Cherokee County, SC sits at the heart of the I-85 growth corridor — 40 minutes from Charlotte and 40 minutes from Greenville-Spartanburg, within a single day’s drive of 65% of the U.S. population. A diversified manufacturing base, growing population, and pro-business environment make it one of the Southeast’s most strategic locations for new and expanding industry.
Cherokee County, situated just off I-85 between Charlotte, NC and Greenville/Spartanburg, two of the nation’s fastest-growing metropolitan areas, has a thriving and profitable economy and an abundance of natural and manufactured resources. Home to a highly diversified industrial base that includes companies such as Freightliner and Nestle, Cherokee County offers an abundant and educated workforce, a high standard of living, and a superb quality of life. Add in a general pro-business attitude, a positive work ethic, customized training by South Carolina’s readySC schools, and easy access to transportation routes, and it’s easy to see why Cherokee County is the perfect choice for business establishment, relocation, or expansion.
| Region | 2010 | 2021 | 2026 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee County | 55,342 | 57,965 | 59,228 |
| Upstate Region | 1,362,073 | 1,544,124 | 1,631,029 |
| South Carolina | 4,625,364 | 5,321,206 | 5,665,411 |
Source: US Census Bureau / ESRI Forecast
| Age Group | 2010 | 2021 | 2026 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Under 5 | 6.7% | 5.8% | 5.7% |
| 5 to 9 | 6.7% | 6.2% | 5.9% |
| 10 to 14 | 6.9% | 6.3% | 6.4% |
| 15 to 24 | 13.8% | 11.3% | 11.4% |
| 25 to 34 | 11.5% | 13.4% | 10.9% |
| 35 to 44 | 13.9% | 12.2% | 13.2% |
| 45 to 54 | 14.2% | 13.2% | 12.6% |
| 55 to 64 | 12.8% | 13.3% | 13.3% |
| 65+ | 13.5% | 18.3% | 20.6% |
Source: US Census Bureau / ESRI Forecast
| NAICS | Industry | Avg. Employment |
|---|---|---|
| 11, 21 | Natural Resources and Mining | 147 |
| 23 | Construction | 588 |
| 31 | Manufacturing | 5,571 |
| 22, 42, 44, 48 | Trade, Transportation and Utilities | 4,296 |
| 51 | Information | 95 |
| 52, 53 | Financial Activities | 507 |
| 54, 55, 56 | Professional and Business Services | 1,276 |
| 61, 62 | Education and Health Services | 2,048 |
| 71, 72 | Leisure and Hospitality | 1,789 |
| 81 | Other Services (except Public Admin.) | 286 |
| 90 | Government | 2,252 |
Source: QCEW Employees – EMSI 2015.3 Class of Worker
| Race / Ethnicity | 2010 | 2021 | 2026 (Est.) |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 75.0% | 74.5% | 73.9% |
| Black | 20.4% | 19.7% | 19.4% |
| Am. Indian / Alaska Native | 0.4% | 0.4% | 0.5% |
| Asian | 0.6% | 0.6% | 0.7% |
| Some Other Race | 2.2% | 2.8% | 3.3% |
| Two or More Races | 1.4% | 1.9% | 2.2% |
| Hispanic Origin (Any Race) | 3.7% | 4.7% | 5.4% |
| # | Company | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freightliner | 1,100 |
| 2 | Nestlé | 1,100 |
| 3 | Milliken | 810 |
| 4 | Brown's Packing | 600 |
| 5 | Dollar Tree | 600 |
Source: CCDB Records
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $49,047 |
| Per-Capita Income | $27,175 |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% |
Source: US Census Bureau 2023
| Category | Workers |
|---|---|
| Live & Work in County | 9,229 |
| Commute Into County | 9,978 |
| Commute Out of County | 17,260 |
Source: US Census Bureau 2022
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Interstate Access | I-85 |
| Nearest Commercial Airports | Greenville-Spartanburg International; Charlotte Douglas International |
| Airlines Served | Southwest, Delta, American, United Express, Continental, Northwest |
| Nearest Civil Airport | Spartanburg Downtown Memorial Airport; Shelby-Cleveland County Regional Airport |
| Port Access | Port of Charleston — 206 miles from City of Gaffney |
| Rail Providers | Norfolk Southern (NSR); CSX |
