Election Results in North Carolina and South Carolina

2025 Rock Hill area live election results:

Voters crush Lancaster sales tax plan By John Marks Updated November 4, 2025 10:41 PM Gift Article

A group of voters head to the polls Tuesday, Nov. 4, 2025 at Indian Land Intermediate School in Lancaster County, S.C. TRACY KIMBALL tkimball@heraldonline.com Lancaster County voted decisively against a new sales tax to fund road work, unofficial returns show Tuesday night. Nearly 68% of voters cast a “no” for a tax meant to improve area roads, with all precincts reporting.

Lancaster County had a 28% voter turnout, about five times higher than York County. All results are considered unofficial until they are certified later this week. TOP VIDEOS The ballot asked Lancaster County voters two questions. The first asked to raise the county sales tax by 1% for 10 years. That increase from an 8% to 9% tax rate tying four counties near or along the coast for the state’s highest rate, would generate an expected $253 million. The second question only mattered if voters approved the first one. It asked whether the county could bond money to start the road projects faster, and pay it back within 10 years from the new 1% tax increase. That vote has an almost identical 68% “no” rate.

Road projects slated for funding with the new tax would’ve included widening of U.S. 521, Henry Harris, Harrisburg and Barberville roads. Intersections would’ve been improved and roundabouts installed across the county, and 31 county or state roads would’ve been resurfaced. Other roads would have been resurfaced in the municipalities south of the panhandle. The road tax question appears to have been a driver for Lancaster County voters. Statewide, there were 39,158 early votes cast, according to the South Carolina Elections Commission. That’s a massive, if predictable, drop from the nearly 1.5 million early votes last fall in a presidential election year. Lancaster County tallied 7,419 early votes this year, or nearly 19% of the state total. Only Charleston County had more, with 8,050 early votes. York County, about three times the size of Lancaster County, had less than a quarter of the early votes Lancaster County did, with 1,460. York County had more municipal contests on the ballot than Lancaster County, but didn’t have a road tax referendum. Tuesday’s decision comes one year after voters denied a similar but larger proposal in Lancaster County. Last fall, nearly 53% of voters opted not to start a 1% sales tax for 15 years. It was expected to generate $405 million. Local tax proposals to fund roads in the growing Charlotte region have become common in recent years. Last fall, York County voters approved a Pennies for Progress extension expected to generate $411 million in seven years. That’s also a 1% sales tax. It was the fifth Pennies campaign approved by voters since 1997. On

Tuesday, Mecklenburg County voters saw a 1% tax increase on the ballot that projects $19 billion over 30 years for roads, trains and buses. That increase would bring the sales tax there to 8.25%. Early results showed the “yes” vote leading there, according to the Charlotte Observer. The 1% sales tax increase proposed for Lancaster County would put it tied for the highest rate in South Carolina.

South Carolina Department of Revenue Rock Hill, Tega Cay, York, Clover election results City and town council races across the region were decided on Tuesday, too. Former City Councilwoman Nikita Jackson defeated incumbent Perry Sutton for the Ward 5 seat, 53% to 47%, with all precincts reporting. Sutton defeated Jackson three years ago for the same seat. Sarah Vining defeated Nate Mallard for Ward 6, 58% to 41%. That race has all precincts reporting. Mayor John Gettys and Councilman John Black in Ward 4 each ran unopposed for another term in Rock Hill.

• Nikita Jackson and Perry Sutton will again face off for Ward 5 in Rock Hill.

• RH fand Tega Cay had elections Tuesday for mayor and two City Council seats.

• City Councilwoman Carmen Miller received 49% of the votes in the mayoral race, with all precincts reporting.

• City Planning Commission member Alice Dobleske was next with 31%, followed by political newcomer John Tukker at 19%.

• Incumbent Tom Hyslip (36%) and city volunteer Heather Jones (26%) won City Council seats over former Councilman Ron Kirby (24%) and small business owner Thomas Rackley (13%).

• In Clover, an 11-way race for three Town Council seats had a tight finish. Teresa Hurst (18%), Jason Manos (16%) and Kathy Rae Brewer (14%) won seats, with all precincts reporting. Next were Jeffrey Becker (13%), Darnella Lindsay (11%), Jeremy Brashears (10%), Stephen Widener (6%). Jeffrey Kidd (4%), Rorie Brooks (3%), Melissa Mason (3%) and Ian Moyer (1%).

• Joyce Jackson ran unopposed for an unexpired term on Clover Town Council.

• In York, Kellie Wine Harrold defeated Bob Gray, 55% to 44%, in the City Council Dist. 6 race with all precincts reporting. Matthew Hickey in Dist. 1 and Charles Brewer in Dist. 5 each ran unopposed.

• Fort Mill reelected three Town Council members, but none of them faced opposition.

• Allen Garrison remains in Ward 1, Ben Hudgins in Ward 3 and Chris Wolfe in an at-large seat.

• Other election night results from York, Lancaster and Chester counties:

  • Robert Faulkner, Jr. defeated Kirsta Green for Mayor Smyrna, 62% to 38%, with all precincts reported

  • Robert Faulkner, Sr. (26%), Tyler Nivens (25%), Ann Wilson (21%) and Jeff Wilson (17%) won Smryna Town Council seats ahead of Frances Faulkner (8%), with all precincts reporting

  • Nicole Perkins (53%) defeated Jennifer Ramsey (46%) for Mayor of Sharon, with all precincts reporting

  • Bill Nance (56%) defeated Bryan Jenkins (44%) for Mayor of McConnells, with all precincts reporting

  • Bill Covington (24%), Liz Christenberry (20%) and James Sciba (20%) lead Kelley Stewart (17%) and James Hoban (17%) for four McConnells Town Council seats, with all precincts reporting

  • Sean Corcoran (40%) leads Donnie Hicks (35%) and Kyle Starnes (26%) for Mayor of Van Wyck, with all precincts reporting

  • Laura Clark (31%) and Erica Smith (19%) defeated Tia Sargent (18%), Mike Waterbury (16%) and Justin Milasauskas (6%) for two Van Wyck Town Council seats, with all precincts reporting

  • Deborah Truesdale (31%) and Peggy Bowers (27%) defeated Steve Drakeford, Jr. (25%) and Lendia Johnson (16%) for two Heath Springs Town Council seats, with all precincts reporting

  • Daphine Woodard (39%) and Wendy Hatcher (29%) topped Larry Helms (28%) for two Fort Lawn Town Council seats, with all precincts reporting

  • Wendy Duncan (35%) defeated Danny Williams (31%), Jeremy Murphy (17%) and Mike Davis (16%) for an at-large seat on Kershaw Town Council, with all precincts reporting

  • Larry Earl ran unopposed for Mayor of Hickory Grove Ollie Bankhead, Kevin Faulkner, Harry James Good and Kyle Wyatt ran for four Hickory Grove Town Council seats

  • Herschel Brown, Jr., Jay Gourley, Margarette Barnette Parrish and Rebecca Rees ran for four Sharon Town Council seats Jackie Harris ran unopposed for Lancaster City Council Dist. 3 Ashante Miller ran unopposed for Lancaster City Council Dist. 4

  • Ronnie Sowell ran unopposed for Lancaster City Council Dist. 6

  • John Jody Connell ran unopposed for Kershaw Town Council Dist. 3

  • Harvey Truesdale ran unopposed for Kershaw Town Council Dist. 4

  • Eddie Moore ran unopposed for Mayor of Heath Springs

  • Joe Wilson ran unopposed for Mayor of Lowrys Cole Abell, Buddy Courtney, Valeria Erwin and Mitchell Lisenby ran for four Lowrys Town Council seats

  • James Harris ran unopposed for Mayor of Richburg Nancy Beatty, Delores Crockett, Albert Stewart, Jr. and Helen Williams ran for four Richburg Town Council seats

    This story was originally published November 4, 2025 at 8:05 PM.

Read more at: https://www.heraldonline.com/news/politics-government/article312755023.html#storylink=cpy

Election results 2025: City council, school board and transit taAlexandria Sands

• Election results 2025: City council, school board and transit tax

  Alexandria Sands

  Photo: Ashley Mahoney/Axios

• Mecklenburg County voters approved a landmark 1-cent sales tax increase projected to generate $19.4 billion over 30 years to build new rail lines, overhaul the bus system, and expand road, bike and pedestrian infrastructure.

  Why it matters: The measure raises the local sales tax rate from 7.25% to 8.25%, unlocking a perpetual funding source for a transformative expansion of the region's public transit network, starting with the 25-mile Red Line commuter rail from Uptown to the Lake Norman towns.

  By the numbers: The referendum passed with just 52% of the votes, a difference of 7,535 ballots.

  Between the lines: A map of precincts shows support lagged in the south, east and northeast outskirts of Mecklenburg County. Precinct 140 in Ballantyne resulted in a tie.

  Map: Courtesy of North Carolina State Board of Elections

  What's next: A new 27-member regional transit authority will be established to oversee spending decisions.

  • Twenty percent of the revenue will go to the bus system. The rest will be split between rail and "roads" projects, which could encompass lane widenings, crosswalks, street lighting or even EV chargers.

  • The tax increase goes into effect on July 1, 2026.

  What they're saying: "Tonight, the people of Mecklenburg County have made a historic choice," Charlotte Mayor Vi Lyles said in a statement. "After years of collaboration, we now have the resources to transform transportation in our region."

  The big picture: Election night brought notable wins for the local Democratic party. On Charlotte City Council, a longtime Republican seat was flipped to blue. Also, the board of education will now be all Democrats.

  Below are the results of Charlotte's other competitive races.

  Charlotte Mayor: Vi Lyles

  Mayor Vi Lyles — a Democrat who's focused on affordable housing, transit and jobs — will serve a fifth term after quashing two opponents in a landslide. She won 70.43% of thevotes.

