RANK #264 / 996 · POP 78,775 · SC
PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%
Oconee County, South Carolina, known as the "Land Beside the Water" by the Cherokee, is distinguished by its abundant natural beauty, including three major lakes—Jocassee, Keowee, and Hartwell—and over 100 waterfalls. Located in the state's northwestern corner at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it offers extensive outdoor recreation like hiking the Foothills Trail, whitewater rafting on the Chattooga River, and various water sports. Towns like Seneca and Walhalla provide local charm, with Seneca bordering Lakes Keowee and Hartwell. The county is about a 45-minute drive from Greenville, SC, and offers a commute time to work similar to the statewide average.
Life in Oconee County balances a connection to nature with community amenities. The area attracts retirees and families, drawn by its quality of life and affordable living. The economy is significantly driven by manufacturing, which accounts for over 25% of the workforce and has seen substantial growth. Educational institutions like the Oconee County School District, which includes the Hamilton Career and Technology Center, and nearby Clemson University, support this manufacturing sector by providing a skilled workforce.
Above national median
Housing looks undervalued at 3.7x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
BorgWarner Battery Module Production Facility Expansion
BorgWarner
|
$42M | Planned |
|
Itron Oconee County Expansion (2023)
Itron
|
$28M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Oconee County has a Boom Town Index score of 74/100, ranking #264 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $56,710, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Oconee County is $192,800 with median rent at $852/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2941, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +2.1% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 2.63% of Oconee County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.