Greenville, South Carolina: A Vibrant and Growing Southern City

Greenville is a thriving city located in the Upstate region of South Carolina With a population of around 70,000 people, it is the sixth largest city in the state Greenville has seen tremendous growth and development over the past few decades, transforming from a sleepy textile town into a vibrant and diverse urban center.

A Brief History

Greenville was established in the late 18th century on land that originally belonged to the Cherokee Nation. The area was opened up for European settlement after the Revolutionary War. Greenville County was formed in 1786 and was named after the Revolutionary War general Nathanael Greene The city of Greenville was incorporated in 1831.

In the 19th and early 20th centuries, Greenville’s economy was largely based around the textile industry. The city had several major mills and was known as the “Textile Center of the South.” However, as textile manufacturing declined, Greenville was forced to undergo an economic transition Efforts to revitalize the city began in the 1970s and 1980s. Infrastructure improvements, the development of Falls Park, and recruiting major companies like Michelin and BMW laid the groundwork for Greenville’s rebirth

Greenville Today

Over the last 30 years, Greenville has transformed into one of the fastest growing and most vibrant small cities in the Southeast. Here’s a snapshot of Greenville today:

• Population of around 70,000, with a metropolitan population of nearly 1 million.

• Home to over 120 international companies, including Michelin’s North American headquarters. Major industries include manufacturing, healthcare, and technology.

• The job market is booming, with unemployment under 3%. High demand for skilled workers.

• Considered one of the best places to live, work, and play in the U.S. Top rankings for economic vitality, growth, education, healthcare, arts, and quality of life.

• A flourishing tourism and convention industry, drawing over 5 million visitors per year.

Greenville offers an exceptional blend of small town charm and big city amenities. It truly encapsulates the best of modern Southern living.

Attractions and Entertainment

Greenville has emerged as a hub for arts, culture, dining, and entertainment in the Upstate region. Some highlights include:

• Downtown Greenville: The walkable downtown area features theaters, museums, galleries, shops, boutiques, restaurants, bars, breweries, and charming public spaces like Falls Park.

• Falls Park on the Reedy: This beautiful 32-acre park features walking trails, gardens, and a series of waterfalls cascading over rocky shoals on the Reedy River. Falls Park is Greenville’s signature landmark.

• Peace Center for the Performing Arts: This world-class center in downtown Greenville hosts major theater productions, concerts, operas, and other performances.

• Fluor Field: Home of the Greenville Drive minor league baseball team, Fluor Field replicates the old-time feel of Boston’s Fenway Park.

• Bob Jones University Museum & Gallery: Has an acclaimed collection of European masterworks and hosts world-class exhibitions.

• Greenville Zoo: Home to over 100 species of animals. Great for families.

In addition, Greenville has a thriving food scene with award-winning restaurants and breweries. The city hosts several major annual events and festivals as well. With so much to do, it’s easy to see why Greenville was named the “South’s Best Small Town” by Southern Living.

Education

Greenville is known as a hub for higher education in Upstate South Carolina. Major schools include:

• Furman University: Prestigious private liberal arts university, consistently ranked as one of the best colleges in the Southeast.

• Bob Jones University: Private evangelical Christian university with over 3,000 undergraduate students.

• Clemson University University Center of Greenville: Offers graduate degree programs in business, education, and more.

• Greenville Technical College: Large two-year technical and community college serving over 14,000 students. Offers certificates, diplomas, and associate’s degrees.

In addition, there are several other smaller private colleges in the Greenville area. The city’s K-12 public schools are part of the Greenville County School District, one of the 50 largest districts in the nation.

Business and Industry

Greenville has a diverse and thriving business community. Some of the major industries and companies include:

• Manufacturing: Greenville has a strong manufacturing base, with BMW, Michelin, General Electric, and many other industrial firms. About 11% of locals work in manufacturing.

• Healthcare: Major hospitals systems like Bon Secours St. Francis and Prisma Health Greenville employ tens of thousands in the Greenville region.

• Technology: Greenville is emerging as an IT and engineering hub, with companies like Sealevel Systems, Kemet, and Charter Communications located here.

• Professional Services: Firms like accounting giant Elliott Davis and regional bank First Citizens Bank have major operations headquartered in Greenville.

• Tourism: Greenville’s thriving tourism industry employs around 20,000 locals. Hotels, restaurants, and entertainment venues are big employers.

In addition to large corporations, Greenville has a flourishing small business community. Entrepreneurship is encouraged through initiatives like the NEXT Innovation Center business incubator.

Quality of Life

Beyond economic opportunity, Greenville offers an exceptional quality of life. Here are some of the factors that make it a great place to live, work, and raise a family:

• A vibrant and thriving downtown with great entertainment, dining, and cultural options.

• Extensive park system with abundant hiking, biking, and outdoor recreation opportunities.

• Mild climate, with seasonal weather and ample sunshine. Winters are cool but not extreme.

• Low cost of living compared to other cities. Housing is very affordable.

• Excellent healthcare options through major providers like Bon Secours and Prisma Health.

• Strong public education system and lots of quality school choices.

• Low crime rates and high public safety compared to other cities of similar size.

• Diverse population and welcoming Southern hospitality. Great for newcomers and transplants.

• Abundant amenities but less traffic congestion than other mid-sized cities. Easy to get around.

In national rankings, Greenville frequently scores extremely high for livability, affordability, education, healthcare, amenities, and more. It’s an ideal place to put down roots in the South.

Growth and Development

While Greenville has already transformed dramatically, the growth is slated to continue in the coming decades. Here are some key development projects in the works:

• Camperdown District: Massive new mixed-use development slated to include office towers, hotels, apartments, retail, and more. Will further expand downtown.

• County Square: 37 acres of county-owned land near downtown Greenville to be redeveloped with new residential, retail, and commercial space.

• Laurens Road: This vital corridor linking downtown and I-85 will see redevelopment with pedestrian/bike improvements, traffic enhancements, and new mixed-use projects.

• Swamp Rabbit Trail Extension: Plans to extend the popular 22-mile walking/biking trail another 5 miles along Laurens Road into Verdae.

• University Ridge: 1,000 acre planned development near Furman University, master planned for offices, retail, multifamily residential, and more.

With strong economic fundamentals, business growth, and continued public and private investment, Greenville is sure to see its skyline and neighborhoods evolve substantially in the next 10-20 years. The future certainly looks bright for this thriving Southern city.

Over the past few decades, Greenville has experienced a true renaissance, transforming from a declining textile town into one of the most vibrant, thriving cities in the Southeast. With an exceptional quality of life, a booming economy, and a flourishing arts and culture scene, it’s easy to see the appeal of Greenville for both visitors and residents. As the city continues to grow and develop, it serves as a model for balanced and sustainable economic development. Greenville has certainly solidified its place as one of the “must visit” destinations in the New South.