Overview

Introduction to Gaffney, South Carolina

Gaffney, South Carolina is 29 miles SW of Gastonia, North Carolina (center to center) and 46 miles W of Charlotte, North Carolina in Cherokee county. The city is located in Cherokee county and is part of the Greenville - Spartanburg - Anderson metro area.

Gaffney History

Michael Gaffney, an Irish immigrant, arrived in the early 1800s and opened a lodging house and tavern that were known as "Gaffney's Cross Roads." It was strategically located since two major roads - one connecting Charlotte to Georgia, and the other from North Carolina to Charleston - converged at this point. Gradually, a community was established and it was named "Gaffney City" in 1872. In 1897, it became the seat of Cherokee County. Over the years, Gaffney emerged as South Carolina's center for the textile industry. Until the 1980s, the city was the major contributor to the county's economy.

Gaffney and Nearby Attractions

  • Cherokee County Veterans Museum
  • Cowpens National Battlefield
  • Regional Museum of Spartanburg County
  • Croft State Natural Area
  • Kings Mountain State Park
  • Daniel Stowe Botanical Garden

Things To Do In Gaffney

Cherokee County Veterans Museum, which is located in the city of Gaffney, houses more than 500 artifacts and memorabilia depicting the American military history. The Regional Museum of Spartanburg County showcases exhibits of historical significance, and the Spartanburg County Museum of Art features collections of 20th century art. Cowpens National Battlefield is the site where colonials won a victory over the regular British forces in 1781. Kings Mountain National Military Park, and Walnut Grove Plantation are other historic sites near Gaffney. Croft State Natural Area, spread across 7,054 acres of land, offers facilities for boating, fishing, hiking, horseback riding, swimming, picnicking, and camping. Residents of the city also celebrate the annual Peach Festival each July.

Gaffney Transportation

Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is the closest major airport.

Gaffney Higher Education

Gaffney is home to the Limestone College, and Spartanburg Community College- Cherokee County Campus. Cleveland Community College, and Gardner-Webb University are some of the colleges near the city.

Demographics

People

Total Population12,526
Male Share of the Population48.5%
Female Share of the Population51.5%
Senior Citizens17.8%
Employed Population 16+4,346
Age of the Population36

Families

% of people married32.5%
Average household size3

Education and Earnings

Population % with Bachelor Degree or Higher16.5%
Median Earnings25+$30,147
Median Earnings Without High School Qualification$18,024
Median Earnings With High School Degree$28,500

Wealth

Median Family Income$38,688
% Above Poverty Level73.7%
% Below Poverty Level26.3%

Commute & Sprawl

Average Commute Time21 minutes
% Working from Home1.7%
% Walking and Biking to Work0.7%
% Using Public Transportation0.3%

Housing

People Living Alone46.3%
Median Gross Rent$621
Median House Value$107,200

Ancestry

Other(often includes Hispanic and African American)51.8%
Irish9.2%
German4.7%
English3.3%
French Except Basque2.6%
Dutch2%
Scottish1.2%
African1.1%
Italian0.9%
Swedish0.4%
Welsh0.4%
Portuguese0.3%
Polish0.2%
South African0.2%
Austrian0.2%
West Indian0.1%
Hungarian0.1%
Arab0.1%
Egyptian0.1%
Canadian0.1%
Lithuanian0.1%
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Gaffney Almanac

CategoryValue
CountyCherokee County
Standard Zip Codes29341, 29340
P.O. Box Zip Codes29342
Phone Area Codes864
Time ZoneAmerica/New_York
Approximate Latitude35.11
Approximate Longitude-81.71

Gaffney Climate

Nearest Weather Stations

Notes:

  • Temp ranges are avg daily min and max for the month
  • Precipitation is rainfall (and rainfall equiv of snowfall)

StationNINETY NINE ISLANDS
Distance8.5 miles
Jan Temp27 to 51 F
Apr Temp43 to 71 F
Jul Temp66 to 88 F
Oct Temp45 to 72 F
Annual Precip48.3 inches
StationSIMMS WATER PLANT
Distance18.2 miles
Jan Temp27 to 52 F
Apr Temp43 to 74 F
Jul Temp65 to 91 F
Oct Temp45 to 74 F
Annual Precip51.6 inches
StationSPARTANBURG 3 SSE
Distance19.2 miles
Jan Temp30 to 54 F
Apr Temp45 to 76 F
Jul Temp68 to 91 F
Oct Temp47 to 75 F
Annual Precip49.9 inches

Nearby Cities and Towns

LocationPopulationMedian Family Income
Blacksburg2,008$30,769
Chesnee664$32,109
Cowpens1,782$40,750
Hickory Grove516$63,542
Jonesville678$57,031
Pacolet2,456$48,827

Gaffney Public Libraries

Cherokee County Public Library
300 E. RUTLEDGE AVENUE
Gaffney, South Carolina
(864) 487-2711

library logo

More Information for Librarians

Gaffney Hospitals

Gaffney Medical Center
(Proprietary)
1530 N Limestone St
(864) 487-1500

Gaffney Public Schools

Alma Elementary
213 Alma Street
ZIP: 29340
(864) 489-4742
Primary
Total Enrollment 256
Cherokee Technology Center
3206 Cherokee Avenue
ZIP: 29340
(864) 206-2576
High
Corinth Elementary
128 Corinth Road
ZIP: 29340
(864) 489-2163
Primary
Total Enrollment 431
Draytonville Elementary
2373 Wilkinsville Highway
ZIP: 29340
(864) 487-1240
Primary
Total Enrollment 275
Gaffney Middle
805 East Frederick Street
ZIP: 29340
(864) 902-3630
Middle
Total Enrollment 621
Goucher Elementary
604 Goucher School Road
ZIP: 29340
(864) 487-1246
Primary
Total Enrollment 285
John E. Ewing Middle
171 East Junior High Road
ZIP: 29340
(864) 489-3176
Middle
Total Enrollment 442
Limestone-central Elementary
727 Pacolet Highway
ZIP: 29340
(864) 206-6620
Primary
Total Enrollment 448
Mary Bramlett Elementary
301 Spruce Street
ZIP: 29340
(864) 489-2831
Primary
Total Enrollment 313
B. D. Lee Elementary
401 Overbrook Drive
ZIP: 29341
(864) 489-5748
Primary
Total Enrollment 327
Gaffney High
149 Twin Lakes Road
ZIP: 29341
(864) 206-2000
High
Total Enrollment 2024
Granard Middle
815 West Rutledge Avenue
ZIP: 29341
(864) 206-2302
Middle
Total Enrollment 578
Grassy Pond Elementary
1146 Boiling Springs Highway
ZIP: 29341
(864) 487-1256
Primary
Total Enrollment 546
Luther L. Vaughan Elementary
192 Vaughan Road
ZIP: 29341
(864) 489-2424
Primary
Total Enrollment 353
Northwest Elementary
840 Green River Road
ZIP: 29341
(864) 487-1243
Primary
Total Enrollment 494

Gaffney Private Schools

Heritage Christian School
4279 Cherokee Ave
ZIP: 29340
Combined Elementary And Secondary
Total Enrollment 37
The Village School
200 N Limestone St
ZIP: 29340
Elementary
Total Enrollment 77
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