Are you looking for a place to live that is authentically Southern, affordable, and with lots to do? Turn to York County, South Carolina, one of the state’s best-kept secret destinations. USA Today recognized York County in its 10 Best Readers Choice Awards as one of the Best Small Town Cultural Scenes.

People are moving here for perks like its big-city amenities, friendly community feel, and low cost of living. Festivals and events take place all year, while prime outdoor recreation spots are out the backdoor. All that makes York County, SC, real estate in high demand.

Our profile illuminates what to know about life in this South Carolina destination.

About York County, SC

Tucked into South Carolina’s Piedmont region between the Broad River and Catawba River lies York County. Geographically, it is a diverse landscape from hills to flat plains. As a place to live, farmlands and pine forests five way to classic southern small towns, progressive urban development, and lakefront communities.

Accessibility is one of York County’s advantages. It falls inside the Charlotte, North Carolina, metropolitan area, with the city’s Uptown being about 30-40 minutes away. The Charlotte-Douglas International Airport, with its major carriers and regional airlines, is under 30 minutes away.

Additionally, South Carolina’s state capital, Columbia, is a two-hour drive straight down Interstate 77.

The county is considered part of the Old English District, one of the state’s 11 tourism regions. The designation refers to the area’s early English settlement and the number of Revolutionary War battlefields or relevant sites.

Cost of Living

The cost of living index places the national average cost of living at 100. York County comes in at 100.4, placing it on par with most of the United States. The high quality of life has attracted more people in recent years, driving up the housing market median prices. Additionally, health care runs about 11% more than the national average.

However, the cost of living varies across York County. For example, in Clover, the cost of housing is 11% above the national average, while in the Town of York, it costs 6% less. Plus, the actual living costs will depend on your lifestyle and budget.

York County Weather

Overall, the year-round climate is considered temperate. Mild winters make it easy to enjoy outdoor recreation throughout the year. Snow isn’t out of the question, but it is rather rare. The county averages just 1 to 2 inches a year. In the winter, the daytime highs sit in the mid to upper 50Fs.

Like much of the South, expect hot and humid summers. Summer average highs are just above 90°F, while heat indexes can make it feel closer to 100F. Thunderstorms aren’t out of the question.

In between are beautiful springs and falls, with moderate temperatures at 60-70F for your highs. The seasons change but at a pace that invites you to savor the seasons.

York County History

Several Native American tribes lived across the land we call York County, primarily the Catawba Indians, whose name was given to the Catawba River. Early European explorers include Hernando de Soto, who passed through the area while searching for gold. Juan Pardo also observed Catawba settlements near present-day Fort Mill on the eastern bank of the Catawba River.

Early European settlers were primarily Scotch-Irish immigrants who set up small towns and parishes. The land was considered a British colony managed under the Charles Town (today, Charleston, South Carolina) settlement further south on the coast. Later, the land became part of Craven County and was known as the “New Acquisition District.”

Two significant American Revolution battles were fought inside York County. Kings Mountain and Huck’s Defeat were both important Patriot victories in 1780. The former is a state park where the decisive battle is re-enacted each year.

The South Carolina General Assembly officially established York County in 1785. The county seat was selected as Fergus Crossroads, which later became the town of Yorkville and then simply York.

Post-revolution, York County’s economy was primarily agricultural and mining. The construction of railroads brought new goods into the region and helped expand agriculture.

No major battles were fought here during the American Civil War, but a high number of residents participated in the war. The resulting economic chaos halted growth in the region for a time. After the war, the textile industry became a primary economic player. Cotton manufacturing and railroad expansion led to the development of Rock Hill and Fort Mill, now the county’s largest towns. Textile production declined in the late 20th Century.

Completing the Catawba Dam and power plant was an important engineering accomplishment in the southeastern United States. It eventually led to the establishment of Duke Power Company and is credited with industrializing the Catawba Valley. It also formed Lake Wylie, one of the Carolina’s earliest man-made reservoirs.

