RANK #858 / 1001 NAT · #20 / 24 SC · POP 174,160
1YR FORECAST: +3.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: -10%
Aiken County, South Carolina, is often recognized first for its deep equestrian roots and the charming city of Aiken, known as "Thoroughbred Country." Located in western South Carolina, adjacent to the Savannah River and the Georgia border, the county is about 15 miles east of Augusta, Georgia, and an hour's drive from Columbia, South Carolina. This proximity allows for commutes to larger cities while maintaining a distinct small-town feel within Aiken and other communities like North Augusta and Graniteville. The area offers a blend of natural beauty, including the historic Hitchcock Woods with its extensive trail network, and access to the Savannah River for outdoor recreation.
Life in Aiken County balances a relaxed pace with community engagement. Many residents own their homes, and the public schools are considered above average. Commute times average around 25 minutes, with most people driving alone, though public transit options like the Best Friend Express serve Aiken and North Augusta. The economy is seeing growth driven by sectors such as advanced manufacturing, energy, and technology, including significant investment in data centers. This economic activity contributes to new housing developments and a changing landscape, attracting a mix of families, retirees, and professionals.
Aiken County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +3.2% YoY, population +1.3%, wages +4.2%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below-average climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.6x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Meta Data Center
Meta
|
$800M | Under Construction |
|
Kimberly-Clark Corporation Expansion
Kimberly-Clark Corporation
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Shaw Creek Solar Energy Center
NextEra Energy Resources (subsidiary)
|
$100M | Operating |
|
Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc. Expansion
Rolls-Royce Solutions America Inc.
|
$75M | Planned |
|
DC BLOX Hyperscale Edge Node
DC BLOX
|
$50M | Planned |
|
Laureate Hotel (Former Farmers and Merchants Bank building conversion)
Unknown
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Aiken County scores just 14/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #858 of 1001 counties. Job growth at +2.4% and median household income of $70,609 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Housing in Aiken County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $218,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.32, with rents averaging $1,062/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Aiken County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.3% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.4% clip — and home values reflect that momentum, rising +3.2% over the past 12 months.
Not particularly — 1.3% of Aiken County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.