Central, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Central is a town in Pickens County, South Carolina
, United States
, along SC Highway 93
. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina. It received its name from its geographic location, being the halfway or central point between Atlanta
and Charlotte
along the former Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway
line.
Central's population was 3,522 at the 2000 census. The town is part of the Greenville
–Mauldin
–Easley
metropolitan area.
In 1897, Southern Railway moved its headquarters from Central to Greenville
; trains no longer stopped to change engines, and soon all shops and offices were closed. The establishment of Issaqueena Mill and in 1906,
Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute (now Southern Wesleyan University
) brought people back to the town.
Two buildings on Church Street in Central are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
: Central High School
and Morgan House.
, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all of it land.
Downtown Central is bisected by a rail line. A significant number of late 19th to early 20th century commercial buildings remain, most of which are a single story in height and retain a good amount of historical integrity. As of summer 2006, a downtown streetscape project is underway that is designed to improve the aesthetics of the area. There are also many modest pre-World War II homes near the downtown. Central has several very large apartment complexes primarily housing students from nearby Clemson University
(who can use Clemson Area Transit
to get there), as well as from Central's own Southern Wesleyan University
.
The Central Heritage Society has a museum and information on many historic buildings and homes in the area.
of 2000, there were 3,522 people, 1,560 households, and 617 families residing in the town. The population density
was 1,463.4 people per square mile (564.3/km2). There were 1,832 housing units at an average density of 761.2 per square mile (293.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 79.70% White, 15.25% African American, 1.79% Asian, 0.03% Native American, 2.13% from other races
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.32% of the population.
There were 1,560 households out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.1% were married couples
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 60.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 15.1% under the age of 18, 37.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 12.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 116.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,869, and the median income for a family was $39,524. Males had a median income of $26,855 versus $22,207 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $14,394. About 11.3% of families and 29.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or ove
South Carolina
South Carolina is a state in the Deep South of the United States that borders Georgia to the south, North Carolina to the north, and the Atlantic Ocean to the east. Originally part of the Province of Carolina, the Province of South Carolina was one of the 13 colonies that declared independence...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, along SC Highway 93
South Carolina Highway 93
South Carolina Highway 93 is a primary state highway in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It runs from US 76/123/SC 28 in Clemson northeast to US 123 in Easley.-Route description:...
. Contrary to its name, it is not near the central area of South Carolina. It received its name from its geographic location, being the halfway or central point between Atlanta
Atlanta, Georgia
Atlanta is the capital and most populous city in the U.S. state of Georgia. According to the 2010 census, Atlanta's population is 420,003. Atlanta is the cultural and economic center of the Atlanta metropolitan area, which is home to 5,268,860 people and is the ninth largest metropolitan area in...
and Charlotte
Charlotte, North Carolina
Charlotte is the largest city in the U.S. state of North Carolina and the seat of Mecklenburg County. In 2010, Charlotte's population according to the US Census Bureau was 731,424, making it the 17th largest city in the United States based on population. The Charlotte metropolitan area had a 2009...
along the former Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway
Atlanta and Richmond Air-Line Railway
Organized in 1870, the Atlanta and Richmond Air–Line Railway combined the Georgia Air Line Railroad and the Air Line Railroad in South Carolina under president Algernon S. Buford. The line was complete by 1873 but went broke the next year when it was re-organized into the Atlanta and Charlotte Air...
line.
Central's population was 3,522 at the 2000 census. The town is part of the Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
–Mauldin
Mauldin, South Carolina
Mauldin is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States. The population was 15,224 at the 2000 census. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
–Easley
Easley, South Carolina
Easley is a city in Pickens County in the U.S. state of South Carolina. It is a principal city of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area. Most of the city lies in Pickens County, with only a very small portion of the city in Anderson County...
metropolitan area.
History
Central owes its existence to a railroad boom that began in 1873. The town's name represents the fact that it is midway between Atlanta and Charlotte. Central was incorporated as a town on March 17, 1875.In 1897, Southern Railway moved its headquarters from Central to Greenville
Greenville, South Carolina
-Law and government:The city of Greenville adopted the Council-Manager form of municipal government in 1976.-History:The area was part of the Cherokee Nation's protected grounds after the Treaty of 1763, which ended the French and Indian War. No White man was allowed to enter, though some families...
