North Augusta, South Carolina | |
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 Downtown North Augusta | |
 Flag  Seal | |
| Nickname: South Carolina's Riverfront | |
 Interactive map of North Augusta | |
  North Augusta Location within South Carolina Show map of South Carolina North Augusta Location within the United States Show map of the United States | |
| Coordinates:33°30′47″N81°57′46″W / 33.51306°N 81.96278°W /33.51306; -81.96278 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  South Carolina |
| Counties | Aiken,Edgefield |
| Incorporated | April 11, 1906; 119 years ago (1906-04-11) |
| Founded by | James U. Jackson |
| Government | |
| • Type | Mayor–council |
| • Mayor | Briton Williams (R) |
| Area | |
• Total | 21.84 sq mi (56.57 km2) |
| • Land | 21.29 sq mi (55.14 km2) |
| • Water | 0.55 sq mi (1.43 km2) |
| Elevation | 387 ft (118 m) |
| Population | |
• Total | 24,379 |
| • Density | 1,145.1/sq mi (442.11/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 29800-29899 |
| Area codes | 803, 839 |
| FIPS code | 45-50695[3] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1231597[4] |
| Website | www |
North Augusta is a city inAiken andEdgefield counties in theU.S. state ofSouth Carolina, on the north bank of theSavannah River. It lies directly across the river, and state border, fromAugusta, Georgia. The population was 24,379 at the2020 census, making it the21st-most populous city in South Carolina.[5] The city is included in theCentral Savannah River Area (CSRA) and is part of theAugusta, Georgia, metropolitan area.
In the 1890s,James U. Jackson, who was the city's primary visionary, joined his brother Walter Jackson and a group of New York-based investors in founding the North Augusta Land Company. On March 24, 1890, the company purchased a 5,600 acres tract of land from Mattie Butler Mealing, who inherited the land from her father, Robert Butler.[6] Additional parcel of lands were acquired, bringing the total to 6,500 acres.[7] James traveled to New York several times to receive financial backing for the town and the construction of the Thirteen Street/Georgia Avenue Bridge (James U. Jackson Memorial Bridge).[8]
The city was incorporated on April 11, 1906. Two earlier settlements preceded North Augusta: Campbelltown, founded in 1780 by John Hammond, son of Charles Hammond, and theantebellum city ofHamburg.[9][8]
In the early 20th century, North Augusta was a popular vacation spot for northerners. Its popularity stemmed from its railroad connections and climate. TheHampton Terrace Hotel, a luxury resort built by the Jackson brothers and opened in 1903, contributed to North Augusta's early economic development by attracting affluent seasonal visitors until its destruction by fire on December 31, 1916.[7][10]
In the mid-20th century after theatomic bomb and during theCold War, the city's population nearly quadrupled because theSavannah River Plant was constructed south of town. During this period the area of North Augusta increased from 772 acres to 5,139 acres.[8][11]
TheGeorgia Avenue-Butler Avenue Historic District,Charles Hammond House,Lookaway Hall (the residence of Walter Jackson),Britton Mims Place,Rosemary Hall (the residence of James U. Jackson), andB.C. Wall House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[12]
North Augusta is also notable for nearbyMurphy Village, a community of about 2,500Irish Travelers that was featured on a 2012 episode of the TLC show,My Big Fat American Gypsy Wedding.[13][14]
North Augusta is located in western Aiken County at33°30′47″N81°57′46″W / 33.51306°N 81.96278°W /33.51306; -81.96278 (33.512935, -81.962640).[15] A small part of the city extends north intoEdgefield County.
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 20.5 square miles (53.1 km2), of which 20.0 square miles (51.9 km2) is land and 0.46 square miles (1.2 km2), or 2.25%, is water.[16]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1910 | 1,136 | — | |
| 1920 | 1,742 | 53.3% | |
| 1930 | 2,003 | 15.0% | |
| 1940 | 2,629 | 31.3% | |
| 1950 | 3,659 | 39.2% | |
| 1960 | 10,348 | 182.8% | |
| 1970 | 12,883 | 24.5% | |
| 1980 | 13,593 | 5.5% | |
| 1990 | 15,351 | 12.9% | |
| 2000 | 17,574 | 14.5% | |
| 2010 | 21,348 | 21.5% | |
| 2020 | 24,379 | 14.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[17] 2020 Census figure[5][2] | |||
| Race | Num. | Perc. |
|---|---|---|
| White (non-Hispanic) | 16,288 | 66.81% |
| Black or African American (non-Hispanic) | 4,801 | 19.69% |
| Native American | 60 | 0.25% |
| Asian | 425 | 1.74% |
| Pacific Islander | 22 | 0.09% |
| Other/Mixed | 1,085 | 4.45% |
| Hispanic orLatino | 1,698 | 6.97% |
As of the2020 United States census, there were 24,379 people, 9,754 households, and 6,461 families residing in the city.
