Established in 1786, York is the county seat of York County, South Carolina. The Cherokee and Catawba tribes were the first residents before Scots-Irish immigrants moved down from Pennsylvania and founded the city. The settlers named their new town Yorkville to honor their European roots and the War of the Roses, leading to Yorkville’s nickname of “White Rose City.” The city shifted from a rural center to a modern town when residents built the current courthouse in 1915. The city’s name was changed to York, and the population has continued to grow since. In 2020, York’s population exceeded 8,000, and the World Population Review estimates there will be over 9,000 residents by the end of 2024.
York may be losing some of its farmland to new subdivisions, but family farms and the Yorkville Historical Society work to keep the city’s rural roots alive. The community is diverse, and many move in for the housing prices, small-town atmosphere and history. Jan Carlisle is a Realtor with Better Homes and Gardens Real Estate who has been selling homes in South Carolina for over 10 years. “Clover and Lake Wylie are getting expensive, so people are moving out to York,” Carlisle says. “There are five home builders working in York, and that’s a big indicator of how York is booming. It’s on the map now, and that wasn’t always the case.”
York is known as a friendly town that is rich with history and southern charm.
The Historic Downtown York is known for it's southern style homes with large porches.
York is known as the "White Rose City" after The War of the Roses in the 1400s in England.
You can drive 20 minutes north to enjoy a beautiful sunset on Lake Wylie.
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Brand-new construction near 1800s homes
Cape Cods, bungalows and Craftsman homes are abundant throughout York. Properties closer to downtown were often built in the 1900s or earlier. “York is known as the ‘Charleston of the Upcountry’ because there are lots of historic homes built in the 1800s with big front porches and double staircases,” Carlisle says. “There are historic districts, too, where you have to get permission from the historical society to even paint your house.” The city’s population growth has sparked new construction on the city’s outskirts, which is still ongoing. Subdivisions like Monterey Park are almost built out, but McFarland Estates is just getting started.
Homes with three or more bedrooms usually sell between $225,000 and $400,000. Properties for $475,000 or more often feature expansive lots or historic homes, and those for less than $200,000 need renovations. York homes take an average of 55 days to sell, and the median home price is $358,000. In November 2024, the National Association of Realtors reported a national median home price of $418,700.
Downtown York still has some homes built in the early 1900s.
In the outer lying areas of York, you can find newer traditional homes.
There are communities newly constructed homes attracting new residents to York.
The impressive historical homes surrounding York are truly a sight to behold.
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Manufacturing workers and small business owners
Manufacturing, engineering and distribution jobs lead the economy, though many residents commute outside the city for work. Some take an almost hourlong commute to Charlotte for jobs. Fomas, Inc. and Duke Energy are some of the biggest employers in town, and downtown is full of locally owned businesses. The York County Economic Department and the city of York are working to fill the East York Industrial Park and bring additional jobs to the city. The almost 400-acre space will expand around pre-existing commercial businesses, like MacLean Power Systems: York and Wheel Pros York.
York is located approximately 27 miles southwest of Charlotte, North Carolina.
Some manufacturing companies are smaller and have long residencies around York.
York continues to grow and the government buildings showcase that growth and development.
Large manufacturing plants help draw new residents and provide jobs to locals of York.
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Upgrades on the way for York parks
The York Recreation Complex is the largest park in the city, with five athletic fields, and it neighbors the York Greenway Trailhead. Cyclists and walkers can park at the recreation complex and wind down 4th Street to hop on the trail. City Park is under construction to add new features like a pedestrian loop trail, splash pad and amphitheater. A new walking and biking trail will connect downtown, making it easier to enjoy the outdoors and then head to the city center to refuel with coffee or lunch. The York Recreation Center organizes youth basketball, softball, baseball and football leagues. York sees all four seasons, with humid summers and mild winters, leaving plenty of time to be outdoors. According to the FBI, The city had a 9% decrease in reported violent crimes from 2022 to 2023, and reported nonviolent crimes dropped 17%.
