RANK #450 / 1001 NAT · #13 / 24 SC · POP 134,629
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +29%
Pickens County, South Carolina, distinguishes itself with its deep Appalachian heritage and ownership of a portion of the Blue Ridge Mountains, including Sassafras Mountain, the state's highest peak. Located in the northwestern part of the state, approximately 30 minutes from Greenville, the county offers a blend of small-town atmosphere and access to larger cities. Commuting to Greenville is feasible, taking around 30 minutes by car. The community is characterized by its natural beauty, with abundant outdoor recreation opportunities like hiking, biking, fishing, and watersports on Lakes Jocassee, Keowee, and Hartwell, as well as at Table Rock State Park.
Life in Pickens County offers a small-town feel, where residents often know each other. The public school system is highly rated, with test scores consistently above state and national averages. The local economy is driven by manufacturing, education, and tourism. Clemson University, located within the county, is a major employer and contributes to the educational landscape. Recent economic developments include investments from companies like ElringKlinger Group, an automotive supplier establishing and expanding its operations in Easley, focusing on electric battery components and creating new jobs.
Pickens County is one of 35 U.S. counties in this market profile — near the profile average on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +1.7% matches the profile's typical +1.4%.
See all 35 Secondary Market Surge counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 13.8x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. Climate and geography support a structural premium. 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 →
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Pickens County scores 55/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#450). Median household income is $61,064 and job growth is running at +1.7%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Pickens County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $231,900 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.26, with rents averaging $972/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Pickens County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.5% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +1.7% in the past year.
In significant numbers — 6.36% of Pickens County's current population relocated from another state, well above the national norm. That level of in-migration usually signals a county where jobs, affordability, or quality of life are pulling people in from elsewhere.