Charter One Realty Blog

Data Reveals Top Feeder Markets for the Carolina Coastline

The charming coastal towns and natural beauty of the Lowcountry continue to attract home buyers from near and far. But exactly where are these out-of-state buyers coming from, and what counties fuel local demand? A recent MLS Demand Report from realtor.com provides some insightful answers.

Diving into the data from realtor.com’s report, we analyzed where consumer demand originates for Lowcountry real estate listings on their platform. Here’s a breakdown of the key findings:

Top Out-Of-State Feeder Markets for Lowcountry Home Demand

New York County, NY - Nearly 15% of non-local demand for Lowcountry listings originates from New York County, encompassing the boroughs of Manhattan, Brooklyn, Queens, and more. The Big Apple continues to feed buyers to South Carolina’s sandy shores.

Fulton County, GA – Atlanta-based Fulton County delivers over 8% of out-of-state demand to the Lowcountry housing market. That’s not surprising, given the driveability and southern charm.

Cook County, IL – Home to Chicago, Cook County sends 2.24% of Lowcountry home buyer demand. Coastal South Carolina offers a temperate four-season climate compared to the bitter cold winters up north.

Rounding out the top 5 feeder counties are Maricopa County, AZ (Phoenix) and Loudoun County, VA (outskirts of Washington D.C.). Warm vacation destinations like Miami, Los Angeles, and Jacksonville, FL, also make the list.

Top South Carolina Counties Driving Local Lowcountry Demand

It’s no shocker that nearly 55% of Lowcountry demand comes from Beaufort County itself. But there is also strong localized demand from nearby counties:

Charleston County – Charleston real estate remains hot, sending 7.63% of buyers to Beaufort.

Jasper County – Neighboring Jasper County fuels 5% of demand as buyers seek larger plots of land.

Greenville, Richland (Columbia region), Horry (Myrtle Beach area), Dorchester, and York counties round out the top South Carolina origins for Lowcountry home shoppers.

Key Takeaways

As the data indicates, the natural splendor, small-town charm, and sunny climate of the Lowcountry region continue attracting home buyers from major metros along the East Coast and beyond. Both vacationers-turned-residents and those seeking reprieve from bustling city life are flocking to South Carolina’s southern shoreline.