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York County, SC

RANK #695 / 996  ·  POP 282,987  ·  SC

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.0%

York County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why York County?

York County, South Carolina, offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty, with notable towns like Rock Hill and Fort Mill. The county is situated in the Piedmont region, bordered by the Broad and Catawba Rivers, and lies just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, making it part of the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. Commutes to Charlotte can range from 30 minutes to over an hour during peak times, depending on the specific location within York County. The Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill provides 2,100 acres with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, alongside lakes and ponds for water activities. Lake Wylie also offers extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water sports.

Life in York County appeals to families and those seeking a balance of community and access to urban amenities. The public school systems, including Fort Mill and Clover, are recognized for their quality. The economy is diversifying beyond its historical textile roots, with recent growth in sectors like advanced materials, manufacturing, and data centers. This economic activity contributes to job opportunities within the county, though some residents commute to Charlotte. The county maintains a mix of rural and urban lifestyles, with ongoing development of new neighborhoods.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
5.4x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+4.4%

Well above national median

Home Prices
-1.6%

Prices declining

Climate & Terrain
0.5

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
15x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 5.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

York County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
282,987
+2.32% YoY
Median Household Income
$80,158
Median Home Value
$287,600
-1.55% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,204
Average Annual Pay
$61,068
+4.9% YoY
Employment
104,775
+0.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2787
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.55%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$396,500
Days on Market
96
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.1
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.0%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
11.9%
Listings w/ Price Drops
25.5%
Building Permits (2024)
2,513
Single-Family Permits
2,171

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$8,250M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
QTS Data Center Campus (Project Cobra)
QTS Data Centers
$8,000M Under Construction
Silfab Solar Manufacturing Plant
Silfab Solar
$150M Planned
Main Street Tega Cay Mixed-Use Development
Unknown
$50M Proposed
Patriots Energy Group Natural Gas Compressor Station
Patriots Energy Group (PEG)
$50M Operating

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +4.4% 77 percentile
Population Growth +2.3% 91 percentile
Income Growth +11.0% 90 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 76 percentile
Home Price Change -1.6% 18 percentile
Rent Growth +2.1% 34 percentile
Price/Rent 15x 38 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is York County, SC a good place to move to?

York County has a Boom Town Index score of 30/100, ranking #695 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $80,158, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is York County affordable?

The median home value in York County is $287,600 with median rent at $1,204/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2787, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is York County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +2.3% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed -1.6% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to York County?

Yes — 2.55% of York County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

Marshall County, AL 40 Wyandotte County, KS 40 Montgomery County, PA 40 Gregg County, TX 40 Carver County, MN 40 Madison County, MS 40 Bristol County, RI 40 Pulaski County, AR 40