Modern York County’s economy relies on the financial industry, heritage tourism, technology, and proximity to Charlotte, North Carolina.

York County Cities And Areas

The town of York is the county seat. It is in the western part of the county, an equal distance between I-77 and I-85. York has a historic downtown core and a traditional lifestyle. As other county towns have experienced significant growth, it’s maintained its rural small-town community feel. Experience it firsthand at its patriotic parades, summer concert series, and holiday festivals. Head to the local family-owned farms for fresh peaches and hard apple cider.

Rock Hill is the county’s largest city and the fifth-largest in South Carolina. It is the region’s commercial center and home to many businesses. Winthrop University, a public college with about 4,500 students, is one of three colleges in town. Rock Hill also has a children’s museum, a symphony, and multiple sports facilities.

Fort Mill is the fastest-growing town in the state as of 2024. The growth has been complemented by careful urban planning. The historic downtown blends new restaurants and shops with classic Main Street character. Meanwhile, its parks include the beautiful Anne Close Springs Greenway, a sprawling outdoor area with trails, riding facilities, and a lake. It also has the state’s no. 1 public school system. It also has shorter commutes to Uptown Charlotte, with an average time of 28 minutes.

Clover may be a small town, but probablt not much longer as it also reports high growth numbers. Situated in the northwest, the town’s central part has many antique shopping options and a historic ambiance. The June Feis Chlobhair festival celebrates the town’s Irish heritage. It has the second-best performing school system in South Carolina.

McConnell is a small area inside York County near the 775-acre historic Brattonsville Site.

Tega Cay is on a peninsula in Lake Wylie. The community earns high marks for safety and residential amenities. Residents and visitors use Tega Cay as a recreational jumping-off point for public golf, tennis, and swimming. It’s close to several marinas and has many parks with sports fields and nature trails.

Lake Wylie is both the name of the reservoir on the Catawba River and a waterfront unincorporated community. It’s directly across from North Carolina on the Charlotte highway. It has lakefront property for sale in master-planned communities and hidden peninsulas.

York County Job Market

Various companies call the area home. Large manufacturers include Shutterfly, Resolute Forest Products, McKesson, Wells Fargo, LPL Financial, and Schaeffler Group USA.

The area’s largest employers, based on the number of employees, are the City of Rock Hill, Continental Tire North America, Duke Energy, LPL Financial, Sunbelt Rentals, Rock Hill School District, Winthrop University, and Amisub of South Carolina. According to the community profile, the top employing industries are retail trades, manufacturing, accommodation and food services, health care, and education.

Transportation and warehousing, health care, accommodation and food service, and wholesale trade are the industries with the most anticipated growth by 2026.

York County Real Estate Market

The local housing market has single-family homes, condos, and townhomes for sale. The market’s variety is part of its appeal: live waterfront on Lake Wylie or a river, homestead in the country, or find a new construction master-planned neighborhood. York County has some of the hottest neighborhoods in the Charlotte metro as of 2024, with Fort Mill being on the top markets in South Carolina.

The county experienced strong median price growth since 2021, but has stabilized in 2023-2024. Still, year-to-date median home prices as of August 2024 were up 3.7% to $394,000. Closed sales were down 3.7%, but the market is reporting 15%  new listings. The days on the market until sale were ar 36, 6% more than the same time last year.

Looking at the August 2024 data, the market had 60% more active homes for sale than the prior year. Even with the growth in new listings, the market remains a seller’s market with a 2.5-months supply of inventory.

In further proof of growth, the median sales price in August 2024 was $428,000, an almost 7% year-over-year increase. The median list price by square foot was $216.

Looking closer at the towns in York County, SC, real estate:

• Town of York: $355,000 median home price YTD, 3.3-month supply of inventory
• Fort Mill: $491,330 median price YTD, 2.4-month supply
• Rock Hill: $340,000 median price YTD, 2.5-month supply
• Clover: $415,000 median price YTD, 3.4-month supply of inventory
• Lake Wylie: $554,500 median price, 2.8-month supply
• Tega Cay: $495,000 median price, 1.8-month supply

York County had an effective average property tax rate of 0.65% in 2023. On a median home value of $218,400, the average homeowner paid $1,419.60.

