Gaffney, South Carolina
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Gaffney is a city located in Cherokee County, South Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 12,968. It is the county seat of Cherokee CountyTemplate:GR.
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History
Image:Peach2.gif Michael Gaffney, born in Granard, Ireland in 1775, emigrated to America in 1797, arriving in New York and moving to Charleston, South Carolina a few years later. Gaffney moved again in 1804 to the South Carolina Upcountry (The Upstate), and established a tavern and lodging house at what became known as "Gaffney's Cross Roads." The location was perfect for growth because of the two major roads which met here, one from the mountains of North Carolina to Charleston and the other from Charlotte into Georgia. Micheal Gaffney died here on September 6, 1854. In 1872, the area became known as "Gaffney City." Gaffney became the county seat of Cherokee County which was formed out of parts of York, Union, and Spartanburg Counties in 1897.
Geography
Image:SCMap-doton-Gaffney.PNG Gaffney is located at 35°4'19" North, 81°39'11" West (35.071938, -81.653005)Template:GR.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.4 km² (7.9 mi²). 20.4 km² (7.9 mi²) of it is land and 0.1 km² (0.04 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.38% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there were 12,968 people, 5,304 households, and 3,336 families residing in the city. The population density was 637.0/km² (1,649.7/mi²). There were 5,765 housing units at an average density of 283.2/km² (733.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 53.48% White, 44.19% African American, 0.15% Native American, 0.45% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.99% from other races, and 0.71% from two or more races. 1.98% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 5,304 households out of which 26.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.1% were married couples living together, 21.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.1% were non-families. 33.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city the population was spread out with 23.4% under the age of 18, 10.8% from 18 to 24, 25.7% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 17.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 82.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.7 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $29,480, and the median income for a family was $38,449. Males had a median income of $30,145 versus $22,167 for females. The per capita income for the city was $17,755. 16.2% of the population and 13.3% of families were below the poverty line. 19.2% of those under the age of 18 and 18.0% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
Gaffney is the birthplace of actress Andie MacDowell.
Travellers know Gaffney from the Peachoid Peach water tower located along I-85.