Time to stay in Tega Cay! The Duke Power Company sold 1,600 acres of undeveloped land to the Ervin Company of Charlotte in 1970. The Ervin Company developed the area, building homes and commercial buildings and creating Tega Cay SC. It was incorporated as a city in 1982.
Some people believe that Tega Cay is a term from a Polynesian language meaning “beautiful peninsula,” but there is no proof to support this. The motto of Tega Cay SC is “The Good Life.”
Tega Cay SC is best known for its beautiful beachfront parks with 16 miles of shoreline. It’s also a nice place to live with safe communities, spacious single-family homes, and family-friendly attractions.
People from all backgrounds are moving to Tega Cay. Before you join them, you should learn a little more about living in Tega Cay SC. Here are the essentials about this beautiful city.
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Where Is Tega Cay South Carolina?
Tega Cay SC is in York County, inside the Charlotte, NC metropolitan area. Tega Cay SC is a suburb of Charlotte and one of the major towns near Charlotte; it is 21 miles from Tega Cay SC to Charlotte NC. Tega Cay borders Baxter Village and Fort Mill. The city is on a peninsula in the Catawba River and Lake Wylie. The city has developed culdesacs and small businesses as well as numerous small green areas and parks that provide a rural aesthetic.
York County Access is run by the government of York County. It provides free rides for people who need to get medical appointments, pharmacies, or grocery stores. You must schedule your ride 48 hours in advance, and your ride must take place on a weekday between 6:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. Tega Cay South Carolina residents do not have access to Charlotte’s public transportation system, so you’ll need to use your car while living in Tega Cay. South Carolina Route 160 runs just outside the community, and it provides access to Fort Mill.
Tega Cay Population and Demographics
The population of Tega Cay in 2020 was 12,838, including over 800 residents who moved into Tega Cay between 2019 and 2020. The population rose by 68.4% between 2010 and 2020, and the population density is 2,859.2 people per square mile, up from 1,969.1 people per square mile in 2010. Notable people from Tega Cay include Jim Bakker and Tammy Faye Bakker.
Tega Cay SC demographics include:
- 50.4% female, 49.6% male
- Median age: 41.1
- Racial and ethnic composition: 76.0% White (73.0% non-Hispanic), 14.0% Hispanic or Latino, 10.0% two or more races, 8.4% Asian, 4.2% Black or African American
- Median household income: $130,571 (more than double the state median)
- Educational attainment: 98.9% of residents older than 25 have graduated from high school, 65.9% have a bachelor’s degree
- Foreign-born population: 13.0%
Tega Cay is one of the wealthiest communities in the entire state. 0.5% of residents live below the poverty line, which is less than 10% of the state average. 24% of residents have a household income of over $200,000.
Is Tega Cay SC safe? Yes, Tega Cay is a very safe place to live. Here are the FBI crime statistics from 2020:
- Overall crime rate: 1,947 offenses per 100,000 people (40.1% lower than the state, 17.0% lower than the country)
- Violent crime rate: 42 crimes per 100,000 residents (92.1% lower than the state, 89.2% lower than the country)
- Property crime rate: 1,905 offenses per 100,000 residents (30.0% lower than South Carolina, 2.7% lower than the country)
The Charlotte NC crime rate is significantly higher than Tega Cay. The Tega Cay Police Department employs 26 police officers.
Cost of Living in Tega Cay
Tega Cay is in Charlotte’s metropolitan area, so you can use some Charlotte cost of living statistics to figure out the cost of living in Tega Cay SC. The cost of living index for Charlotte is 94.8; items in Charlotte cost 5.2% less than the national average, so Tega Cay SC is an affordable place to live. According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four would need to earn $79,274 a year to cover the cost of living in York County.
Tega Cay South Carolina real estate is also very affordable. According to Redfin, the median cost of homes for sale Tega Cay SC is $560,000, and the price per square foot is $202. According to RentCafe, the average cost of Tega Cay apartments is $1,627 a month.
