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Demographics
Oconee County is in the
foothills of the beautiful
Appalachian Mountains and
encompasses rivers, lakes, and
forests. As one of South
Carolina's most scenic and
economically stimulating
counties, Oconee County is
situated in the northwestern
corner of the state and is part
of one of the nation's fastest
growing areas, the I-85
corridor. With a diversified
economic base, Oconee offers a
wide variety of occupational and
recreational opportunities. The
towns of Oconee County are also
located on the South Carolina
National Heritage Corridor that
extends from the Upstate to
Charleston. The Corridor is a
select series of highways,
roads, towns, cities, and sights
that have been defined to give
visitors and residents a greater
appreciation for South
Carolina's history, culture, and
natural beauty. Oconee County
Currently has 9,500 workers in
industrial-related jobs. Oconee
has a total workforce of some
27,500 and a population of of
almost 68,000. Other large
employers are Duke Energy, which
operates the Oconee Nuclear
Station and hydroelectric plants
on Lake Keowee and Lake Jocassee
and has more than 1,700 workers.
Oconee County is one of about
3,141 counties and county
equivalents in the United
States. It has 625.4 sq. miles
in land area and a population
density of 110.4 per square
mile. In the last three decades
of the 1900s its population grew
by 62.6%. On the 2000 census
form, 99.2% of the population
reported only one race, with
8.4% of these reporting
African-American. The population
of this county is 2.4% Hispanic
(of any race). The average
household size is 2.40 persons
compared to an average family
size of 2.85 persons. The County
seat is Walhalla, SC.
Population
Oconee
County is one of 46 counties in
the state of South Carolina. The
estimated population in 2007 was
66,217.
Spreadsheets of Demographic
Information
Oconee County, SC Fact Sheet
The county was formed
in 1868, and the county seat is Walhalla. This area was home to several
Indian tribes, including the Creeks and the Cherokees, who gave up their
lands in treaties signed in 1777 and 1785. After the American
Revolution, settlers from other parts of the state began moving in,
including Germans from Charleston who founded Walhalla in 1850. Oconee
County is in the foothills of the beautiful Appalachian Mountains and
encompasses rivers, lakes, and forests. As one of South Carolina's most
scenic and economically stimulating counties, Oconee County is situated
in the northwestern corner of the state and is part of one of the
nation's fastest growing areas, the I-85 corridor. With a diversified
economic base, Oconee offers a wide variety of occupational and
recreational opportunities. The towns of Oconee County are also located
on the South Carolina National Heritage Corridor that extends from the
Upstate to Charleston.
POPULATION
|
Total Population, 1990, 2000 & 2007 Estimates |
|
|
Population Estimates by Age, 2006 |
|
|
|
1990 |
2000 |
2007 |
|
Under Age 5 |
4,110 |
(5.8%) |
|
Oconee County |
57,693 |
66,215 |
70,753 |
|
Age 5 to 19 |
12,732 |
(18.0%) |
|
Upstate Region* |
1,063,372 |
1,220,542 |
1,315,597 |
|
Age 20 to 34 |
13,087 |
(18.5%) |
|
South Carolina |
3,499,064 |
4,012,012 |
4,407,709 |
|
Age 35 to 59 |
24,080 |
(34.1%) |
|
*10 County
Upstate South Carolina Region |
|
Age 60 to 74 |
11,207 |
(15.8%) |
|
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Age 75+ |
5,351 |
(7.5%) |
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Population Estimates by Race, 2006 |
|
Highest
Educational Attainment, Age 25+, 2006 |
|
White |
63,826 |
(90.4%) |
|
Less than 9th Grade |
3,997 |
(7.9%) |
|
|
Black |
5,679 |
(8.0%) |
|
9th to 12th Grade, No Diploma |
6,413 |
(12.7%) |
|
|
Amer. Indian / Alaska Native |
185 |
(0.2%) |
|
High School Graduate Only |
17,046 |
(33.8%) |
|
Asian |
299 |
(0.4%) |
|
Some College, No Degree |
8,549 |
(17.0%) |
|
Hawaiian / Pacific Islander |
18 |
(<0.1%) |
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Associate Degree Only |
4,563 |
(9.1%) |
|
Two or More Races |
560 |
(0.6%) |
|
Bachelor's Degree Only |
5,551 |
(11.0%) |
Hispanic
(all races included)
|
2,354 |
(3.3%) |
|
Graduate or Professional Degree |
4,244 |
(8.4%) |
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Source of Population Data: US Census Bureau |
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Source: Am. Comm. Survey, US Census Bureau |
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HOUSEHOLDS AND HOUSING
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Households by Type, 2006 |
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|
Housing Occupancy and Tenure, 2000 |
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Total No. of Households |
|
28,087 |
|
Total No. of Housing Units |
|
32,383 |
|
|
HH's with Individuals Under 18 |
7,396 |
|
Occupied Housing Units |
|
27,283 |
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|
HH's with individuals 65+ |
8,796 |
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Owner-Occupied Housing Units |
|
21,391 |
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|
Average Household Size |
2.51 |
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Renter Occupied Housing Units |
|
5,892 |
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Average Family Size |
|
3.10 |
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Rental Vacancy Rate (percent) |
|
13.8% |
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Source: US Census Bureau, 2006 Am. Comm. Survey |
Source: US Census Bureau, Census 2000 |
2006 Estimated Number of Housing Units
36,310
Source: US Census Bureau
INCOME
|
Median Household Income, 2005 Estimate |
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Per Capita Personal Income, 2005 |
|
Oconee County |
$39,724 |
|
Oconee County |
$28,561 |
