This partial list of city nicknames in South Carolina compiles the aliases, sobriquets and slogans that cities in South Carolina are known by (or have been known by historically), officially and unofficially, to municipal governments, local people, outsiders or their tourism boards or chambers of commerce. City nicknames can help in establishing a civic identity, helping outsiders recognize a community or attracting people to a community because of its nickname; promote civic pride; and build community unity. Nicknames and slogans that successfully create a new community "ideology or myth" are also believed to have economic value. Their economic value is difficult to measure, but there are anecdotal reports of cities that have achieved substantial economic benefits by "branding" themselves by adopting new slogans.
Some unofficial nicknames are positive, while others are derisive. Many of the unofficial nicknames listed here have been in use for a long time or have gained wide currency. Abbeville Pretty. Near. Perfect. "The Birthplace and Deathbed of the Confederacy" Aiken "A Place Like No Other" The Winter Colony Aynor Little Golden Town Anderson – The Electric City Barnwell – Gateway to the Low Country Blacksburg – The Iron CityIron City leaders to be sworn-in , The Gaffney Ledger, March 30, 2007, accessed April 13, 2007. "Blacksburg Mayor David Hogue and councilmen Joe Ross and Mike Patterson will be sworn in Sunday to new four-year terms at 3 p.m. at Iron City Place, 101 S. John St., Blacksburg." Bluffton – Heart of the Lowcountry Charleston Chucktown The Chuck The Big Sweet Grass Basket The Holy City Cheraw The Prettiest Town in Dixie Chesterfield The Heart of the Carolinas Clemson Tiger Town Title Town Columbia The Capital of Southern Hospitality Cola City/Town River City Soda City Capital City Elgin – Home of the Catfish Stomp Paris of the Midlands Florence Flo-Town Magic City Greenville – Textile Capital of the WorldGreenville, South Carolina , RelocateAmerica website (accessed January 10, 2008) Greenwood – The Emerald City Lancaster – The Red Rose City Myrtle Beach – Golf Capital of the World North Augusta – South Carolina's Riverfront Orangeburg – The Garden City Pageland – The Watermelon Capital of the World Rock Hill – The Gateway to South Carolina Ruby Jewel City of the South Spartanburg The Hub CityFlynn, Sean P. "Classic cars to rumble through Spartanburg en route to West" , Spartanburg Herald Journal, April 6, 2007, accessed April 13, 2007. "The Great American Race is coming to the Hub City." Sparkle City Sumter – The Gamecock City Walterboro - "The Front Porch of the Lowcountry" Winnsboro – Rock City