Previous
A kiosk shows a map of the hiking trail at Caesars Head State Park. The trail leads to Raven Cliff Falls, one of the prettiest in South Carolina. (Bob Downing/MCT/Newscom)
4. Greenville-Mauldin-Easley, S.C. – down 2.2 percentage points
Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, this upstate South Carolina area is known for its historic farmers market (started in the 1920s) and its zoo, which has three rare Amur leopard cubs. Its economy is starting to grow, too. In the year since February 2010, the metro area added some 5,500 professional and business service jobs. The unemployment rate has dropped from 10.7 percent to 8.5 percent.
These comments are not screened before publication. Constructive debate about the above story is welcome, but personal attacks are not. Please do not post comments that are commercial in nature or that violate any copyright[s]. Comments that we regard as obscene, defamatory, or intended to incite violence will be removed. If you find a comment offensive, you may flag it.