York County Population

The 2020 US Census Data shows York County had a population of 252,860 residents. The county was projected to have 287,870 residents by 2030, but it exceeded that by 2022 with 294,238 residents. Locals had an average age of 38.7. Around 28.5% had obtained a bachelor’s degree or higher, and another 31% had completed some college or an associate’s degree.

York County Education

The school systems are a top reason people move to York County. All four public school districts tend to rate very highly in the state, if not ranking as the best in educational quality for South Carolina. Independent evaluator Niche.com ranked York County as having the best public schools in South Carolina. If where your kids go to school is a priority, check for attendance zone boundaries to see where your target community falls or do a home search by the applicable school district.

York School District services 5,200 students across ten schools. These include six elementary schools, one middle school, and one high school. There is also an intermediate school which services 5th and 6th graders. York One Academy is an alternative school for grades 5 to 12.

Clover School District educates 8,400 students in one of the fastest-growing public school districts in the state. It has some award-winning Fine Arts and Career and Technology programs. In state testing data, it frequently ranks in the top five. In 2023, it ranked second in the state.

Rock Hill School District is the largest school district in the county. It runs 27 schools and learning campuses for around 18,000 students. It also includes adult education programs and a Technology and Career Education Center.

Fort Mill School District teaches 16,000 students across 20 schools. Based on its testing performance data, it has been the top-performing district in the state for several years.

In terms of private schools, families have 22 to choose from inside the county. A majority of these have a religious affiliation. The top-performing schools are St. Anne’s School and Westminster Catawba Christian School. Around 2,800 students attend a private school.

Colleges and Universities

Three higher education institutions provide career training and advancement opportunities.

Winthrop University is a public college founded in 1886 that is renowned for the quality and value of its education. The school offers undergraduate, graduate, and continuing professional education programs in Rock Hill. Its athletics programs compete in NCAA Division I.

York County Technical College runs 90 programs for continuing education, university transfer, and two-year degrees. The campus is in Rock Hill.

Clinton College is a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). It is a four-year liberal arts and Christian college also based in Rock Hill. Programs include four associate’s degree programs and three bachelor’s degree programs.

York County Healthcare

Piedmont Medical Center manages several healthcare facilities across the County. The primary campus is in Rock Hill. The 288-bed facility is a full-service hospital with maternity, advanced heart, and stroke care. US News & World Report named the Piedmont Medical Center a high-performing hospital for treating heart attacks, heart failure, and COPD.

Atrium Health also provides care for York County residents, specifically for oncology, orthopedics, OBGYN, and primary care. Its main hospital campus is across the border in Charlotte, North Carolina.

York County Outdoor Recreation

Another reason people decide to move to York County is all the activities inside the communities. Residents stay busy with water recreation, hiking, biking, sports programs, art festivals, and events. The hardest part is fitting it all in your calendar!

Enjoy a day of paddling, boating, floating, or fishing along the Catawba River and Lake Wylie. Kayaking and tubing are popular activities. A kayak launch is just below the dam and right on the Riverwalk for a three-mile float on the Catawba. Two launches on Lake Wylie provide access to a faster-paced day of water skiing or jet skiing or plying the waters for bass and catfish.

The Anne Springs Close Greenway outside Fort Mill is one of the best parks in the Charlotte metro. The historic nature preserve has over 2,100 acres for picnicking, hiking, and mountain biking. It also has equestrian trails and a lake and runs summer camps for kids.

Nanny’s Mountain is a historic site and scenic outlook with lakefront views.

The Field Day Park at Lake Wylie has a popular playground and astroturf sports fields.

