Gaffney, South Carolina

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Coordinates: 35°4′19″N 81°39′11″W / 35.07194, -81.65306
Gaffney, South Carolina
Location of Gaffney, South Carolina
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Cherokee
Area
- Total	7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
- Land	7.9 sq mi (20.4 km²)
- Water	0.0 sq mi (0.1 km²)
Elevation	804 ft (245 m)
Population (2000)
- Total	12,968
- Density	1,649.7/sq mi (636.9/km²)
Time zone	Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
- Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP codes	29340-29341-29342
Area code(s)	864
FIPS code	45-28060^[1]
GNIS feature ID	1247855^[2]
Website: www.getintogaffney-sc.com

Gaffney is a city in and the county seat of Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States.^[3] The population was 12,968 at the 2000 census. 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).

1 History and general information
2 Geography
3 Media
4 Demographics
5 Infrastructure
6 Notable people from Gaffney
7 References
8 External links

[edit] History and general information

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.

Despite the small of amount of 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 has been completed beside city hall and includes a refurbished fountain and extensive landscaping. Highlights to the upgrade of the city's park system include a skatepark, two passive parks, and several children's playgrounds.

The city has recently hired an architectural frim to renovate the old Gaffney Post Office Downtown into a visitors' center, art galleries, and a community meeting room.

There are also plans for a large 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.

[edit] Geography

Gaffney is located at 35°4′18″N, 81°39′00″W (35.071667, -81.650000)^[4].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 7.9 square miles (20.4 km²), of which, 7.9 square miles (20.4 km²) of it is land and 0.04 square miles (0.1 km²) 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.

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 census^[1] of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 5,304 households, and 3,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,649.7 people per square mile (637.0/km²). There were 5,765 housing units at an average density of 733.4/sq mi (283.2/km²). 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.

Recent studies have proved that an airport is strongly needed in the county. Cherokee County is the only county in South Carolina without an airport. Requests are now being made to the federal government to support the construction of the new airport. Studies are also determining where the airport, if built, should be built.

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

Limestone College
Spartanburg Community College- Cherokee County Campus, including a training building and Freightliner facility

Private Elementary & Secondary Schools

Heritage Christian School
Village School of Gaffney
Gaffney Christian Academy

Public High Schools

Gaffney High School

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 and Minnesota Vikings' Sidney Rice. In the 2005-2006 school year the school was chosen as Palmetto's Finest, the highest honor for high schools in the state. The school has succeeded greatly in increasing test scores across the board and increasing the graduation rate.

[edit] Notable people from Gaffney

Notable figures who were born in, lived in, or are otherwise associated with Gaffney.

Robert E. Hall, Eleventh Sergeant Major of the Army Oct 21, 1997 - June 23, 2000
Mikki Moore, professional basketball player for the Sacramento Kings.
W.J. Cash, author
Kertus Davis, NASCAR driver
Andie MacDowell, actress
Rocky McIntosh, professional football player, the Washington Redskins
Sidney Rice, professional football player, the Minnesota Vikings
Michael McCluney, Making the Band 4 winner and singer
Arizona Reid, plays basketball for High Point University.
Dennis "Rambo" Franklin, Famous Dirt Late Model Driver