Clemson (/ˈklɛmpsən, ˈklɛmzən/[6][7][note a]) is a city in Pickens and Anderson counties in the U.S. state of South Carolina.

In 2015, the Princeton Review cited the town of Clemson as ranking #1 in the United States for "town-and-gown" relations with its resident university.

The city's comprehensive plan[11] has a historic preservation component to apply to keep a range of structures in the area.

The Clemson (train) Depot, built in 1893, was renovated in 2001; it now houses the local chamber of commerce and visitor center.

[13] U.S. Route 123 runs along the northern end of the city and its edges have been developed with typical suburban-style shopping centers.

Clemson University was founded as an agricultural college starting in 1889, on the former Fort Hill Plantation of statesman John C. Calhoun, which he had acquired by marriage.

Floride Calhoun inherited the property after her mother's death in 1836 but, under South Carolina law, she likely lost any individual rights to it because of her marriage.

Because Anna Maria was the only living child, she inherited a part of Fort Hill when Floride died in 1866.

The city is situated near the northwestern corner of South Carolina in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains while also on the shores of Lake Hartwell.

Precipitation is ample through the year, although it reaches a maximum in August and February; snowfall is typically sporadic with a normal seasonal (December through March) total accumulation of 2.2 in (5.6 cm).

Lake Hartwell, a reservoir, is a popular recreation area that borders the city on the west.

[21] As of the 2020 United States census, there were 17,681 people, 6,751 households, and 2,571 families residing in the city.

The CAT buses also provide transfer services to the local Electric City Transit bus in Anderson.

Riders can receive vouchers from CAT bus operators in order to continue their ride fare-free on the Anderson shuttles.

[24] The city of Clemson has an Amtrak station at the corner of Calhoun Memorial Highway and College Avenue.

[25] The Crescent Route travels from New Orleans to New York City and stops through the Clemson station (CSN).

Hartsfield-Jackson Atlanta International Airport (ATL) is two and a half hours away in Atlanta, Georgia, and Charlotte-Douglas International Airport (CLT) is also two and a half hours away in Charlotte, North Carolina.

In 1964, the school burned down, destroying everything but the cafeteria, and the newer first and second grade wing, a separate building.

The once segregated Calhoun Colored School was renamed Morrison annex and was used to house the primary grades and self-contained resource students.

Clemson Elementary colors are orange and blue, and its mascot is the tiger cub.

[30] RC Edwards was built and opened in 1971, and named for the President of Clemson University.

[32] In the 2013–2014 season, the team ended the year 14 wins to one loss, which occurred in the 3A State Championship against Myrtle Beach High School.

The South Carolina General Assembly designated Clemson University as a "municipal corporation" in 1894.