York's youngest residents love to play at the playground at Lincoln Park.
You can drive 20 minutes north to enjoy a beautiful sunset on Lake Wylie.
The City Park is a greenspace in the heart of downtown York.
York residents can challenge their neighbors to a game of pickleball at Field Park.
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York Summerfest and airstream gatherings
The City of York organizes events throughout the year to keep the community connected, like the Annual Running of the Turkeys and Hometown Christmas Parade. One event that’s unique to York is Silver in the City. The first day starts downtown with an opening ceremony, and airstream owners park along Congress Street before getting out and exploring the city. The York Summerfest has been a city tradition for over 40 years, and an estimated 10,000 visitors participated in 2024. Downtown York becomes a festival full of live music, car shows, vendors and a golf tournament.
While currently closed, this historic Sylvia Theater in York is more than 100 years old.
You can enjoy a shaded picnic at Moore Park in York.
Main Street transforms to take on the excitement of each season on the sidewalks of York.
York has a beautiful small downtown with locally owned dining and retail on Main Street.
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Small businesses in downtown York; chain stores nearby
South Congress Street has locally owned restaurants and small businesses, like The Blush Blossom Boutique and Sweet Tea Refill. “Downtown York is coming along,” Carlisle says. “It’s mainly independent businesses, but there are chains that are moving in. Starbucks might open a store in York, but independent coffee shops are already there. And some people like the quaintness of small stores instead of chains.”
Hoof & Barrel serves steaks and barbecue, while The Garden Café has a menu full of Southern comfort food. Chain stores and fast-food restaurants are along East Liberty Street. Bush-N-Vine Farm welcomes visitors to pick seasonal produce or shop around the farm market for farm-to-table products. Black’s Peaches has grown and sold fruit in York for over 300 years, and the Black family continues the tradition with a small grocery store and locally sourced produce.
The small local business draw locals and visitors to the quiet and peaceful downtown York.
The small locally owned eateries welcome residents and visitors of York like family.
York is supportive of the many small locally owned business like the popular Hoof & Barrel.
The York community is like a large family with friendly and welcoming residents.
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Driving around town and north to Charlotte
York is 37 miles from central Charlotte and 14 miles from Rock Hill. Commuters can use U.S. Route 161 to connect to Interstate 77 or Highway 321 to reach I-85. “It is very common for locals to commute to Charlotte, even though it’s about an hour away. Aside from the prices, people chose to live in York because they like that it has less traffic and more space,” Archer says. Residents can also visit Rock Hill, 14 miles to the east, to visit the Piedmont Medical Center, though York has the Piedmont West Urgent Care for more immediate concerns. U.S. Route 49 leads 31 miles north to Charlotte Douglas International Airport. York has multiple churches from various denominations, some of which have been in town for over a century. First Presbyterian Church on West Liberty Street was built in 1862, and First Baptist Church on West Jefferson Street, built in 1892.
Downtown York features sidewalks that run past storefronts and government buildings, but the residential areas often have sidewalks along one side of the street or none at all. The York County Council on Aging helps transport older residents from York to Rock Hill when they need to visit the doctor, pharmacy or grocery store.
Public schools with growth in mind
York School District 1 has eight schools and earns a B from Niche. In 2024, residents voted to pass a $90 million bond referendum to go toward a new middle school and upgrade existing schools. The city’s growth has led to classrooms reaching their capacity, and the ability to build a new school and expand an existing campus would create more space and jobs. All private school options are in Rock Hill.
York Comprehensive High School provides education in the neighborhood of
Outlying York County.
Castle Heights Middle School provides education in the neighborhood of Rock Hill.
Hunter Street Elementary School provides education in the neighborhood of
Outlying York County
The Clover High School is ranked 29th in high schools in South Carolina.
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Written By
Rylee Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Ryan Gwilliam
Video By
Matthew Bloch
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Josh Kelly,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in York, SC sell after 61 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in York, SC over the last 12 months is $362,000, up 2% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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