  Charlotte City Council At-Large: Incumbents sweep

  All four Democratic at-large members held onto their seats, overcoming two Republican challengers.

  Dimple Ajmera was the top vote getter with 21.07% of the votes, followed by:

  • Victoria Watlington: 20.76%

  • James "Smuggie" Mitchell: 19.66%

  • LaWana Slack-Mayfield: 19.16%

  Charlotte City Council District 3: Joi Mayo

  Joi Mayo, who unseated indicted councilwoman Tiawana Brown in the Democratic primary, will be a freshman on council after defeating her Republican opponent and a rare unaffiliated candidate. She received 73.53% of the votes.

  Charlotte City Council District 6: Kimberly Owens

  In arguably the city's most competitive race, Kimberly Owens historically turned a longstanding Republican council seat into a Democratic one. She bested Krista Bokhari, wife of former council member Tariq Bokhari, by 3,745 votes (56.45%).

  • Ed Driggs, who was unopposed in District 7, will be the council's lone GOP member.

  Board of Education District 1: Charlitta Hatch

  With 44.83% of votes, Charlitta Hatch, the Democrat in the race with the local party's endorsement, ousted sitting school board member Melissa Easley, also a Democrat.

  • Republican candidate Bill Fountain was the runner-up with 29.14% of ballots cast in his favor.

  Board of Education District 2: Shamaiye Haynes

  Shamaiye Haynes was triumphant this time around in her quest to join the school board. She received 74.52% of the votes. Haynes will succeed Thelma Byers-Bailey, who chose not to run again.

  Board of Education District 4: Stephanie Sneed

  Stephanie Sneed, the school board's chair, protected her position against two challengers. Her name got a check on 62.72% of ballots.

  Board of Education District 5: Cynthia Stone

  Democrat Cynthia Stone will take Republican Lisa Cline's place on the school board after winning 56.80% of the votes.

  • There will be no Republicans left on Mecklenburg County's board of education.

  Board of Education District 6: Anna London

  Anna London, president and CEO of Charlotte Works, beat out two other candidates with 49.85% of the votes. She'll be a fresh face on the board, taking the seat of Summer Nunn, who did not seek reelection.

  Voter turnout: 177,735

  177,735 voters (21.91%) cast ballots in this primary.

  • To compare, in the November 2023 election, 15.54% of voters (120,662) came out.

  Tracking election results in North Carolina, South Carolina on Nov. 4, 2025

  Municipal elections held across Carolinas on Tuesday, Nov. 4

  Refreshed every 2 minutes

  IncumbentWinner

  Latest results received at 11:44 PM

  Town of Peachland Council MemberAnson

  Mary Sturdivant Burns56

  29%

  James Hamilton48

  24.9%

  Stephen D. Marsh36

  18.7%

  Lori Rowell30

  15.5%

  Leigh Michele Taylor23

  11.9%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Polkton MayorAnson

  Cynthia Williams60

  61.2%

  Myra Thomas Dalgleish38

  38.8%

  Town of Wadesboro Council MemberAnson

  Tamara Garris351

  14.9%

  Donald Sellers314

  13.4%

  Stephen Greene293

  12.5%

  Ida Cason291

  12.4%

  John Liles291

  12.4%

  Kevin Adams205

  8.7%

  Jerel Miller204

  8.7%

  Lawrence Parsons121

  5.2%

  Michael Livingston113

  4.8%

  Mack Daniels70

  3%

  Alexandria Smith48

  2%

  Rebecca King22

  0.9%

  Jason Rigsby11

  0.5%

  Chandra Waller10

  0.4%

  Steve Harris4

  0.2%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Jefferson Board of AldermanAshe

  Tracie McMillan40

  26.8%

  Tony Goodman37

  24.8%

  Amy Ballou36

  24.2%

  John L. Shepherd36

  24.2%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Lansing Board of AldermanAshe

  Teresa McCoy20

  30.8%

  Richard Weaver17

  26.2%

  Matt Cordell16

  24.6%

  Peter Farley12

  18.5%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of West Jefferson AldermanAshe

  Phillip Absher110

  23.4%

  Calvin Green83

  17.6%

  Brian Blanco81

  17.2%

  Stephen Sharpe Shoemaker80

  17%

  William Sands77

  16.3%

  Jeremy Aldridge40

  8.5%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Banner Elk Council MemberAshe

  Chuck Saunders65

  32%

  Mike Dunn61

  30%

  Sam Brown58

  28.6%

  Erin Condon19

  9.4%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Newland Council MemberAshe

  James C. Johnson106

  25.9%

  David P. Calvert88

  21.5%

  Vicki Caraway84

  20.5%

  Adam Huckel68

  16.6%

  Chaz James64

  15.6%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Elk Park MayorAvery

  Connie S. Guinn90

  53.9%

  Daniel Boone77

  46.1%

  Town of Newland MayorAvery

  Valerie Calloway Jaynes116

  62.4%

  Derek Roberts70

  37.6%

  City of Connelly Springs Board of AldermanBurke

  Bobby Tomlinson82

  27.5%

  Adam Greene73

  24.5%

  Charles E. Berry59

  19.8%

  Shannon Dodd48

  16.1%

  Steve W. Starnes20

  6.7%

  Jonah Serva16

  5.4%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Drexel AldermanBurke

  David Harmon84

  31.1%

  Scott Coe72

  26.7%

  Victoria Taylor59

  21.9%

  Brad Ritch55

  20.4%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Glen Alpine AldermanBurke

  Chad Wykle111

  22%

  Jason Miller105

  20.8%

  Shelia Perkins75

  14.9%

  Lucas Huffman74

  14.7%

  Michelle Lewis64

  12.7%

  Jody Lewis42

  8.3%

  Synthia Adams34

  6.7%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Valdese MayorBurke

  Keith A. Huffman753

  77.4%

  Sandi Walker220

  22.6%

  Town of Valdese Town Council Ward 01Burke

  Shannon Radabaugh641

  65.9%

  Ron Blancaflor331

  34.1%

  Town of Valdese Town Council Ward 03Burke

  Rexanna Lowman694

  71%

  William McClurd283

  29%

  Town of Rhodhiss Town CommissionerBurke and Caldwell

  Joyce Karn28

  36.8%

  Mike Phillips26

  34.2%

  Kelly Michaels22

  28.9%

  Open Seats: 2

  City of Hickory MayorBurke, Catawba

  Hank Guess2,621

  54.5%

  Park Inglefield2,188

  45.5%

  Town of Longview MayorBurke and Catawba

  Eddie Marlowe27

  71.1%

  Marla G. Thompson11

  28.9%

  City of Concord MayorCabarrus

  Steve Morris4,609

  36.3%

  Alyce Williams4,064

  32%

  Lori Clay4,020

  31.7%

  Concord Council Member District 4Cabarrus

  Alvarys Santana5,260

  42.3%

  Jack L. Lambert3,584

  28.8%

  John Paul3,155

  25.3%

  Cason Gardner447

  3.6%

  Town of Harrisburg MayorCabarrus

  Jennifer Teague2,020

  59.1%

  Steve Sciascia1,398

  40.9%

  Town of Harrisburg Council MemberCabarrus

  Erin Banks1,978

  23.9%

  Altyn M. Cottell1,791

  21.6%

  Lex Thomas1,697

  20.5%

  Mike Thevenin1,694

  20.4%

  Christopher Barfield1,133

  13.7%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Midland Council MemberCabarrus

  Isaac Davis253

  39.4%

  Mike Tallent214

  33.3%

  Richard Wise175

  27.3%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Mt. Pleasant Town CommissionerCabarrus

  Lori Furr179

  33.1%

  Michael F. Steiner131

  24.3%

  William Edward Meadows83

  15.4%

  Elizabeth Poole82

  15.2%

  Ashley Troutman Starnes65

  12%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Huntersville MayorCabarrus, Mecklenburg

  Christy Clark8,229

  65.7%

  Derek Partee4,288

  34.3%

  Town of Huntersville Board of CommissionersCabarrus, Mecklenburg

  Jennifer Hunt8,087

  13%

  Nick Walsh7,608

  12.2%

  Edwin Quarles7,570

  12.2%

  LaToya Rivers7,423

  11.9%

  Scott Coronet7,276

  11.7%

  Heather Smallwood6,527

  10.5%

  Dan Boone6,035

  9.7%

  Jamie Wideman5,878

  9.4%

  Frank Gammon5,863

  9.4%

  Open Seats: 6

  City of Kannapolis MayorCabarrus and Rowan

  Doug Wilson2,671

  42.6%

  Justin Lewter2,328

  37.1%

  Darrell Hinnant1,268

  20.2%

  City of Kannapolis Council MemberCabarrus and Rowan

  Jeanne Dixon2,960

  18.8%

  Dianne Berry2,877

  18.3%

  Isaiah Payne2,258

  14.3%

  Milton Smith1,768

  11.2%

  Zach Erwin1,547

  9.8%

  Jamie Richardson1,526

  9.7%

  Jayne Williams1,408

  8.9%

  Tom Kincaid1,104

  7%

  Harrison Davis307

  1.9%

  Open Seats: 3

  City of Kannapolis Council Member (Unexpired)Cabarrus, Rowan

  Naomi Hatchell2,272

  38%

  Holden Sides2,130

  35.6%

  Phil Goodman1,370

  22.9%

  Jeffrey Haney214

  3.6%

  Town of Blowing Rock Town CouncilCaldwell

  Douglas Matheson453

  29.1%

  Wayne Miller416

  26.7%

  Melissa Goins Tausche288

  18.5%

  Pete Gherini280

  18%

  Melissa Pickett121

  7.8%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Granite Falls MayorCaldwell

