The Upstate of South Carolina is situated in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, with a number of charming small towns, cities, and rural areas that are all within daily driving distance of Clemson. While many Clemson Libraries employees live in the town of Clemson, many also live in the neighboring towns and cities of the Upstate. You can find more information about each of the counties through Sciway.
The closest airport to most of these towns is Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP). It's also possible to fly in and out of Asheville, Atlanta, and Charlotte.
Clemson is located in Pickens and Anderson counties. The city, in large part, revolves around the presence of the University. In 2015, the Princeton Review named Clemson as #1 in the US for “town-and-gown” relations with its University. There are approximately 17,000 people living in Clemson. Clemson borders Lake Hartwell, one of the Southeast’s largest and most popular recreation lakes. Central is the next town over and is home to nearly 3,000 permanent residents, in addition to Southern Wesleyan University. Those who live in Clemson appreciate the charming houses and proximity to campus.
Pendleton is located approximately 10 minutes from the heart of Clemson University. The small town is located in Anderson County, and is home to approximately 3,000 people. Pendleton is known for its historic town square, where cafes, restaurants, and shopping are clustered, and the beautiful historic homes.
Greenville is one of the largest cities in the State of South Carolina, and is home to over 70,000 residents. The city serves as the “hub” of the Upstate region of SC. It has recently been ranked by CNN as one of the “Top 10 fastest Growing Cities in the U.S.” and by Forbes as the “13th Best City for Young Professionals”. Additionally, it received the number 3 spot by Conde Nast Traveler’s “Best Small Cities in the U.S.”. The beautiful Reedy River runs directly through the city, serving as a focal point for the well-known Falls Park.
Greenville is approximately 30-45 minutes away from Clemson University. Clemson runs a Tiger Commute bus several times a day between CU-ICAR, which is on the far southwestern edge of the city, to main campus. The bus also stops in Easley. Several employees live in Greenville and appreciate the proximity to the Swamp Rabbit Trail, wide-ranging restaurants, and more people.
Easley is a sprawling town located in Pickens County. It serves as a border city to Greenville, about halfway between Greenville and Clemson. Located only 20 minutes away from the University, Easley is home to over 21,000 residents. Clemson runs a Tiger Commute bus several times a day that stops at Easley and the main campus.
Anderson is located approximately 30 minutes away from Clemson University, right off of Interstate 85. The city is home to nearly 28,000 residents and borders Lake Hartwell. Anderson is the second-largest city in the area, after Greenville. The city has a cute downtown and lower home prices than Greenville.
Seneca is a small town about 10 minutes away from Clemson, across Lake Hartwell. It is home to 8,400 residents. While beautiful Lake Keowee is located in the heart of Seneca, two other lakes are nearby (Lake Hartwell & Lake Jocassee).
The list of towns above is far from exhaustive! Other areas that Clemson employees include Pickens, Powdersville, Six Mile, Walhalla, Liberty, and Traveler’s Rest. The town of Pickens is noteworthy, as it’s closer to the mountains. Ask us for more details on any of these spots.