Laurens Building & Zoning, 126 E Public Sq, Laurens, SC 29360, US

The town of Greenwood was named around 1824 for the plantation of an early resident, John McGehee, Jr. McGehee's wife Charlotte is credited with naming their 600-acre plantation "Green Wood." While there are mixed opinions as to how Greenwood received the designation the "Emerald City, " most would agree that it has something to do with the green landscape that is so cherished by the local community. The City of Greenwood, the county seat of Greenwood County, was chartered in 1857 and is today the seventeenth largest City in South Carolina with a 2006 Census estimated population of 22, 407. The 2006 Census estimates the population for all of Greenwood County at 68, 213. Greenwood is economic center of the Upper Savannah Region. Upper Savannah is comprised of Greenwood, Laurens, McCormick, Abbeville, Edgefield, and Saluda Counties of South Carolina. The 2006 Census estimates the regional population at 219, 068. Two major highways access Greenwood. US Highway 25 provides a four-lane northern access to Greenville in Upstate South Carolina and a two lane southern access to Augusta, Georgia. State Highway 72 provides a four-lane eastern access to Interstate 26 and a four-lane western access (under construction) to Athens, Georgia. Highway 72 ultimately connects with Atlanta, Georgia. Greenwood is also provided rail access by CSX. Click here to download a regional map.