Total Population, 2010, 2021, and 2026 Estimates
| Region | 2010 | 2021 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Cherokee | 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 |
*US Census Bureau ESRI Forecast
Population by Age
| Age | 2010 | 2021 | 2026 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
*US Census Bureau ESRI Forecast
Monthly Employment by Industry Group
| NAICS | INDUSTRY | AVE. EMP. |
|---|---|---|
| 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 Svcs (except Public Admin.) | 286 |
| 90 | Government | 2,252 |
Source: QCEW Employees – EMSI 2015.3 Class of Worker
Educational Attainment 2024
Population by Race, 2010, 2021, and 2026 Estimate
| 2010 | 2021 | 2026 | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 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% |
Top 5 Manufacturing
| # | Company | Employees |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Freightliner | 1,100 |
| 2 | Nestle | 1,100 |
| 3 | Milliken | 810 |
| 4 | Browns Packing | 600 |
| 5 | Dollar Tree | 600 |
*CCDB Records
Cherokee County Income, 2023
| Category | Value |
|---|---|
| Median Household Income | $49,047 |
| Per-Capita Income | $27,175 |
| Poverty Rate | 16.8% |
*US Census Bureau 2023
Worker Inflow/Outflow
| Live & Work in County: | 9,229 |
| Commute into County: | 9,978 |
| Commute Out of County: | 17,260 |
*US Census Bureau 2022
Transportation
| Interstate Access | I-85 |
| Nearest Commercial Airline | Greenville-Spartanburg International, Charlotte-DouglasInternational |
| Airlines | Northwest, Southwest, Continental, United Express, Delta, American Airlines |
| 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 | NSR, CSX |
Economic Development
The county was named for the Cherokee Indians who used to use the land to huntgame. It was formed in 1897, and the county seat was named after its original founder, Micheal Gaffney. Iron mining was such an important activity in this region before the Civil War, it is sometimes called the Old Iron District. After the creation and expansion of I-85,Cherokee County has found itself growing as the last frontier of South Carolina before reaching the North Carolina Border along the 85 corridor. The manufacturing industries took notice beginning with Timken in 1971. They offered an alternative working environment to the old textile mills that had employed generations of locals. While there are still many Textile companies left in the County, there are also many new and exciting industries that have moved in to call Cherokee County home. Today, Cherokee County enjoys a thriving and profitable local economy and an abundance of natural and manufactured resources. Cherokee County sits in a prime location just off I-85 between Charlotte, NC and Greenville/Spartanburg, SC. Charlotte’s Douglas International Airport and the Greenville –Spartanburg International Airport are both within 45 miles and the mainline of Norfolk Southern Railroad runs through Cherokee County. The Port of Charleston is easily accessible via major highways. Cherokee County offers an unbeatable combination of such factors such as an abundant and educated work force with customized training by South Carolina Special Schools, a diversified industrial base, low cost of living and quality of life, pro-business local governments, and easy access to transportation routes.