Last Updated on: 27th August 2023, 08:26 pm
The city of Laurens, located in the Greenville Metropolitan Area of upstate South Carolina, is named after Henry Laurens, a South Carolina merchant and rice planter who was one of America’s wealthiest slave traders, a delegate to the second president of the Continental Congress, and served as a diplomat. Established in 1785, Laurens was originally named Laurensville. Once home to the textile, manufacturing, and glass industries, Laurens is known for its economic retail developments and investments in heavy industry.
Reverend Gary Davis and Pink Anderson, acoustic blues musicians, live here, as well as Redtop Davis, a lightweight boxer of the 1940s and 1950s. James “JT” Taylor, the lead singer of the funk/R&B band Kool & The Gang, grew up in Laurens.
Laurens, SC Population & Demographics
Laurens’ population is 8,914 residents with a steady population decline of 0.19%. There are 1.42 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents in Laurens, SC than any other race or ethnicity. The racial demographics in Laurens are 53.1% White, 37.5% African American or Black, 3.28% other races, 2.18% two or more races, and 2.01% Hispanic. The average age in Laurens is 40.6. The median household income in Laurens is $36,228, which is a 4.96% growth from last year. Females make up 50.73% of Laurens’ population, while males make up 49.27%.
People who are relocating to Laurens will be located in Laurens County. Lauren’s area code is 864. The zip code in Laurens is 29360.
Laurens Cost of Living
Laurens is seen as an affordable city when you’re comparing the cost of living to the South Carolina average. The average cost of living in Laurens is 16% less expensive than the national average and 11% less costly than the rest of South Carolina. The housing market in Laurens is actually quite good, with homes being sold within 59 days of listing on the market. The average price of a home in Laurens is $150,000 or $82 per square foot. Most homes in Laurens are being sold for 1.22% above their original asking price and are projected to increase, so now is the best time to buy one of the many houses for sale in Laurens, SC before prices rise.
Around 50.2% of Laurens’ residents own their home, which means there are still plenty of people who rent in the area. If you’re interested in renting in Laurens, you can expect to pay around $500. The rent trends in Laurens have been trending down around 13%.
Fortunately, there are other essentials besides housing that are much more affordable in Laurens. Healthcare in Laurens is 1% cheaper than the South Carolina average. Utilities are 3.1% higher in Laurens than they are for the rest of the nation. Groceries are about the same and transportation is about 5% lower than the national average. For other common items in Laurens, you can anticipate to pay around these prices:
Laurens Cost of Items (Everyday Expenses)
- Meal at a restaurant: $10.00
- Fast food meal: $7.00
- Gallon of milk: $1.57
- Gallon of gas: $2.05
- Internet: $53.00
Laurens, SC Neighborhoods
There are plenty of great neighborhoods in Laurens to choose from, so you’re bound to find one that fits all your needs. The highest-rated neighborhoods in Laurens are Pinehaven Pointe, Ora, Wattsville, and the City Center. Pinehaven Pointe is a new community selling homes that range in size from 1014 square feet to 1805 square feet. Home prices are affordable, ranging from $158,990 to $187,990.
Ora is a rural community with wide-open spaces, few people, and lots of space to stretch out. With only 36 people per square mile, Ora is less crowded than 91.8% of America. If you’re looking for peace and quiet, Ora is a great place for you. Wattsville, also known as Watts Mills, homes average $127,879, and the average rental price is around $1,002. Made up of primarily medium-sized (three or four bedrooms) to small (studio to two bedrooms) single-family homes and mobile homes, Wattsville is one of the best places to live in Laurens, an established neighborhood but not old. The City Center of Laurens is a suburban area where you can buy a home for around $122,353. Rentals average $1,095. Click on the links for directions if you need to travel from Laurens to Greenville, which is 38.8 miles.
Laurens, SC Weather
If you’re looking for the typical four-season climate, then Laurens has the perfect climate for you. Laurens’ summers are hot and muggy, the winters are cold and wet, and it is partly cloudy year round. Over the course of the year, the average temperature in Laurens is from 34°F to 90°F and is rarely below 22°F or above 97°F. Laurens’s weather allows for a lot of precipitation throughout the year with 45 inches of rain and 1 inch of snow per year.
Things to Do in Laurens, SC
Wondering what there is to do in Laurens, SC? Whether you’re looking to spend the day outdoors or looking for a place to shop, we’ve got you covered! Check out the top-rated activities in Laurens down below:
Laurens Historic District
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Laurens is known for its historic district, mostly along Main Street, which includes the John Calvin Owings House and a gorgeous Victorian home built in 1896 by George F. Barber. Two and a half stories tall, the house features the classic Queen Anne Victorian style architecture inside and out, 12 fireplaces, gable and portico, and oak woodwork.
Laurens County Museum
The Laurens County Museum was founded in 2005 for the preservation of the history of Laurens County by establishing and operating a museum devoted to acquiring and exhibiting items and artifacts that pertain to Laurens County’s heritage and development. The new Witherspoon Building was completed in 2020, and includes the Magnolia Room, Burns Theatre, and front display areas.
205 West Laurens Street, Laurens, SC 29360, (864) 681-0670
Laurens also offers nice shopping areas, including the Western Plaza Shopping Center, The Shoppes, and Lavonne Shopping Center.
Additional Things To Do In Laurens
Laurens, SC Restaurants
Wondering where you should go when your stomach starts to rumble? No problem, we’ve found the top-rated restaurants in Laurens that are guaranteed to satisfy anyone’s taste buds!
A Taste of Home
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Come try buffet style, down southern home cooking at A Taste of Home. We have a large selection of meats, sides, salads, & desserts. Everything you want in a buffet is right here. From the pork chops, fried chicken, fish, Mac & cheese, to vegetables like green beans and fried okra, you won’t be disappointed.
112 Fleming St, Laurens, SC 29360, (864) 681-2004
Mig’s of Laurens
Mig’s offers the best pizza and pasta in Laurens, but that’s only the beginning. Try the shrimp basket with onion rings or fries, a calzone, wings, or a po boy sandwich. People come from all over the area to eat at Mig’s.
900 E Main St Suite C, Laurens, SC 29360, (864) 983-1000
Jobs in Laurens, SC
The median household salary in Laurens is $36,228. The city currently employs 3,490. The largest industries in Laurens, SC are Manufacturing (798 people), Retail Trade (405 people), and Health Care & Social Assistance (375 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($52,200), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($46,154), and Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($40,991). You can click here for Laurens Indeed jobs.
Laurens residents have an average commute of 19.9 minutes, which is a bit shorter than the national average. Laurens is less than an hour away from Greenville, SC, where there are plenty of awesome job opportunities. If you’re planning to commute here, you can find directions here from Laurens, SC to Greenville, SC, which is 39 minutes away.
Schools in Laurens, SC
Laurens, SC is home to 6 public schools: Laurens Elementary School, Laurens Middle School, Laurens district High School, E.B Morse Elementary School, Sanders Middle School, and Ford Elementary School. Laurens also has several good private schools, including Pinewood Preparatory School and Trinity Collegiate School.
Living in Laurens Pros & Cons
- Pro: Small, quiet, peaceful, with lots of outdoor space
- Pro: Lots of parks and outdoor activities to do
- Con: The crime rate is higher than the national average
Ready to call Laurens your new home? If so, you’ll want assistance from the best Laurens moving company to help get you there! Our employees are devoted to getting you that stress-free move you’ve been searching for. Call Auston Moving today at 888-883-2795 for a free quote!
