RANK #972 / 996 · POP 56,200 · SC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -4.0%
Cherokee County, South Carolina, is perhaps best known for the Peachoid, a distinctive 135-foot-tall water tower shaped like a peach, prominently visible from Interstate 85 in Gaffney. This landmark highlights the county's agricultural heritage and its position in the "Old Iron District" due to its pre-Civil War iron mining. Located in the Piedmont region, the county sits between Charlotte, NC, and Greenville/Spartanburg, SC, with both major cities approximately 45 minutes away via I-85. The community offers access to outdoor recreation, including hiking and kayaking on the Broad River and trails at Lake Whelchel, which is part of the Overmountain Victory National Historic Trail.
Life in Cherokee County offers an affordable cost of living, with many residents owning their homes. The Cherokee County School District serves over 7,700 students across 15 schools. Commute options include Interstate 85, US 29, and several state highways, with vanpool programs available through local companies. The economy is experiencing growth, with recent investments in manufacturing and solar technology. These developments contribute to job creation and a changing economic landscape for families and workers in the area.
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Housing looks undervalued at 3.8x — home prices are low relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Cielo Digital Infrastructure Data Center Campus
Cielo Digital Infrastructure, LLC
|
$2,100M | Planned |
|
First Solar Manufacturing Facility
First Solar, Inc.
|
$330M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Cherokee County has a Boom Town Index score of 2/100, ranking #972 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -4.7% and a median household income of $47,011, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Cherokee County is $124,500 with median rent at $828/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3776, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: -0.0% year-over-year. Job growth: -4.7%. Home values changed -5.6% in the past 12 months.