• Climate: Average temperature is 72 degrees.
• Lake Hartwell: With almost 1,000 miles of shoreline, this lake has something for everyone.
• Business & Industry: Anderson is one of the major growth centers of the South with more than 200 diverse manufacturing firms and employing almost half the population.
• Schools: Anderson County has 25 elementary schools, 11 middle schools and 8 high schools with a 16.3:1 student teacher ratio.  There are also 7 colleges including Clemson & Anderson Universities.
• Hospitals: Anderson Area Medical Center provides a wide range of care services from cancer treatment to testing for heart & brain disorders.  The AnMed Health Campus has just completed an impressive Women's & Children's wing and a brand new Cancer Research Center.
  

Anderson County was founded in 1827 and is located in the northwestern part of South Carolina, also known as the Upcountry, on beautiful Lake Hartwell and in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains.  Its central location provides for quick and easy access to the Atlantic Coast and even quicker access to the Great Smoky Mountains in neighboring North Carolina.  The average temperature for the area is 62 degrees.  This mild year round climate compliments four distinct, highly enjoyable seasons.  The area boasts an average of 222 days of sunshine a year.

Scenic beauty is one of the area's main attractions, and outside recreational opportunities are almost unlimited.  The Blue Ridge Mountains seem made for skiing, hiking, backpacking and camping.  Whitewater Falls, one of the largest waterfalls in the eastern United States, plunges more than 400 feet, while mountain rivers like the Chattooga and Nantahala offer a real challenge for whitewater rafters.

Lake Hartwell is part of the Upstate's Fresh Water Coast with its' 962 Miles of shoreline.  Lake Keowee, featuring the highly popular Keowee Key development, has over 600 miles of shoreline and Lake Jocasee, located in the valleys of the Smokies, has over 300 miles of breathtaking shoreline and many waterfalls. All three lakes are located in the Tri-County area, which consists of Anderson, Oconee, and Pickens counties.  These three lakes were created by the Corp. of Engineers between 1955 and 1963 as part of a flood control and hyower project.  Lake Hartwell offers many public recreational facilities including campgrounds, boat ramps and beaches.  Additional public recreation activities include golf, tennis, swimming centers, bowling centers, skating rinks, movie theaters, the YMCA and municipal recreational programs for all ages.

Anderson County is divided into five school districts.  The student teacher ratio is 19:1. Each district offers a wide variety of programs such as special education classes, gifted courses, computer training, foreign languages, music, sports and vocational programs.  The Anderson and Tri-County areas combined offer six colleges, including Clemson University, Anderson University, and an additional 10 technical colleges.

 The City of Anderson is the county seat with several historic districts and a strong cultural base.  It is known as "the Electric City" for pioneering long-distance power transmission. It was the first Southern town to have an unlimited supply of hydro-electric power.  Anderson has kept that progressive edge.  It is a major growth center and still enjoys the 16th lowest cost of living in the country.

The 560 bed Anderson Area Medical Center provides a wide range of care services, from cancer treatment to testing for heart & brain disorders.  Other medical facilities are also available.

There are numerous cultural activities and attractions from which to choose.  The Fine Arts Center of Anderson College offers the Centre Stage Performing Arts Series.  The Anderson Community Theater, the Anderson Symphony Orchestra Association, and the Project Challenge Playhouse all play a part in the excellent quality of life Anderson residents enjoy.  There's never a lack of things to do, from the many productions, fairs, festivals, and annual events.

Anderson is a community of contrasts.  The living is easy and the lifestyle graceful, but the area is brimming with activity and opportunity.  It has the allure of small town living, its people open and friendly, warmly welcoming and embracing newcomers with characteristic Southern hospitality.

When you visit Anderson County, you will never want to leave; and you will have a clear understanding of the county's slogan, "For the best of the rest of your life."

Here are some links to help you familiarize yourself with Anderson and the surrounding areas: Anderson, Clemson, Seneca, Pendleton.

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