RANK #730 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 24 SC · POP 167,201
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +15%
Summerville, often called "Flowertown in the Pines," stands out in Dorchester County, South Carolina, known for its historic charm and abundant azaleas. Located about 25 miles from Charleston, the county offers a quieter pace of life while maintaining access to urban amenities. Commuting to Charleston is common, and public transportation options like TriCounty Link serve the area. The county's natural beauty includes the Ashley River, a State Scenic River, and numerous parks like Ashley River Park and Givhans Ferry State Park, providing opportunities for kayaking, hiking, and birdwatching.
Dorchester County appeals to families and professionals seeking a balance of community and economic opportunity. The public school districts in Dorchester County are recognized, with Dorchester School District Two being particularly highly rated. The local economy sees growth in sectors such as advanced manufacturing, industrial logistics, and technology, attracting investment and creating jobs. This economic activity, combined with a focus on preserving natural spaces, shapes the lifestyle for residents.
Dorchester County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -0.9% runs below the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 23.7x — 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: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Dorchester County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Data Center Campuses (Pine Hill Business Campus & Winding Woods Commerce Park)
Google
|
$2,000M | Under Construction |
|
Electric Motor Production Expansion (Bosch)
Robert Bosch, LLC
|
$260M | Operating |
|
Cold Storage & Logistics Facility
Arcadia Cold Storage & Logistics
|
$70M | Operating |
|
Same-Day Delivery Facility (Jedburg Logistics Park)
Amazon
|
$50M | Operating |
|
Forklift Manufacturing Expansion
KION North America
|
$40M | Completed |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 26/100, Dorchester County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $78,198 combined with job growth of +0.9% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Dorchester County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $329,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,463/month on average.
Dorchester County's population is growing — up +1.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.9%). Home values shifted -0.9% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 5.0% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Dorchester County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.