Simpsonville, South Carolina
Encyclopedia
Simpsonville is a city in Greenville County
, South Carolina
, United States
. It is part of the Greenville
–Mauldin
–Easley
Metropolitan Statistical Area
. The population was 14,352 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 17,778 in 2009. Simpsonville is part of the "Golden Strip", along with Mauldin
and Fountain Inn
, which is noted for having low unemployment due to a diversity of industries including Para-Chem, Kemet, and Milliken. Simpsonville is home to Hillcrest High School
. Simpsonville is also home to the 2008 Little League Softball World Champions.
Elevation 860 ft.
The city is located between Mauldin, South Carolina
and Fountain Inn along Highway 14 and Interstate 385.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²), all of it land.
of 2000, there were 14,352 people, 5,391 households, and 4,021 families residing in the city. The population density
was 2,306.1 people per square mile (890.9/km²). There were 5,636 housing units at an average density of 905.6 per square mile (349.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.69% White, 13.76% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races
, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.65% of the population.
There were 5,391 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples
living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,223, and the median income for a family was $52,043. Males had a median income of $38,680 versus $26,394 for females. The per capita income
for the city was $21,139. About 5.2% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
, a City Council
, and several boards and commissions. The current officeholders are:
Greenville County, South Carolina
- External Links :*...
, South Carolina
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...
. It 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 Statistical Area
Greenville-Mauldin-Easley metropolitan area
The Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area, as defined by the United States Office of Management and Budget and used by the United States Census Bureau for statistical purpose only, is an area consisting of three counties in Upstate South Carolina, anchored mainly by...
. The population was 14,352 at the 2000 census, and estimated at 17,778 in 2009. Simpsonville is part of the "Golden Strip", along with 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:...
and Fountain Inn
Fountain Inn, South Carolina
Fountain Inn is a city in Greenville and Laurens counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina. The population was 6,017 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Greenville–Mauldin–Easley Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, which is noted for having low unemployment due to a diversity of industries including Para-Chem, Kemet, and Milliken. Simpsonville is home to Hillcrest High School
Hillcrest High School (Simpsonville, South Carolina)
Hillcrest High School, abbreviated HHS, is a public high school in Simpsonville, South Carolina, the largest high school in the Greenville County School District...
. Simpsonville is also home to the 2008 Little League Softball World Champions.
Geography
Simpsonville is located at 34°44′0"N 82°15′36"W (34.733375, -82.260001).Elevation 860 ft.
The city is located between Mauldin, South Carolina
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:...
and Fountain Inn along Highway 14 and Interstate 385.
According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²), all of it land.
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 14,352 people, 5,391 households, and 4,021 families residing in the city. 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 2,306.1 people per square mile (890.9/km²). There were 5,636 housing units at an average density of 905.6 per square mile (349.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.69% White, 13.76% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.23% 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 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.65% of the population.
There were 5,391 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% 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, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.
In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $47,223, and the median income for a family was $52,043. Males had a median income of $38,680 versus $26,394 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 city was $21,139. About 5.2% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.
Crime
Simpsonville has a large appeal to middle class families. While its statistics are higher than national average crime rates, they are drastically lower than major U.S. cities. Violent crimes in 1995 totalled 22. Almost 10 years later, in 2004, they totalled 98 for the year. 2006 statistics of violent crime in Simpsonville reflect there was not one murder, reported incidents of rape were slightly higher than the national average(39 per 100,000 in Simpsonville, with a National Average of 33 per 100,000), and incidents of aggravated assaults were what tipped the 2006 violent crime scales, tallying in at 75% over the National Average. http://simpsonville.areaconnect.com/crime1.htm In 2007 the personal crime incidents rate tallied in at 6 per 1000 residents, while the national average was 1.3 per 1000. In September 2007 the FBI reported that the State of South Carolina's violent crime rate was the highest in the nation per capita, although Simpsonville is not mentioned at all in the article. Car theft in Simpsonville was lower than the national average, causing unsubstantiated claims that Simpsonville allegedly has a high rate of car-jackings to be discredited. http://simpsonville.areaconnect.com/crime1.htmGovernment
Simpsonville is governed by a MayorMayor
In many countries, a Mayor is the highest ranking officer in the municipal government of a town or a large urban city....
, a City Council
City council
A city council or town council is the legislative body that governs a city, town, municipality or local government area.-Australia & NZ:Because of the differences in legislation between the States, the exact definition of a City Council varies...
, and several boards and commissions. The current officeholders are:
- Mayor: Dennis C. WaldropDennis C. WaldropDennis C. Waldrop is the Mayor of Simpsonville, South Carolina. Reelected November 6, 2007 to a fifth term, his present term of office will last until December 31, 2011. In the election of November 8, 2011, Waldrop garnered 363 votes, not enough to place him in the runoff election between Tammy...
