Quality of Life
Climate1
| Average Temperatures | 60.0° |
| Annual | 60.0° |
| Low | 60.0° |
| High | 70.5° |
| January | 40.5° |
| July | 78.5° |
| Average Humidity | 83% |
| Mean Yearly Precipitation | 43.2” |
| Heating Degree Days | 3,342 |
| Cooling Degree Days | 1,546 |
| Earliest Freeze Day | OCT 22 |
| Last Freeze Day | APR 6 |
County Schools2
| # schools | # teachers | # enrolled | |
| Elementary | 11 | 216 | 3995 |
| Secondary | 6 | 321 | 4722 |
| Tech. School | 1 | 35 | 700 |
| Alternative | 1 | 41 | 180 |
| TOTAL Student to Teacher Ratio: 15.6:1 | 19 | 613 | 9597 |
Higher Education
| LOCAL |
| Limestone College |
| WITHIN 50 MILES: |
| Converse College– Spartanburg |
| Furman University — Greenville |
| Spartanburg Methodist College |
| Spartanburg Technical College |
| University of South Carolina at Union |
| University of South Carolina at Spartanburg |
| Winthrop University — York |
| Wofford College — Spartanburg |
| York Technical College |
Cost of Living3, 4
| Composite Index | Housing Index | |
| Spartanburg/Cherokee, SC | 92.5 | 85.9 |
| Charlotte, NC | 95.1 | 89.2 |
| Charleston, SC | 103.1 | 105.4 |
| Atlanta, GA | 99.0 | 97.8 |
| Raleigh/Durham, SC | 101.2 | 102.8 |
| Columbia, SC | 95.9 | 94.3 |
| Chattanooga, TN | 92.1 | 85.0 |
| Richmond, VA | 104.4 | 101.8 |
Public Safety
| POLICE PROTECTION |
| County Wide Protection provided by Cherokee County Sheriff’s Department, which employs 75 deputies |
| City of Gaffney and Town of Blacksburg operate municipal police departments |
| In 2000, county’s crime rate per 10,000 population was 455.5 compared to the state rate per 10,000 population of 527.5 |
| FIRE PROTECTION |
| Cherokee County has 13 fire protection agencies employing some 350 trained fire fighters |
| Gaffney has a fire insurance rating of 4 |
| Blacksburg has a fire insurance rating of 4 |
Health Care
As Cherokee County’s local hospital, Upstate Carolina Medical Center provides citizens and businesses with the finest and most convenient healthcare possible. With 125 beds and approximately 425 employees, the hospital is the community’s primary source of healthcare, offering a wide range of services such as Occupational Medicine, maternity services, EMS, and a 24 hour emergency room. The mission of the hospital is to “provide A Higher Medical Standard” by delivering quality professional care with a personal touch. For the past five years, Upstate Carolina has received commendation from the nation’s most authoritative accreditation agency. The hospital is located at 1530 N. Limestone Street in Gaffney; Interstate 85, Exit 95. The main telephone number is (864) 487-4271.
Recreation
| Annual Peach Festival | Kings Mountain National Military Park |
| Cowpens National Battlefield | Sumter National Forest |
| 12 Up-country state parks | Numerous county parks and recreational facilities |
| County-sponsored community recreational programs | Fully Equipped Cherokee County YMCA |
| Blue Ridge Mountains of North and South Carolina (hiking, camping, skiing, and horseback riding | Lakes, rivers, streams, and hunting areas (hunting, fishing, and water sports) |
| Numerous public and private area gold courses | South Carolina Beaches with a half a day’s drive |
| Charlotte Professional sports teams | College and University sports teams |
Culture and Entertainment
| Performances sponsored by area colleges |
| Promotions of fine arts by the Arts Council and Gaffney Little Theatre |
| Start performances, Broadway shows, dance companies, chamber music, and local talent presented at the Peace Center for the Performing Arts, Greenville, SC |
Religion
More than 100 houses of worship representing most major faiths in Cherokee County
More than 200 houses of worship representing all major faiths in nearby Spartanburg
1: Source: Cherokee County C of C, 2002
2: Source: Cherokee County School District, 2002
3: ACCRA Cost of Living Index, 1st Qtr. 2003
4: Cherokee County is Socially and Economically aligned with Spartanburg
Cherokee County Development Board
225 South Limestone Street
Gaffney, SC 29340
864-489-5721