Moving to York, South Carolina

York, South Carolina is a charming small town located in the northwestern corner of the state. It has a population of approximately 8,000 people, with a diverse mix of races and ethnicities. The geography is mostly flat with rolling hills in some areas. The climate is generally mild and humid, with occasional snowfall and occasional severe weather events such as tornadoes or hurricanes.

The history of York dates back to the 1820s when it was founded as a trading post and later became one of the first towns to be incorporated in South Carolina. Since then it has been an important agricultural center for the region. Politically, York is part of York County and its residents are represented in both state and federal government.

The economy of York is largely driven by agriculture, but there are also many other industries such as manufacturing and retail that contribute to its growth. There are numerous schools in York that serve students from kindergarten through 12th grade, including several private schools.

There are several landmarks in York that make it a great destination for visitors looking to explore its history and culture. These include the historic downtown area which features many historic buildings; the Catawba Cultural Center which celebrates Native American culture; Kings Mountain State Park which offers outdoor activities like camping and hiking; and Historic Brattonsville which features living history exhibits about life on an early 19th century plantation.

Population: 6,985. Estimated population in July 2024: 7,233 (+3.6% change)
Males: 3,229 (46.2%), Females: 3,756 (53.8%)

York County

Zip code: 29745

Demographics

Median resident age: 34.2 years
Median household income: $30,564
Median house value: $80,900

Population by Race

Races in York:

  • White Non-Hispanic (53.4%)
  • Black (40.3%)
  • Hispanic (5.0%)
  • Other race (3.7%)
  • American Indian (0.8%)
  • Two or more races (0.6%)

(Total can be greater than 100% because Hispanics could be counted in other races)

Ancestries: United States (12.5%), English (6.7%), German (6.7%), Irish (5.9%), Scotch-Irish (4.5%), Italian (1.3%).

Elevation: 756 feet

Land area: 7.9 square miles

Population by Education

York, South Carolina is a small town located in the western part of the state. It is home to a population of approximately 10,000 people and is situated between Charlotte and Greenville. The cost of living in York is relatively low compared to other cities in South Carolina. According to Numbeo, the cost of living index for York is at 81.7, which is significantly lower than the national average.

The median household income for York residents stands at $37,895 according to the US Census Bureau. This figure is slightly lower than the state median income of $44,000 but higher than the national average of $56,600. Housing prices are also relatively low in York with a median home value of just over $130,000 and a median rent price of around $1,100 per month.

The town itself offers plenty of entertainment and recreational opportunities for its residents with numerous parks and trails nearby as well as a historic downtown district with shops and restaurants. Additionally, there are several local festivals throughout the year such as the annual Strawberry Festival in June that attract visitors from all over South Carolina.

For population 25 years and over in York

  • High school or higher: 64.8%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 14.4%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 5.5%
  • Unemployed: 7.0%
  • Mean travel time to work: 26.6 minutes

For population 15 years and over in York city

  • Never married: 34.8%
  • Now married: 42.3%
  • Separated: 4.8%
  • Widowed: 9.4%
  • Divorced: 8.6%

4.2% Foreign born (4.1% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +256 (+3.8%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near York:

  • HEALTHSOUTH REHABILITAITON HOSPITAL (about 14 miles; ROCK HILL, SC)
  • PIEDMONT MEDICAL CENTER (about 17 miles; ROCK HILL, SC)
  • GASTON MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; GASTONIA, NC)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to York:

  • CHARLOTTE/DOUGLAS INTL (about 26 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Abbreviation: CLT)
  • HICKORY REGIONAL (about 52 miles; HICKORY, NC; Abbreviation: HKY)
  • GREENVILLE-SPARTANBURG INTL (about 69 miles; GREER, SC; Abbreviation: GSP)

Other public-use airports nearest to York:

  • ROCK HILL/YORK CO/BRYANT FIELD (about 14 miles; ROCK HILL, SC; Abbreviation: UZA)
  • CHESTER MUNI (about 16 miles; CHESTER, SC; Abbreviation: 9A6)
  • GASTONIA MUNI (about 16 miles; GASTONIA, NC; Abbreviation: AKH)

Amtrak station near York:

  • 20 miles: GASTONIA (350 HANCOCK ST.). Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to York:

  • WINTHROP UNIVERSITY (about 5 miles; ROCK HILL, SC; Full-time enrollment: 4,976)
  • YORK TECHNICAL COLLEGE (about 17 miles; ROCK HILL, SC; Full-time enrollment: 2,221)
  • GASTON COLLEGE (about 24 miles; DALLAS, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,473)
  • GARDNER-WEBB UNIVERSITY (about 34 miles; BOILING SPRINGS, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,563)
  • CENTRAL PIEDMONT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 36 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 7,967)
  • UNIVERSITY OF NORTH CAROLINA AT CHARLOTTE (about 42 miles; CHARLOTTE, NC; Full-time enrollment: 13,706)
  • CATAWBA VALLEY COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 50 miles; HICKORY, NC; Full-time enrollment: 2,052)

Schools

Public high schools in York:

  • YORK COMPREHENSIVE HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 1,026; Location: 1010 DEVINNEY RD.; Grades: 10 – 12)
  • FLOYD D JOHNSON TEC CEN (Location: 1010 DEVINNEY RD.; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in York:

  • YORK JUNIOR HIGH (Students: 833; Location: 1280 JOHNSON ROAD; Grades: 08 – 09)
  • HUNTER STREET ELEMENTARY (Students: 830; Location: 1100 MUNTER STREET; Grades: PK – 05)
  • H C JOHNSON MIDDLE (Students: 746; Location: 400 E JEFFERSON ST; Grades: 06 – 07)
  • COTTENBELT ELEMENTARY (Students: 681; Location: 1176 BLACK HWY; Grades: PK – 05)
  • JEFFERSON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 648; Location: 1543 CHESTER HWY; Grades: PK – 05)