Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that modern Americans are much fatter than they were just a few decades ago. Take one look around a shopping center or strip mall and it seems that half the people present are struggling with obesity. Recent data from the CDC supports those observations - more than 39% of adults in the United States were considered obese from 2015-2016. That number is up from 33.7 percent in 2007-2008.
Perhaps more alarming is the fact that severe obesity is on the rise as well. The same report from the CDC tells us that nearly 8% of Americans were severely obese from 2015-2016, which is up from 5.7% in 2007-2008. When you read between the lines, those statistics mean that almost 4 in 10 adults are obese in the U.S., and almost 1 in 13 are severely obese.
Unfortunately, "fixing" obesity isn't something that can be done overnight. There is no quick fix that is also safe and non-surgical. The obesity problem in the U.S. is only getting worse as more adults and children choose the ease and convenience of fast food sugar-packed products over healthy eating, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices.
Besides the challenges of being overweight, like clothes that don't fit and hurtful comments, the health risks are much more serious. Obesity can endanger your life, and those who rely on you may lose you earlier than expected. Over time, the likelihood of developing severe and life-altering health problems grows.
The good news is that a new medication called semaglutide in Lancaster, SC, is available for people struggling with obesity. This game-changing treatment approaches obesity as a chronic metabolic disease rather than a problem that can be solved through willpower alone.
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we now ioffer semaglutide as part of our custom weight loss program. If you've been struggling with obesity and have tried other diets with little to no success, don't lose hope. With the help of our medical and nutritional providers, you can lose weight, keep it off, and take meaningful steps toward better health.
Our weight loss program with semaglutide starts with a comprehensive consultation and evaluation process. During this phase, we will determine the ideal semaglutide dosage for you and provide personalized nutrition and exercise guidelines. Once we have a better understanding of your body and your weight loss goals, you'll begin receiving regular injections of semaglutide in Lancaster, SC.
It's your responsibility to incorporate lifestyle changes, specifically in your diet and exercise, to reach your weight loss goals. However, we'll be there every step of the way and conduct regular check-ins to help you stay on course. We'll also closely monitor your progress and overall health to ensure that your weight loss is safe and sustainable. The purpose of our semaglutide weight loss program is to offer a comprehensive weight loss treatment that helps you achieve natural, long-lasting results. That's the VIP Cosmetic Surgery difference.
Patients who sign up for our semaglutide weight loss program benefit from the following:
For semaglutide to have the biggest impact on your weight, you've got to make changes to your diet. When you eat nutrient-dense, whole foods that support weight loss and healthy living, you're setting yourself up for long-term weight loss. Our nutrition plans are comprehensive and customized to your needs and lifestyle. That way, when you're ready to make real changes in your life, we'll be there with a nutrition plan you can follow to make the journey easier and more sustainable.
One of the biggest reasons why people fail to achieve their weight loss goals is because they try to do it all on their own. When you sign up for VIP Cosmetic Surgery's semaglutide program, you benefit from monthly check-ins with Dr. Farr to see how your progress is going. During this meeting, you can talk to the doctor about your progress and what hurdles you're still trying to overcome. The doctor will give you advice and guidance based on his experience and - perhaps most importantly - help keep you on track so that you can lose weight and keep it off for good.
Our practitioners will provide tests to ensure that your body is healthy, hydrated, and well-fed. By checking your hydration and nutrition levels, we can help ensure you're losing weight in a healthy manner and not starving yourself. By maintaining optimal health throughout your weight loss journey, you're giving yourself the best shot at long-term weight loss.
For individuals working to lose weight and stay healthy, sticking to a consistent diet and exercise routine can be tough. Between work obligations and important tasks like picking your kids up from school, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to eat healthy foods. After all, McDonald's is on the way home, and your little ones are screaming for food.
Fortunately, many busy people find semaglutide to be a valuable tool in their weight loss journey. This FDA-approved injection, used for treating both diabetes and obesity, functions by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and promote long-term health.
In more simple terms, semaglutide imitates glucagon in the body, signaling to the brain that you're full and don't need to eat more. When you take semaglutide and try to overeat, your body sends a message that says, "That's enough." In essence, it makes you feel full, so you're less likely to binge eat, especially at night when food tends to sit in your stomach.
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By minimizing glucose spikes after meals, it lowers inflammation, which is a crucial step in optimizing your overall health. Moreover, Semaglutide assists in insulin secretion by the pancreas regulates glucose levels in the body and even possesses anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling with weight loss, treatments such as semaglutide can make a substantial difference for you.
In summary, semaglutide helps you lose weight in a few different ways, including:
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, one of the most frequently asked questions our providers receive from curious weight loss patients is whether or not semaglutide is supported by clinical trials. As it turns out, many trials have been conducted measuring the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, and the results are very promising.
Semaglutide is designed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who are attempting to shed at least 10% of their total body weight without success with other methods. Clinical trials involving over 1,900 obese adults who were unable to lose five percent of their body weight after a year of treatment with other medications demonstrated that semaglutide increased average weight loss from 2% to 20% over a treatment period of just over one year compared to a placebo.
In a different trial involving 1,387 patients with obesity (but not type 2 diabetes), participants were randomly assigned to different doses of semaglutide: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or placebo for 104 weeks. The group that took the higher dose of semaglutide lost an average of 31 pounds, while those on the lower dose lost an average of 11 pounds.
