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Orangeburg, SC

Frequently asked questions

Orangeburg, SC

Orangeburg, also known as The Garden City, is the principal city in and the county seat of Orangeburg County, South Carolina, United States. The population of the city was 13,964 according to the 2020 census. The city is located 37 miles southeast of Columbia, on the north fork of the Edisto River.

Two historically black institutions of higher education are located in Orangeburg: Claflin University (a liberal arts college) and South Carolina State University (a public university).

European settlement in this area started in 1704 when George Sterling set up a post here for fur trade with Native Americans. To encourage settlement, the General Assembly of the Province of South Carolina in 1730 organized the area as a township, naming it Orangeburg for William IV, Prince of Orange, the son-in-law of King George II of Great Britain. In 1735, a colony of 200 Swiss, German, and Dutch immigrants formed a community near the banks of the North Edisto River. The site was attractive because of the fertile soil and the abundance of wildlife. The river provided the all-important transportation waterway to the port of Charleston on the Atlantic coast for the area's agriculture and lumber products, and for shipping goods upriver. The town soon became a well-established and successful colony, composed chiefly of small yeomen farmers.

Orangeburg's first church was established by a German Lutheran congregation. It was later identified as an Anglican Church, which was the established church and exempt from colonial taxation. The church building was erected prior to 1763 in the center of the village; it was destroyed by fighting during the Revolutionary War. A new church was built; during the Civil War, it was used as a smallpox hospital by General William Tecumseh Sherman on his march through with Union forces.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²), of which 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²) is land and 0.12% is water.

Orangeburg places a strong emphasis on health and wellness, with several facilities and initiatives dedicated to promoting a healthy lifestyle. MUSC Health - Orangeburg offers comprehensive health services, including wellness check-ups and preventive care programs.

Planet Fitness offers comprehensive fitness programs including cardio, strength training, and group exercise classes. Check out SC Yoga Girl for yoga sessions designed to improve flexibility and reduce stress. Orangeburg County YMCA offers comprehensive health and wellness services, including swimming, gym facilities, and wellness coaching. CrossFit Rockland is perfect for those looking for high-intensity training and community support. Marsch Chiropractic Center offers holistic treatments to enhance physical health and alleviate pain. Tamalyn's Dance Centre offers dance classes that promote physical fitness.

Top sites in Orangeburg, SC are Orangeburg Country Club, I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium, and Congaree National Park.

Population: 13,378 (2024). ZIP codes: 29115-29118. Area codes: 803, 839. Elevation: 243 ft (74 m). Area: 8.3 square miles (21.5 km²).

FAQs

Is Orangeburg, SC a good place to live?

Orangeburg is in Orangeburg County. Living in Orangeburg offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents rent their homes. Many families and young professionals live in Orangeburg and residents tend to be liberal.

What is Orangeburg, SC known for?

Known as “The Garden City,” Orangeburg is home to the beautiful Edisto Memorial Gardens which hosts the annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses. Rated as one of the Top 20 visitor attractions in South Carolina by the Southeast Tourism Society, the Edisto Memorial Gardens is a 175-acre floral paradise. Set against the banks of the Edisto River, the annual Orangeburg Festival of Roses is one of the city’s highlights.

Is Orangeburg, SC a city or town?

The City of Orangeburg is located 37 miles southeast of the South Carolina State Capitol Building in Columbia, in the south-central area of the state. The land area of the city is 8.3 square miles, and the population was 12,903 according to the 2018 census. The city is the county seat of Orangeburg County. The City of Orangeburg was founded by an Indian trader named George Sterling in 1704.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Orangeburg

Discover South Carolina

Niche

Orangeburg Country Club

I.P. Stanback Museum & Planetarium

Congaree National Park

MUSC Health - Orangeburg

Planet Fitness

SC Yoga Girl

Orangeburg County YMCA

CrossFit Rockland

Marsch Chiropractic Center

Tamalyn's Dance Centre

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.