Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken is a city of 32,521 people in Aiken County, South Carolina, founded in 1835.
Why visit Aiken
Townapedia lists 39 museums and landmarks, 26 parks and trails, 136 places to eat, 17 places to stay and 2 attractions in and around town.
Highlights include Regal Aiken Mall, Chinaberry, Joye Cottage and Aiken Golf Club.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 93°F; January lows average 32°F.
Weather in Aiken
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Aiken
Aiken is the most populous city in and the county seat of Aiken County, South Carolina, United States. According to 2020 census, its population was 32,025, making it the 15th-most-populous city in South Carolina, and one of the two largest cities of the Central Savannah River Area.
From the Wikipedia article Aiken, South Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do2
Museums and landmarks39
Chinaberry
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Building in South Carolina, United States
441 York Street SE, Aiken
Joye Cottage
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.5 mi
Historic house in South Carolina, United States
129 First Avenue, Aiken
Legare-Morgan House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.7 mi
Historic house in South Carolina, United States
10 Downing Street, Aiken
Whitehall
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.8 mi
Building in South Carolina, United States
902 Magnolia Street, Aiken
Aiken Colored Cemetery
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.7 mi
United States historic place
Aiken Mile Track
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
Horse racing venue in Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Tennis Club
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.9 mi
Tennis venue in Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Training Track
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.3 mi
Horse racing venue in Aiken, South Carolina
Aiken Winter Colony Historic District I
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Historic district near Aiken, South Carolina, USA
Aiken Winter Colony Historic District II
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.6 mi
Historic district in Aiken, South Carolina
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Aiken Winter Colony Historic District III
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 2.2 mi
Historic district in Aiken, South Carolina
Chancellor James P. Carroll House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.1 mi
Historic house in South Carolina, United States
27 more on the map.
Parks, trails and playgrounds26
Hitchcock Woods
Hiking and trails · 1.8 mi
Forest mantained by a private foundation for equestrian activities and open to walkers.
14 more on the map.
Restaurants and cafes136
LongHorn Steakhouse
Restaurant · Steak House · 1.8 mi
2480 Whiskey Road, Aiken
Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Salsa Mex Mex Grill
Restaurant · Mexican · 2.0 mi
109 Tamil Drive, Aiken
Su-Th 11:00-22:00; Fr-Sa 11:00-23:00
Red Lobster
Restaurant · Seafood · 1.8 mi
950 Aiken Mall Drive, Aiken
Su-Th 11:30-20:30; Fr-Sa 11:30-21:30
124 more on the map.
History
The municipality of Aiken was incorporated on December 19, 1835. The community formed around the terminus of the South Carolina Canal and Railroad Company, a rail line from Charleston to the Savannah River, and was named for William Aiken, the railroad's first president.
During Sherman's March to the Sea in the American Civil War Sherman ordered Hugh Judson Kilpatrick and the cavalry corps he commanded to march through South Carolina. By February 5, they had reached Aiken County. While there, Kilpatrick fought Joseph Wheeler and his cavalry corps. This battle, called the Battle of Aiken, was a Confederate victory.
Originally, it was in the Edgefield District. With population increases by 1871, Aiken County was organized, made up from parts of neighboring counties. Among its founding commissioners were three African-American legislators: Prince Rivers; Samuel J. Lee, speaker of the state House and the first black man admitted to the South Carolina Bar; and Charles D. Hayne, a free man of color from one of Charleston's elite families.
From the History section of Aiken, South Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay17
The Willcox
Motel and hotel · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
100 Colleton Avenue SW, Aiken
Churches and places of worship45
St. Mary Help of Christians Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 1.8 mi
St. Thaddeus Episcopal Church
Church · National Register of Historic Places · 2.1 mi
Shopping35
Gas and EV charging10
Schools, colleges and libraries28
Healthcare8
Surgery Center of Aiken
Clinic and pharmacy · 3.7 mi
4211 Trolley Line Road, Aiken
Map of Aiken
250 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 32°F | 3.8 in |
| Feb | 62°F | 36°F | 3.7 in |
| Mar | 68°F | 41°F | 4.4 in |
| Apr | 77°F | 48°F | 3.0 in |
| May | 86°F | 58°F | 3.5 in |
| Jun | 90°F | 67°F | 5.3 in |
| Jul | 93°F | 70°F | 4.5 in |
| Aug | 92°F | 69°F | 4.9 in |
| Sep | 86°F | 64°F | 4.1 in |
| Oct | 78°F | 52°F | 2.9 in |
| Nov | 67°F | 42°F | 3.1 in |
| Dec | 60°F | 36°F | 4.0 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Aiken 2 E (2 mi away), rain and snow from Aiken 1.6 Nnw, NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.
Disaster history
Aiken County has had 22 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.
- 2026-01-23: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
- 2024-09-29: Hurricane Helene (Hurricane)
- 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
- 2024-08-05: Hurricane Debby (Tropical Storm)
- 2023-08-31: Hurricane Idalia (Hurricane)
- 2022-11-21: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.
Getting there and nearby towns
Aiken Regional Airport (AIK) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 9 miles away.
- Martinez 22 mi west, about 35 min by car
- Augusta-Richmond County 23 mi southwest, about 37 min by car
- Evans 24 mi west, about 39 min by car
- Grovetown 28 mi west, about 46 min by car
- Red Bank 40 mi northeast, about 1 h by car
- Oak Grove 45 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Seven Oaks 49 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Cayce 49 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Orangeburg 50 mi east, about 1 h 15 min by car
- Irmo 50 mi northeast, about 1 h 15 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Aiken 250 AGL (51504757595), Savannah River Site, Public domain
- AIken Training Track, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Belk - Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sears - Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Belk - Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017 - 39396285271, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- JCPenney - Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017 - 39366173792, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Dillards - Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017 - 38688227004, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Sears - Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017 - 24530653407, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Aiken Mall Aiken, SC December 2017, MikeKalasnik, CC BY-SA 2.0
- Aiken - Willcox Hotel, Hugh C. Leighton Co.,Portland, Maine (publisher), Public domain
- Legare Morgan House, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aiken Trials, Southcompanyaiken, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aiken Mile Track, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aiken-Tennis-Club 03, Eoghanacht, Public domain
- Crossways, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Pickens House, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Thaddeus Episcopal Church, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Warren Mill & Water Towers, Upstateherd, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Aiken Colored Cemetery, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- St Marys Help, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Dawson Vanderhorst House, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aiken - U.S. Court House, Published for Kinsella News Agency, Augusta, Georgia by E. C. Kropp Co., Milwaukee, Public domain
- Aiken Winter Colony Historic District 1, Bigskybill, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aiken Winter Colony Historic District 2, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Aiken Winter Colony Historic District Three, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Phelps House, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- GranitevilleSC OldMill, Hughespj at en.wikipedia, Public domain
- Usc aiken campus postcard 1960s, Unknown author Unknown author, Public domain
- Whitehall Historic Home, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Coker Spring, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Chinaberry, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Joye Cottage, Bill Fitzpatrick, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Quercus chapmanii (24158461095), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23509270823), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23514899354), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23862738970), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23837448579), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23862840070), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23814770629), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
- Quercus chapmanii (23593264624), Bruce Kirchoff from Greensboro, NC, USA, CC BY 2.0
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