(5th term ends 12-31-2011, to be replaced by Perry Eichor or Tammy Bagwell pending the results of a runoff election.)
- City Administrator: Russell Hawes
- Council Ward I: Ronald Bridges (Mayor Pro Tempore)(Current term ends 12-31-2011, to be replaced by Matthew Gooch)
- Council Ward II: Brown Garrett (2nd term ends 12-31-2013)
- Council Ward III: Patty Sanders (1st term ends 12-31-2011, to be replaced by Geneva Lawrence)
- Council Ward IV: Julius Welborn, M.D. (1st term ends 12-31-2013)
- Council Ward V: George Curtis (2nd term ends 12-31-2015)
- Council Ward VI: Sylvia Lockaby (1st term ends 12-31-2013)
Notable residents
- Jason BokarInternational Correspondence Chess GrandmasterInternational Correspondence Chess Grandmaster is a title created by the FIDE in 1953, second only to that of world correspondence champion. Now awarded by the International Correspondence Chess Federation.-American ICCGMs:* Hans Jack Berliner, GM 1968...
, Chess Grandmaster - Danelle GermanDanelle GermanDanelle German is an American businesswoman and author who is known for her creation of cat and dog handbags. She later founded the National Cat Groomers Institute of America located in Greenville, South Carolina.-Cat breeder:...
, creator of catCatThe cat , also known as the domestic cat or housecat to distinguish it from other felids and felines, is a small, usually furry, domesticated, carnivorous mammal that is valued by humans for its companionship and for its ability to hunt vermin and household pests...
handbagHandbagA handbag, or purse in American English, is a handled medium-to-large bag that is often fashionably designed, typically used by women, to hold personal items such as wallet/coins, keys, cosmetics, a hairbrush, pepper spray, cigarettes, mobile phone etc....
s and founder of the National Cat Groomers Institute of AmericaNational Cat Groomers Institute of AmericaThe National Cat Groomers Institute of America is an American organization devoted to training and certifying people in the grooming of cats. Headquartered in Greenville, South Carolina, it was founded in 2007 by Danelle German, the organization's current president.-Purpose:Dog grooming courses...
. - Shane HallShane HallShane Hall , is a Part-Time Driver in the NASCAR Nationwide Series. He last drove the #49 Jay Robinson Inc. Chevrolet for Jay Robinson Racing. Hall is featured as an Unlockable Driver in the 2003 EA Sports Video Game NASCAR Thunder 2003.-Sprint Cup Series:Hall has One Career Cup Series Start...
, NASCARNASCARThe National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing is a family-owned and -operated business venture that sanctions and governs multiple auto racing sports events. It was founded by Bill France Sr. in 1947–48. As of 2009, the CEO for the company is Brian France, grandson of the late Bill France Sr...
driver - Tommy Jones, Professional bowlerProfessional Bowlers AssociationThe Professional Bowlers Association is the major sanctioning body for the sport of professional ten-pin bowling in the United States. Headquartered in Seattle, Washington, the PBA membership consists of almost 4,300 members worldwide...
; 2005-06 PBA Player of the Year - Travelle WhartonTravelle WhartonGlenn Travelle Wharton is an American football player who currently plays offensive guard for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL...
, offensive tackle for the Carolina PanthersCarolina PanthersThe Carolina Panthers are a professional American football team based in Charlotte, North Carolina. They are currently members of the South Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Panthers, along with the Jacksonville Jaguars, joined the NFL as expansion...
. - Jamon MeredithJamon MeredithJames Jamon Meredith is an American football offensive tackle for the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League. He was drafted by the Green Bay Packers in the fifth round of the 2009 NFL Draft...
, Offensive Tackle and 2009 5th Round Draft Pick of the Green Bay PackersGreen Bay PackersThe Green Bay Packers are an American football team based in Green Bay, Wisconsin. They are members of the North Division of the National Football Conference in the National Football League . The Packers are the current NFL champions... - Lucas GloverLucas GloverLucas Hendley Glover is an American professional golfer who currently plays on the PGA Tour. He is best known for winning the 2009 U.S. Open.-Amateur career:...
, PGA TourPGA TourThe PGA Tour is the organizer of the main men's professional golf tours in the United States and North America...
golfer and winner of the 2009 U.S. Open Golf Championship2009 U.S. Open Golf ChampionshipThe 2009 United States Open Championship was the 109th U.S. Open, and was played June 18-22 on the Black Course of Bethpage State Park on Long Island, New York. It was won by Lucas Glover with a 4 under par score of 276....
.