In 2023, of the 24,379 people, about 24,121 lived in Aiken County, and about 285 lived in Edgefield County.[19]
As of thecensus[3] of 2010, there were 21,348 people, 9,003 households, and 4,764 families residing in the city. The population density was 1,213 inhabitants per square mile (468/km2). There were 9,726 housing units at an average density of 552.6 units per square mile (213.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the city was 74.2%White, 20.4%African American, 0.3%Native American, 1.1%Asian, 0.04%Pacific Islander, 2% fromother races, and 2% from two or more ethnic groups.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 4.2% of the population.
In 2000, there were 7,330 households, out of which 32.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.8% weremarried couples living together, 13.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.0% were non-families. 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.96.
In the city, the population was spread out, with 25.2% under the age of 18, 8.4% from 18 to 24, 30.8% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $45,600, and the median income for a family was $58,472. Males had a median income of $42,089 versus $28,790 for females. Theper capita income for the city was $23,099. About 9.8% of families and 11.0% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 16.6% of those under age 18 and 10.7% of those age 65 or over.
SRP Park is located in North Augusta along the Savannah River. SRP Park is the home of theAugusta GreenJackets, theSingle-A affiliate of theAtlanta Braves.
The Riverview Park Activities Center is the host site for Nike's annual premier summer events, theNike Peach Jam (boys)[20] and the Nike Nationals (girls).[21] The nation's top high school basketball prospects and college coaches gather in North Augusta each year for the tournaments.
Established in 1995, North Augusta maintains over 9 miles (14 km) of paved trails that follows a former railroad line that passes through several neighborhoods within the city. It is primarily accessible from the western terminus at Pisgah Road, the eastern terminus at Riverside Boulevard, its approximate midpoint near Riverview Park, and an additional trailhead located at West Martintown Road.[22]
The City of North Augusta is governed under amayor-councilgovernment form, with a city council composed of seven members. Council members are elected at large to four-year staggered terms, with elections held every two years. The mayor is also elected at large and serves a four-year term.[23]
At the federal level, the entirety of North Augusta is part ofSouth Carolina's 2nd congressional district.[24] At the state level, the city is part of theSouth Carolina Senate's 24th district[25], and the 83rd district for theSouth Carolina House of Representatives.[26]
The portions in Aiken County are in theAiken County Public School District.[27] North Augusta public schools includes two high schools,North Augusta High School andFox Creek High School. North Augusta High School is in Aiken County and operates under the Aiken County School District. Three middle schools, North Augusta Middle School, Paul Knox Middle School, and Highland Springs Middle School, and four elementary schools (Hammond Hill Elementary, Belvedere Elementary, North Augusta Elementary, and Mossy Creek Elementary), serve the community.
Portions in Edgefield County are inEdgefield County School District.[28]
Fox Creek is an independentcharter school.
Local private schools include Our Lady of Peace Catholic Church, Victory Baptist Church, and kindergartens at Grace United Methodist Church and First Baptist Church North Augusta. Many students attend private schools across the river in Georgia, atAquinas High School,Augusta Preparatory Day School, Augusta Christian, Curtis Baptist, Episcopal Day School, Saint Mary on the Hill Catholic School, andWestminster Schools of Augusta.
Since 1912, North Augusta has apublic library, a branch of the ABBE Regional Library System.[29][30]
The weekly newspaper in the city is theNorth Augusta Star, which began publishing in 1954.[31]
As part of Augusta's metropolitan area, the television stations served are mostly identical and includesWJBF, channel 6 (ABC);WRDW, channel 12, (CBS); andWFXG, channel 54 (Fox).[32]
As of 2025, two movies have been filmed in North Augusta including the unreleased 1920 filmThe Arizona Bandit[33] andThat Darn Cat.[34]
North Augusta istwinned with:
Stará Ľubovňa,PrešovRegion, Slovakia (1996)[36]Municipalities and communities ofAiken County, South Carolina,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Municipalities and communities ofEdgefield County, South Carolina,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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