If Spartanburg, South Carolina hasn’t been on your radar yet—it should be.
Just 30 minutes northeast of Greenville, Spartanburg is one of the fastest-growing counties in the state and was ranked #3 on Southern Living’s “Best Cities on the Rise” list in 2024. It has also been named one of the friendliest cities in the South—and if you’ve spent any time in the Upstate, you know that’s a high bar.
So what’s fueling Spartanburg’s momentum? Let’s dig into the history, the economy, the population growth, and—of course—the real estate market so you can see exactly why Spartanburg is becoming one of the most compelling places to live in the Southeast.
A Quick History of Spartanburg
Spartanburg has always been a hub. In fact, it’s nicknamed “Hub City” because of the seven major railroad lines that once converged here in the 19th and 20th centuries. Paired with Greenville, Spartanburg was once part of the textile capital of the world.
Many of the historic mills still stand today. Some have been reinvented into modern living spaces, like Drayton Mill, which was transformed into apartments about a decade ago.
But when textiles went overseas in the latter half of the 20th century, the region suffered a severe economic downturn. What turned things around? Major global companies. BMW built its North American manufacturing plant in Greer (Spartanburg County), and Michelin established its U.S. headquarters in Greenville County. That was the spark that reignited the Upstate economy.
Spartanburg’s Economy Today
Spartanburg is now a true economic powerhouse with one of the most diverse job markets in the state.
Manufacturing & Automotive: Roughly 25% of Spartanburg’s workforce is tied to this sector, thanks to BMW and its network of suppliers like Draexlmaier and Toray.
Consumer Brands: Companies like Dr. Pepper, Keurig, and Milo’s Tea have moved significant operations here.
Healthcare & Education: With seven colleges and universities—including Wofford College, my alma mater—plus major healthcare systems, education and healthcare are big employers.
Logistics: Its location at the crossroads of I-85 and I-26 makes Spartanburg a major distribution hub between Atlanta, Charlotte, Asheville, and Columbia.
Emerging Tech: In March, a $2.8 billion computing center was proposed that could bring over 100 new tech jobs and major tax revenue.
This economic mix is one reason Spartanburg continues to attract new residents.
Population Growth & Quality of Life
Spartanburg County’s population in the 2020 Census was 328,000. By 2025, it’s projected to reach 378,000. That means roughly 50,000 new residents in just five years.
Why are people moving here?
A strong and diverse economy
A charming, revitalized downtown
Affordable real estate compared to Greenville County
Quick access to Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport (GSP), named the #1 small airport in the U.S.
Proximity to both the Blue Ridge Mountains (1 hour) and major metros like Greenville (30 minutes), Charlotte (1.5 hours), and Atlanta (2.5 hours)
What’s Coming to Spartanburg
The city and county are making massive investments to support growth:
Project Core: A $611 million mixed-use development downtown that includes:
Fifth Third Park, home to the new Hub City Spartanburgers baseball team (5,200 seats)
375 luxury apartments
A 150-room hotel
200,000 sq. ft. of office space (1,200 jobs expected)
Parking for 1,500 vehicles
Infrastructure Upgrades: Spartanburg County is spending $480 million on road projects to handle growth.
New Courthouse: A state-of-the-art county courthouse recently opened.
Downtown Spartanburg has already seen a wave of revitalization, with the AC Hotel by Marriott, Fr8yard (South Carolina’s first open-air beer garden), and new local restaurants leading the charge. Project Core will take that to another level.
Real Estate in Spartanburg, SC
With all this growth, Spartanburg’s real estate market has been heating up.
Average Sales Price (2025 YTD): Low $300s (up about 3% year-over-year)
Sweet Spot for Buyers: $300,000–$450,000 range—lots of new construction and resale homes here
Luxury Market: Growing inventory north of $500,000, especially closer to downtown
Land & Space: Spartanburg often offers larger lots at lower prices compared to Greenville County
Taxes: Homes are slightly more affordable than Greenville, but property taxes run marginally higher
Notable Neighborhoods:
Under $450K:
The Cottages at Lake Emory (Mungo Homes)
Pine Valley in Boiling Springs (DR Horton)
Zanes Creek in Inman (Stanley Martin)
$450K+:
Woodfin Ridge in Inman (golf & lake views)
Carolina Country Club
The Cottages at Turtle Creek
Whether you’re a first-time homebuyer, a family relocating, or someone looking for more space without Greenville prices, Spartanburg offers options across the board.
Should You Move to Spartanburg?
Here’s the bottom line:
Pros
Thriving, diversified economy
Ongoing downtown revitalization
More affordable homes than Greenville
Easy interstate and airport access
Strong job market with global employers
Cons
Higher property taxes than Greenville County
Still developing dining/shopping compared to Greenville
Some areas outside downtown remain less developed
Spartanburg feels like Greenville did 10–15 years ago. If you want to get in before prices climb further, now is the time to take a serious look.
Final Thoughts
As someone who has lived, worked, and helped families relocate across the Upstate, I can confidently say Spartanburg is no longer the quiet industrial neighbor, it’s a city that’s rewriting its story in real time.
READ: How Travelers Rest Has Changed and What’s Coming Soon
Thinking About Moving to Greenville, SC?
I’ve helped many families relocate to Greenville, guiding them through the process and helping them find the right fit for their needs.
Contact us for real estate inquiries:
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