Saluda, South Carolina
12 topographic sheets cover this place, the earliest surveyed in 1941 and the latest in 1986. It stands in the Saluda census division. It lies in ZIP code area 29138. It stands on Mine Creek. The Survey maps it on the Saluda North quadrangle. 3,122 people lived here at the 2020 count. It stands 479 feet above sea level.
Research this city
On record in Saluda
Buildings and businesses the archive holds for this place. Each opens its own page, with the source record it came from.
On the National Register 6 records
Bonham Houselisted 1974
Butler Family Cemeterylisted 1974
Marsh-Johnson Houselisted 1982
Stevens-Dorn Farmsteadlisted 1997
Strother Place, Oldlisted 1994
Whitehalllisted 1980
Surveyed buildings and structures 1 record
- South Carolina Route 391 Bridge, Spanning Saluda River on South Carolina Route 391, Saludafederal building survey, 6 photographs
Population over time
3 figuresSaluda grew from 3,066 to 3,122 between 2000 and 2020. These are the recorded population figures Wikidata holds for this place, reached through the Geographic Names Information System number this page is keyed on rather than by name, so they belong to this place and not to another of the same name. Most are census counts, but not all are: an early figure may be a founding or settlement estimate, and an estimate published within five years of a census is left out. The change column is computed, and is left blank where more than 20 years separate a figure from the one before it, because a gap that long is not a change between two counts.
| Year | People | Change |
|---|---|---|
| 2000 | 3,066 | |
| 2010 | 3,565 | +499 (+16%) |
| 2020 | 3,122 | -443 (-12%) |
Topographic sheets covering this place
7 surveys from 12 printed sheetsMatched by testing this settlement's coordinate against the published boundary of every sheet in the United States Geological Survey's historical collection. Each opens the scanned sheet at the Survey.
- 1941 USGS Spartanburg quadrangle1:250000
- 1953 USGS Spartanburg quadrangle1:250000, 4 printings
- 1960 USGS Spartanburg quadrangle1:250000, 2 printings
- 1963 USGS Spartanburg quadrangle1:250000
- 1964 USGS Spartanburg quadrangle1:250000
- 1971 USGS Saluda North quadrangle1:24000
- 1986 USGS Newberry quadrangle1:100000, 2 printings
Photographs
2 photographs,Taken for the Office of War Information and the Farm Security Administration, who photographed the country between 1935 and 1944. Works of United States government photographers, with no known restriction on use. Each opens its catalogue record.
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Photographer not recorded. Library of Congress
Fires near this place
162 since 1992Regional context, not property-specific evidence. The federal wildfire occurrence database lists 162 fires within 5 miles of Saluda between 1992 and 2020, burning about 391 acres in total. 4 started naturally. 16 were recorded as arson. Distance is straight-line from the map coordinates, so a fire counted here may appear on a neighbouring settlement's page as well.
| Reported cause | Fires |
|---|---|
| Debris and open burning | 63 |
| Missing data/not specified/undetermined | 48 |
| Equipment and vehicle use | 24 |
| Arson/incendiarism | 16 |
| Natural | 4 |
| Misuse of fire by a minor | 3 |
| Power generation/transmission/distribution | 2 |
| Other causes | 1 |
| Fireworks | 1 |
The most recent of them, most recent first, with the day each was reported and the service that recorded it.
| Date | Cause | Size | Reported by | Name on the report |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 9 September 1993 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 8 September 1995 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 30 September 1997 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 3 September 2010 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 26 September 1992 | Missing data/not specified/undetermined | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 23 September 2001 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 23 September 1999 | Debris and open burning | under an acre | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
| 19 September 1997 | Equipment and vehicle use | 6.0 acres | South Carolina Forestry Commission | not named |
Settlements close enough to share some of these fires:
Storms near this place
60 of 110 shownRegional context, not property-specific evidence. The National Weather Service names Saluda in 110 storm reports between 1993 and 2025: 68 thunderstorm wind, 35 hail, 4 tornado, 2 funnel cloud. The reports record 3 injuries. Each account below is quoted exactly as the forecast office filed it, from the NOAA Storm Events Database, and each date opens the federal record of that event.
