City profile: Greenville

Population: 72,310

Population in 2010: 58,409

Median income:$65,519

Mayor: Knox White

City Council:

John DeWorken, District 1

Lillian Brock Flemming, District 2

Ken Gibson, District 3

Wil Brasington, District 4

Dorothy Dowe, At Large

Russell Stall, At Large

Big number: 101,893 people work within the city limits of Greenville, making the city’s estimated daytime population 135,685.

Fast fact: The top employers in the city of Greenville include Prisma Health, Greenville County Schools, Michelin North America, Bon Secours St. Francis Health System and Duke Energy Corp.

Business history:

The center of Greenville’s economy was initially agriculture and small manufacturing. Greenville transformed into a cotton town by the early 1900s and later developed into one of the main textile hubs in the South. A majority of the city’s labor force worked in the various mills that operated within the area including Judson Mill, Poe Mill and more.

The Great Depression hit the city hard, causing local mills to undergo massive layoffs due to a loss in money. Following these challenges, the city experienced major population growth during World War II with the creation of the Donaldson Air Force Base.

The city’s economy surged as new stores were established and Northern companies migrated to the area following the war. However, the decline of the domestic textile industry in the latter half of the 20th century took a heavy toll on Greenville.

A shift toward manufacturing and technology occurred as international companies, including Michelin and BMW, arrived in the city in the late 20th century. The city has undergone a deliberate downtown renaissance over the past three decades and has seen significant population growth in the 21st century. Tourism became a major element and a key strategy for the city’s economic development.

Rendering by Elkus Manfredi Architects

What’s next:

The city of Greenville has experienced significant growth over the past few decades, bringing in new companies and residents to the area. Many national and international businesses have also established headquarters within the city limits.

Development across Greenville has attracted new businesses and multiple mixed-use projects are in the pipeline to be completed in the near future. For example, the $1.1 billion University Ridge project, spearheaded by the county but within city limits, has secured several first-in-market tenants.

The city of Greenville is working to accommodate new residents settling in the area. The city passed a new development code in June to help manage growth and future development.

Overall, Greenville’s diverse economic sectors include automotive, production technology and heavy machinery, advanced materials, life sciences, business services, and financial technology. International investment across these clusters is also significant in the area.

The city helps support and grow startups and small businesses that set up shop in the area. Partnerships with companies including NEXT Upstate, Greenville Chamber of Commerce, Upstate SC Alliance and more help with this initiative.