Manufacturing is the County’s primary source of economic growth. There are approximately
150 facilities in the Easley, Liberty, and Pickens areas. There are an estimated 12,000 people
employed in manufacturing. More than half are employed in the metalworking and industrial
equipment industries. The County is in transition to become heavily focused on research and
development. Clemson University, a top 100 research university, has concentrated on
advanced materials, biopharma, motorsports, and fibers. In addition, the University plays a
major role in the local economy by employing over 4,600 faculty and staff.

Annual Average Non-Agriculture Labor (2000)

Manufacturing 8,900 23%
Mining & Construction  2,700  7%
Transportation & Public Utilities    800 2%
Wholesale & Retail Trade 10,100 27%
Finance, Insurance & Real Estate 1,200 3%
Services 6,900 18%
Government 7,400 20%

 


Building Permit Issued

Year Number Value
2003  909 90,174,000
2004 1,064 116,200,000
2005 1,029 107,492,000

 


 





 

Medium Family Income

2003 $54,900
2004 $50,200
2005 $50,650

Per Capita Income

Year

Pickens
County

 South
Carolina		 United
States
2002 22,799 25,361 27,164
2003 23,304 25,972 28,062
2004 24,135 27,185 29,477
Taxes
 State Personal Income Tax Range  2.5%-7%
 State Corporate Income Tax   5%
 Retail Sales & Use Tax  5%
 Local Option Sales Tax  1%
 Accommodations Tax  2%
 Local Tourism Development Fee  1%
 Admissions Tax  5%
 No Tax on Inventories or Intangibles  
 No State Property Tax  

Unemployment Rates

Year Pickens
County		 South
Carolina		 United
States
2001 4.3 4.8 4.8
2002 5.8 5.7 5.8
2003 6.1 6.4 6.0
2004 5.5 6.9 5.5
2005 6.7 6.8 5.1

Gross Retail Sales

2000 1,433,126,114
2001 1,532,607,846
2002 1,401,985,540
2003 1,428,949,589
2004 1,274,239,840

New and Expanded Industry

Year Total
Jobs		 Total
Investment
2001 217 12,129,149
2002 572 26,371,319
2003 35 1,007,126
2004 560 61,000,000
2005 1199 64,300,000



 

 Base County Property Tax Millage Rate (2005)

Pickens County .0609
Anderson County .0071
Greenville County .0729
Oconee County   .073

 Assessed Property Values

Year Real
Property		 Personal
Property		 Total Value
2000 164,630,292 128,236,734 292,867,026
2001 172,210,774 136,022,956 308,223,730
2002 186,995,306 124,960,109 311,955,415
2003 191,866,823 124,008,175 315,874,998
2004 205,548,707 115,654,380 321,203,087


Ten Largest Taxpayers 2005-2006 Fiscal Year

 1. Duke Energy
 2. Bell South Communications
 3. Blue Ridge Electric
 4. Alice Manufacturing
 5. Cliffs at Keowee Springs
 6. Keowee River Club
 7. Keowee Investment Club
 8. Honeywell Nylon INC
 9. Milliken & Company
10. Sauer Danfoss NA Company