Typical Tega Cay* Living Expenses
- 1 pound of white rice: $2.35
- 1 pound of chicken fillets: $6.17
- 1 pound of apples: $2.90
- 1 pound of onions: $1.49
- 1 gallon of gasoline: $3.29
- Average Tega Cay* utilities per month: $174.07
Source: Numbeo
*Expenses for Charlotte
Tega Cay Neighborhoods | Where to Live in Tega Cay
Tega Cay does not have formal neighborhoods or subdivisions. Tega Cay SC homes for sale are available throughout the community, so you have plenty of options for Tega Cay real estate. Most properties in Tega Cay were built in the 1970s or 1980s, though you can find a few newer properties. Many homes for sale in Tega Cay SC have a transitional style, combining elements of contemporary styles and traditional ones. A transitional home may have modern interior features like large windows and traditional exterior features like shutters. Each transitional home is unique, so you should tour a few options before buying a home.
Most Tega Cay SC homes for sale are spacious, covering more than 1,500 square feet and containing at least three bedrooms. You can buy three-bedroom homes for sale Tega Cay SC covering over 1,600 square feet for less than $400,000. You can also buy a townhome of similar dimensions for the same price and receive HOA amenities like landscaping.
Weather for Tega Cay SC
Tega Cay SC has a humid subtropical climate with hot and sweltering summers and freezing and rainy winters. Tega Cay weather is similar to Charlotte’s climate. July is the warmest month, with an average Tega Cay temperature of 79 degrees and an average high of 89. The Tega Cay temperature remains high throughout the summer, with average temperatures exceeding 70 degrees. January is the coldest month, with an average temperature of 41 degrees and an average low of 34.
Nearly all days in July and August feel humid, and more than 20 days in both months are muggy or oppressive. Humidity rates rise rapidly during early May and fall during early October. It is rainy throughout the year, with each month receiving at least three inches of rain; on average, Tega Cay South Carolina receives 38.6 inches of rain and 6.7 inches of snow a year. It is partly cloudy throughout the year, with roughly 44% of days being mostly cloudy or overcast.
October is the best month to visit Tega Cay SC. It is the clearest month of the year, with 65% sunny, mostly cloudy, and partly cloudy days. The average temperature is 61 degrees, and the average wind speed is 5.3 miles per hour, so you can enjoy outdoor attractions wearing a windbreaker or fleece.
Things to Do in Tega Cay SC
Tega Cay is the perfect place for family-friendly outdoor points of interest, including free parks. You can also go shopping at various stores in the community. A Walmart Supercenter is in northern Tega Cay, near locally run shops like Village ABC and Baxter Veterinary Clinic.
Tega Cay Golf Club
Tega Cay Golf contains 27 golf holes spread across 200 acres, with a 15,000 square foot clubhouse you can rent for special events. Tega Cay Golf also has croquet and tennis courts, making it a perfect place for outside activities and athletes.
15083 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay, SC, 29708, 803-548-3500
Windjammer Park
Windjammer is Tega Cay’s best waterfront park. You can go swimming or fishing in Lake Wylie and watch free water ski shows from the Carolina Show Ski Team. In winter, you can go for walks, or your kids can play on playgrounds.
8999 Windjammer Drive, Tega Cay, SC, 29708, 803-548-3512
Lookout Park
Lookout Park is a quaint community park with two-mile walking trails, gazebos, and large kid-friendly fields. You can also enjoy a unique nine-hole disc golf course you can reserve for tournaments or visit at any time.
1965 Newberry Lane, Tega Cay, SC, 29708, 803-548-3787
Additional Things to Do in Tega Cay SC
Tega Cay Parks and Rec runs special events and educational courses throughout the year and maintains Tega Cay’s many parks. You can take a look when Tega Cay events will take place, including movie screenings and Halloween parties.
Tega Cay Restaurants
The Charlotte area is well known for Southern food, including barbeque and doughnuts. You can find these staples and other exciting dishes in restaurants in Tega Cay South Carolina, including affordable and delicious burgers and beers.
