Population: 187,126

Median Age: 40.5

Educational Attainment: Percent high-school graduate or higher: 84.4 percent

Median Household Income: 45,551

Total housing units: 86,796

Number of Companies: 15,115

Anderson is a growing city and will continue to prosper over the years. Industrial growth in Anderson has been among the highest in the nation. The people enjoy a bustling downtown, a striking number, and variety of restaurants, and world-class cultural venues. People recognize each other on the street, and there are dozens of leafy neighborhoods and a strong sense of community. Lake Hartwell, historic Pendleton, and the Anderson Jockey Lot and Farmers' Market have become major tourist attractions, thanks in large measure to the access created by the 37 miles of Interstate 85 that cut through the county. Land values have soared, fine homes have been built, and recreation and tourism have added millions of dollars to the economy.

Best Counties for Families in South Carolina:

Number nine of 46

Population: 74,273

Median Age: 45.0

Educational Attainment: Percent high school graduate or higher: 84.1 percent

Median Household Income: 43,978

Total housing units: 39,753

Number of Companies: 5,580

The name Oconee derives from the Cherokees and has several interpretations, the most popular being “water eyes of the hills,” in reference to the area’s many waterfalls and streams. There are 18 waterfalls in the county, by far the most in the state. The Chattooga and Chauga Rivers provide rafting, kayaking, and fishing opportunities. Recreation has become a major asset to the county. In addition to the Sumter National Forest, there are four state parks (Oconee, Lake Hartwell, Keowee-Toxaway, and Devil’s Fork) and several county parks. Hunting is popular in the National Forest. Hiking and horseback riding are popular pastimes; and because Oconee has some of the prettiest, clearest bodies of water in the nation, boating is a way of life here.

Best Counties for Retirees in South Carolina:

Number five of 46 Niche.com

Population: 119,224

Median Age: 36.2

Educational Attainment: Percent high school graduate or higher: 84.7 percent

Median Household Income: 45,332

Total housing units: 52,957

Number of Companies: 8,997

Located in South Carolina’s northwest corner, Pickens County is an area of lakes and mountains, including the state’s highest peak, Sassafras Mountain. In addition to manufacturing, Pickens County’s economy relies on education, especially Clemson University. The college was founded in 1889 on the property that had been John C. Calhoun’s plantation and then was willed to the state by Calhoun’s son-in-law, Thomas G. Clemson. Tourists attracted to the county’s natural and historical resources, and a long list of attractions come from across the country. The climate, natural beauty, historic sites, and Clemson University all made tourism a vital part of Pickens County’s economy.

Best Counties for Outdoor Activities in South Carolina:

Number one of 46 Niche.com