| When | Event | Place named | Harm | What the report says |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| April 1999 | Hail | Saluda | 2 hurt, $2,000,000 | A supercell storm moved se through Saluda county and produced hail to baseball size along its entire path. Damage was done to homes, buildings, farm equipment, vehicles, and crops. The damage path was about three miles wide. Two people were injured by the hail when they were caught outside in the middle of plowing their fields. |
| September 2004 | Tornado (F1) | Saluda | 1 hurt | Storm survey found numerous trees and powerlines down, light to moderate damage to several mobile homes, a 2 story barn destroyed, 2 trees on cars, and light to moderate roof damage to several framed homes. |
| February 1993 | Hail | Saluda | $50,000 | Golfball-size hail damaged an automobile and caused damage to some roofs. |
| April 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $40,000 | Sheriff reported trees down on a home in Saluda. |
| June 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $10,000 | EM reported multiple trees down county wide. |
| May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $10,000 | Public reported roof pealed off of barn off US 378 near the Edgefield county line. |
| January 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $6,000 | Sheriff reported several trees down in the Ridge Springs area and along Hwy 121. |
| August 2012 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $6,000 | Sheriff reported trees down on Mariachi Drive, Old Chappells Ferry Road, and on Henley Road. |
| November 2002 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $6,000 | SKYWARN spotter reported trees down, one on a home that went through the roof near SC hwys 391 and 378. |
| April 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $5,000 | Sheriff reported trees down and roof blown off chicken house on hwy 178. |
| February 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $4,000 | Sheriff reported trees down on the southeast of Saluda. |
| March 2011 | Hail | Saluda | $4,000 | Public reported nickel to quarter size hail covering the ground. |
| January 2013 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $3,000 | EMD reported several trees down along Hwy 121 in the Oldtown area. |
| February 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $3,000 | Sheriff reported trees down northwest of Saluda. |
| February 2003 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | $2,000 | Spotter reported a shed destroyed. |
| May 2017 | Flash Flood | Saluda | $100 | Heavy rain led to street flooding on Canebrake Rd. Road was temporarily closed. |
| July 2019 | Hail | Saluda | $10 | Pea size hail reported, lasted for 5 minutes. |
| June 2025 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Public reports widespread trees and powerlines down across Saluda County. Time estimated based on radar. |
| December 2024 | Hail | Saluda | - | Social media photo relayed from the public of up to quarter sized hail in downtown Saluda, SC. Location of report is approximate. Time estimated from radar. |
| June 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff office reported tree blocking Greenwood Hwy and Firetower Rd. |
| August 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Law Enforcement relayed report of multiple trees blocking N. Jennings Street. |
| August 2023 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Tree reported down on Colt Road. |
| May 2022 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff dispatch reported lots of hail and numerous trees down across Saluda county. |
| May 2022 | Hail | Saluda | - | Hail up to half dollar size causing leaf damage on the property. |
| May 2022 | Hail | Saluda | - | Sheriff dispatch reported quarter size hail near the Town of Saluda. |
| May 2021 | Hail | Saluda | - | COOP Observer at Saluda Water Plant reported ping pong ball size hail. Time estimated. |
| May 2021 | Hail | Saluda | - | Saluda Co Emergency Manager reported golf ball size hail at the Saluda Co Courthouse. Time estimated. |
| April 2020 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | COOP observer reported numerous trees and power lines down throughout the county. Time estimated. |
| September 2019 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | SCHP reported tree down at Bonham Rd. Time estimated. |
| May 2017 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Report of a tree down on Butler Rd, a power line down on Long Rd, and a tree limb down on a power line on Newberry Hwy near Church Rd. Time estimated. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Saluda County dispatch reported trees down on power lines on US Hwy 178 near Saluda. |
| July 2016 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Saluda County dispatch reported that a tree fell on a residence and destroyed the home on Graham St. in Saluda. |
| June 2014 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff Dispatch reported trees down in Saluda near Highway 194. |
