The southern part of the city is in Laurens County, while the bulk of the city is in Greenville County. The city's nickname is "The Diamond Tip of the Golden Strip". The city took its name from an inn and fountain that were along the old stagecoach route. The stagecoach drivers called the stop "Fountain Inn", and it stuck. A small garden fountain is installed at City Hall, and there is a marker on the north side of town showing the former location of the old inn. South Carolina Highway 14 runs through the center of town as Main Street, and Interstate 385 runs along the southern edge of the city, with access from Exits 22, 23, and 26. Greenville is to the northwest, and Columbia is to the southeast. Via Highway 14, Laurens is to the southeast. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city of Fountain Inn has a total area of, of which, or 0.43%, are water. There are several festivals in Fountain Inn, including Aunt Het Day, based on syndicated cartoon columnist Robert Quillen, that brings in several hundred visitors as Main Street is closed and filled with many unique vendors.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,017 people. The population density was 1,091.6 people per square mile. There were 2,465 housing units at an average density of 447.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 67.49% White, 29.31% African American, 0.13% Native American, 0.28% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 0.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.41% of the population. There were 3,005 households, out of which 38.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.8% were married couplesliving together, 19.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 26.8% were non-families. 23.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.06. In the town the population was spread out, with 28.3% under the age of 18, 7.7% from 18 to 24, 33.2% from 25 to 44, 19.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 33 years. For every 100 females, there were 83.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 77.7 males. The median income for a family was $51,705. The per capita income for the city was $26,164. About 11% of the population were below the poverty line.
Government
Fountain Inn is governed by a mayor, a city council, a city administrator, and several boards and commissions. The current officeholders are: City council
The city of Fountain Inn has one of the lowest crime rates in Greenville County and has the best record in closing case files of towns of similar sizes and geographic area. The Fountain Inn Police Department has annual reports and information regarding current records and statistical surveys of the area.
Education
92.6% of the residents have a high school diploma or equivalent, 21.7% with bachelor's degree and 4.1% holding a master's, professional or doctorate.
Notable people
Fountain Inn was the adopted home of journalist and humorist Robert Quillen, one of the "leading purveyors of village nostalgia" during the early decades of the twentieth century. Fountain Inn was the home town of late one-legged tap dancer Clayton "Peg Leg" Bates. Fountain Inn is the home town of Travelle Wharton, a retired NFL offensive lineman. He played for the Carolina Panthers of the NFL from 2004 through 2011. He joined the Cincinnati Bengals for the 2012 season. He played college football at the University of South Carolina.