  Tracy Townsend332

  79.2%

  Bill Fields87

  20.8%

  Town of Granite Falls Town CouncilCaldwell

  Ritch Bolick273

  23.4%

  Larry Knight262

  22.5%

  Jamie Hagerty197

  16.9%

  Martin Townsend182

  15.6%

  Faith Naff157

  13.5%

  Stacy Brim96

  8.2%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Hudson Town CommissionerCaldwell

  Richard C. Blevins231

  30.9%

  Rick Shew194

  26%

  Jim Engelman164

  22%

  Chris Mann158

  21.2%

  Open Seats: 3

  City of Lenoir City CouncilCaldwell

  Jonathan T. Beal848

  19.1%

  Crissy Thomas836

  18.8%

  James Ike Perkins790

  17.8%

  Rebecca Dellinger656

  14.8%

  David F. Stevens633

  14.3%

  Alex Moss342

  7.7%

  Janet L. Huntsinger334

  7.5%

  Open Seats: 4

  Town of Brookford MayorCatawba

  Thomas Schronce54

  50.9%

  Bill McGregor52

  49.1%

  Town of Brookford AldermanCatawba

  Kelvin Gregory57

  28.2%

  Charles Allen Bargsley Jr.51

  25.2%

  Eric Biter51

  25.2%

  Helen Turner43

  21.3%

  Open Seats: 2

  City of Claremont CouncilmenCatawba

  Les Morrow145

  46%

  Dayne L. Miller137

  43.5%

  Alex Tenjhay33

  10.5%

  Open Seats: 2

  City of Conover CouncilmenCatawba

  Mark Canrobert594

  29.5%

  Brenda Powell582

  28.9%

  Kevin Dill358

  17.8%

  Dan Von Dohlen326

  16.2%

  Justin Barringer98

  4.9%

  Chad Schuermeyer58

  2.9%

  Open Seats: 2

  City of Conover Councilman (Unexpired)Catawba

  Todd S. Griffin545

  53.7%

  Ralph Hatch469

  46.3%

  City of Newton CouncilCatawba

  Scott Gilleland888

  20%

  Bill Powell781

  17.6%

  Recil Wright669

  15.1%

  Roy Johnson422

  9.5%

  Ed Sain418

  9.4%

  John Stiver383

  8.6%

  Marcus Miller348

  7.8%

  Patrick Sterchi327

  7.4%

  Kassandra Gray198

  4.5%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Boiling Springs Town CouncilCatawba

  Patrick Litton243

  39.8%

  Marty L. Thomas212

  34.7%

  Justin W. Davis156

  25.5%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Maiden MayorCatawba, Lincoln

  Max Bumgarner Jr.271

  66.4%

  Danny Lee Kiser137

  33.6%

  Town of Maiden CouncilmenCatawba, Lincoln

  Beth Poovey Rudisill246

  21.1%

  Cameron D. Ramseur220

  18.9%

  Lanny Ford190

  16.3%

  Bob Sigmon182

  15.6%

  Zane Reid Hudson167

  14.3%

  Deon Henry140

  12%

  Wes Stroupe19

  1.6%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Earl Town Council MembersCleveland

  Patrick Allen17

  25.8%

  Debbie Anderson16

  24.2%

  Amy Buff15

  22.7%

  Sheree Dotson10

  15.2%

  Kevin Rindone8

  12.1%

  Open Seats: 4

  Town of Fallston MayorCleveland

  Emily Willis Sisk47

  88.7%

  Alan Harrelson6

  11.3%

  Town of Lawndale MayorCleveland

  Ray Padgett41

  67.2%

  Braydan Chapman20

  32.8%

  Town of Mooresboro Town CouncilCleveland

  Tom Whitaker20

  52.6%

  Teresa McCurry11

  28.9%

  J. Herbst7

  18.4%

  Open Seats: 2

  Patterson Springs Board of CommissionersCleveland

  Bobby Horton37

  35.2%

  Randy Biggers Carothers32

  30.5%

  Amy H. Hope20

  19%

  Susie Shook16

  15.2%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Lawndale Mixed Beverage ElectionCleveland

  Permit sale of mixed beverages in hotels/restaurants/private clubs/community theatres/convention centers & the on/off-premises sale of malt beverages and unfortified wine in qualified establishments.

  For31

  50%

  Against31

  50%

  City of Kings Mountain City Council At-LargeCleveland, Gaston

  Scott Neisler759

  47.6%

  Phil Dee427

  26.8%

  Curtis Pressley349

  21.9%

  Bruce W. King34

  2.1%

  Jason Nail26

  1.6%

  City of Kings Mountain City Council Ward 02Cleveland, Gaston

  Tyler Fletcher73

  39.7%

  Mike Butler69

  37.5%

  Tim Sanders42

  22.8%

  City of Kings Mountain City Council Ward 03Cleveland, Gaston

  Heather Lemmond110

  43%

  Ke'Shawn A. Strong81

  31.6%

  Chris Pullen65

  25.4%

  City of Belmont MayorGaston

  Joe Jordan2,279

  64%

  Cory Miller1,283

  36%

  City of Belmont Council MemberGaston

  Marc Seelinger1,812

  26.7%

  Alex Szucs1,748

  25.8%

  Katherine O'Kane1,190

  17.5%

  David Chee839

  12.4%

  Nicholas Vesely686

  10.1%

  Amanda Wall217

  3.2%

  Gregory Mazza195

  2.9%

  Chris Williams94

  1.4%

  Open Seats: 2

  City of Bessemer City Council Member Ward 02Gaston

  Nellie Black Floyd243

  50.5%

  Michael Meeks Sr.238

  49.5%

  City of Bessemer City Council Member Ward 05Gaston

  Manny Tsambouniery279

  59.1%

  Brent Guffey193

  40.9%

  City of Bessemer City Council Member Ward 06Gaston

  Chris Harmon229

  48.7%

  Morgan Smith138

  29.4%

  David Lutz103

  21.9%

  Town of Cramerton Town CommissionerGaston

  Kathy Ramsey457

  32.3%

  Ronnie Worley345

  24.4%

  Barry Wilson320

  22.6%

  Nancy Daniels293

  20.7%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Dallas AldermanGaston

  Sam Martin247

  23.4%

  Frank Milton199

  18.8%

  Dale Blythe189

  17.9%

  Darlene Morrow177

  16.7%

  Starletta Hairston162

  15.3%

  Jeremiah Doster83

  7.9%

  Open Seats: 3

  City of Lowell Council MemberGaston

  Thomas Gillespie302

  18%

  Shane Robinson297

  17.7%

  Travis Smith268

  16%

  Steven Rhyne266

  15.9%

  Bill Knox252

  15%

  Ashton Weaver244

  14.6%

  Larry Simonds47

  2.8%

  Open Seats: 3

  City of Gastonia Council Member Ward 01Gaston

  Demetrios Koutsoupias853

  64.8%

  Adam Olivieri239

  18.1%

  Walter Hart225

  17.1%

  City of Gastonia Council Member Ward 02Gaston

  Glenn Silverman491

  46%

  Kathy Boswell446

  41.8%

  Teresa Connor131

  12.3%

  City of Gastonia City Council Member Ward 05Gaston

  Jennifer Stepp841

  58.4%

  Clark Simon600

  41.6%

  City of Gastonia City Council Member Ward 04 (Unexpired)Gaston

  Angela Dreher3,771

  54.9%

  Cheryl Littlejohn3,104

  45.1%

  City of High Shoals Council MemberGaston

  L. Denese Cook26

  32.1%

  Kathy Rhyne22

  27.2%

  Bobby Vassey19

  23.5%

  Jeff Black14

  17.3%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of McAdenville Council MemberGaston

  Greg Richardson177

  24.5%

  Fred McAbee169

  23.4%

  Susan Elkins144

  19.9%

  Jay McCosh133

  18.4%

  Abigail Kelm78

  10.8%

  Carrie Breyare Bailey22

  3%

  Open Seats: 3

  City of Mount Holly Council MemberGaston

  Lauren Shoemaker1,210

  17.9%

  Ivory Craig1,201

  17.8%

  William Brooks970

  14.4%

  Jarrod Facchino957

  14.2%

  Bob Henricks846

  12.5%

  Charles Williams842

  12.5%

  Garrie Brinkley730

  10.8%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Ranlo MayorGaston

  Corey Creech288

  58.3%

  Lynn Black206

  41.7%

  Town of Ranlo ComissionerGaston

  Robin Mosley Conner285

  31.3%

  Schivette Hill250

  27.5%

  Diana Palmer198

  21.8%

  Wade Morton177

  19.5%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Stanley Council Member Ward 02Gaston