|
South Carolina |
$39,477 |
|
South Carolina |
|
$28,285 |
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Source: US Bureau of
the Census Source: US
Bureau of Economic Analysis
MAJOR MANUFACTURING EMPLOYERS
|
Company |
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|
No. of Employees |
Major Product |
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Duke Energy |
|
1,500 |
|
Nuclear Energy |
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Itron (formerly Schlumberger Industries) |
|
715 |
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Electronic measuring devices |
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Schneider Electric - Square D |
655 |
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Motor Control Centers |
|
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Timken U.S. Corporation |
460 |
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Thrust Bearings |
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Kendall Healthcare Products |
423 |
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Healthcare Products |
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BASF Catalysts, LLC |
377 |
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Precious Metal Catalysts |
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Valenite |
347 |
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Cutting Tools |
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US Engine Valve Company |
331 |
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Engine Valves |
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Johnson Controls – Oconee Plant |
282 |
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Plastic components of auto batteries |
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Source: Oconee County Economic Development Commission
(8/2007)
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LABOR FORCE
Oconee County Average Monthly Employment by Industry Group, 2006 (Annual Average)
Industry Description
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Ave. Monthly Employment
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Industry Description
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Ave. Monthly Employment
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Natural Resources and Mining
|
75
|
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Financial Activities
|
586
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Construction
|
1,704
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Professional and Business Services
|
858
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Manufacturing
|
5,630
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Education and Health Services
|
1,304
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Wholesale Trade
|
412
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Leisure and Hospitality
|
1,678
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Retail Trade
|
2,789
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Other Services
|
645
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Transportation and Warehousing
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229
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Total Government
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4,323
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Information
|
362
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Source: 2006 Covered Employment and Wages (Annual Average), SC
Employment Security Commission
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RETAIL SALES
Gross Retail Sales (x
1 Million)
|
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|
2001 |
2002 |
2003 |
2004 |
2005 |
2006 |
Oconee County
|
$876.4 |
$923.2 |
$998.4 |
$1,066.3 |
$1,142.1 |
$1,138.9 |
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Source: SC Department of Revenue and Taxation |
TRANSPORTATION
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Interstate Access |
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I-85 |
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Nearest Commercial Airport |
Greenville-Spartanburg International |
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Airlines |
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Northwest, Continental, United Express, Delta, US Airways,
American Eagle |
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Nearest Civil Airport |
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Clemson-Oconee Airport |
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Port Access |
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Port of Charleston, 246 miles from City of Seneca |
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Rail Providers |
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NSR |
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ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT
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Oconee County Economic Development Commission
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Phone: |
(864) 638-4210 |
|
James Alexander, Director |
|
www.oconeesc.com/econdev/ |
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Seneca Chamber of Commerce
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Phone: |
(864) 882-2097 |
Patrick Lee, Director
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Web: |
www.senecachamber.com |
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Upstate Alliance
|
Phone: |
(864) 283-2300 |
Hal Johnson, President/CEO
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Web: |
www.upstatealliance.com |
ADDITIONAL SOURCES PRODUCED BY
|
Web sites |
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S.C. Appalachian Council of Governments |
|
www.oconeesc.com |
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