Aiken is located near the mid-point of South Carolina's long border with Georgia, about 15 miles east of Augusta. US Highways 1 and 78 pass through the heart of the city, and Interstate 20 skirts its northern border. Aiken is the county seat of Aiken County.
The quality of life in this historic Southern city is unparalleled. From recreation to education, it's all here for your family. Aiken is proud of its award-winning public schools, nationally known for academic excellence, as well as its wonderful parks, golf courses, equestrian events, concerts and many cultural activities that are enjoyable for every member of the family.
Among Aiken’s parks is the Hitchcock Woods, a 2,000+ acre foundation, which is situated within walking distance to Aiken's downtown area. Hitchcock Woods is among the largest urban forests in the country. A wide variety of equestrian activities is available in the Hitchcock Woods, as well as in and around Aiken. There are several local fox hunts in the area, hunter/jumper horse shows host exciting Grand Prix events, and recognized horse trails held in the winter attract Olympic athletes. Oh, and don't forget to watch the polo matches held at Whitney Field, the site of the longest consistent period of play on one field in the United States.
Aiken is a community with a quality of life, second to none. Companies from throughout the world are drawn to Aiken's progressive business environment, and the city continues to grow as employees of new industries and visitors appreciate our unique way of life and choose to make Aiken their home. Aiken’s convenient location to major cities along the east coast provides easy access to customers and supplies. Aiken is a city with a deep-rooted history and a visionary attitude – a town that cherishes the richness of yesterday, but looks forward to the challenges and opportunities of of tomorrow.
Provided by University of South Carolina-Aiken: Founded in 1961, the University of South Carolina Aiken (USCA) is a comprehensive liberal arts institution committed to active learning through excellence in teaching, faculty and student scholarship, research, creative activities, and service. In this stimulating academic community, USCA challenges students to acquire and develop the skills, knowledge, and values necessary for success in a dynamic global environment.
The University offers degrees in the arts and sciences and in the professional disciplines of business, education, and nursing. All courses of study are grounded in a liberal arts and sciences core curriculum. USCA also encourages interdisciplinary studies and collaborative endeavors.
Housing Cost
The average home price is $182,621 while houses range from $50,000 to $4,300,000.
Demographics
Estimated population in July 2006: 28,829. Aiken covers 16.2 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 530 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 29801, 29802, 29803, 29804, 29805, 29808 - Area code: 803
Climate
Aiken, SC climate is hot during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 80's and cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 40's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 93.70 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 33.40 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 24 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 26 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Aiken is 52.43 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is June with an average rainfall of 5.45 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com