Great Falls, SC, is a small, rural South Carolina town surrounded by lush green mountains and cool running streams alive with bass and catfish. It was founded in the early 1900s by J.B. Duke, a prominent industrialist in the tobacco and electric power industries. Duke was responsible for building hydroelectric plants along the Catawaba River and developed three Republican Cotton Mills around which the town was built.
Duke’s cotton mills were central to the livelihood of Great Falls until the mid-1980s, when all of the mills closed. Great Falls, SC, gets its name from the waterfalls near the Catawaba River, whose roaring waters can be heard from afar. Living in Great Falls, SC, provides an affordable, peaceful, and slower pace of life. It is also home to the Flopeye Fish Festival, which attracts visitors from throughout the region annually.
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Where Is Great Falls, SC?
Located in Chester County, Great Falls, SC, is nestled near the Catawba River and is only a few miles from I-77. Because its location provides easy access to this major interstate, numerous residents commute to surrounding larger cities for work. Neighboring communities include Lancaster, Winnsboro, and Chester. Great Falls is about 46 miles north of Columbia, SC, the state capital.
Great Falls SC Population and Demographics
Per the 2020 U.S. census, the Great Falls, SC, population is 1,951 and has remained steady since the 2010 census. The population density is 460.25 individuals per square mile.
Notable people from Great Falls, SC, include NBA player Torrey Craig and former MLB pitcher Cal Cooper.
Demographics
- 40% men vs 60% women
- Median age: 39.5 years
- The racial and ethnic composition of people living in Great Fall, SC, is White 55%, Black or African American 35%, Asian 0%, and two or more races 5%
- Foreign-born population living in Great Falls, SC: 2.7%
- Median household income: $30,475 — about 55% lower than the state of South Carolina median income, which is $67,804
- Educational attainment: High school grads 41.2% and
- Bachelor’s degree or higher 4.5%
Is Great Falls, SC, Safe?
In Great Falls, SC, you have a 1 in 22 chance of becoming a victim of a crime overall. In terms of violent crime, you have a 1 in 138 chance. The total crime rate in Great Falls is 60.6% higher than the entire state of South Carolina crime rate, and 93.4% higher than the country. While these statistics sound daunting, keep in mind that this is a small town, and even a few instances of crime can inflate the numbers by quite a bit. And, as with any place you choose to live, there are areas within each community that are safer than others.
Great Falls has a wonderful police department dedicated to protecting the community. For more safety information when living in Great Falls, SC, visit the Town of Great Falls police department. There, you can learn more about the four police officers working to support the community and keep it safe.
Things to Do in Great Falls SC
If you enjoy outdoor activities and spending time in nature, then there are plenty of activities to keep you busy when living in Great Falls, SC. But first, let’s go over some shopping options. The Dollar General is a popular spot for groceries and various household goods. Hilltop Grocery & Deli is a fantastic place for groceries, and it also features a nice deli counter, offering BBQ and pizza.
Great Falls Lookout
This beautiful lookout area provides stunning views of the Catawba River. The perfect place to relax and take in the fresh air and sounds of nature.
5321-5301, State Rd 734, Great Falls, SC 29055
Carolina Thread Trail-Rocky Creek Trail
A scenic 1.6-mile out-and-back walk along Rocky Creek. It’s a peaceful spot with interesting rock formations, plenty of wildlife, and even a side trail that takes visitors to a gorgeous 40-foot waterfall. Guests love it for the easy access, natural beauty, and the fact that it’s just as enjoyable for a family outing as it is for a quiet solo adventure. This is one of the nicer outdoor family-friendly attractions in Great Falls, SC.
1030 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055
Nitrolee Access
If you’ll be kayaking along the Long Channel of Great Falls, start your adventure at the Nitrolee Access. There’s a nice kayak launch, ample parking, clean bathrooms, and visitors say it’s a good fishing spot.
529 Catawba River Rd, Great Falls, SC 29055
Additional Attractions in Great Falls, SC
For more information about happenings in Great Falls, be sure to visit the Recreation Department. And for more information about the Catawba River and kayaking, visit the Parks & Trails section of the town’s website.