| September 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Trees down on Firetower Rd. and US Hwy 178. |
| March 2011 | Funnel Cloud | Saluda | - | Public reported a funnel cloud over the Saluda area. |
| March 2011 | Hail | Saluda | - | Hail fell for 20 to 25 minutes. The size ranged from 0.75 to 1.00 inches. The event occurred 2 miles west of the town of Saluda on Highway 178. |
| March 2011 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | County Sheriff Dispatch reported numerous trees down across the county. |
| March 2011 | Funnel Cloud | Saluda | - | The public reported a funnel cloud near the town of Saluda. |
| April 2009 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff reported trees down throughout the county. |
| September 2009 | Hail | Saluda | - | Public reported quarter size hail fell in Saluda some time between 3:46 pm and 4:01 pm. |
| April 2009 | Hail | Saluda | - | Sheriff reported 1 inch hail on Fruit Hill road. |
| May 2008 | Hail | Saluda | - | SKYWARN HAM radio spotter reported nickel to quarter size hail from Saluda north to the Newberry county line. |
| May 2008 | Hail | Saluda | - | Public reported nickel size hail. |
| August 2008 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff reported power outages in Saluda and up to the west end of Lake Murray. |
| July 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Electric company reported powerlines down in and around Saluda. |
| February 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff reported trees down on SC hwy 42 west of Saluda. |
| March 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | DOT reported trees down countywide. |
| June 2007 | Hail | Saluda | - | Public reported 3/4 inch hail at Hollywood Elementart School. |
| June 2007 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Public reported large limbs down at Hollywood Elementary School. |
| April 2006 | Hail | Saluda | - | Public reported one inch hail along Hwy. 121 |
| May 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Public reported tree down on powerlines off CR 121. |
| May 2006 | Hail | Saluda | - | Public reported penny size hail. |
| May 2006 | Hail | Saluda | - | Public reported nickel size hail. |
| July 2006 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Emergency Manager reported trees down on hwy 121. |
| April 2005 | Hail | Saluda | - | Sheriff reported 3/4 inch hail on hwy 378. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Post Office reported large limbs and small trees down. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Electric Coop reported trees and powerlines down 2 miles NE of Ward. |
| June 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Electric Coop reported trees and powerlines down near Denny on hwy 194. |
| July 2005 | Thunderstorm Wind | Saluda | - | Sheriff reported trees and powerlines down in Saluda. |
| May 2005 | Hail | Saluda | - | Saluda county EM reported they received a report of nickel size hail northeast of town. |
Nearest settlements
The eight closest, with where each one stands in the county. Distances are straight-line, computed from the Geographic Names Information System coordinates.
| Map | Place | Distance | Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| Traus (historical) | 3.0 miles | 11 | |
| Emory | 3.8 miles | 11 | |
| Limp | 4.4 miles | 11 | |
| Bleases Crossroads | 4.5 miles | 12 | |
| Richland | 5.3 miles | 11 | |
| Denny | 5.4 miles | 12 | |
| Mount Willing | 5.5 miles | 12 | |
| Owdoms | 5.8 miles | 11 |
Elsewhere
Matched on this settlement's Geographic Names Information System number rather than its name, so it cannot be a different place of the same name in another state.
| Wikipedia article on Saluda | An encyclopaedic summary. Its text is share-alike, so it is linked here rather than copied. |
| Wikidata item Q671215 | The structured record the population and elevation above come from. Public domain (CC0). |
Provenance
This settlement is recorded in the Geographic Names Information System as feature 1250737. The sheet list is computed by point-in-boundary test against the United States Geological Survey's historical topographic inventory. Both are works of the United States government and carry no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105.
Wildfire. Short, Karen C. 2022. Spatial wildfire occurrence data for the United States, 1992-2020 [FPA_FOD_20221014]. 6th Edition. Fort Collins, CO: Forest Service Research Data Archive. https://doi.org/10.2737/RDS-2013-0009.6 Collected with United States Government funding and usable without additional permissions or fees.
Storms. NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information, Storm Events Database https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/stormevents/ A work of the United States government, no copyright under 17 U.S.C. 105. Narratives are quoted verbatim from the National Weather Service report and are not edited or summarised.






