Aiken South Carolina

Aiken is the largest city and county seat of Aiken County, located in the western part of South Carolina. Along with Augusta, Georgia, it is one of the two largest cities in the Central Savannah River Area. Aiken is part of the Augusta-Richmond County Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Founded in 1835, Aiken was named after William Aiken, the president of the South Carolina Railroad. It became part of Aiken County when the county was established in 1871, formed from parts of Orangeburg, Lexington, Edgefield, and Barnwell counties.

Aiken is home to the University of South Carolina Aiken. As of the 2013 census, the population was 30,296. In 1997, Aiken was recognized with the All-America City Award by the National Civic League.