  Corey Kelly405

  66.3%

  Drew Stewart206

  33.7%

  Town of Stanley Council Member Ward 05Gaston

  Brendan Sweeney364

  60%

  Chad Jones243

  40%

  Town of Mooresville MayorIredell

  Chris Carney2,122

  50.4%

  William Compton1,561

  37.1%

  Patrick Wright526

  12.5%

  Town of Mooresville Commissioner At-LargeIredell

  Gary West1,861

  45.1%

  Scarlett Overbay-Inman1,558

  37.8%

  Eddie Wheeler704

  17.1%

  Town of Mooresville Commissioner Ward 03Iredell

  Frank Owens774

  52.3%

  Tommy Deweese706

  47.7%

  Town of Mooresville Commissioner Ward 04Iredell

  Dana Tucker534

  47.5%

  Lisa Qualls363

  32.3%

  Justin Crews227

  20.2%

  City of Statesville MayorIredell

  Doug Hendrix1,293

  30.8%

  William Morgan1,037

  24.7%

  Kimberly Wasson1,022

  24.4%

  Brian Summers753

  18%

  Rosetta Williams88

  2.1%

  City of Statesville Councilman At-LargeIredell

  Trey Robertson1,529

  22.1%

  James Pressly1,520

  22%

  Braden Zittle990

  14.3%

  Dustin Jett986

  14.3%

  Todd Lange802

  11.6%

  Frederick Foster784

  11.3%

  Emily Bosshart Alphin297

  4.3%

  Open Seats: 2

  City of Statesville Councilman Ward 03Iredell

  Doris Allison283

  76.3%

  Corina Iyoob88

  23.7%

  City of Statesville Councilman Ward 05Iredell

  Tip Nicholson313

  29.6%

  John Staford308

  29.2%

  Alex Walker241

  22.8%

  Shelton Moore194

  18.4%

  Town of Troutman Town CouncilIredell

  George Harris329

  29%

  Felina Harris316

  27.9%

  Tonya Reynolds Bartlett263

  23.2%

  Jerry Oxsher226

  19.9%

  Open Seats: 3

  Davidson Board of CommissionersIredell, Mecklenburg

  Autumn Rierson Michael2,807

  19.5%

  Tracy Mattison Brandon2,732

  18.9%

  Steve Justus2,638

  18.3%

  Ryan Fay2,601

  18%

  Connie Wessner2,097

  14.5%

  David Lusk1,555

  10.8%

  Open Seats: 5

  City of Charlotte MayorMecklenburg

  Vi Lyles (D)92,239

  70.7%

  Terrie Donovan (R)33,465

  25.7%

  Rob Yates (L)4,702

  3.6%

  City of Charlotte City Council At-LargeMecklenburg

  Dimple Ajmera (D)96,364

  21.3%

  Victoria Watlington (D)94,966

  21%

  James Mitchell Jr (D)89,933

  19.9%

  Lawana Slack-Mayfield (D)87,624

  19.4%

  Edwin Peacock (R)46,115

  10.2%

  Misun Kim (R)36,493

  8.1%

  Open Seats: 4

  City of Charlotte City Council District 06Mecklenburg

  Kimberly Owens (D)16,239

  56.5%

  Krista Bokhari (R)12,494

  43.5%

  City of Charlotte City Council District 03Mecklenburg

  Joi Mayo (D)10,019

  73.6%

  James Bowers (R)2,215

  16.3%

  Robin Emmons (U)1,382

  10.1%

  Town of Cornelius MayorMecklenburg

  Dennis Bilodeau3,181

  43.9%

  Woody Washam2,673

  36.9%

  Kenny Campbell1,391

  19.2%

  Cornelius Board of CommissionersMecklenburg

  Michael Osborne4,999

  18.4%

  Susan Johnson4,883

  18%

  Todd Sansbury4,736

  17.4%

  Robert Carney4,569

  16.8%

  Colin Furcht4,326

  15.9%

  Michael DeVoney3,669

  13.5%

  John Caldwell0

  0%

  Open Seats: 5

  Town of Matthews MayorMecklenburg

  John Higdon4,632

  64.4%

  Leon Threatt2,565

  35.6%

  Matthews Board of CommissionersMecklenburg

  Susan Chambers4,676

  13.4%

  John Urban4,247

  12.1%

  Kerry Lamson3,920

  11.2%

  Jonathan Clayton3,831

  10.9%

  Brian Hacker3,774

  10.8%

  Jennefer Garrity3,426

  9.8%

  Gina Hoover3,331

  9.5%

  Mark Tofano3,195

  9.1%

  Jim Dedmon2,313

  6.6%

  George Young2,284

  6.5%

  Open Seats: 6

  Town of Mint Hill MayorMecklenburg

  Dale Dalton3,597

  64.7%

  Tim Radzicki1,964

  35.3%

  Mint Hill Board of CommissionersMecklenburg

  Trey Long2,602

  24.9%

  Twanna Henderson2,582

  24.7%

  Patrick Holton2,257

  21.6%

  Patrick O'Brien2,097

  20.1%

  Matt Schwoebel914

  8.7%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Pineville Town CouncilMecklenburg

  Nick Gallo871

  30.9%

  Joshua Simelton654

  23.2%

  LR Gladden498

  17.7%

  Yvette Isaacs443

  15.7%

  Tony Jennings355

  12.6%

  Open Seats: 2

  CMS Board of Education District 1Mecklenburg

  Charlitta Hatch15,579

  45%

  Bill Fountain10,128

  29.3%

  Melissa Easley8,901

  25.7%

  CMS Board of Education District 2

  Shamaiye Haynes14,782

  75.3%

  Juan Hall4,857

  24.7%

  CMS Board of Education District 4

  Stephanie Sneed14,811

  63.4%

  Robert Edwards4,384

  18.8%

  Jillian King4,159

  17.8%

  CMS Board of Education District 5

  Cynthia Stone22,368

  57.2%

  Lisa Cline16,728

  42.8%

  CMS Board of Education District 6Mecklenburg

  Anna London12,552

  50.3%

  Toni Emehel6,587

  26.4%

  Justin Shealy5,810

  23.3%

  Public Transportation Sales and Use Tax

  One percent local sales and use taxes, in addition to the current local sales and use taxes, to be used only for roadway systems and public transportation systems in Mecklenburg County.

  For92,251

  52.1%

  Against84,716

  47.9%

  Town of Stallings District 02Mecklenburg, Union

  Mike Couzens688

  60.9%

  Glen Watson247

  21.9%

  Rocky Crenshaw195

  17.3%

  Town of Stallings District S Occupancy TaxUnion

  The levy of a room occupancy tax in the amount of up to 5% of the gross receipts derived from the rental of an accommodation located within the part of the Town of Stallings that is in Union County.

  For724

  62.1%

  Against442

  37.9%

  City of Salisbury City CouncilRowan

  Susan Kluttz1,670

  14.9%

  Harry McLaughlin1,589

  14.1%

  Gemale Black1,467

  13.1%

  Carlton Jackson1,461

  13%

  Adrian Maldonado1,331

  11.8%

  Shanikka Gadson-Harris1,300

  11.6%

  David Post1,269

  11.3%

  Nina Thomas1,148

  10.2%

  Open Seats: 4

  Town of Indian Trail CouncilUnion

  Marcus McIntyre1,321

  24.6%

  Tom Amburgey969

  18.1%

  Richard Sayre773

  14.4%

  Dennis Gay756

  14.1%

  Jerel Sangandi631

  11.8%

  Raven Faherty557

  10.4%

  Sean Matteson354

  6.6%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Indian Trail Occupancy TaxUnion

  The levy of a room occupancy tax in the amount of up to five percent (5%) of the gross receipts derived from the rental of an accommodation located within the town.

  For1,568

  56.6%

  Against1,201

  43.4%

  Village of Lake Park CouncilUnion

  Mark Richards333

  35.4%

  Wayne Rentsch258

  27.4%

  Elizabeth Belmonte190

  20.2%

  Melissa Banks130

  13.8%

  Roger Griffin29

  3.1%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Marshville CouncilUnion

  Rusty Johnson161

  27.4%

  Gary Leake161

  27.4%

  Teresa Chambers139

  23.7%

  Warren Lathe IV87

  14.8%

  Denise Beldin39

  6.6%

  Open Seats: 2

  Village of Marvin MayorUnion

  Joseph Barbara1,041

  70.1%

  Joe Pollino443

  29.9%

  Village of Marvin CouncilUnion

  Tom Eck1,024

  23.4%

  Angel Martin1,002

  22.9%

  Fred Ilarraza975

  22.2%

  Marcus Williams429

  9.8%

  Wayne Deatherage405

  9.2%

  Andrew Wortman386

  8.8%

  Robert Epps162

  3.7%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Mineral Springs CouncilUnion

  Janet Critz300

  29.9%

  Heather Wyss299

  29.8%

  Bettylyn Krafft287

  28.6%

  Chelsey Felts118

  11.8%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Unionville MayorUnion

  Randy Baucom734

  70.6%

  Barry Tucker305

  29.4%

  Village of Wesley Chapel CouncilUnion

  Deb Coates Bledsoe398

  37.4%

  Jonathan Alef394

  37%

  Mike Como273

  25.6%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Wingate CommissionerUnion

  Thomas Legrand100

  39.5%

  Martin Graves88

  34.8%

  David Dobbins65

  25.7%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Waxhaw CommissionersUnion

  Daniel Farris1,634

  21.6%

  Michael De lulio1,614

  21.4%

  John Gemignani1,610

  21.3%

  Jordan Benn972

  12.9%

  John Mullen828

  11%

  Michael Doby552

  7.3%

  Alex Montalvo341

  4.5%

  Open Seats: 3

  Town of Weddington MayorUnion

  Jim Bell1,281

  53.8%

  Christopher Neve1,098

  46.2%

  Weddington Town Council District 1Union

  Ellen McLaughlin1,382

  58.6%

  Anne Marie Cruz977

  41.4%

  Town of Unionville Town CouncilUnion

  Lana Kirkpatrick724

  40.3%

  Andrew Benton708

  39.4%

  Tim Keziah366

  20.4%

  Open Seats: 2

  Town of Boone Town CouncilWatauga

  Todd Carter1,083

  31.7%

  Virginia Roseman1,038

  30.3%

  Adrian Tait986

  28.8%

  Morgan Murray314

  9.2%

  Open Seats: 3

  IncumbentWinner

Voter Registration by County in North Carolina

Rock Hill is the most populous city in York County, South Carolina, United States, and the 5th-most populous city in the state.[7] It is also the 4th-most populous city of the Charlotte metropolitan area, behind Charlotte, Concord, and Gastonia (all located in North Carolina). As of the 2020 census, the city's population was 74,372.[8]

The city is located approximately 25 miles (40 km) south of Charlotte and approximately 70 miles (110 km) north of Columbia.

