Simpsonville, South Carolina

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Simpsonville, South Carolina
settlement_type = City
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Simpsonville, South Carolina


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = South Carolina
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Greenville

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title = Mayor
leader_name = Dennis C. Waldrop
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =
area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 16.1
area_land_km2 = 16.1
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 6.2
area_land_sq_mi = 6.2
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 14352
population_density_km2 = 890.4
population_density_sq_mi = 2306.1

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 262
elevation_ft = 860
latd = 34 |latm = 44 |lats = 0 |latNS = N
longd = 82 |longm = 15 |longs = 36 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP codes
postal_code = 29680-29681
area_code = 864
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 45-66580GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1250898GR|3
website =
footnotes =

Simpsonville is a city in Greenville County, South Carolina, United States and a suburb of Greenville. The population was 14,352 at the 2000 census. Simpsonville is part of the "Golden Strip", along with Mauldin and Fountain Inn, which is noted for having low unemployment due to a diversity of industries including Para-Chem, Kemet, and Milliken. Simpsonville is home to Hillcrest High School. Simpsonville is also home to the 2008 Little League Softball World Champions.

Geography

Simpsonville is located at coor dms|34|44|0|N|82|15|36|W|city (34.733375, -82.260001)GR|1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 6.2 square miles (16.1 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 14,352 people, 5,391 households, and 4,021 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,306.1 people per square mile (890.9/km²). There were 5,636 housing units at an average density of 905.6/sq mi (349.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 82.69% White, 13.76% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 1.23% from other races, and 1.27% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.65% of the population.

There were 5,391 households out of which 39.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.6% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.4% were non-families. 20.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.66 and the average family size was 3.09.

In the city the population was spread out with 28.4% under the age of 18, 8.2% from 18 to 24, 34.4% from 25 to 44, 21.6% from 45 to 64, and 7.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 97.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $47,223, and the median income for a family was $52,043. Males had a median income of $38,680 versus $26,394 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,139. About 5.2% of families and 6.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.8% of those under age 18 and 6.1% of those age 65 or over.

Crime

Despite Simpsonville's appeal to middle class families, it is plagued by higher than national average crime rates. Violent crimes in particular are on the rise with just 22 total violent crimes committed in 1995, soaring to 98 in 2004.Fact|date=July 2008 In 2007 the personal crime incidents rate rose sharply to 6 per 1000 residents in comparison to the national average of 1.3 per 1000 [ [http://money.cnn.com/magazines/moneymag/bplive/2007/snapshots/PL4566580.html MONEY Magazine: Best places to live 2007: Simpsonville, SC snapshot ] ] . In September of 2007 the FBI reported that South Carolina's violent crime rate was the highest in the nation [ [http://www.goupstate.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2007709260329&source=email S.C.'s violent crime rate again highest in nation | Spartanburg, South Carolina | GoUpstate.com | Spartanburg Herald-Journal ] ] , with Simpsonville leading the state in reported car jackings.

Government

Simpsonville is governed by a Mayor, a City Council, and several boards and commissions. The current officeholders are:

City Council
* Mayor: Dennis C. Waldrop
* Council Ward I: Ronald Bridges
* Council Ward II: Brown Garrett
* Council Ward III: Geneva Lawrence
* Council Ward IV: Tammy Bagwell
* Council Ward V: Mike Zitricki
* Council Ward VI: Bruce Larson

Board of Zoning Appeals
* Al Dreiford, Chairman
* Joe Cuyar
* Ron Fowler
* Roxie Kincannon
* Mikelene Loe
* Roy Shelton
* Hans Wiegert

Planning Commission
* Ron Blair
* James Boyd
* Donnie McDowell
* Dick Witkowski
* Karen Wright

Election Commission
* Todd Kincannon, Chairman
* Patsy Fowler
* Ann Stephens

Tax Advisory Committee
* Kenny Baldwin
* Pete Garrett
* Jimmy McDougal
* Lisa Portele
* Robert Rojas
* Frances Shelton
* Carolyn Todd

Notable residents

*Andrew Baker, Philosopher
*Shane Hall, NASCAR driver
*Todd Kincannon, Parliamentarian of the South Carolina Republican Party
*Bob Shumaker, writer "Schmooney" Trilogy
* [http://www.woodhouseperformance.com/drivers_smith.html Brian Smith] , Professional Driver
*Jason Bokar, Chess Grandmaster
*Tommy Jones, Professional bowler
* James R. Harling, Notable Politican and Poverty Awareness Activist.

References

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