American homebuyers have flocked to a fast-growing city in South Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, according to Census Bureau data.
The population in Greenville, which has become a regional business and manufacturing center, has increased from about 70,720 at the 2020 census to an estimated 74,371 in 2024, which is an increase of about 4.1% in four years, according to Census Bureau estimates.
This rebound comes despite there being little movement in the housing market due to high financing costs and limited inventories in many regions. Also because of the so-called ‘lock-in’ effect, where homeowners remain in place because their existing mortgage interest rate is considerably lower than the current market interest rate.
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But over the years, the area has become home to major employers in the manufacturing, technology and aerospace sectors, making it more attractive to potential homeowners and businesses, according to the Greenville Area Development Corporation.
A shot of Falls Park in Greenville, South Carolina. (Getty/Getty Images)
BMW, for example, has automotive operations in nearby Spartanburg County. Michelin North America’s headquarters are located in Greenville, along with a major hub for Lockheed Martin’s aerospace operations. GE Aerospace facilities are also located in the area, adding to its economic appeal.
| Ticker | Security | Last | Change | Change % |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| BMWKY | BAYERISCHE MOTOREN WERKE AG | 36.66 | +0.23 |
+0.63% |
| LMT | LOCKHEED MARTIN CORP. | 483.03 | -2.72 |
-0.56% |
| GE | GE AVIATION | 315.14 | -1.61 |
-0.51% |
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“For the better part of four decades, Greenville County has made significant efforts to foster both foreign and domestic relations that have resulted in sustained economic growth,” according to the Greenville Area Development Corporation website.
Buildings in the city of Greenville, South Carolina. (Getty/Getty Images)
Realtor.com senior economist Joel Berner highlighted how “Greenville’s strong economic growth has led to a housing market that looks very different from the rest of the South, where prices are falling in many metro areas.”
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Given strong demand for homes in Greenville, sales prices rose 5.4% year over year in November, Berner said.
Still, even with this increase and an average price of $369,000, Berner noted that “the Greenville metro area remains very accessible to buyers on a budget.” He also noted that the number of homes for sale increased 22.4% year over year.
UNITED STATES – NOVEMBER 29: A flag waves in the wind outside Michelin’s North American headquarters in Greenville, South Carolina, USA, on Thursday, November 29, 2007. South Carolina has embraced foreign investment, with companies from BMW to Hitac (Chris Keane/Bloomberg via Getty Images/Getty Images)
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About 8.2% more homes were sold in September 2025 than in September 2024, according to data from Realtor.com.
“So there are plenty of options available to buyers, both in the resale and new construction segments,” Berner added.
