newcomers

Photo of Main Street, downtown Greenville, at night

Location

Greenville is located in the Piedmont region of South Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. The area, commonly referred to as the Upstate, includes Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Pickens and Cherokee counties and the cities of Anderson, Clemson, Greenville, Simpsonville, Greer and Spartanburg.
View Map of Greenville Location

Population

Greenville County is South Carolina's most populous county with more than 350,000 residents. Approximately 56,000 live within Greenville city limits.
View Facts and Figures about Greenville

Housing

Photo of girl standing on front porch in Greenville neighborhood Greenville has a rich history of diverse living environments and neighborhood identity, and offers housing options within traditional older neighborhoods, historic districts, suburban areas or the heart of a bustling downtown. In the past ten years (1992-2002), Greenville experienced over $160 million in new residential construction and an additional $100 million in renovations in the City's older neighborhoods. The city's downtown is experiencing a boom in new housing development as the demand increases for urban living. New housing construction in the downtown area is now averaging more than $200 per square foot. Currently planned residential development projects offer price points ranging from $65,000 to over $500,000 for individuals and families of all income levels. The average sales price of an Existing Single Family Home (August 2005) is $171,960.

Climate

Our moderate climate offers a full change of seasons. The average annual temp is 59 degrees F with an average rainfall of 50.45 inches and an average snowfall of 1.20 inches per year.

Average January minimum: 32 F
Average July maximum: 89 F
Days with maximum of 90 F or above: 36.2
Days with minimum of 32 F or below: 65.7

Entertainment & Culture

Downtown is the arts and entertainment epicenter for the Upstate South with live entertainment ranging from ballet and symphony to hockey and indoor football. Local theater companies provide intimate settings for performances, while the Peace Center for the Performing Arts hosts major productions on three performance stages including an outdoor amphitheater. The BI-LO CENTER seats 17,000 and hosts athletic events as well as major concerts and family entertainment. The Bob Jones University Museum and Gallery offers one of the most recognized collections of religious artwork in the nation, including works by such artists as Dolci, Rembrandt, Rubens, Titan and Van Dyck. The nationally recognized Greenville County Art Museum has an exquisite collection as well.

Visit Heritage Green, the city's urban and cultural arts complex.

Photo of entrance to Falls Park TD Convention Center, one of the largest exposition facilities in the southeast with 368,000 square feet of exhibit space in four halls. The TD Convention Center is a popular regional destination for corporate meetings, tradeshows, banquets, and special events.

Greenville is known for its outdoor entertainment which include Jazz Concerts, Farmer's Markets, and Moonlight Movies along the River.

Within the City of Greenville are 39 parks, playgrounds and recreation centers which include bike/jogging trails, miniature golf course, shuffleboard courts, tennis courts, playground structures, picnic shelters and ball fields for a total of 452 acres of park space. More information on things to do and see in Greenville.

Education

K -12:
Greenville County has the largest school district in South Carolina, with more than 57,000 students. Greenville is home to the International Baccalaureate Program, the South Carolina Governor's School for the Arts, and the Roper Mountain Science Center.

Eight magnet academies offer unique educational opportunities at the elementary, middle, and high school levels. Each academy offers distinct programs in foreign language, communication arts, pre-engineering and health professions, international studies, science and technology, or year-round education. For more information, visit www.greenville.k12.sc.us

Greenville also has a number of highly accredited private schools. Christ Church Episcopal is an independent, Episcopal, co-ed day school serving more than 950 students in grades Primer - 12. It is one of only five schools in North America to offer an International Baccalaureate Program curriculum in grades K-12.

Local Colleges and Universities:
Bob Jones University
Clemson University
Converse College
Furman University
Greenville Technical College
North Greenville University
Southern Wesleyan University
University of S. C. -- Spartanburg
Virginia College - Greenville Campus
Webster University
Wofford College

International Center

The International Center of the Upstate (ICU) welcomes local and international residents from many different countries and provides opportunities for people to learn about other cultures. The International Center offers programs, language classes, workshops, and social events for Upstate residents; serves as a liaison to all international groups in the area; and provides business consulting services for international companies and employees. ICU's mission is to promote cross-cultural diversity and understanding in the community.

The International Center is open Mon-Fri 9 am-noon and is located on the ground floor of City Hall, 206 S. Main St., Greenville.

You may reach them by email or telephone at 864-467-4579

Transportation

Air: Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport, located 12 miles from downtown Greenville on I-85, has undergone a $40 million modernization and expansion, including an enlarged terminal building, a new five-level parking garage, a customs office and expanded restaurant. Passenger service is provided to most domestic and international destinations directly or via convenient connecting hub services.

Greenville Downtown Airport (GMU) is the busiest general aviation airport in South Carolina and is convenient to all of Greenville's premier destinations. The Bi-Lo Center, the Peace Center, and the vibrant downtown area are only a five-minute drive away. Shopping malls, hotels, and restaurants are located just a few blocks from GMU. The Carolina First Center and The Phoenix-Greenville's Inn are located right next door, within walking distance of the airport. GMU is a modern and attractive facility with a wide variety of tenants that offer a full range of aviation services.

Bus/transit: Greenlink is located downtown and provides local bus service Monday through Saturday. Interstate bus travel is provided by Greyhound Bus lines.

Trains and automobiles: Railway transportation to Greenville is provided by Amtrak. The Amtrak station is located in downtown Greenville. Situated in the northwest corner of South Carolina, Greenville is accessible from Interstate Highways 85, 185 and 385. Four U.S. Highways pass through Greenville. They are 25, 123, 29 and 276.

Libraries

Greenville has a county-wide library system with a main library downtown and 10 branches. A Law Library is located at the Greenville County Courthouse. More than 890,000 items are available for circulation, including films and audiovisual materials. Outreach, bookmobile and online services are available.