RANK #620 / 1001 NAT · #19 / 24 SC · POP 293,673
1YR FORECAST: -0.9%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
York County, South Carolina, offers a blend of historical significance and natural beauty, with notable towns like Rock Hill and Fort Mill. The county is situated in the Piedmont region, bordered by the Broad and Catawba Rivers, and lies just south of Charlotte, North Carolina, making it part of the greater Charlotte metropolitan area. Commutes to Charlotte can range from 30 minutes to over an hour during peak times, depending on the specific location within York County. The Anne Springs Close Greenway in Fort Mill provides 2,100 acres with miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding, alongside lakes and ponds for water activities. Lake Wylie also offers extensive opportunities for boating, fishing, and other water sports.
Life in York County appeals to families and those seeking a balance of community and access to urban amenities. The public school systems, including Fort Mill and Clover, are recognized for their quality. The economy is diversifying beyond its historical textile roots, with recent growth in sectors like advanced materials, manufacturing, and data centers. This economic activity contributes to job opportunities within the county, though some residents commute to Charlotte. The county maintains a mix of rural and urban lifestyles, with ongoing development of new neighborhoods.
York County is one of 43 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of -1.2% runs below the profile's typical -0.0%.
See all 43 Sun Belt Exurban Boom counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 15.9x — 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 |
|---|---|---|
|
QTS Data Center Campus (Project Cobra)
QTS Data Centers
|
$8,000M | Under Construction |
|
Silfab Solar Manufacturing Plant
Silfab Solar
|
$150M | Planned |
|
Main Street Tega Cay Mixed-Use Development
Unknown
|
$50M | Proposed |
|
Patriots Energy Group Natural Gas Compressor Station
Patriots Energy Group (PEG)
|
$50M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 38/100, York County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $89,095 combined with job growth of +1.2% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
York County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $361,300 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.25 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,387/month on average.
York County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +1.8% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.2% clip. Home values shifted -1.2% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.95% of York County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.