Restaurants in Great Falls SC
When living in Great Falls, SC, you have some delicious restaurant options to choose from.
Flopeye Diner
The Flopeye Diner is one of the best restaurants in Great Falls, SC, serving up traditional American food and is loved by locals. Stop in for breakfast, lunch, and even dinner to enjoy everything from pancakes to cheese steaks to fish dinners.
511 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, 803-482-4968
Jay Bird’s Deli & Diner
A welcoming and friendly diner offering burgers, fries, sandwiches, milkshakes, and more. Diners especially enjoy the sweet potato fries and the Reuben sandwich after a long hike.
700 Chester Ave, Great Falls, SC 29055, 803-482-7650
Palmetto Snow Great Falls
Offers delicious ice cream and customizable snow cones. The service is friendly, and customers appreciate that there are sugar-free options as well.
200 Dearborn St, Great Falls, SC 29055, 803-374-8033
Average Rent & Homes for Sale in Great Falls, SC
The town of Great Falls has a high percentage of owner-occupied homes–84%. This means there are limited rental opportunities in town, and likely even fewer apartment buildings. For more rental opportunities, neighboring communities such as Lancaster and Chester have more options, including apartment buildings and single-family homes.
The average rent in Great Falls, SC, is around $800, which is significantly lower than the national average of $1,754.
Great Falls, SC, real estate primarily consists of single-family homes built between the 1950s and the late 2010s. Many are on large rural lots of 1 acre or more, surrounded by nature. The median home price in Great Falls is $163K, up 3% from previous years, and the cost per square foot is $74. Great Falls, SC, is quite affordable when compared to the rest of the U.S. The median home price across the U.S. is $349K.
If you’re considering relocating, then be sure to research homes for sale in Great Falls, SC.
Jobs in Great Falls, SC
Due to its small size, many Great Falls residents commute outside of town for work. Two of the larger cities they commute to are Rock Hill, SC, and Charlotte, NC.
The largest industries in Rock Hill, SC, are manufacturing and healthcare. According to Payscale, the average salary in Rock Hill, SC, is $67,000. Some of the biggest employers in the area are Piedmont Medical Center, Atlas Copco USA – Power Technique, and West Marine Products, Inc.
The largest industries in Charlotte, NC, include manufacturing, financial services, IT, and healthcare. The average salary in Charlotte, NC, is $80,000. Top employers in Charlotte, NC, include Coca-Cola, Ally, and LendingTree.
For local jobs, search Indeed.com and the town of Great Falls, SC, job opportunities here.
Great Falls SC Schools
The Chester County School District manages several schools in the district, including Great Falls Elementary and Great Falls High School.
There are no colleges or universities in Great Falls, SC. However, the University of South Carolina in Columbia is about 50 miles south of Great Falls. And the University of SC Lancaster is around 16 miles north of town in Lancaster.
If you’re looking for free ways to enhance your knowledge, the public library is a great start. The Great Falls Public Library offers excellent resources to people living in Great Falls, SC.
Great Falls SC Statistics & Information
- County: Chester County
- Great Falls SC area: 4.38 square miles
- Great Falls SC zip code: 29055
- Great Falls SC area code: 803, 839
- Great Falls SC elevation: 466 ft
- Great Falls SCtime zone: Eastern (UTC−4, UTC-5)
- Closest airport to Great Falls SC: Columbia Metropolitan Airport (CAE) is about 56 miles from Great Fall, SC
Great Falls SC Map
If you’re considering living in Great Falls, SC, be sure to check out this map to find more top restaurants, fun things to do, and much more–it’s a great place to live!
Moving to Great Falls, South Carolina?
If you’ve decided that living in Great Falls, SC, is in your future, give us a call! We offer expert moving services throughout Chester County. We can assist with our professional packing services, full service storage, and we even offer senior moves and white glove delivery. Our quotes are always free with no strings attached, so be sure to call the best Great Falls SC movers today at 704-378-8588.
