Cherokee Falls, SC

Full City Profile · South Carolina · Cherokee County County

3.9 /5.0
B+ Good
28 Population 255/sq mi density
58°F Avg Temperature
B+
Overall
3.9 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Education
3.9 / 5.0
0.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Cherokee Falls enjoys a temperate climate with an average annual temperature of 58°F (14°C). Winters average 39°F in January while summers reach 77°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 48.5 inches. The area receives 1.9 inches of snow annually.

Temperature

39°F Jan (4°C) 77°F Jul (25°C)
Annual Average57.9°F
7% above US avg
January Average39°F (4°C)
July Average77°F (25°C)

Geography

Elevation538 ft (164 m)
Area0.1 sq mi (0.3 km²)
Population Density255/sq mi
Coordinates35.0639°N, 81.5445°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyCherokee County County
Nearest AirportCharlotte/Douglas International (CLT)
35 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 48.5"
28% above US avg
Snowfall 1.9"
Wettest Month (Mar) 4.74"
Driest Month (Feb) 3.43"

Air Quality

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score69.7 / 100
Social Vulnerability63.0 / 100
Community Resilience26.3 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Relatively Moderate
Hurricane Relatively Low
Earthquake Relatively Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Relatively Low
Strong Wind Relatively Moderate
Heat Wave Relatively Low
Winter Weather Relatively Low
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Moderate
Landslide Very Low
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

43 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M4.1. Most recent: M2.5 on Aug 23, 2025.

Feb 15, 2014 12 km ENE of Parksville, South Carolina M4.1 148 km
Apr 13, 1998 9 km S of Kershaw, South Carolina M3.9 108 km
Jun 29, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.6 125 km
Jun 29, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.5 125 km
Jun 26, 2022 6 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M3.4 125 km
Jan 3, 1992 4 km ENE of Willington, South Carolina M3.4 145 km
May 9, 2022 5 km ESE of Elgin, South Carolina M3.3 125 km
Jun 4, 2023 4 km NNW of West Canton, North Carolina M3.2 133 km
Jun 5, 1998 4 km SSE of Mooresville, North Carolina M3.2 88 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km N of Coronaca, South Carolina M3.0 100 km
Feb 16, 2014 13 km WNW of Edgefield, South Carolina M3.0 145 km
Aug 4, 2007 12 km ENE of Lake Lure, North Carolina M3.0 68 km
Jan 1, 1993 4 km SSW of Spruce Pine, North Carolina M3.0 103 km
Aug 25, 2013 3 km NNE of Blowing Rock, North Carolina M2.9 123 km
Feb 18, 2005 7 km ENE of Irmo, South Carolina M2.9 112 km
Aug 23, 2025 3 km NNW of Coronaca, South Carolina M2.9 100 km
Mar 6, 2006 3 km W of Burnsville, North Carolina M2.8 119 km
Feb 12, 2021 8 km SW of Banner Hill, Tennessee M2.8 140 km
May 23, 2023 4 km N of West Canton, North Carolina M2.8 132 km
May 10, 2022 5 km E of Elgin, South Carolina M2.8 124 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

6 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 4. Most recent: Ian (2022, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2022 Ian Category 1 292 km
2016 Matthew Category 1 291 km
2004 Charley Category 1 291 km
2004 Gaston Category 1 291 km
1996 Fran Category 1 259 km
1989 Hugo Category 4 57 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

426 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF4. Total: 24 fatalities, 503 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
May 7, 1998 EF4 91 km 0
May 5, 1989 EF4 45 km 4
May 5, 1989 EF4 35 km 2
May 5, 1989 EF4 75 km 1
Mar 28, 1984 EF4 80 km 5
Mar 15, 2008 EF3 95 km 0
Aug 16, 1994 EF3 48 km 0
Mar 27, 1994 EF3 44 km 0
Oct 18, 1990 EF3 79 km 0
Mar 28, 1984 EF3 84 km 0
Dec 13, 1973 EF3 97 km 1
May 27, 1973 EF3 87 km 0
May 10, 1952 EF3 71 km 2
May 5, 2020 EF2 71 km 0
Apr 25, 2020 EF2 80 km 0
Feb 6, 2020 EF2 17 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 77 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 42 km 0
Oct 23, 2017 EF2 18 km 0
Oct 8, 2017 EF2 73 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

20 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: BRUSHY RIDGE (12,405 ac, 2000).

Year Name Acres Distance
2000 BRUSHY RIDGE 12,405 95 km
2016 PARTY ROCK 8,572 78 km
2007 LINVILLE COMPLEX (DOBSON KNOB) 7,151 91 km
2016 CHESTNUT KNOB 6,418 63 km
2010 BURNING UNIT 5,567 42 km
1985 UNNAMED 4,610 72 km
2022 LOST BEAR RX FY2022 4,276 94 km
2017 WHITE CREEK 4,166 91 km
2016 CLEAR CREEK 3,493 89 km
2010 C-94-95 133 RX 3,192 67 km
2016 UNNAMED 2,976 96 km
2010 UNNAMED 2,909 70 km
2015 UNNAMED 2,690 59 km
2017 UNNAMED 2,514 61 km
2009 UNNAMED 2,458 61 km
2017 UNNAMED 2,395 51 km
2017 UNNAMED 2,362 52 km
2013 UNNAMED 2,274 61 km
2013 UNNAMED 2,237 61 km
2013 LOST BEAR EAST 2,167 93 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 39°F (4°C) 4.2 in Coldest
February 42°F (6°C) 3.4 in Driest
March 49°F (9°C) 4.7 in Wettest
April 57°F (14°C) 4.3 in
May 65°F (19°C) 3.6 in
June 73°F (23°C) 4.3 in
July 77°F (25°C) 4.3 in Warmest
August 76°F (24°C) 4.6 in
September 70°F (21°C) 3.9 in
October 59°F (15°C) 3.4 in
November 48°F (9°C) 3.7 in
December 41°F (5°C) 4.2 in

Cherokee Falls has a seasonal temperature swing of 38°F / from 39°F in January to 77°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 48.5 inches, with March being the wettest month (4.7") and February the driest (3.4").

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