Abbeville is located in Abbeville County, of which it is the county seat, south of Greenville between Calhoun Falls and Greenwood along Highway 72 near Sumter National Forest. The Long Cane River is nearby.
The population estimate for July 1, 1998 was 5, 281, a decrease of 497 since 1990.
Today in Abbeville, visitors and residents will find the elegant Opera House surrounded by specialty and antique shops; the Burt-Stark House, which is the meeting place of the Confederate Council of War; and old Trinity Church, built in 1860 and noted for its Gothic Revival architecture. The Abbeville Historic District includes about 300 other buildings. Guided tours are available through the Greater Abbeville Chamber of Commerce.
There is also an Abbeville, Louisiana.