edit] Government
- Mayor: Henry Jolly
- City Council Members:
-
- Wayne Ramsey (District 1)
- Thomas R. Reid (District 2)
- S. Bernard Smith (District 3)
- Dennis Ramsey (District 4)
- Boone Peeler (District 5)
- Billy Love (District 6)
[edit] Transportation
The Upstate region is served by Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (IATA: GSP, ICAO: KGSP), also known as GSP International Airport. GSP is South Carolina's busiest airport. Current studies are also in process to determine the feasibility of building an airport in Cherokee County.
Gaffney is located on the Interstate 85 corridor, linking it to Atlanta and Charlotte, and Interstate 26, which is in nearby Spartanburg, linking Gaffney to the Mid-Atlantic.
Public transit is available through the Gaffney Cab Company for a relatively low fare.
Travellers know Gaffney from the Peachoid Peach water tower located along Interstate 85.
[edit] Schools
Gaffney is served by the Cherokee County School District, which is one unified school district.
- Colleges & Universities
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- Limestone College
- Spartanburg Community College (Gaffney Campus Under Construction)
- Private Elementary & Secondary Schools
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- Heritage Christian School
- Village Christian Academy
- Gaffney Christian Academy
The Gaffney High School football team is also well-known regionally. The program boasts 16 State Championships and alumni such as the Washington Redskins' Rocky McIntosh and University of South Carolina All-American Sidney Rice. The census of 1940 found 9,327 inhabitants of the city of Gaffney
[edit] Notable people from Gaffney
Notable figures who were born in, lived in, or are otherwise associated with Gaffney.
- Sidney Rice, wide receiver for the University of South Carolina
- W.J. Cash, author
- Kertus Davis, NASCAR driver
- Andie MacDowell, actress
- Rocky McIntosh, professional football player, the Washington Redskins
- Rick Patterson, NFL Referee
- Byron Corry, Game designer and founder of Saturnine Studios
- Chucky Cooper , Computer programer and is good a DDR SN
- Jared Haire , Super Mega Beast at Zelda!
- Zack Schronce, Best guy at DDR in Gaffney and likes pie! and also is emo
[edit] External links
- City of Gaffney Official Government Website
- Cherokee County Historical & Preservation Society
- Cherokee County Chamber of Commerce
- Cherokee County School District
- Upstate Carolina Medical Center
- Maps and aerial photos
- Street map from Google Maps, or Yahoo! Maps, or Windows Live Local
- Satellite image from Google Maps, Windows Live Local, WikiMapia
- Topographic map from TopoZone
- Aerial image or topographic map from TerraServer-USA
