Rock Hill, located in York County, South Carolina, is the city with the highest population in the county and the fifth-highest population in the state of South Carolina.

European settlers began arriving in the Rock Hill region during the 1830s and 1840s, but it was not until the Charlotte and South Carolina Railroad Company chose to establish a rail line in the area that Rock Hill officially became a town.

Prior to the outbreak of the American Civil War, a census was conducted in York County, where Rock Hill is situated, revealing a population of 21,800, with half of the residents being enslaved individuals who played a vital role in the local cotton industry. The 4,379 white males in the county formed fourteen infantry companies, with some joining cavalry or artillery units. By the war’s end, 805 of these men had lost their lives, and hundreds more were injured. Men from Rock Hill and York County participated in numerous significant Civil War battles.

The impact of the Civil War on Rock Hill was significant, leading to major changes in its social, economic, and political landscape, mirroring the transformations seen across the Southern region. The town experienced growth by welcoming war refugees, widows, families, and the returning soldiers. To survive financially, the once affluent upper class had to sell their land. This shift marked a transition towards a greater emphasis on town living over rural lifestyles.

The town of Rock Hill went through three attempts before being officially established in 1870. The successful petition was submitted in 1869, a year after the initial failed attempt in 1868. In this third try, 57 individuals supported incorporation, while only seven were against it. Despite the fact that the opponents collectively owned 80% of the land to be included in Rock Hill, their efforts to block incorporation were unsuccessful. Rock Hill officially became an incorporated town on February 26, 1870.

In February 1961, a group of nine African-American men were incarcerated at the York County prison farm for participating in a sit-in protest at a segregated McCrory’s lunch counter in downtown Rock Hill. The protesters, who were arrested for “refusing to stop singing hymns during their morning devotions,” garnered national attention for their unorthodox approach of “jail, no bail.” The location where the protest took place is now recognized as “Kounter,” with the names of the activists engraved on the site as a tribute to their courage and determination.

In 1961, Rock Hill became the initial destination in the Southern United States for a team of 13 Freedom Riders. These individuals embarked on buses from Washington, DC, and traveled southward to challenge the U.S. Supreme Court’s 1960 decision that declared racial segregation illegal in interstate public places. Upon arriving in Rock Hill, civil rights activist John Lewis and another African American man were physically assaulted by an unrestrained white crowd when they disembarked from the bus. This incident garnered significant national focus.

On April 8, 2021, a tragic incident occurred in Rock Hill, where a former NFL player, Phillip Adams, took the lives of six individuals, including two children, before taking his own life. The devastating event occurred just one day after the shootings.

The city boasts a total area of 43.85 square miles, as reported by the United States Census Bureau. Of this, 43.69 square miles is composed of land, while a mere 0.16 square miles, equivalent to 0.36%, is made up of water.

According to the 2020 census, the city was home to a population of 74,372 individuals, 32,341 households, and 18,379 families.

Rock Hill is made up of a diverse range of neighborhoods, many of which were once separate towns and communities that have since been incorporated into the city limits.

Rock Hill is home to several significant corporations, such as Hyosung, Comporium Communications, D Systems, and Atlas Copco, which have their headquarters or main offices in North America.

Various cultural activities and events take place throughout the year in Rock Hill. These include the Come See Me Festival in the spring, the Red, White, and Boom Festival, the Blues and Jazz Festival, the Underexposed Film Festival YC, and the ChristmasVille Rock Hill winter festival.

Various museums in Rock Hill include the Museum of York County, Comporium Telephone Museum, Rock Hill Fire Museum, Center for the Arts, Tom S Gettys Art Center, Main Street Children’s Museum, and White Home, each offering unique exhibits and experiences related to natural history, technology, firefighting history, art, local artwork, children’s activities, and historic preservation.

In 1991, four statues representing the city’s economy were erected, each showcasing a different aspect: industry, knowledge, inspiration, and energy. The statues are adorned with ribbons in their clothing and hair that morph into wings, highlighting the significance of the textile industry in the city’s development.

Rock Hill proudly calls itself “Football City USA” due to its high number of NFL players. The city asserts that it produces a greater amount of NFL players per person compared to any other city in the country. Rock Hill was chosen as the location for the Carolina Panthers’ 200-acre training facility in 2019, but the deal fell through in 2022.

