Seneca is a city in Oconee County, South Carolina, United States.

It is the principal city of the Seneca Micropolitan Statistical Area (population 74,273 at the 2010 census), an (MSA) that includes all of Oconee County, and that is included within the greater Greenville-Spartanburg-Anderson, South Carolina Combined Statistical Area (population 1,266,995 at the 2010 census).

In the antebellum period, this area was part of the Pickens District, South Carolina.

A. W. Thompson and J. J. Norton, who were locating engineers for the Air Line Railroad, purchased the land from Col. Brown of Anderson, South Carolina, also in the large Pickens District.

A stake marking the center of town was driven into the ground at the intersection of the railroad tracks and the current Townville Street.

Seneca developed as a marketing and shipping point for cotton, the major commodity crop in this uplands area.

During the harvest, wagons bringing cotton would line up for blocks from the railroad station.

Jordon built another textile plant and mill village east of Seneca.

In the late 20th century, major dam projects were constructed n the Keowee and other local rivers, to support recreation and public utilities.

[5] Concerned about over-development, some residents formed the Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS) to advocate for balance.

[6] Early on April 13, 2020, a high-end EF3 tornado struck residential areas south and east of Seneca.

Seneca Fire Department is housed on West South Fourth Street, in a new complex.

The Fire House is just across the street from the Shaver Complex, which comprises the Shaver Civic Center, sports fields for the Seneca Recreation Department, a park for smaller children, and a rubberized soft walking track.