2020 Tavern
Tega Cay Tavern (also called 2020 Tavern) is the top tavern in Tega Cay, serving tacos, pizza, and chicken wings as well as a variety of beers and cocktails. The tavern is a hub for community events, serving as a venue for concerts, darts tournaments, and trivia nights.
2150 Gold Hill Road, Tega Cay, SC, 29708, 803-396-2020
Shore Club
Shore Club Tega Cay is a classy and romantic restaurant well known for its steak and seafood offerings. You and your partner can also enjoy martinis, cocktails, and bottled beers while listening to live music and enjoying scenic views.
15083 Molokai Drive, Tega Cay, SC, 29708, 803-630-0540
Toppers
Toppers Pizza is a quick-service restaurant that serves pizzas with unique toppings, including cheese curds, vegan buffalo chicken tenders, and tater tots. It’s a great place for a quick lunch or dinner, and most pizzas cost less than $20, making it very affordable.
1177 Stonecrest Boulevard Suite 105, Tega Cay, SC, 29708, 803-650-6333
Tega Cay SC Jobs
Roughly 5,210 people have jobs in Tega Cay SC. Between 2019 and 2020, the Tega Cay job market expanded by 1.8%, with the city adding roughly 90 jobs to the economy. Finance and insurance, manufacturing, and professional services are the three biggest job sectors in Tega Cay. All three of these sectors have median earnings of over $100,000 a year, with finance jobs earning over $220,000. According to Payscale, the average salary of Tega Cay SC jobs is $75,000 while the average base hourly rate is $15.53.
Major employers in Tega Cay and York County include Schaeffler Group, Sunbelt Rentals, and Diversey. You can apply for many Tega Cay jobs through Indeed, and you can also apply for City of Tega Cay jobs through the government’s website.
Tega Cay Schools
The Fort Mill School District (FMSD) serves residents living in Tega Cay SC. US News and World Report ranks Tega Cay Elementary School in the top 25 elementary schools in the state. 88% of Tega Cay students test at or above the proficiency level in mathematics, 43 percentage points higher than the state average.
Tega Cay SC is also home to Gold Hill Middle School, which US News ranks in the top 25 South Carolina middle schools. 92% of Gold Hill teachers have at least three years of experience, and all Gold Hill teachers are certified. Tega Cay South Carolina is not home to any high schools or colleges. Gold Hill students attend Fort Mill High School in Fort Hill, which US News ranks in the top 10 high schools in the state. At least 90% of students test at or above the proficiency levels in reading, science, and mathematics, and 97% of students graduate on time. Tega Cay does not contain any notable private schools.
The closest major college to Tega Cay SC is Winthrop University in Rock Hill. US News ranks it in the top 20 regional universities in the south. Winthrop offers 43 undergraduate and 40 graduate programs.
The closest library is the Fort Mill Public Library in Fort Mill. It is part of the York County Library system, and it has an extensive catalog with ebooks and young adult literature.
Tega Cay Statistics and Information
- County: York
- Tega Cay area: 4.50 square miles
- Tega Cay SC zip code: 29708
- Tega Cay area code: 803, 839
- Tega Cay elevation: 627 feet
- Tega Cay time zone: Eastern Standard Time (EST)
- Closest airport to Tega Cay: Charlotte Douglas International Airport (CLT), 19 miles from Tega Cay SC
Tega Cay SC Map
You can find delicious restaurants, great outdoor attractions, and quaint places of interest with this map of Tega Cay.
Find your way to Tega Cay! This city may seem small, but it’s brimming with beautiful outdoor attractions and luxurious homes for sale. Families will love the safe streets and terrific schools, while entrepreneurs will love the affordable housing and prosperous jobs.
If you want to start living in Tega Cay SC now, you must figure out moving to Tega Cay SC. Make a Move has the most reliable Tega Cay movers. Get a free moving estimate by calling 704-378-8588.