A significant BMX and biking scene encourages people to get outdoors. Cherry Park anchors the amateur sports scene. Two nationally sanctioned races hit the Giordano Velodrome and the BMX Supercross Track at Riverwalk.

For mountain bike enthusiasts, try the Baxter Village trails or the runs at Anne Springs Close. BMX riders have five different courses at Rock Hill BMX Supercross Track and the Giordano Velodrome.

York County Local Attractions

Kings Mountain State Park and Kings Mountain National Military Park showcase two significant historical attractions. The Battle of Kings Mountain was the turning point in the American Revolution. The culturally relevant site includes the battlefield, monuments, and Ferguson’s grave. The state park also has hiking trails and picnicking facilities.

The Glencairn Garden has a more relaxing outdoor experience. This attraction started as a backyard garden in 1928 but now spans 11 acres with various plants. Blooming season peaks in the spring, with so many different flowers and colors that it is a true feast for the eyes.

The York Historic District attraction includes the historic McCelvey Center and the Sylvia Theater. McCelvey Center was the original site of the Yorkville Female Academy and included the 500-seat Lowry Family Theater. The Culture and Heritage Museum uses this venue for its annual Southern Sound Series, which brings big-name musical acts to town. The historic Sylvia Theater shows movies and serves as a music venue for small and large acts. The building is over a hundred years old.

The Center for the Arts in Rock Hill is a hub for the area’s arts and culture scene. Two galleries are inside the building, which is a work of art itself. Gallery 120 is another arts space. This community art gallery dedicated to the growth and exposure of professional and emerging fine artists.

One unique attraction in York County happens every June. Two dozen local farms open to the public through the Ag + Art event. It’s a self-guided event with public art displays.

The Culture and Heritage Museums is a family of museums operating inside of York County. It includes historic Brattonsville, the McCelvey Center, the Museum of York County, and the Main Street Children’s Museum. They are dedicated to preserving the cultural and natural histories of the Piedmont Region.

York County Dining

Restaurants and dining experiences will excite your taste buds. Scattered around the various towns are a mix of specialty stores and local restaurants. Enjoy everything from southern home cooking to fine dining to boba tea. A sampling of the variety on the dining scene:

• Ebenezer Grill is a classic southern diner serving sandwiches, hamburgers, and hot dogs.
• Hobo’s is in historic Fort Mill. It has hand-spun milkshakes to a carefully selected pallet of beers from around the Carolinas.
• LRB Riverwalk is a southern-inspired farm-to-table restaurant and brewery.
• Sweet Caroline’s BBQ offers unique southern-style food.
• Spice Asian Kitchen uses locally sourced ingredients to provide a unique dining experience.
• Windy Hills Orchard & Cidery is a family-run farm with an award-winning cider. In the fall, stop in for warm apple cider donuts.
• Pump House has a riverfront view, a signature shrimp and grits dish, and brunch with classic southern favorites.

York County Shopping

The many historic downtowns of York area cities each have a unique and delightful shopping experience. As one of the leading cultural scenes in the southeast, art enthusiasts will enjoy wandering the various galleries and shops looking for locally created pieces.

The town of York’s large historic district is filled with shops and restaurants. Find an eclectic mix of gifts and homewares, to services like a pet groomer dedicated to man’s best friend. Find fresh produce at the Old Town Farmer’s Market every Saturday from April to November.

Several antique shops are scattered around the county. Clover, in particular, is great for sourcing vintage and memorable pieces.

Another farmer’s market is found in Fort Mill. It is hosted in Veterans Park every Saturday with fresh produce, local vendors, and more.

Living In York County, South Carolina

York County residents enjoy a wonderful mix of urban development and small-town living. Here, you can still get to know your neighbors while participating in perks like upscale dining and family-friendly events. Residents have access to some of the best education opportunities in the state. While some areas have higher costs, generally it’s on par with affordability nationwide. With all these perks, what’s not to love about living in York County? Explore more York County, SC, real estate with a local real estate expert.

Updated October 2024