YORK COUNTY, S.C. -- York County is seeing a surge in residents.

• Estimates find the population is up 21 percent.
• The real estate market is feeling the impact.
• The number of houses could continue to grow soon with talk of the Panthers practice facility moving to York County.

Estimates from the United States Census Bureau this week find the population is up 21 percent from 2010.

• Tega Cay is up 43%
• Rock Hill is up 12%
• Fort Mill is up 84%

“Growth management is the key word in York County these days because we have such an influx of people coming in,” said York County Convention & Visitor’s Bureau President Billy Dunlap.

Dunlap’s job has gone from welcoming visitors to welcoming potential residents.

“We get into the relocation business when it comes to that in terms of telling them what York County has to offer and what it makes it not only a great place to visit but also a great place to live,” Dunlap said.

The real estate market is feeling the impact. Carolinas Dream Team Realtor Faiyaz Dossaji said it's a seller's market.

He said people are coming to York County for a couple reasons:

1. Proximity to Charlotte
2. Tax levels
3. Small town feel
4. Cost

“They're saving usually more money by buying a house. Usually the house they buy here is bigger, newer,” Dossaji said.

And the number of houses could continue to grow soon with talk of the Panthers practice facility moving to York County.

“Just last week I had a client who was kind of on the fence thinking about it. Immediately as the news came they were like we want in,” Dossaji said.

But the challenge is keeping up with the pace of growth as the county tries to build infrastructure, balance small town living with an influx of people and navigate through sometimes unrelenting traffic.