Rock Hill offers scenic riverfront views along the Catawba River and is home to numerous nature trails, restaurants, and thirty-one parks which are used for both national and local events. Its historic downtown consist of twelve contiguous buildings built as early as 1840 offering dining and retail options. The city is also home to three colleges, including Winthrop University, a public liberal arts university founded in 1886 which enrolls nearly 6,000 students annually.

History

Historic post office in Rock Hill

Founding

Although some European settlers had already arrived in the Rock Hill area in the 1830s and 1840s, Rock Hill did not become an actual town until the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad Company made the decision to send a rail line through the area. Originally, the railroad had hoped to build a station in the nearby village of Ebenezerville which was squarely between Charlotte, North Carolina and Columbia, South Carolina. When approached, however, the locals in Ebenezerville refused to have the railroad run through their village since they considered it dirty and noisy. Instead, engineers and surveyors decided to run the line two miles away by a local landmark. According to some, the engineers marked the spot on the map and named it "rocky hill."[9]: 26 

Some of Rock Hill's early founding families—the White family, the Black family, and the Moores—believed that having a rail depot so close to them would be advantageous, so they decided to give the Columbia and Charlotte Railroad the right of way through their properties. As they were the three largest landowners in the area, this settled the matter. George Pendleton White contracted with the railroad to build a section of the line. Construction began in 1848. The first passenger train arrived on March 23, 1852. A few weeks later, on April 17, 1852, the first Rock Hill Post Office opened.[9]: 26–28 

Now that Rock Hill had a name, a railroad station, and a post office, it began to draw more settlers to the area. Captain J. H. McGinnis built a small general store near the station in 1849 or 1850 to provide supplies for the construction and railroad workers.[9]: 27–28  Templeton Black, who had leased the land to McGinnis, decided to devote some of his other adjacent land to building a larger town. He hired a local surveyor, Squire John Roddey, to organize a main street. Black sold his first plot of land along that street to Ira Ferguson for $125 a few weeks before the post office opened; other businessmen bought plots quickly after that.[9]: 28 

Rock Hill Academy, the first school in Rock Hill, opened in September 1854. Despite its official name, most residents referred to it as the Pine Grove Academy after the pine grove it was located in. Ann Hutchinson White, wife of George White, donated the land to the school after her husband's death. The school had 60 male pupils in 1856; a school for girls was later opened in the same place.[9]: 28 

Prior to 1857, the Indian Land Chronicle was Rock Hill's first newspaper. It was renamed The Rock Hill Chronicle in 1860.[9]: 33  Prior to 1860, Rock Hill had at least two doctors.[9]: 33 

American Civil War

Shortly before the American Civil War began, a census had been taken of the population in York County where Rock Hill is located. Half of the district's 21,800 residents were enslaved people, integral to local cotton production. The 4,379 white males in the county formed fourteen infantry companies; some of the men joined cavalry or artillery units instead. By the end of the war, 805 of these men had died, and hundreds more were wounded. Men from Rock Hill and York County were involved in many of the major Civil War battles.[9]: 35 

Due to its position on the railroad, Rock Hill became a transfer point for Confederate soldiers and supplies moving to and from the front. Since there was no local hospital, townspeople nursed sick and wounded soldiers in their homes. Refugees fleeing the coastal blockade or General Sherman's troops, also came to Rock Hill.[9]: 39 

Beginning in the spring of 1862, local area farmers switched from cotton to corn in order to produce more food.[9]: 39  Records show that prices in Rock Hill changed frequently during the war, reflecting both shortages and the inflation of the Confederate paper money.[9]: 41 

Confederate General P. G. T. Beauregard set up a temporary headquarters in Rock Hill on February 21, 1865.[9]: 41  He ordered the roads to Charlotte blocked to try to prevent General Sherman from reaching the city; Sherman ultimately went in a different direction.

When General Lee surrendered at the Appomattox Court House, it was actually a future Rock Hill resident who was responsible for waving the white flag. Captain Robert Moorman Sims, a farmer from Lancaster County, was sent by General James Longstreet to inform Union troops that the Confederate troops wanted a truce.[9]: 42 

Post-Civil War

The Civil War changed the social, economic, and political situation in Rock Hill tremendously, as it did elsewhere in the South. Rock Hill grew as a town, taking in war refugees, widows and their families, and the return of the men who had left to fight in the war.[9]: 58  The formerly wealthy elite sold off their land to stay afloat financially. Town life would begin to become more important than rural life.

Most of the merchants in Rock Hill around 1870 were former Confederate soldiers; many were entrepreneurs who were new to town, trying to start over.[9]: 59  In 1870, even the largest stores in Rock Hill were only one story tall, and there were no sidewalks along the roads. The first drug store in Rock Hill opened in the 1870s.[9]: 61 

Incorporation

The town was not officially incorporated until 1870, on the third try.

The first attempt to get Rock Hill incorporated was made in 1855. A petition, signed by major landholders and businessmen from the Rock Hill area, was presented to the General Assembly on October 19, 1855.[9]: 29  No action on the matter was taken by the General Assembly.

The second attempt was in 1868. In their petition, the townspeople claimed that Rock Hill had over 300 residents, "eleven stores, two churches, two bars, two hotels, two carriage shops, three blacksmith shops, three shoe shops, one tannery, one cabinet shop, and elementary schools for white girls and boys." The petition was signed by 48 men, most relative newcomers to Rock Hill, with only a few members of the old, established, landed families. The larger landholders opposed incorporation because of the taxes it would bring. They filed a counter-proposal which claimed that there were only 100 residents, many of them temporary.[9]: 63  The situation was a strong indication of the changes Rock Hill experienced as it transitioned from mostly farms to a business community. Ultimately, the state legislature did not act on either petition and Rock Hill was still not incorporated.

The third, successful petition was made in 1869, only one year after 1868's failed petition. This time there were 57 signers in favor of incorporation, with only seven opponents. The opponents collectively owned 80% of the land that would be incorporated into Rock Hill if the petition was successful. They were unsuccessful at preventing incorporation this time; Rock Hill was officially incorporated on February 26, 1870.[9]: 64 

Civil rights movement

Rock Hill was the setting for two significant events in the civil rights movement. In February 1961, nine African-American men went to jail at the York County prison farm after staging a sit-in at a segregated McCrory's lunch counter in downtown Rock Hill. The current location is now known as "Kounter" which has the names of the activists engraved. Their offense was reported to be "refusing to stop singing hymns during their morning devotions." The event gained nationwide attention as the men followed an untried strategy called "jail, no bail."[10] Rejecting bail was a way to lessen the huge financial burden which civil rights groups were facing as the sit-in movement spread across the South.[10] As their actions gained widespread national news coverage, the tactic was adopted by other civil rights groups. The men became known as the Friendship Nine because eight of the nine men were students at Rock Hill's Friendship Junior College.[11]

Later in 1961, Rock Hill was the first stop in the Deep South for a group of 13 Freedom Riders, who boarded buses in Washington, DC, and headed South to test the 1960 ruling by the U.S. Supreme Court outlawing racial segregation in all interstate public facilities. When the civil rights leader John Lewis and another black man stepped off the bus at Rock Hill, they were beaten by a white mob that was uncontrolled by police. The event drew national attention.

In 2002, Lewis, by then a US Congressman from Georgia, returned to Rock Hill, where he had been invited as a speaker at Winthrop University and was given the key to the city. On January 21, 2008, Rep. Lewis returned to Rock Hill again and spoke at the city's Martin Luther King Jr. Day observance. Mayor Doug Echols officially apologized to him on the city's behalf for the Freedom Riders' treatment in the city.[12]

Child laborers at Aragon Mill in Rock Hill, 1912. Photo by Lewis Hine.

Rock Hill has a vibrant past with its fight for Civil Rights. Please watch this excellent video about the Friendship 9.

20th century to present

Rock Hill experienced steady growth in the twentieth century. The city boundary expanded far beyond its original limits. Four unincorporated communities of York County were annexed into the city including Boyd Hill in the late 1940s, Ebenezer and Mexico in the 1960s, and Oakdale in the 1980s.

Rock Hill celebrated its centennial in 1952 and its sesquicentennial in 2002.

Rock Hill hosted the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships at the Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track in Riverwalk with an estimated direct economic impact of $19.2 million.[13]

On April 7, 2021, former NFL player Phillip Adams shot and killed six people, including two children, at a house in Rock Hill. He committed suicide the next day.[14]

Geography

Wikimedia | © OpenStreetMap

Interactive map of Rock Hill

A view of the Catawba River at River Park

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 43.85 square miles (113.6 km2), of which 43.69 square miles (113.2 km2) is land and 0.16 square miles (0.41 km2) (0.36%) is water.[2]

Rock Hill is located along the Catawba River in the north-central section of the Piedmont of South Carolina, south of the city of Charlotte in North Carolina. The city sits at an elevation of around 676 feet (206 m) above sea level. It is located approximately 150 miles (240 km) from the Atlantic Ocean and 75 miles (121 km) from the Blue Ridge Mountains. The northern limits of the city reside along Lake Wylie, a large man-made reservoir.

Neighborhoods

Downtown Rock Hill

Rock Hill consists of numerous neighborhoods, some of which were independent towns and communities at one time that were later annexed into Rock Hill city limits.

• Downtown, the city's central business district that is home to twelve contiguous buildings built as early as 1870. It is also home to the city's government offices and numerous restaurants.

• Ebenezer, located north of downtown along Ebenezer Road. This area is home to Piedmont Medical Center as well as both newly developed subdivisions and historic neighborhoods.

• Oakdale, southern city limits located south of downtown and bordered by S.C. Highway 901 to the north and east. The area is home to South Pointe High School and the Rock Hill Country Club golf course.

