The city of Anderson offers a charming, small-town experience in the Upstate region of South Carolina. The area maintains a quaint ambiance while experiencing a period of growth. In downtown's historic district, neighbors visit shops and restaurants resting inside long-standing brick buildings. According to estimates from the U.S. Census, the city's population has increased from 27,000 in 2014 to approximately 30,000 residents. The area bears the name of General Robert Anderson, a Revolutionary War hero, and serves as the seat of Anderson County. Anderson earned the nickname "The Electric City" in the late 19th century due to its early adoption of electricity from a nearby hydroelectric plant.
"The city has great hospitality and a long history with industry," says Grant Ebernickle, the broker and owner of Founders Real Estate. Born and raised in Anderson, Grant has witnessed the city's growth firsthand. A strong manufacturing and health industry sustains the economy while supporting the local job market. Some prominent employers include Michelin, Bosch and AnMed Health. Ryobi Technologies, a newcomer to Anderson, brought a corporate office and distribution center. "Tons of people are relocating here for work, to grow their families, or to be near Greenville. The cost of living is good compared to the rest of the country," Ebernickle says. The government is planning for Anderson's future through development initiatives, such as Plan This City. Residents are encouraged to offer feedback at community meetings and help pinpoint areas of concern through a public online mapping tool.
Local retail shops and restaurants line the streets of Downtown Anderson.
This former piece to a hydroelectric power dam is now on display in Downtown Anderson.
Anderson is home to Ryobi and TTI with multiple jobs in technology related fields.
AnMed offers many jobs for the residents of Anderson as well as health care.
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Living in Anderson’s many subdivisions
The city contains mostly single-family ranch-style residences from the 20th century. However, buyers may score a larger, more established property in the downtown historic district. Custom Colonial Revivals from the midcentury are prominent in Huntington Hills, while the Oak Hill and Smithbrook subdivisions include new traditional homes built over the last 20 years. As of 2024, homes in Anderson have a median sales price of around $272,500. Buyers can live in Anderson and pay a lower property tax than neighboring cities. "The housing market is more affordable compared to the nearby Greenville, and we are seeing a lot of available listings," Ebernickle says. Properties stay on the market for an average of 43 days, and the county is seeing a 6.6% decrease in inventory from the previous year.
Well established neighborhoods with lots of character line the streets of Downtown Anderson.
Homes near the downtown area are traditionally brick and many have historical roots.
Large homes converted to shops and offices can be found near downtown Anderson.
Smithbrook is a popular Anderson subdivision featuring large neo traditional homes.
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Visiting Lake Hartwell and city parks
Electric City has several parks that attract outdoor enthusiasts. Ebernickle says that Lake Hartwell is a huge attraction for the area. Filled with bass and catfish, the 56,000-acre lake is a recreational hot spot for watersports. Residents head to Darwin Wright Park during the summer to swim in the reservoir. Beyond the water, locals can let their dogs run free at the fenced-in space on Fant Street or explore one of 13 parks around the city. The Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center is arguably the premier recreational facility for the area and includes a Sports Center section where residents can participate in local leagues. Regarding future development and conservation, the Anderson County Green Infrastructure Plan addresses the region's loss of farmlands while maintaining natural resources such as lakes and forests.
Darwin Wright Park has a fishing pier that Anderson residents can use.
Residents of Anderson can relax while large or small breeds play at the dog park near downtown.
Carolina Wren Park has a splash pad for the kids to enjoy in warmer months.
The sports and recreation center in Anderson has a large variety of sporting fields and areas.
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A city with small-town events
Anderson presents a range of community gatherings for residents throughout the year. "There are popular events like the Bassmaster Classic at Green Pond Landing & Event Center on Hartwell Lake," Ebernickle says. Professional anglers come from all over to participate in the massive fishing competition during March. Locals head to Whitehall Park, across from the Anderson Sports and Entertainment Center, for concerts, festivals and the county fair. The Soiree draws a large crowd due to its popularity as a free festival. The two-day celebration features music stages, food vendors and displays from local artists. "The Soiree came back within the last few years, but I remember it from when I was a kid. The event brings many people to downtown," Ebernickle explains. He says the city has a handful of other gatherings, like the Rock the Country festival and the yearly Balloons Over Anderson. The Electric City commemorates the winter holidays with an illuminating Lights of Hope spectacle that includes a Christmas Village and carriage rides.
