Spartanburg County added 43,690 residents from 2010 to 2020, and it comes as no surprise to longtime Spartanburg County Councilman David Britt.
Britt clearly remembers when the once-thriving textile industry shut down mills and left some 25,000 residents jobless before he helped recruit BMW Manufacturing nearly 30 years ago, which today employees an estimated 11,000 people.
"If you are not growing, you are dying and Spartanburg is alive and thriving," Britt said. "Growth brings hope and opportunity for everyone that is willing to roll up their sleeves and get busy."
The U.S. Census Bureau on Aug. 12 released its first set of population numbers from the 2020 census.
South Carolina's population increased 10.7% by 493,061 residents from 2010 to 5,118,425 in 2020. Twenty-two of the state's 46 counties gained residents.
Spartanburg County – the state's fifth most populated – grew from 284,307 in 2010 to 327,997 residents in 2020, an increase of 15.4%.
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Only Greenville, Richland, Charleston and Horry counties have more residents than Spartanburg County.
By race and ethnicity, Spartanburg County's Hispanic or Latino population grew at the fastest rate, 66.4%. The Black population grew by 9.7% and the white population by 6.7%.
The Asian population increased from 5,747 to 8,297 residents, or by 44.4%, and those claiming two or more races or ethnicities grew from 2,053 in 2010 to 11,986 in 2020, a 311% increase.
"What is incredible is look at where we were in 1990," Britt said, when the population was 226,800. "By 2010 that number had grown to 284,307, an average increase of 2,865 people a year.
"Now look at the past 10 years and we are averaging 4,369 new residents a year. That is so validating and something we are very proud of as a community of partners. From one end of the county to the other, it is all about growth and opportunity."
The federal Census will release more detailed information about demographics, ages and more later this year.
Census data is used to direct billions of dollars in federal funds for everything from schools to roads, as well as Medicaid, Head Start, block grant programs for mental health services, and food assistance.
It is also used for redistricting, a process that will redraw what the U.S. House, state Senate and House districts will look like for the next 10 years.
Fastest growing areas in Spartanburg County
Most of the growth in the past 10 years – 18% and higher – has been west and north of the city of Spartanburg, including places like Reidville, Duncan, Holly Springs and Lake Bowen.
Tracts south and east of the city grew the least, with some losing population including Roebuck, Pacolet, Hobbyville, Cross Anchor and Cowpens.
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City gains residents
While the official population total for Spartanburg city in 2020 has not yet been released, the Census Bureau estimates it will have grown slightly, from 37,013 in 2010 to 38,732 in 2020. The city's peak population was in 1970, with 44,546 residents.
In the city, census tracts gaining population were east of St. John Street and north of Henry Street including Converse Heights; and south and west of Union Street including Duncan Park.
Tracts losing population include Highland Park, and west of Howard Street.
Charles Mann of Spartanburg County's Complete Count Committee said he is concerned that redistricting could change the minority makeup on City Council. There are three African Americans on the seven-member council: Ruth Littlejohn, District 3; Jerome Rice, District 5; and Erica Brown, District 6.
"Based on the numbers I've seen, Spartanburg County now has nearly 40,000 more inhabitants. Unfortunately, the coastal areas had significant growth over the past 10 years. This could lead to a significant redrawing of the lines in our area. And because of coast growth, our political influence could be negatively impacted.
"My concern becomes one of voter dilution for Black voters," Mann said. "It would be a shame if local redistricting led to Spartanburg having fewer than three Black members of Council."
Jobs generate growth
Much of southwestern Spartanburg County's economic growth has been along the Highway 290 corridor.
From 2010 to 2019, there were 195 projects from new or expanding companies, 14,888 new jobs and a capital investment of $6.9 billion, according to OneSpartanburg, Inc.
Major project announcements included Addidas' distribution facility with 1,500 jobs in 2010, the Draexlmaier Group's two expansions with 150 jobs in 2011; Amazon's fulfillment center with 400 jobs in 2013; BMW's plant expansion with 1,000 more jobs in 2012; and Toray Industries new production facility with 500 jobs in 2014.
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Also, Dollar Tree's new distribution center with 400 jobs in 2015; Kobelco Construction Machinery's new excavator plant with 131 jobs in 2016; and Ritrama's expansion in 2017.
Among the latest to located in the Highway 290 corridor is Keurig Dr. Pepper at Tyger River Industrial Park, where the company plans to hire 500 workers.
"We have invested our energies and money in making Spartanburg County a quality of life place where our residents can live and raise their families, work in great jobs and enjoy all the benefits of life in the best place in the world, Spartanburg," Britt said.
Spartanburg recently was named the best place to live in South Carolina by U.S. News & World Report, based on desirability, value, job market, quality of life and net migration. It also ranked 24th in the country among the top 150 most populous metro areas.
Contact Bob Montgomery at bob.montgomery@shj.com
This article originally appeared on Herald-Journal: Jobs helped Spartanburg County grow by 15.4% since 2010