• Newport, while still considered to be a census-designated place, has been mostly annexed into the city. This fast-growing area with numerous subdivisions is home to the Rock Hill Aquatic Center and located northwest of Ebenezer along S.C. Highway 161.

• Boyd Hill, historic neighborhood bordered by downtown to the south, Ebenezer to the north and S.C. Highway 901 to the west. While the neighborhood is often considered a low-income portion of the city, it is also home to the city's municipal football and soccer stadium.

Natural disasters

Four notable major natural disasters have struck the city since 1926.

1926 Rock Hill tornado

On November 26, 1926, a destructive tornado struck downtown Rock Hill. It was the day after Thanksgiving, late in the season for such a violent storm. The "black as ink twister" took less than 10 minutes to change the face of the business section. The storm touched down in western York County, and entered Rock Hill from the west. Once in the town, the twister cut a path about three blocks wide, leaving 60 homes heavily damaged, the hospital roof removed, and cars flipped or crushed. By the end, the total damage for the whole town was $150,000. The tornado was responsible for one death and 12 injuries within Rock Hill.

Hurricane Hugo

Hurricane Hugo struck the city on the morning of September 22, 1989. The storm ripped through the city with sustained winds over 90 miles per hour (140 km/h), toppling massive oak and pine trees. Schools were closed for weeks because of widespread damage to roads and facilities. The total damage cost for the entire state of South Carolina was around $4.2 billion. The storm was a category 3 when it entered the county and was a category 2 as it left the county.

The "Great Carolina Snowstorm" of 2004

A complex series of low pressure systems moved across South Carolina from February 25–27 of 2004. Starting as a mix of snow and sleet, the storm became all snow as the low pulled off the Carolina coast. Cold arctic air settled over the Carolinas and dumped 22 inches (56 cm) of snow, with lightning, gusty winds, and some areas getting up to 28 inches (71 cm).[15] Sustained winds over 40 miles per hour (64 km/h) across Rock Hill knocked out power, resulting in schools' closing for a week. It was the worst overall blizzard to hit the area.[16]

2011 Rock Hill Tornado

During the Tornado outbreak of November 14–16, 2011, a deadly EF-2 tornado struck about 8 miles (13 km) south and 5 miles (8.0 km) southwest of Rock Hill that travelled for 2 miles (3.2 km) after touchdown. The storm, which left a 200 yards (180 m) wide path of destruction and had wind speeds of up to 135 miles per hour (217 km/h), left 3 people dead, caused 5 injuries, and 7-8 damaged homes. This event caused the first ever tornado related deaths to be recorded in York Country history.[17]

Climate

Snow in Rock Hill

Rock Hill has a humid subtropical climate with four distinct seasons, characterized by hot humid summers and cool dry winters. The city itself is part of the USDA hardiness zone 7b with yearly minimum low temperature extremes between 5 and 10 °F (−15 and −12 °C), typically occurring in the month of January.[18] Precipitation does not vary greatly between seasons, but is highly dependent on moisture supplied from the Gulf of Mexico. July is the hottest month, with an average high temperature of 91 °F (33 °C) and an average low temperature of 71 °F (22 °C).[19] The coldest month of the year is January, when the average high temperature is 51 °F (11 °C) and the average low temperature is 31 °F (−1 °C).[19] The warmest temperature ever recorded in the city was 106 °F (41 °C) in 1983 and tied in 2007.[19] The coldest temperature ever recorded in the city was −4 °F (−20 °C) in 1985.[19]

Climate data for Rock Hill, South Carolina (Winthrop University) 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1899–presentMonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYearRecord high °F (°C)80
(27)83
(28)90
(32)96
(36)100
(38)105
(41)108
(42)106
(41)106
(41)98
(37)86
(30)81
(27)108
(42)Mean daily maximum °F (°C)53.5
(11.9)57.8
(14.3)65.5
(18.6)74.8
(23.8)81.2
(27.3)87.6
(30.9)90.7
(32.6)89.0
(31.7)83.5
(28.6)74.0
(23.3)63.8
(17.7)55.6
(13.1)73.1
(22.8)Daily mean °F (°C)43.0
(6.1)46.4
(8.0)53.5
(11.9)62.3
(16.8)69.9
(21.1)77.0
(25.0)80.2
(26.8)78.9
(26.1)73.3
(22.9)62.6
(17.0)52.3
(11.3)45.4
(7.4)62.1
(16.7)Mean daily minimum °F (°C)32.6
(0.3)35.0
(1.7)41.6
(5.3)49.9
(9.9)58.6
(14.8)66.5
(19.2)69.7
(20.9)68.9
(20.5)63.0
(17.2)51.2
(10.7)40.9
(4.9)35.2
(1.8)51.1
(10.6)Record low °F (°C)−4
(−20)5
(−15)4
(−16)20
(−7)34
(1)40
(4)50
(10)49
(9)38
(3)25
(−4)12
(−11)2
(−17)−4
(−20)Average precipitation inches (mm)3.58
(91)3.12
(79)3.90
(99)3.73
(95)3.53
(90)4.11
(104)3.57
(91)3.72
(94)3.56
(90)2.94
(75)3.28
(83)3.58
(91)42.62
(1,083)Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)9.99.410.18.78.49.39.19.26.66.87.79.2104.4Source: NOAA[20][21]

Demographics

Historical populationCensusPop.Note%±1880809—18902,744239.2%19005,48599.9%19107,21631.6%19208,80922.1%193011,32228.5%194015,00932.6%195024,50263.2%196029,40420.0%197033,84615.1%198035,3274.4%199041,64317.9%200049,76519.5%201066,15432.9%202074,37212.4%2023 (est.)75,654[22]1.7%U.S. Decennial Census[23][5]

2020 census

Rock Hill racial composition[24]RaceNum.Perc.White (non-Hispanic)35,26447.42%Black or African American (non-Hispanic)28,58038.43%Native American2830.38%Asian1,4711.98%Pacific Islander550.07%Other/Mixed2,9623.98%Hispanic or Latino5,7577.74%

As of the 2020 census, there were 74,372 people, 32,341 households, and 18,379 families residing in the city.

2010 census

At the 2010 census,[25] there were 66,154 people and 16,059 families residing in the city. The population density was 619.2 people/km2 (1,604 people/sq mi). There were 29,159 housing units at an average density of 252.4 units per square kilometre (654 units/sq mi). The racial makeup of the city was 54.6% White, 38.3% Black, 1.7% Asian, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 2.7% from other races, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 5.7% of the population.

There were 25,966 households, out of which 29.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.1% were married couples living together, 18.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.04.

In the city, the population was spread out, w ith 24.4% under the age of 18, 14.7% from 18 to 24, 28.5% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 31.9 years. For every 100 females, there were 85.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 80.3 males.

Economy

Top 10 Largest Employers[26]3D SystemsAmida Industries, INC.Carolina EnergyCity of Rock HillComporium CommunicationsCytec Carbon Filters, LLC.Hyosung CorporationLanger Transport CorporationRock Hill SchoolsWinthrop University

Rock Hill's economy was once dominated by the textile industry, and the restructuring of that industry in moving jobs overseas caused a decline in the local economy at one time. Over the past decade, Rock Hill has transitioned to a relatively strong manufacturing workforce.

Other major companies in Rock Hill with headquarters or North American headquarters include Hyosung, Comporium Communications, 3D Systems, and Atlas Copco.

The median income for a household in the city was $37,336, and the median income for a family was $45,697. Males had a median income of $32,156 versus $24,181 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,929. About 9.7% of families and 14.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 12.0% of those age 65 or over. The unemployment rate of the city was 8.7 percent and 11,874 of the 71,459 residents lived and worked in the city with a daytime population change of +5,208 as of March 2011.[27] The city is transitioning to a retail and manufacturing economy, and has been working to attract national and global companies.

Rock Hill Galleria is a regional shopping mall founded in 1991. Rock Hill Mall (1968–c. 1993, demolished 2006), and Town Center Mall (1975–1993) are former major shopping centers inside the city.

Arts and culture

Rock Hill's Historic Old Town area is home to many of the city's historic buildings, art galleries, history museums, and cultural events.

Seasonal events

• Blues and Jazz Festival - a music festival celebrating the roots of modern music.[28]

• ChristmasVille - an annual holiday festival[29]

• Come See Me Festival - an annual salute to spring.[30]

• Don't Sweat It Fest - a festival that celebrates local music, community, and summer fun.[31]

• Rock Hill Pride Festival - an annual grassroots celebration of LGBTQ+ culture. Hosted and funded by local businesses.[32]

• Underexposed Film Festival YC - an international, independent short film festival.[33]

• South Carolina Ag + Art Tour - a free, self-guided tour of farms and markets featuring local artisans. Originally started in York County, it has since grown to include a total of 20 South Carolina counties.[34]

Visual and performing arts

Rock Hill has a vibrant visual arts and performing arts scene that is primarily sustained by its local artists and arts nonprofit organizations.

Art galleries and venues

• Center for the Arts - home to the Arts Council of York County, art galleries, and local artist studios.[35]

• Tom S. Gettys Center for the Arts - the historic U.S. Post Office and Courthouse which has been repurposed to include artist studios, galleries, the Rock Hill Pottery Center, and a performing arts space in the building's original courtroom space.[36]

Public art installations

• Mural Mile - a recent initiative involving the creation of multiple murals throughout the Old Town area,[37] including one painted in 2021 by South Carolina artist Shepard Fairey, who grew up spending time with family in the city and surrounding area.[38]

• Freedom Walkway - An alleyway installation honoring local heroes for justice and equality.[39]

Columns at the gateway intersection

• Four civitas and the gateway were installed in 1991.[40] Each holds a disc that symbolizes the four features of the city's economy: gears of industry, flames of knowledge, stars of inspiration, and bolts of energy. The ribbons in the civitates clothing and hair transform into wings, inferring the textile industry as the foundation of the city's growth.[41] The 22-foot-tall (6.7 m) Civitas statues were made of bronze by sculptor Audrey Flack. In 1992, a fifth civitas statue by Flack was placed at City Hall. The 60-foot-tall (18 m) columns that form the gateway came an Egyptian Revival Masonic Temple in Charlotte, North Carolina. They were gifted to the city by the First Union Corporation.[42]

Museums

• Museum of York County is a natural history museum.[43]

• Comporium Telephone Museum features the history of technology in Rock Hill.[44]

• Rock Hill Fire Museum features the history of the Rock Hill Fire Department.[45]

• Main Street Children's Museum features children's learning and educational activities.[46]

• White Home is a historic site and museum.

