Address: 124 Verdae Boulevard - Suite 202 Greenville, SC 29607 Phone: 864.283.2300  |  Email: development@upstatealliance.com

Regional Overview

A diverse range of companies seeking a competitive advantage have found a business-friendly trifecta in Upstate South Carolina: a top-ranked business climate, a world-class research environment and a superb quality of life.

They are drawn here by our favorable tax rates, market accessibility and the quality and availability of our workforce. Supporting this is our dedication to research and innovation, including R&D facilities for Michelin, Fuji and General Electric and research centers that support the automotive, life sciences, plastics and photonics industries. And it's all set in a region where cost of living is about 10 percent lower than the national average and cultural and recreational opportunities cater to a diverse range of tastes.

 

Overview


Current Population
Total Population (2010) 1,362,073
Total Households (2010) 532,065
Median Age (2010) 38.4

Sources: US Census Bureau (Population & Households); ESRI Business Analyst (Age)

 

Age % of Population
Under Age 5 6.5%
Age 5 to 9 6.5%
Age 10 to 14 6.6%
Age 15 to 19 6.9%
Age 20 to 24 6.5%
Age 25 to 34 12.2%
Age 35 to 44 13.9%
Age 45 to 54 14.7%
Age 55 to 64 12.5%
Age 65 to 74 7.5%
Age 75 to 84 4.3%
Age 85+ 1.8%

Source: 2010 Projections by ESRI Business Analyst

 

Income
Year Median Household Per Capita
2000 37,457 19,139
2010 47,548 23,283

Source: ESRI Business Analyst

 

Workforce Education
Level Total
Less than 9th Grade 7.1%
9th to 12th Grade, No Diploma 12.2%
High School Graduate Only 33.2%
Some College, No Degree 17.2%
Associate Degree Only 8.5%
Bachelor's Degree Only 14.0%
Graduate/Professional Degree 7.8%

Source: 2010 Projections by ESRI Business Analyst

 

Upstate Labor Force & Unemployment (Dec 2011)
Total Labor Force 636,550
Unemployed 55,855
Unemployment Rate 8.8%

Source: SC Dept. of Employment & Workforce

 

Largest Employers
Company Industry Employment
Greenville Hospital System Healthcare 7,500
Michelin North America, Inc. Radial Tires 5,752
Spartanburg Regional Health Services Healthcare 5,544
BMW Manufacturing Corporation Automobiles 5,400
Anderson County School Districts (5 Districts) Public Education 5,085

 

Employment & Wages by Industry (2010 Annual Avg)
Industry Employment % Avg Weekly Wage
Natural Resources & Mining 1,568 0.3% $546
Construction 20,517 4.0% $740
Manufacturing 90,198 17.4% $951
Trade, Transportation & Utilities 102,183 19.7% $662
Financial Activities (Finance, Insurance & Real Estate) 21,377 4.1% $891
Professional & Business Services 65,965 12.7% $762
Education & Health Services 52,395 10.1% $785
Leisure & Hospitality 54,161 10.5% $275
Other Services 12,966 2.5% $492
Government 88,489 17.1% $779
Total 517,704 100.0% $730

Source: SC Dept. of Employment & Workforce; Totals may not add up due to rounding and/or undisclosed figures.