Rock Hill’s parks offer a diverse range of recreational opportunities. Cherry Park, a 70-acre green space, features a 1.5-mile trail and athletic fields. Ebenezer Park, situated along Lake Wylie’s shoreline, is a popular spot for swimming and picnicking. Glencairn Garden is a charming botanical garden boasting a variety of flowering plants and trees. Manchester Meadows, a large park, offers covered picnic areas and soccer fields. The Riverwalk and Rock Hill Outdoor Center, a 1,000-acre mixed-use community park, provides access to kayaking, hiking, and mountain biking, as well as the Giordana Velodrome and Rock Hill BMX Supercross track. Lastly, Westminster Park, located along the Catawba River, offers a scenic spot for outdoor activities.

The city runs on a Council-Manager system where the leadership comprises a mayor and six members. The mayor is elected at-large without party affiliation for a four-year term, while council members are selected through district elections also without party affiliation. Council members serve staggered four-year terms. The city council is responsible for setting policies based on input from the city administrator. The city manager oversees the implementation of council policies by controlling city departments as outlined in the ordinance.

In Rock Hill, public education is overseen by York County School District 3, which manages 27 schools within the city limits. These schools include 19 elementary schools, 5 middle schools, and 3 high schools, serving a student population of approximately 25,000.

Rock Hill, home to Winthrop University’s Tillman Hall, boasts a diverse range of educational institutions. High schools in the area include Rock Hill High School, the first built in the city, Northwestern High School, constructed during the era of school integration in 1970 and replacing the all-black Emmett Scott High School, and South Pointe High School, the newest addition to the city’s educational landscape. Middle schools in the area include Saluda Trail Middle School, Castle Heights Middle School, Sullivan Middle School, Rawlinson Road Middle School, and Dutchman Creek Middle School. Those seeking private education options can choose from a variety of religious schools, such as St. Anne’s Catholic School and Westminster Catawba Christian School. Additionally, York Preparatory Academy and Legion Collegiate Academy, both charter schools, are located in Rock Hill.

There are three institutions of higher learning in Rock Hill, including Scholars Walk at Winthrop University.

Winthrop University, established in 1886 as a women’s college, has evolved into a renowned, public, co-educational institution that enrolls approximately 6,000 students annually. With a rich history spanning over 130 years, it has grown into a comprehensive four-year university, offering a diverse range of academic programs to students from all walks of life.

Clinton College has a rich history, founded in 1894 by the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Established as a two-year institution, it has evolved to offer four-year degree programs in liberal arts, in addition to its associate degree offerings, since 2013.

In 1964, the doors to York Technical College opened in Rock Hill, offering a two-year community college program to the local community. Each year, approximately 9,000 residents take advantage of the associate degrees and continuing education opportunities available, and the college continues to expand its offerings annually.

Rock Hill can be conveniently reached from various parts of the country via interstate highways. If Interstate 77, you can take exits 73 to 82, and if you are on Interstate 85, you should take exit 102.

The Rock Hill Fire Department consists of two divisions and six fire stations that are staffed by paid firefighters within the city. The Rock Hill Police Department serves as the law enforcement agency for the city, with five divisions and nine specialized units. Located in Rock Hill, Piedmont Medical Center is a hospital that provides acute care services and operates a Level III trauma center.

The National Football League has featured a diverse array of talented players throughout its history. Phillip Adams, a former cornerback, Jeff Burris, currently the cornerbacks coach at Louisiana Tech, and Jadeveon Clowney, an outside linebacker for the Baltimore Ravens, are just a few examples. Other notable players include Gerald Dixon, a former linebacker for multiple teams, Stephon Gilmore, the 2019 AP NFL Defensive Player of the Year and current cornerback for the Dallas Cowboys, and Tori Gurley, a former football player in both the NFL and CFL. Additionally, Jonathan Hefney, a former football player in both leagues, DeVonte Holloman, a former NFL player, Chris Hope, a former NFL player and pro bowler, Johnathan Joseph, a former NFL cornerback, Derion Kendrick, a current cornerback for the Los Angeles Rams, Spencer Lanning, a former punter in the NFL, Robert Massey, a former NFL cornerback for multiple teams, Jonathan Meeks, a former NFL safety, Cordarrelle Patterson, a current running back for the Atlanta Falcons, Derek Ross, a former cornerback for multiple teams in the NFL, Mason Rudolph, a currently quarterback for the Pittsburgh Steelers, Rick Sanford, a former defensive back for the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, Jaleel Scott, a currently free agent wide receiver, Ko Simpson, a former safety in the NFL, and Benjamin Watson, a former tight end for the New England Patriots and New Orleans Saints, have all made significant contributions to the league.