|
|
| Community
Profile |
|
Considered
one of the fastest-growing cities in South Carolina, Simpsonville
has much to offer its residents. Here are some helpful statistics
and information.
City Government
The mayor is Dennis Waldrop, and the city administrator is
Barry Hickman. Residents are represented by council members
from six wards: Ronald Bridges, Ward 1; Kathryn Walsh, Ward
2; Ray Talley, Ward 3; Tammy Bagwell, Ward 4; Pete Pelar,
Ward 5 and Pat Thomas, Ward 6.
City Hall is located at 118 N.E. Main St. The phone number
is (864) 967-9526, and the fax is (864) 967-9530.
The council meets at 6:30 p.m. on the second Tuesday of each
month.
Fire Department
|
|
Headquartered at 403 E. Curtis St., the department has other
fire stations at 11 Capewood Road and at 839 South Carolina
Highway 14. The headquarters phone number is (864) 967-9545.
For emergencies, residents need only dial 911.
The fire chief is Jess Major. The department has 23 full-time
and nine part-time firefighters. The response time averages
4 minutes, and the fire insurance classification is 4/9.
Police Department
Chief of Police Charles Reece leads the police department,
located at 405 E. Curtis St. The department's phone number
is (864) 967-9536. For emergencies, dial 911.
The department has 28 full-time police officers and three
investigators. There are two community patrol officers and
three school resource officers. The average response time
is 4 minutes, 37 seconds. The department's Web site is www.SimpsonvillePD.com.
Public Works
Director Joe Carter heads Public Works, located at 110 Woodside
Park Drive. The phone number is (864) 967-9531. Weekly pickup
of garbage and recyclable material is offered.
|
|
Recreation
Department
The director of the Recreation Department, located at 310
W. Curtis St., is Robbie Davis. The phone number is (864)
967-9533.
The department operates the Activity and Senior Center as
well as six community parks, four mini parks and a community
building suitable for parties and receptions.
License and Registration
Automobile tags and registration must be obtained within
45 days of establishing residence. Those applying need the
name of their insurance company, a paid tax receipt and the
title to the auto if there is no lien. If there is a lien,
the applicant needs the last registration and complete lien
information. Individuals moving from another state must obtain
a South Carolina driver's license within 90 days. Those who
have a valid driver's license from another state are exempt
from taking the written and road tests. When obtaining a driver's
license, individuals also may register to vote.
To get tags, registration and a driver's license, visit the
South Carolina Division of Motor Vehicles, 1310 N. Main St.,
Fountain Inn, SC 29644. Call (800) 442-1368 for information.
Dogs
Simpsonville residents are charged a dog license fee of $3,
which must be renewed annually. To obtain a license, bring
a current rabies tag number to the Simpsonville City Hall,
118 N.E. Main St. Call (864) 967-9526 for more information.
|
|
Media in the Golden Strip
The Tribune-Times, (864) 967-9580, and the Greenville News,
(864) 298-4110, are newspapers serving the area.
The local radio station is WFIS, (864) 963-5991.
Climate
-
The average annual temperature is 61.
-
The average summertime temperature is 79; winter temperature
averages 43.
-
The average rainfall is 47.5 inches annually.
-
Five days with snow are typical each year.
-
2000 figures show a Simpsonville population of 14,352, while
Greenville County had 379,616.
-
The largest percentage of Simpsonville's population is between
25 and 35.
-
Education Level In 1998, 330 Simpsonville students graduated
from high school, while 2,754 graduated in Greenville County.
-
Seventy percent of the Simpsonville graduates were college
bound, compared to 66 percent countywide.
- The household median income in Simpsonville is $34,990.
In Greenville County, the figure is $29,088. A household
is defined as being made up of any person or persons 15
years old and older who are unrelated. The median income
for families in Simpsonville is $40,059 and $34,560 for
Greenville County. Families are defined as related people
in the same home who are 15 years and older.
Taxes
The sales tax is 5 percent. The state income personal tax
on interest and dividends is 7 percent. The tax on corporate
net earnings is 5 percent. The city rate is 53.2 mils and
the county, 197.5 mils.
The property tax for residential owner- occupied property
is 4 percent. The commercial tax is 6 percent, and the agricultural
rate is 4 percent. Civic Clubs There are at least 28 different
civic clubs located in the Golden Strip area.
Housing Opportunities
More than 100 residential communities dot the area with
more going up continuously. Single-family
residences range in price from $50,000 to more than $400,000.Fifteen
apartment complexes offering more than 1,300 units range
in price from $375 a month for a one-bedroom to $725 a month
for a three-bedroom unit.
Religion
There are more than 45 churches in the area. Denominations
include Baptist, Methodist, Presbyterian, Church of God,
Catholic, community, Episcopal, Lutheran, Church of the
Nazarene, Eckankar, Inter-denominational and Church of God
of Prophecy. More houses of worship including synagogues
are available within the Greenville area.
Recreation
Many recreation programs are offered through the Simpsonville
Recreation Department and the Golden Strip YMCA. Programs
for youth and/or adults include baseball, softball, basketball,
football, soccer and volleyball. Other recreational opportunities
include collegiate spectator sports, concerts, theaters
and the Greenville Braves baseball games.
Golf opportunities abound. Public golf courses in
the area are:
Carolina Springs Golf Club, 1680 Scuffletown Road Fountain
Inn, (864) 862-3551, Verdae Greens Golf Club, 650 Verdae
Blvd., Greenville, (864) 676-1500 and Willow Creek Golf
Course, 205 Sandy Run Drive, Greer, (864) 848-4999. Private
clubs include Fox Run Country Club, 215 Club Drive, Simpsonville,
(864) 967-9505; and Holly Tree Country Club, 500 Golf Club
Drive, Simpsonville, (864) 967-9510.
Utilities
Cable service is offered through Charter Communications,
505 S. Main St., Mauldin, and (864) 963-3676.
-
Electricity is provided by Duke Power Co., 821 SE Main St.,
Simpsonville, (864) 242-3261, and Laurens Electric Cooperative,
1201 E. Butler Road, Mauldin, (800) 942-3141.
- Natural
gas is provided by Piedmont Natural Gas, 201 W. McBee, Greenville,
and (864) 232-5141.
- Sewer
services are provided by the Western Carolina Regional Sewer
Authority, 561, Mauldin Road, Greenville, (864) 299-4000.
- Verizon
South and BellSouth provide telephone service. Verizon South
is located at 204 W. Curtis St., Simpsonville. The number
for billing is (800) 483-3200. The number for new service
is (800) 483-4300, and the number for repairs is (800) 483-1000.
Reach BellSouth by calling (864) 780-2355 or (800) 336-0014
outside South Carolina.
- Water
service is provided by the Greenville Water System, 407
W. Broad St., Greenville.
|
| |
|
PREVIOUS – Economic Development |
NEXT – An
Invitation
|
|
| |