; trains no longer stopped to change engines, and soon all shops and offices were closed. The establishment of Issaqueena Mill and in 1906,
Wesleyan Methodist Bible Institute (now Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University is a four-year and graduate Christian college, with its main campus in the town of Central, South Carolina. The university was founded in 1906 by what is now the Wesleyan Church....
) brought people back to the town.
Two buildings on Church Street in Central are listed on the National Register of Historic Places
National Register of Historic Places listings in Pickens County, South Carolina
This is a list of the National Register of Historic Places listings in Pickens County, South Carolina.This is intended to be a complete list of the properties and districts on the National Register of Historic Places in Pickens County, South Carolina, United States...
: Central High School
Central High School (Central, South Carolina)
Central High School is a former school building located Central, Pickens County, South Carolina, built in 1925, although county records also show it was built in 1899. It is located at 304 Church Street. It was sold to the Central High School LTD Partnership on June 30, 1999 for US$10 by the Town...
and Morgan House.
Topography
Central is located at 34.723781°N 82.779754°W. According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 2.4 square miles (6.2 km²), all of it land.
Downtown Central is bisected by a rail line. A significant number of late 19th to early 20th century commercial buildings remain, most of which are a single story in height and retain a good amount of historical integrity. As of summer 2006, a downtown streetscape project is underway that is designed to improve the aesthetics of the area. There are also many modest pre-World War II homes near the downtown. Central has several very large apartment complexes primarily housing students from nearby Clemson University
Clemson University
Clemson University is an American public, coeducational, land-grant, sea-grant, research university located in Clemson, South Carolina, United States....
(who can use Clemson Area Transit
Clemson Area Transit
Clemson Area Transit is the largest zero-fare bus line in the United States in terms of ridership. Known locally as CAT or the "CAT Bus", it is the most frequently used transit system in South Carolina. Areas with bus service include Clemson University, the City of Clemson, the County of...
to get there), as well as from Central's own Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University
Southern Wesleyan University is a four-year and graduate Christian college, with its main campus in the town of Central, South Carolina. The university was founded in 1906 by what is now the Wesleyan Church....
.
The Central Heritage Society has a museum and information on many historic buildings and homes in the area.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 3,522 people, 1,560 households, and 617 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 1,463.4 people per square mile (564.3/km2). There were 1,832 housing units at an average density of 761.2 per square mile (293.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 79.70% White, 15.25% African American, 1.79% Asian, 0.03% Native American, 2.13% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.11% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.32% of the population.
There were 1,560 households out of which 17.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 27.1% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 60.4% were non-families. 35.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.19 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the town the population was spread out with 15.1% under the age of 18, 37.4% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 12.7% from 45 to 64, and 9.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24 years. For every 100 females there were 116.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 115.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,869, and the median income for a family was $39,524. Males had a median income of $26,855 versus $22,207 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $14,394. About 11.3% of families and 29.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.0% of those under age 18 and 8.2% of those age 65 or ove
Notable people
- South Carolina's U.S. senator Lindsey GrahamLindsey GrahamLindsey Olin Graham is the senior U.S. Senator from South Carolina and a member of the Republican Party. Previously he served as the U.S. Representative for .-Early life, education and career:...
was born and raised in Central. - Timothy L. SmithTimothy L. SmithTimothy Lawrence Smith was a noted historian and educator, known as the first American evangelical historian to gain notability in research and higher education.-Early life and education:...
, noted historian and educator, was born in Central. - Medal of Honor recipient Furman L. SmithFurman L. SmithFurman L. Smith was a United States Army soldier and a recipient of the United States military's highest decoration—the Medal of Honor—for his actions in World War II.-Biography:...
, who as part of the 34th Infantry Division fought and died during World War II, is buried in Central. - Rod Fontana male pornographic actor
External links
- City of Central
- Central Historic Marker from hmdb.org