Fort Mill, SC in York County, has been ranked one of the fastest growing cities in the US, according to BusinessWeek.com and research by the Gadberry Group, of Little Rock, AK.  Fort Mill has seen over a 90% population increase, and a 23% increase in jobs since 2000.  So what has drawn so many people to this area, which is located about 30 miles Southwest of center city Charlotte, NC?

Why has Fort Mill seen such exponential growth?

Companies such as Continental Tire and music distributor Muzak are located in Fort Mill, near Rock Hill, S.C., and Charlotte, N.C. Fort Mill also attracts families because of the excellent Fort Mill school system, ranked the best in South Carolina.  Fort Mill is also home to award-winning, master planned, live-work communities, like Baxter Village.

Fort Mill, SC Stats:

Number of households: 10,474
Percentage Population Change: 91%  population increase since 2000.
Average Fort Mill household income: $72,090, a 23% increase since 2000.

Fort Mill is located about 30 miles southwest of center city Charlotte, NC, just over the NC state line along I-77. A huge draw to the area is the schools in Fort Mill, SC, which are considered the best public schools in the State of South Carolina. Many families who have jobs in North Carolina opt to buy homes in Fort Mill, SC because of its excellent school system, affordable homes and proximity to Lake Wylie recreation.

One of the most popular communities in Fort Mill is Baxter Village, a huge master-planned community with every convenience imaginable. Almost like a movie set in its perfection, Homes in Baxter Village are traditional, neo-Victorian and Craftsman style.  Baxter in Fort Mill has a town center with quaint village shops and restaurants, a community elementary school, YMCA and daycare center, public library, urgent care center, community pools, clubhouses, tennis courts and even a drive thru Starbucks at the Baxter main entrance! A never-ending list of Baxter community events helps with social bonding, yet even without them, Baxter would probably remain tight-knit. Some refer to this area as “Pleasantville”. Baxter is also close to excellent SC schools and SC golf courses.

Downtown Fort Mill is essentially a restored old mill town and train depot. The town was home to one of the oldest and largest textile mills in the U.S., Springs Mills. Springs was manufacturer of such iconic textile brands such as Springmaid, Wamsutta, Dundee, Wabasso, Bali, Graber, Ultrasude, and Ultraleather. The Springs family has been in control since its inception in 1887 but went public in 1966 and the family (Springs, Close and Bowles families) stills retain a major interest in the historic firm.  Homes in Fort Mill SC in the historic area are distinctly Craftsman style bunglows, many restored from the time they housed factory workers who worked in the nearby textile mills, and the streets are lined with amazing, tall trees and mature landscaping.

Sidewalks and walking paths in this area also connect a popular local waterfront community, Tega Cay, to downtown Fort Mill. The Anne Springs Close Greenway, parks and peach farms provide lots of open space. A popular place to buy fresh peaches, preserves and wonderful meats is The Peach Stand near Baxter Village on Hwy 160. Fort Mill is also home to The Charlotte Knights, a triple-A baseball team affiliated with the Chicago White Sox. The Charlotte Knights baseball stadium is often referred to as the “field of dreams” because of its small town, wholesome feel with farmland in the backdrop. It is a wonderful venue for watching baseball games on a spring or summer evening. There is also a cute merry-go-round for children and fireworks after games each weekend in the summer.