Mistletoe Market transforms the local museum displays into a fun market for the holidays.
Mistletoe Market has food trucks outside as well as the vendors inside the museum.
Plenty of activities for the kids can be found at the Anderson Makers Market.
Every year Anderson residents drive through the lights of hope to support charity.
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Retail and dining spots near Main Street
Highway 28, also known as Main Street, includes most of Anderson's shopping and dining. The thoroughfare stretches north to south, leading to the city's retail destinations, including Anderson Mall. The indoor shopping hub contains department stores and acts as a public venue for community events, like the Spring Sing Arts and Crafts Market. At the local flea market, Anderson Jockey Lot, shoppers will find everything from fresh produce or artisan goods to furniture and farm animals. The downtown district has several locally owned and operated restaurants, from family-run diners to upscale grills. The community has breweries for after-hour drinks; however, many establishments close by 10:00 p.m. Those looking to stay up later can take a 30-minute drive to Greenville, a foodie hot spot with a vibrant nightlife.
Anderson has a rapidly growing downtown area filled with eclectic shopping and dining.
The Anderson mall has several larger shops and a small food court and hosts local events.
Downtown Anderson has a small town feel with all the conveniences of a larger city.
Magnetic South brewery sits at the end of downtown and has events and nightlife in Anderson.
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Learning in District 5
Students in the city attend the Anderson School District. Most children near the downtown area enroll in School District 5, which contains 17 schools and a charter high school. The district has an overall A-minus grade from Niche. Anderson University plays a significant role in the community and ranks as the second-best private university in South Carolina, according to Niche. Locals eagerly anticipate the 2024 season; it marks the debut of the private school's inaugural football team, a part of the South Atlantic Conference. About 15 miles away is Clemson University; the school is a massive attraction, and locals are accustomed to seeing vibrant orange and deep purple memorabilia around the city.
Varennes Elementary has less than 400 total students enrolled in Downtown Anderson.
Westside High School is located just south of Downtown Anderson.
Glennview Middle School is located north of Downtown Anderson.
Football is a Clemson staple, and you can purchase them at Tiger Sports Shop.
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Getting around by bus and I-85
The Electric City Transit has several lines to get around Anderson, and commuters may hop on the yellow or purple line to venture outside the city limits. Anderson stands about 16 miles northeast of the Savannah River and the Georgia state line — Interstate 85 lies on the western border, connecting the city to major metropolitan areas. "We are located between Charlotte and Atlanta, along I-85. Anderson Regional Airport isn't huge, but you can travel about two hours away to one of the larger cities for flights," Ebernickle says. The AnMed Medical Center is located off Fant Street near downtown; it is the main anchor for AnMed, which operates as South Carolina's largest independent health system.
Crime statistics in Anderson
The city of Anderson Police Department reported that although homicide and robbery rates have decreased between 2019 and 2021, the area saw an overall increase in violent offenses due to a 36% rise in aggravated assaults. City property crimes fell by 21% between 2019 and 2021. Anderson County has seen a 16.38% decrease in violent crimes between 2021 and 2022.
In Anderson, temperatures rarely exceed 90 degrees in summer or go below freezing in winter. It's classified as a humid subtropical climate, with the most humid months occurring June through August. Buying a home and living in Upstate South Carolina generally comes with a risk of flooding, and Anderson County is no exception. The government encourages homeowners to obtain insurance to protect against the long-term and short-term effects of flooding.
Written By
Kaitie Lamb
Photography Contributed By
William Neary
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Phillips,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
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On average, homes in Anderson, SC sell after 63 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Anderson, SC over the last 12 months is $299,990, up 7% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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212 Whitehall Rd is a solid brick home with all the updates. It is conveniently located near major employers & close to restaurants and shopping. The house has 3 bedrooms and a large corner sun room that could double as a 4th bedroom. Students are welcome (max 4) and the lot is covered with large trees. Recent upgrades include a spectacular kitchen with island bar, granite countertops, &
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