Library

Rock Hill has a public library, a branch of the York County Library.[47]

Music

Rock Hill is home to indie rock band Elonzo.

Sports

Basketball practice at Winthrop Coliseum

Rock Hill has nicknamed itself "Football City USA" because of its prolific production of NFL players.[48] The city claims to produce more NFL players per capita than any city in the United States.[49] In 2019, Rock Hill was selected as the site for the Carolina Panthers' 200-acre (81 ha) training facility.[50] In 2022, the deal was called off.[51]

Rock Hill hosts two national championships, the United States Disc Golf Championship at Winthrop University, and the US Youth Soccer National Championships at Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex.

Rock Hill hosted the 2015 IQA World Cup, making it the second consecutive year South Carolina hosted the Quidditch World Cup.[52]

Rock Hill hosted the 2017 UCI BMX World Championships in July 2017 at the Riverwalk mixed-use community along the Catawba River.[53]

Collegiate sports include the Winthrop University Eagles, a National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Division I program.[54]

The Rock Hill Cardinals, from 1963 to 1968, were a Western Carolinas League baseball team affiliated with the St. Louis Cardinals.

As of 2022, ESPN8 The Ocho’s primary venues are in Rock Hill, at the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center and Manchester Meadows Soccer Complex. [55]

Parks and recreation

Velodrome

Glencairn Garden

Parks include in the city:

• Cherry Park, 70-acre (28 ha) park with a 1.5 mi (2.4 km) trail and athletic fields.[56]

• Ebenezer Park, beachfront park located along Lake Wylie with swimming and picnic areas.[57]

• Glencairn Garden, quaint botanical garden featuring a variety of blooming flowers and trees.[58]

• Manchester Meadows, large park with covered picnic areas and soccer fields.

• Riverwalk and Rock Hill Outdoor Center, 1,000-acre (400 ha) mixed-use community park with kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking. The Giordana Velodrome and Rock Hill BMX Supercross track are located here.[59]

• Westminster Park, riverside park with access to Catawba River.[60]

Government

The city operates under a Council-Manager form of government. The governing body is composed of a mayor and six members. The mayor is determined through a nonpartisan, at-large election for a four-year term of office while council members are chosen through nonpartisan, single-member district elections. Council members are elected to staggered four-year terms of office. The city council is a legislative body, establishing policies with recommendations from the city administrator. The city manager acts as the chief administrator of the council's policies implemented through the administrative control of city departments given to him by ordinance. John Gettys is mayor; his term began January 2018.[61]

Education

K–12

Public education in Rock Hill is administered by York County School District 3. The district operates twenty-seven schools in the city, including nineteen elementary schools, five middle schools, and three high schools. The district has a student enrollment of around 25,000.[62][63]

Tillman Hall at Winthrop University in Rock Hill

High schools

• Rock Hill High School (first built high school in the city)

• Northwestern (built at the time of school integration in 1970, replacing all-black Emmett Scott High School)

• South Pointe (the newest high school in the city)

Middle schools

• Saluda Trail Middle School

• Castle Heights Middle School

• Sullivan Middle School

• Rawlinson Road Middle School

• Dutchman Creek Middle School

• Westminster Catawba Christian School

Private schools

A variety of religious schools serve the city of Rock Hill, including St. Anne's Catholic School and Westminster Catawba. The city is also home to two Charter schools: York Preparatory Academy, and Legion Collegiate Academy.

Higher education

Scholars Walk at Winthrop University

There are three colleges in Rock Hill.

The most prominent institution is Winthrop University, founded in 1886 as a women's college. It is a thriving, public, co-ed four-year comprehensive university with an annual enrollment of about 6,000 students.[64]

Clinton College is an HBCU founded by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church in 1894.[65] Initially a two-year institution, the liberal arts college added four-year degree programs in 2013 in addition to the associate degree programs.[66]

York Technical College opened in Rock Hill in 1964. This two-year community college offers associate degrees and provides continuing education for approximately 9,000 area residents annually and is growing each year.[67]

Media

Rock Hill is home to a daily newspaper, The Herald, which covers the area. Rock Hill is home to a free daily online newspaper, the YoCoNews that covers all of York and Lancaster counties. [68] Magazines include Rock Hill Magazine and YC (York County) Magazine (which covers the entire county).

OTS Media Group owns and operates WRHI (News/Sports, 100.1 FM and 1340 AM), WRHM-FM (Country/Sports FM 107.1) and WRHM-FM HD2/W281BE/W232AX (Contemporary Christian, FM 94.3 & 104.1). There are also WAVO (Religious, 1150 AM), NPR affiliate WNSC-FM (88.9 FM), Southside Baptist Church of Rock Hill Christian broadcast station, WRHJ-LP (93.1 FM) and York Technical College campus radio station WYTX-LP (98.5.FM) .

Rock Hill has several television stations: PBS affiliate WNSC-TV (Channel 30), CN2, a daily cable news program produced by Comporium Communications for York, Chester, and Lancaster counties; MyNetworkTV station WMYT-TV Channel 55, is licensed to Rock Hill, but serves the entire Charlotte market, while their studios are shared with sister station WJZY-TV in unincorporated Mecklenburg County, NC.

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highway

From locations across the country, Rock Hill is most easily accessible by interstate highway.

• Interstate 77: Exit numbers 73–82

• Interstate 85: Exit number 102

Air

Rock Hill has two local airports. The Rock Hill/York County Airport is a municipal airport for the city of Rock Hill and serves non-commercial flights. The airport is located minutes from Rock Hill's Central business district. Also called Bryant Field, it was named for Robert E. Bryant, an aviator with two international records and an inductee in the South Carolina Aviation Hall of Fame (The name is no longer used for the airport because of confusion with Bryant Field (airport)). It is owned and operated by the City of Rock Hill, but York County is also represented on the Airport Commission.

The other local airport, the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, is one of the busiest airports in the United States and is located 20 miles north of Rock Hill in Charlotte, North Carolina.

Public transportation

Rock Hill has one regional transit system, The Charlotte Area Transit System that offers express bus service from downtown Rock Hill to Uptown Charlotte.

• 82X Downtown Rock Hill to Manchester Village to Uptown Charlotte.

Rock Hill currently offers My Ride, an electric bus transit service

Bike

Rock Hill is considered to be a bicycle-friendly town with numerous bike routes located throughout the city. There are also designated bike lanes located along major roads such as Eden Terrace and Oakland Avenue.

Public services

• Rock Hill Fire Department is a paid department made of two divisions and six fire stations located within the city.

• Rock Hill Police Department is the city's police force, comprising five divisions and nine specialized units.

• Piedmont Medical Center is an acute care hospital with a Level III trauma center, located in Rock Hill.

Notable people

Main category: People from Rock Hill, South Carolina

• Robert O'Neil Bristow – award-winning American novelist

• Benjamin O. Burnett – member of the South Carolina House of Representatives

• Patrick Caddell – served in the Jimmy Carter administration, and was a public opinion pollster and a political consultant was born and raised in Rock Hill

• Lauren Cholewinski – Olympic speedskater[69]

• Matt Christopher – children's sports author[70]

• Lafayette Currence – baseball player

• Ed Currie – grew some of the world's hottest peppers, such as the Carolina Reaper and Pepper X

• Emery – nationally known emo band

• William G. Enloe – mayor of Raleigh, North Carolina[71]

• DJ Felli Fel – charted on the Hot 100 with "Get Buck in Here" 2007

• Vernon Grant – commercial artist and creator of the Snap, Crackle and Pop characters for Kellogg's Rice Krispies cereal[72]

• Jim Hoagland – journalist and a two-time Pulitzer Prize winner[73]

• Ironing Board Sam – blues keyboardist[74]

• Cecil Ivory – Presbyterian minister and civil rights leader who lead desegregation protests in Rock Hill[75]

• Cheslie Kryst – Miss USA 2019[76]

• Edmund Lewandowski – Precisionist movement artist, chairman of the art department at Winthrop, from 1973 to 1984[77]

• William Ivey Long – Tony Award-winning costume designer

• Ralph Norman – U.S. Representative

• Jim Ray – Major League Baseball pitcher

• Leon Rippy – actor in The Patriot

• Justin Worley – former QB for the University of Tennessee

National Football League players

• Phillip Adams – former NFL cornerback

• Jeff Burris – former NFL player currently the cornerbacks coach at Louisiana Tech

• Jadeveon Clowney – currently an outside linebacker for the Carolina Panthers

• Gerald Dixon – former NFL linebacker for multiple teams

• Stephon Gilmore – 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year, currently a free agent

• Tori Gurley – former football player in the NFL and CFL

• Jonathan Hefney – former football player in the NFL and CFL

• DeVonte Holloman – former football player in the NFL

• Chris Hope – former NFL player and pro bowler

• Johnathan Joseph – former NFL cornerback

• Derion Kendrick – currently a cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams

• Spencer Lanning – former punter in the NFL

• Robert Massey – former NFL cornerback for multiple teams

• Jonathan Meeks – NFL safety that is currently a free agent

• Cordarrelle Patterson – current running back for the Pittsburgh Steelers

• Derek Ross – former cornerback for multiple teams in the NFL

• Mason Rudolph – currently a quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers

• Rick Sanford – former defensive back for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks

• Jaleel Scott – currently a free agent wide receiver

• Ko Simpson – former safety in the NFL

• Benjamin Watson – former tight end for the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints

In popular culture

Films

• Asylum – 2008, at Winthrop University

• Gospel Hill – 2008

• The Patriot – 2000, parts shot in rural Rock Hill

• The Rage: Carrie 2 – 1999

• Black Rainbow – 1989

• Walker Payne – 2006

Music

• "Promised Land" – 1964 song by Chuck Berry, namechecks the city as a destination the narrator bypasses on his trip out west

See also

• List of municipalities in South Carolina

References

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22. "QuickFacts: Rock Hill city, South Carolina". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2024.

