Local

Growth in York, Lancaster counties creates challenges in housing, police

FORT MILL, S.C. — New census numbers show a recent spike in the populations in York and Lancaster counties, but all the growth is having a huge impact, from housing to schools, and even crime.

Lancaster County gained more than 8,500 people while York County gained over 12,000 new people since 2020.

Channel 9′s Tina Terry found that there are a few reasons behind the growth, but one thing is clear: it’s created great benefits, but also great challenges.

“You see the single-family homes and things that are coming our way in the Fort Mill, Rock Hill, and Lake Wylie area, even out in York, it’s got a lot of new permitted homes,” said David Swenson, the director of economic development in York County.

York County has grown by about 4.3% in just the past two years, making it the seventh-most populated county in the state. Lancaster’s growth is just under 9%, making it the third-fastest-growing county in South Carolina.

But while the population growth is in the single digits, local law enforcement is seeing an even bigger spike in requests for help.

“Our call volume is way up this year from last year,” said Lancaster County Sheriff Barry Faile. “A lot of those are in the north end of the county.”

Faile said calls for service this year are already up by more than 30% over the entire number of calls from last year. He added that much of the growth has been in Indian Land, and he’s now asking county leaders for more money to add four extra officers and two more detectives to the area.

“Just being able to keep our patrol up to meet the need up there is what we need to do,” Faile said.

In York County, Swenson says housing should keep pace with the growth because he doesn’t see it slowing down.

“Some people really like the Carolinas and the Charlotte market, so it’s not slowing down to a crawl,” Swenson said. “It’s a good, steady pace, and we really like that.”

Faile says the Lancaster County council doesn’t have to approve his request for officers, but he’s hoping the council members will. That vote will take place next month.

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