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Gaffney, SC

Frequently asked questions

Gaffney, SC

Gaffney is a city in and the seat of Cherokee County, South Carolina, United States, in the Upstate region of South Carolina. Gaffney is known as the "Peach Capital of South Carolina". The population was 12,539 at the 2010 census, with an estimated population of 12,609 in 2019. It is the principal city of the Gaffney, South Carolina, Micropolitan Statistical Area (population 55,662 according to 2012 estimates by the U.S. Census Bureau), which includes all of Cherokee County and which is further included in the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina Combined Statistical Area (population 1,384,996 according to year 2012 U.S. Census Bureau estimates).

In 1872, the area became known as "Gaffney City". Gaffney became the county seat of Cherokee County which was formed out of parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg counties in 1897. Gaffney became a major center for the textile industry in South Carolina, which was the backbone of the country's economy up until the 1980s. Gaffney is home to several healthcare institutions like Cherokee Medical Center and Gibbs Cancer Center & Research Institute at Gaffney. 

Gaffney is located in northern South Carolina at 35°4′18″N 81°39′00″W (35.071667, -81.650000), near the center of Cherokee County. It is located 55 miles (89 km) southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina, and 50 miles (80 km) northeast of Greenville, both reached via Interstate 85. The Charlotte and Greenville major airports serve it. These airports are almost equidistant from Gaffney, with Greenville being slightly closer. It is also approximately 190 miles (310 km) northeast of Atlanta, Georgia. The closest large city is Spartanburg, which is 21 miles (34 km) southwest via I-85.

Interstate 85 passes along the northern edge of Gaffney, with access from Exits 90, 92, and 95. U.S. Route 29 passes through the center of Gaffney, leading northeast 9 miles (14 km) to Blacksburg and southwest 10 miles (16 km) to Cowpens. South Carolina Highway 18 leads north 17 miles (27 km) to Shelby, North Carolina, becoming North Carolina Highway 18 along the way, and south 19 miles (31 km) to Jonesville, South Carolina. South Carolina Highway 11 leads northwest 14 miles (23 km) to Chesnee, South Carolina.

Gaffney puts a strong emphasis on health and wellness. The Cherokee Medical Center is a 125-bed acute care facility in Gaffney. The hospital provides emergency, medical, surgical, and imaging. Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute at Gaffney opened in 2011 and provides cancer care. Immediate Care Center provides urgent and primary care. Access healthcare services, including primary care, preventive screenings, and specialty care, from local health clinics and healthcare providers in Gaffney. Establishing a relationship with a trusted healthcare provider is essential for maintaining overall health and well-being.

Top sites in Gaffney, SC are Peachoid, Cherokee County Museum, and Cherokee Speedway.

Population: 12,546 (2024). ZIP codes: 29340-29342. Area codes: 864, 821. Elevation: 784 ft (239 m). Area: 8.35 square miles (21.63 km2).

FAQs

What is Gaffney, SC famous for?

Known for its peach farming, Gaffney is home to an annual peach festival and the famous “Peachoid” water tower. Beyond its rich farming history, Gaffney and Cherokee County boast a diverse food scene that includes all the classic cuisines and more. From established taco joints like El Michoacan, affectionately referred to as the silver taco by locals, and Bronco’s to dessert hotspots like Sunny’s Donuts to local staples like Daddy.

Why is there a giant peach in Gaffney, SC?

The Peachoid is a 135-foot (41 m) tall water tower in Gaffney, South Carolina, U.S., that resembles a peach. The shape of the peach was selected because the Gaffney economy was then dependent upon peach orchards and because the people of the town wanted to make clear that South Carolina, and at one time, Cherokee County alone, where Gaffney is located, produced more peaches per year than the entire state of Georgia (known as the "Peach State"). Since its construction, the Peachoid's extremely high visibility has introduced an element of tourism to the local economy, and a smaller (500,000 U.S. gallons, 1.9 million liters) peachoid has been built for Clanton, Alabama by the same company.

What is the crime rate in Gaffney, SC?

With a crime rate of 45 per one thousand residents, Gaffney has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 22. Within South Carolina, more than 81% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Gaffney.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Gaffney

Cherokee Medical Center

Gibbs Cancer Center and Research Institute

Peachoid

Cherokee County Museum

Cherokee Speedway

MoveUpstates

Neighborhood Scout

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