Growing Upstate city near the Blue Ridge Mountains
South Carolina's upstate city of Spartanburg earned its "Hub City" nickname well over a century ago. A few decades after its incorporation in 1831, the city became a transportation center – seven railroad lines cut through and around it, laying out a rough circle that resembled a wheel with spokes. Spartanburg became less of a transportation hub, and after its textile industry fizzled out in the 20th century, a booming manufacturing industry swept in. Today, Spartanburg is home to several major manufacturing employers set in the verdant foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. There's a charming downtown area, a vast outdoor scene and three highly-rated school districts. "As a mom of four, I can say they have a lot of family-friendly events, and they always make newcomers feel welcome," says Sarah Martin, Realtor at Berkshire Hathaway HomeServices and city resident of seven years.
Spartanburg has had an influx of newly built residential subdivisions because of the city's $700 million downtown development project: a renovated city hall, tons of new office space and a highly anticipated 3,500-seat minor league baseball stadium will be built within four blocks of Morgan Square.
The old railroad tracks border Beaumont Village on one side and lead past converted mills.
Drayton Mill has many relics from the old textile days including this fan blade.
One of Spartanburgs biggest employers is BMW with manufacturing and research jobs.
Spartanburg has a closed off Main Street for residents to enjoy great outdoor seating.
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Influx of new builds in Spartanburg
According to a Homes.com calculation, the median sale price over the last 12 months was $249,000, about $150,000 under the American median. New builds sit on up to half-acre lots in new subdivisions scattered on the eastern, southern and western edges. These often feature four to five bedrooms and sell for around $245,000. "These homes are not stacked on top of each other, and they're not cookie cutter," Martin says. Woodsy residential areas like Park Hills on the southwestern side are home to midcentury ranch-style homes and bungalows that list between $150,000 and $300,000, while early 2000s New Traditional homes on the eastern side in the Fernwood neighborhood sell from $400,000 to $600,000.
Manufacturing is one of the city's largest industries, with several Fortune 500 companies having branches in the area. Spartanburg County is home to North America's only BMW Group Plant, which employs over 11,000. Other major employers include Michelin, Milliken and Company and BASF.
New apartment buildings are being build all around the Wadsworth Hills neighborhood.
A line of craftsman style homes with small front yards can be found throughout Fernwood.
Most homes sit on smaller plots of land in Wadsworth Hills.
Large 2-story homes with small front yards can be found inside Wadsworth Hills.
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Biking trails weave throughout the city
According to the Trust for Public Land, about 45% of city residents live within a 10-minute walk of a park. The city owns and operates dozens of parks with varying amenities, like Barnet Park's amphitheater and Cleveland Park's lake. Cycling is one of the city's most popular recreational activities, and it was recognized as the first Bicycle-Friendly Community in South Carolina. The Cottonwood Trail and the Mary H. Wright Greenway are biker hot spots. Spartanburg is famously the starting point for The Assaults – a cycling trail that stretches 103 miles to the highest peak on the East Coast, Mount Mitchell. The Dr. T.K. Gregg Community Center and the Rev. James D. Thornton Activity Center serve the Highland and Northside neighborhoods. These community centers offer programs for local youths and adults, and the Gregg Community Center has an indoor aquatics center where locals have swim lessons.
Mary Black and the DAN trails both run near Whitney for fun and excercise.
The Mary H. Wright Greenway trail in South Converse get busy during the summer.
Feeding the geese at Cleveland park near Hilltop is a great afternoon activity.
There is a large stage at Barnet Park that hosts special occasions in the area.
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Vibrant cultural district in downtown Spartanburg
Bisecting downtown Spartanburg, Main Street is flanked by brick-clad storefronts and anchored by finely manicured public squares often busy with professionals and locals looking for a bite. Locals from surrounding neighborhoods mainly venture downtown for a night out. Staple restaurants and breweries, like Cribbs Kitchen and FR8 Yard, are locally owned. Neighborhoods like Hillbrook and Hillcrest, located on the city's east end, feature shopping centers with big-box retailers and grocery stores, like Walmart Supercenter, Lowe's and Publix.
Downtown Spartanburg houses the city's cultural district, supported by the South Carolina Arts Commission. There are more than 20 performance venues here, several museums and dozens of public murals. The decades-old Spartanburg International Festival celebrates the city's diversity through local food vendors, dance performances and folk art, representing multiple cultures hailing from Cambodia to Jamaica. Martin says there's also a large theater community in the city. "People like going to shows at Chapman Cultural Center. It's had all kinds of attractions the last few years, and every seat is filled at every show," Martin says.
Brightly painted light bulbs are found in teh Spartanburg downtown area.
Fr8yard is a popular dining option in downtown Spartanburg near Park Hills.
Spartanburg's Black Lives Matter mural can best be seen from a birds eye view near downtown.
There are many great venues a short drive away from Woodland Heights.
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High marks in environmentalism at Spartanburg High
Three school districts serve Spartanburg. Spartanburg School District Three scores an A-minus on Niche, District Six scores an A and District Seven has an A-minus. Niche ranks District 6 as the best overall school district in Spartanburg County and the most diverse in South Carolina. Spartanburg High, one of the county's largest high schools, is known for its environmental classroom style; it's the only school in South Carolina to achieve two Green Globes from the Green Building Initiative. Spartanburg has five colleges and two universities, including Wofford College, the area's oldest. The 180-acre campus has several community-centered scholarships, one being the Bonner Scholars Program.
Spartanburg High School boasts an excellent environmental program.
Spartanburg Methodist College has a beautiful campus.
Wofford College has been drawing students to Spartanburg since 1854.
Wofford is one of six colleges that call Spartanburg home.
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Hopping on the SPARTA bus or I-85
Most residents drive to get around the city, and Interstates 85 and 26 are accessible within 7 miles of downtown; both are used to reach nearby cities like Greenville and Charlotte. Spartanburg Area Regional Transit Agency (SPARTA) buses stop throughout all major areas in the city. Spartanburg also has a resident-staffed City Bicycle and Pedestrian Committee that aims to improve bicycling and walking areas. Spartanburg Medical Center is just north of downtown, and Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is a 20-mile drive west. The city is also home to the Spartanburg Downtown Airport, the first airport in the state, once serving figures like Amelia Earhart.
Hot summers in the Hub City
Winters are mild in Spartanburg, and the summers are hot. The average high in January is 55 degrees, while the average in July is 91. About 23 days in 2024 saw temperatures that exceeded 100 degrees.
Colorful landscaping and beautiful flowers can be found all around Hampton Heights.
Spartanburg downtown is just a short distance from Ducan Park and offers great dining options.
Bands enjoy performing in downtown Spartanburg on the weekends.
Cyclists enjoy biking on various paved trails throughout Fernwood.
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Crime
According to the FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property crime rates in Spartanburg consistently trend higher than state and national rates.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
