RANK #619 / 1001 NAT · #18 / 24 SC · POP 304,887
1YR FORECAST: -0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
Lexington County, South Carolina, is often recognized by locals for Lake Murray, a large reservoir offering 500 miles of shoreline and 50,000 acres of water for recreation like boating, fishing, and waterskiing. Situated in the Midlands region, it is part of the Columbia metropolitan area, with the town of Lexington serving as the county seat. Commutes to downtown Columbia typically take 22–30 minutes via I-20 East, though Highway 378 offers an alternative for other destinations. The county presents a blend of urban, suburban, and rural landscapes, with significant urbanization in its eastern and northeastern areas. Numerous parks, such as Virginia Hylton Park and Gibson Pond Park, provide additional outdoor amenities.
Life in Lexington County appeals to families and professionals, with public schools generally performing above average. The economy is experiencing growth, attracting investment in sectors like manufacturing, energy, and commercial and residential development. This expansion is supported by the county's central location in South Carolina, offering access to major interstates and proximity to the Port of Charleston. While public transportation exists through a regional bus system, personal vehicles remain the primary mode of transit.
Lexington County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +0.6% YoY, population +1.5%, wages +3.9%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing looks overvalued at 9.2x — 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: 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Solar Energy Farm Portfolio (3 sites)
Undisclosed Solar Energy Farm Developer
|
$180M | Planned |
|
New Housing Development (624 homes)
Undisclosed Developer
|
$150M | Proposed |
|
Nephron Nitrile Expansion
Nephron Nitrile
|
$100M | Planned |
|
Gunsight Solar, LLC
Gunsight Solar, LLC
|
$75M | Operating |
|
Allora Solar, LLC
Allora Solar, LLC
|
$75M | Operating |
|
FedEx Ground Distribution Facility
FedEx Ground / Scannell Properties
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 38/100, Lexington County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $77,408 combined with job growth of +1.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Lexington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $234,500 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $1,178/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Lexington County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.1% clip. Home values shifted +0.6% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 3.04% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Lexington County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.