RANK #521 / 1001 NAT · #15 / 24 SC · POP 347,852
1YR FORECAST: +0.4%
5YR OUTLOOK: +28%
Spartanburg County, South Carolina, known as "Hub City" due to its historical role as a railroad intersection, offers a mix of urban and rural living. Located in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains, it provides access to outdoor recreation, including trails, lakes, and rivers. The county seat, Spartanburg, features a cultural district, a growing food scene, and several colleges and universities. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, though the city of Spartanburg operates a bus system and an on-demand microtransit service. Notable towns like Landrum and Woodruff offer small-town charm with unique shops and local events.
Spartanburg County is experiencing economic growth, attracting families and professionals. The economy is driven by sectors such as advanced manufacturing, data centers, and aerospace. Major investments have been made in high-performance computing centers and 3D printing facilities. The county is also home to several higher education institutions, contributing to a diverse community. Public schools in Spartanburg County are generally well-regarded, with seven different school districts serving various communities.
Spartanburg County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.5% YoY, population +2.9%, wages +4.3%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 8.3x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Sparrow (AI-focused High-Performance Computing Data Center)
TigerDC
|
$3,000M | Proposed |
|
Project Moc-1 (High-Performance Computing Center)
NorthMark Strategies
|
$2,800M | Under Construction |
|
BMW Battery Assembly Plant
BMW Manufacturing
|
$700M | Under Construction |
|
Spartanburg City-County Joint Government Complex
Spartanburg County and City of Spartanburg
|
$100M | Under Construction |
|
EV Battery System Manufacturing Facility
Proterra
|
$76M | Operating |
|
Solar Farm Portfolio (Pinson, Limelight III, Carver Mill Rd, Bryant Road, Limelight II)
Cardinal Renewables, Limelight Solar III, LLC, Montes Electric INC, GridInfo
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Spartanburg County scores 48/100 on the Boom Town Index, landing in the middle of the pack among 1001 U.S. counties (#521). Median household income is $66,234 and job growth is running at +1.3%. The data points to a county with mixed signals — some positive indicators alongside areas that lag faster-growing peers.
Housing in Spartanburg County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $233,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,084/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Spartanburg County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +2.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.3% clip. Home values shifted +2.5% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.82% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Spartanburg County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.