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27. "Area sees little change in jobs" Archived 2010-08-24 at the Wayback Machine, Herald Online

28. "Blues & Jazz Festival". yorkcountyarts.org. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

29. "ChristmasVille Rock Hill". christmasvillerockhill.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.

30. "About The Come See Me Festival". ComeSeeMe.org. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

31. "Don't Sweat It Fest". visityorkcounty.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

32. "Rock Hill Pride Festival". cdmercantile.com. Retrieved June 9, 2024.

33. "Underexposed Film Festival YC". yorkcountyarts.org. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

34. "About the Tour". agandarttour.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

35. "Center for the Arts". www.visityorkcounty.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.

36. "Gettys Art Center". www.visityorkcounty.com. Retrieved November 6, 2022.

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38. "ROCK HILL, SC – MURAL & PRINTED MATTERS PHOTO RECAP". obeygiant.com. Retrieved June 29, 2024.

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76. Bollinger, Cristina (May 2, 2019). "Miss North Carolina USA, a Charlotte lawyer, takes the crown. She's the new Miss USA". News Observer.

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External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Rock Hill, South Carolina.

Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Rock Hill.

State of South Carolina

Categories:

• Rock Hill, South Carolina

• Populated places established in 1852

• 1852 establishments in South Carolina

• South Carolina populated places on the Catawba River

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• Rock Hill, South Carolina

• Populated places established in 1852

• 1852 establishments in South Carolina

• South Carolina populated places on the Catawba River

• This page was last edited on 20 July 2025, at 22:16 (UTC).

• Text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 License; additional terms may apply. By using this site, you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Wikipedia® is a registered trademark of the Wikimedia Foundation, Inc.

Community

1,000-plus in Rock Hill SC march for racial justice, citizens review board for police

By Cliff Harrington , Andrew Dys and Alex Zietlow Updated June 2, 2020 9:31 AM

Watch the video at Crowd in Rock Hill to protest George Floyd police killing | Rock Hill Herald

Hundreds gathered at Fountain Park Saturday for a social injustice protest for George Floyd, who was killed by a police officer in Minneapolis this week. The protesters walked blocks around downtown Rock Hill, carrying signs and chanting. By Tracy Kimball ROCK HILL A diverse crowd that organizers said numbered more than 1,000-strong marched peacefully through downtown Rock Hill Saturday to protest the death of George Floyd, an African American man who died in Minnesota at the hands of police, and to seek a local citizens review board for city police. And by the end of the rally, those marchers — who chanted words Floyd said as he died under the knee of a police officer, “I can’t breathe!” — had an official city advocate. Rock Hill City Council member Nikita Jackson, who marched, said she will present a proposal to city officials to create a citizens review board for Rock Hill’s police department. “We have to put the measures in place to keep what happened in Minneapolis from ever happening here,” Jackson said. “This is being proactive. The time has come.” Review boards are used in several other cities and counties, including Charlotte and Richland County where Columbia sits. The board would allow transparency for reviewing complaints and police activities, and give residents more of a voice in how the department interacts with the public, Jackson said. TOP VIDEOS Jackson said she hopes to have the new review board idea ready for presentation by the next city council meeting in June. York County Council member William “Bump” Roddey, a Rock Hill resident, said he supports the Rock Hill citizen review board and would be willing to look at a similar board for other law enforcement agencies in York County. Roddey attended the protest Saturday and called it a great example of community and unity among people of different backgrounds. Any review board gives the public more access to law enforcement and its workings outside of the inner workings of that law enforcement agency. The York County Sheriff’s Office and other police agencies in York County do not have citizen review boards. “A review board takes accountability beyond the superiors in that agency,” Roddey said. “It gives more accountability and transparency to the public that each of those agencies serve.” ‘We will not be silenced’ Apostle Norma Gray of the Rock Hill NAACP, one of the march organizers, said she is already seeking people willing to serve on the review board. “We hoped that this march would lead to action and a review board, and this seems like we are on the way toward that,” Gray said after the march. “This was an awesome day. What an experience and show of unity and love.” Gray had the crowd chanting with her, “We will not be silenced,” as she spoke about justice and fairness. She also made sure the crowd heard her say that what happened in Minnesota is a disgrace to all the other police officers here who serve their community with courage and respect. The officer who was captured on video kneeling on Floyd’s neck has been charged with murder. “What happened to George Floyd is a disgrace to all the other loyal officers who serve us all,” Gray said. Rock Hill residents march peacefully Rev. C.T. Kirk of Sanctuary of Life Outreach Center in Rock Hill, another main protest organizer, said to the crowd before the march that Rock Hill cannot — and will not — be Minneapolis. Rock Hill’s rich history of non-violent civil rights protest that dates back to the Friendship Nine in the 1960s is the only way to bring change to the community, Kirk said. The city’s motto, “No room for racism,” is the real deal in Rock Hill, Kirk said. “Do not let police brutality, injustice, racism be the Rock Hill that we know and love,” Kirk told the crowd that erupted in cheers as his voice rose. While the review board was the goal of the march, it was the protest itself that was a spectacle of unity, love, brotherhood and fellowship. The march wound from Fountain Park on Main Street around parts of downtown to Rock Hill City Hall, then back to the park. Dozens of pastors from predominantly black churches and white churches were involved. Rev. Sally Herlong, a white pastor, marched and said she, as a person of faith, will not stand for the killing of black people by police in America. “I will not be silent, and no one should be silent,” Herlong said. “What happened in Minnesota is not what faith calls for. It calls for action.” Myles Austin, a 21-year-old African American male, wore a Black Lives Matter flag draped around his neck and back. “There has to be a change in how black men, black people, are treated,” Austin said. “I am not just here because a black man was killed by the police in Minnesota. I am here for my brothers, my family, and my kids to come.” The crowd was a mix of races and ages, from young kids to grandparents. U.S. Army Veteran Herbert White marched with his family. White said, as a black man, he wanted to show support that all people deserve dignity, respect and equal treatment by law enforcement and society. “What happened in Minnesota to Mr. Floyd has gone on too long toward black people in America,” White said. Another African American Army veteran, Steven James, marched with is wife, Joanne. James served his country six years in the military and said that all Americans deserve to be treated with equality, dignity and respect in this country. “I am here to represent George Floyd, a black man who died in America at the hands of the police,” James said. “We all know what happened to him is wrong. We all can change it.” A diverse crowd of protesters Come the end of the march, Rock Hill resident Shaikerra Barnes said she was struck by the size of the crowd and the diversity in it. “As soon as we walked up, it felt like there was a really good number of every race out here, I would say,” Barnes said. “It was really good to see that we got the support in our city.” Young and old, families and individuals, people of all races — they lined the sidewalks. Many carried signs with different messages: “White Silence = Consent,” one read. “I’m not black but Black Lives Matter. I see you. I hear you. I stand with you. I mourn with you,” another read. Many wore shirts that read, “I can’t breathe.” One of them was a Rock Hill resident named Gary Chisholm. “This isn’t about a black man, a white man, or a latino — this is about humanity,” Chisholm said. “That’s what I’m standing for. Humanity.” O.C. Alston, another Rock Hill resident who is black, said this was a march for community and national unity. “It’s not a black or white thing,” Alston said. “It could be anybody. We’ve all seen the video. We know it’s wrong. ... “We’re just standing up together.” Jamal Blake, another marcher, said he doesn’t want this march to be a one-off event. “I want things to happen,” Blake said. “I don’t want it to just be something today.” This story was originally published May 30, 2020 at 12:21 PM. Andrew Dys The Herald 803-329-4065 Andrew Dys covers breaking news and public safety for The Herald, where he has been a reporter and columnist since 2000. He has won 51 South Carolina Press Association awards for his coverage of crime, race, justice, and people. He is author of the book “Slice of Dys” and his work is in the U.S. Library of Congress. Alex Zietlow The Herald Alex Zietlow writes about sports and the ways in which they intersect with life in York, Chester and Lancaster counties for The Herald, where he has been an editor and reporter since August 2019. Zietlow has won nine S.C. Press Association awards in his career, including First Place finishes in Feature Writing, Sports Enterprise Writing and Education Beat Reporting. He also received two Top-10 awards in the 2021 APSE writing contest and was nominated for the 2022 U.S. Basketball Writers Association’s Rising Star award for his coverage of the Winthrop men’s basketball team. 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Rock Hill Marches for George Floyd, May Get Citizens Review | South Carolina Public Radio

The above link is a great audio file from NPR. Please listen to Scott's story. Scott Morgan is the Upstate Multimedia Reporter for South Carolina Public Radio. Follow Scott on Twitter @ByScottMorgan.

On the arrests. Arrests in SC police protests but most stayed peaceful | Rock Hill Herald

11 people arrested during protests in Rock Hill, close to half not from the area11

by: Will Lewis

Posted: Jun 25, 2021 / 07:45 PM EDT

Updated: Jun 25, 2021 / 11:04 PM EDT