York, Lancaster counties keep growing. How do they compare across SC, Charlotte metro
New population figures for this region show one county among the fastest growing in the state, one punching above its weight class and another losing people.
On Thursday the U.S. Census Bureau released new estimates for states and counties nationwide. Estimates for smaller areas like cities and towns should follow in May.
The latest figures are population estimates as of mid-2022. South Carolina is up to more than 5.28 million residents. An estimated increase of 1.7%, or more than 89,000 new residents, in a year.
York and Lancaster counties are a significant part of that increase.
Scroll through this sortable chart to compare one- and two-year growth rates throughout South Carolina.
York County
York County had an estimated 294,248 residents last year. That figure is seventh most among South Carolina counties. There were an estimated 12,158 more people last year than at the 2020 Census, an increase of 4.31%.
That two-year growth rate is eighth highest in the state and the total population increase is fifth highest.
From 2021 to 2022, York County grew by an estimated 4,993 people for a 1.73% rate. It’s the fifth highest total increase statewide and 10th highest growth rate.
Lancaster County
Lancaster County is No. 15 in total estimated population, with 104,577 people as of last year. Lancaster County was No. 16 in population in 2020. Where Lancaster County stands out, though, is in growth rate.
At an 8.92% growth rate the past two years, Lancaster County ranks third statewide behind only Jasper and Horry counties.
Lancaster County has more than three times the people Jasper does, and a little more than a quarter the people Horry has. Lancaster County has more than double the two-year growth rate of York County, which is eighth highest statewide.
The 8,561 new Lancaster County residents is No. 9 statewide despite all but one other county in that top 10 having more than five times as many total people. Lancaster County is the smallest in the top 10 (by more than 90,000 people) for total population increase.
Lancaster County had the third highest one-year population change rate at 4.03% and the 10th highest one-year total population change with 4,055 people. Again, all other counties ahead of Lancaster in total increase are significantly larger in population.
Chester County
Chester County ranks No. 29 in estimated population for last year.
The 31,931 residents are down 1.12% compared to the 2020 Census. The negative growth rate puts Chester County at No. 34 in the state. Chester is No. 33 in total population change since 2020, with 363 fewer people.
In a year, a decrease of .52% of its population ranks No. 34 statewide. The estimated 166 fewer people ranks No. 36.
Charlotte metro population
Lancaster County also ranks highest in one-year and two-year population growth in the Charlotte metro area.
Among Mecklenburg and neighboring counties in North Carolina and South Carolina, only Lincoln County in North Carolina is close. Lancaster County has double or more the rates of most area counties.
Mecklenburg County, home to Charlotte, dominates any overall figures. It’s almost four times bigger than any other county in the metropolitan region. Mecklenburg is roughly the size of the next four largest counties combined.
York County is the second largest county in the metro area. Only Lincoln County is smaller than Lancaster County, among bordering counties to Mecklenburg.
