According to citypopulationreview, Gilbert, South Carolina is a small town located in the heart of Lexington County. The town is situated on the banks of the Saluda River and is surrounded by lush vegetation and rolling hills. It has a total area of 6.6 square miles, with most of its land being agricultural in nature.
The terrain around Gilbert is mostly flat with some gentle slopes, making it ideal for farming and other agricultural activities. In addition to the river, there are numerous creeks, streams, and ponds that provide ample sources of water for the area’s many farms and ranches.
The climate in Gilbert is generally mild, with hot summers and cold winters. The average temperature in summer ranges from around 80 degrees Fahrenheit to around 90 degrees Fahrenheit while winter temperatures range from around 40 degrees Fahrenheit to around 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Rainfall averages about 43 inches per year with most coming during the spring months when temperatures are milder.
Gilbert’s economy centers largely on farming and ranching with crops such as cotton, soybeans, corn, wheat, peanuts, and sweet potatoes being grown in abundance throughout the region. In addition to this agricultural activity, there are also several light industrial businesses located within Gilbert’s city limits as well as a few retail stores providing goods to locals and visitors alike.
Gilbert provides an idyllic rural setting that offers both natural beauty and plentiful economic opportunity for its residents. Its close proximity to larger cities such as Columbia make it an ideal place to live or visit while still having access to all the amenities one could need or want from a small town experience.
History of Gilbert, South Carolina
Gilbert, South Carolina has a long and rich history that dates back to the early 1700s. The first settlers to arrive in the area were Germans who had migrated from Pennsylvania and established several small farms along the banks of the Saluda River. Over the course of the next century, more settlers arrived from Europe as well as other parts of America, eventually leading to the formation of a small but thriving community.
The town was officially incorporated in 1843 and named after John Gilbert, a prominent local landowner. In its early days, Gilbert was primarily an agricultural community with cotton being its main crop. The town also became an important stop on the Columbia-Charleston Railroad in 1852 which helped spur economic growth and development in the area.
In addition to farming and ranching, Gilbert also had several other industries that helped contribute to its economy including sawmills, gristmills, lumber mills, brickyards, cotton gins, and a turpentine distillery. By 1900 there were over 700 residents living within Gilbert’s city limits and it had become an important center for commerce in Lexington County.
The twentieth century saw continued growth for Gilbert as it slowly began transitioning from an agricultural economy into one that was more diversified with businesses such as furniture factories and textile mills becoming increasingly prominent in the town’s economic landscape. In addition to this industrial expansion, Gilbert also experienced considerable population growth during this time period with its population nearly doubling between 1920 and 1950.
Today, Gilbert remains a vibrant community that is proud of its past while looking forward to a bright future. The town offers numerous recreational activities such as fishing on nearby lakes or walking along historic Main Street while still maintaining its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere that has made it so popular amongst locals and visitors alike over the years.
Eonomy of Gilbert, South Carolina
The economy of Gilbert, South Carolina is a diverse and vibrant mix of industries. It has long been an agricultural center, with cotton being its main crop for many years, but it has also developed other industries that help contribute to its economy. In the early days of the town, sawmills, gristmills, lumber mills, brickyards, cotton gins and a turpentine distillery were all important economic drivers.
By the turn of the twentieth century, Gilbert had become an important center for commerce in Lexington County. The arrival of the Columbia-Charleston Railroad in 1852 had helped to spur economic growth in the area and this was further bolstered by industrial expansion during this time period. This included furniture factories and textile mills which helped to diversify the local economy and provide more employment opportunities for local residents.
Today, Gilbert is home to several large employers including a major medical center which employs over two thousand people as well as numerous smaller companies such as automotive parts manufacturers and food processing plants. The town also continues to be an important agricultural center with farmers producing a wide variety of crops such as soybeans, corn and wheat on their land.
In addition to these traditional industries, Gilbert has also seen a recent rise in tourism due to its historic downtown area filled with quaint shops and restaurants as well as its proximity to nearby lakes that offer fishing opportunities for locals and visitors alike. There are several hotels near downtown that provide lodging options for tourists looking to explore the area or just relax during their stay in Gilbert.
Gilbert’s economy is strong thanks to its diverse mix of traditional industries such as agriculture along with newer ones such as tourism that are helping drive growth in the area. It is a vibrant community that offers numerous recreational activities while still maintaining its small-town charm and friendly atmosphere which makes it popular amongst locals and visitors alike.
Politics in Gilbert, South Carolina
Gilbert, South Carolina is a small town located in Lexington County. It has a population of around 4,000 people and is an important center of commerce in the region. Gilbert is well known for its strong sense of community and friendly atmosphere. It has long been a conservative stronghold in the state, with Republican voters dominating local elections since the late 20th century.
The town is governed by a mayor-council system. The mayor is elected to a four-year term and can serve up to two consecutive terms. The council is composed of six members who are also elected to four-year terms and can serve up to two consecutive terms. The mayor and council are responsible for setting policy, passing laws, making budgets, appointing committees, and overseeing the day-to-day operations of the town’s government.
The current mayor of Gilbert is Republican Barbara McRae who was elected in 2019 with 59% of the vote. She previously served on council from 2009 to 2017 before being elected as mayor. McRae has been a strong advocate for fiscal responsibility during her time in office and has worked hard to ensure that Gilbert remains fiscally sound while providing needed services for its citizens.
In addition to the mayor and council, there are also several other boards that oversee various aspects of life in Gilbert such as planning & zoning, public safety, economic development, parks & recreation, library services, utilities management and more. All members of these boards are appointed by either the mayor or council depending on their expertise or qualifications related to their specific board duties.
At the county level, Gilbert residents vote for members of the Lexington County Council which holds legislative authority over all unincorporated areas within its boundaries as well as all cities within it except Columbia which has its own city council. At the state level they vote for representatives from Lexington County which comprises part of South Carolina’s 5th congressional district. At both levels Republicans have traditionally held majorities though this trend has been slowly shifting over time with an increase in Democratic voters throughout South Carolina in recent years.
Politics in Gilbert tend to lean towards conservative ideals with Republicans dominating local elections since at least 2000 though there has been some shifting away from this trend recently due to an influx of Democrats into South Carolina. Despite this shift there still remains a strong sense community pride amongst residents regardless their political affiliation which helps foster an overall positive outlook on life in Gilbert.