According to the NCBI, the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People With Obesity (STEP) trials have shown the efficacy of semaglutide, as well. In large randomized controlled trials, patients who received 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost a mean of 6% of their weight after 12 weeks and 12% of their weight after 28 weeks.
So, what do all these statistics mean for you? If you're looking to shed some pounds, it's worth giving semaglutide injections a shot. This type of treatment isn't a miracle drug, but it can significantly boost your chances of weight loss success. That's why, at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we have incorporated semaglutide as a fresh treatment option for individuals grappling with obesity, especially those who have exhausted other remedies and are seeking something new.
As is the case with promising therapies like semaglutide, people considering the drug have a lot of questions about whether it's right for them. Keep reading to get answers to some of the most common questions relating to semaglutide.
If you're an adult dealing with obesity, excessive weight, or weight-related medical conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, semaglutide injections could be a suitable option for you. To qualify for semaglutide weight loss services at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you must meet the BMI range criteria established by the FDA. If you're unsure whether semaglutide injections are the right choice for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss practitioners today.
Our doctors and practitioners often hear from patients asking whether semaglutide is safe for long-term use. It's natural to have concerns about a medication that impacts your body. Simply put, as long as you meet the criteria, it is safe to take this weight-loss medication. Even patients with endocrine, kidney, heart, and liver conditions can safely use semaglutide. As of June 4, 2021, the Food & Drug Administration has given the green light for semaglutide injections (2.4mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and at least one weight-related condition.
Weight loss medications such as semaglutide may cause people to regain weight once the treatment is stopped. According to a clinical trial featured in Practice Update, participants regained 11.6% of their lost body weight within a year of discontinuing semaglutide medication and lifestyle intervention. Researchers suggest that this weight gain could be linked to the reversal of the cardiovascular benefits associated with semaglutide treatment, including stable blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
This data underscores the importance of continued medication and ongoing treatment for obesity as a chronic health condition to effectively manage its impact on quality of life and heart health. The key takeaway here is that due to its nature as a weight loss treatment, it's best to take regularly over time for the best results.
That length of time will vary depending on factors such as:
There's no question about it - semaglutide is making waves in the medical community. Thousands of obese men and women in the U.S. are using the treatment to get a handle on their weight and live healthy lives. With its ability to reduce blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss, it makes sense that patients are looking for ways to get the most out of their regimen.
Keep reading to learn a few of the best tips to maximize your journey with semaglutide.
Before you start taking semaglutide or make any changes to your treatment plan, make sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider who prescribes semaglutide. They will evaluate your specific needs, determine the right dosage for you, and give you important instructions on how to use the medication properly. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, our weight loss practitioners work one-on-one with every patient who takes semaglutide to ensure they're staying healthy, hydrated, and committed to our semaglutide program.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels as recommended by your semaglutide provider. While semaglutide can assist in reducing blood sugar levels, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments. When you begin a weight loss program at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you can rest easy knowing we check your blood sugar levels periodically.
Regular physical activity can boost the effects of semaglutide. It's best to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week to support weight loss and overall health improvements.
It's important to understand that results may not happen right away and could take some time to become noticeable. Try to be patient as you follow your treatment plan, maintain consistency with lifestyle changes, and have confidence that positive results will come gradually.
To maximize the effectiveness of semaglutide, it's very beneficial to eat a well-rounded diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Always try to choose nutrient-rich options over high-calorie, high-fat foods. That way, you can achieve your weight loss objectives quicker. When you work with weight loss experts like the doctors at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you'll have access to customized nutrition plans that will help expedite your weight loss and keep off the pounds once you reach your goals.
Make sure to set up regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to track your progress, make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, and talk about any concerns or questions you might have. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, follow-ups and check-ins are built into our semaglutide program, giving you one less thing to worry about as you lose weight.
Are you striving to reach a healthy weight and live a more fulfilling life? Are you eager to have a positive impact on yourself and your loved ones? Take the first step toward better health by contacting VIP Cosmetic Surgery. Our experienced, compassionate practitioners will collaborate with you to identify your weight-loss goals. Once we know more about you and your body, we'll create a custom plan and provide the cutting-edge strategies and treatments you need to see real results. If you're ready to make a meaningful change, we're ready to guide you on the path to success.
LANCASTER, S.C.Lancaster’s Jordan Watford put the game to bed.The Queens University of Charlotte-bound combo guard controlled the basketball down low and took flight late in Lancaster’s 64-57 victory over South Pointe Tuesday night in the South Carolina high school quarterfinals.Watford juggled the ball into the palm of his dominant hand as he leaped, throwing down a remarkable windmill dunk dur...
LANCASTER, S.C.
Lancaster’s Jordan Watford put the game to bed.
The Queens University of Charlotte-bound combo guard controlled the basketball down low and took flight late in Lancaster’s 64-57 victory over South Pointe Tuesday night in the South Carolina high school quarterfinals.
Watford juggled the ball into the palm of his dominant hand as he leaped, throwing down a remarkable windmill dunk during the final minutes. Lancaster will now play for a spot in the SCHSL 4A boys’ basketball title game and the Upper State Championship against Wren on Monday night.
“That’s the main thing that’s getting us our money: Just playing defense 24/7,” Watford said. “For that to be my last ever home game here at Lancaster, playing in front of a packed crowd, I just love it. Anytime I see a packed crowd, in my opinion, I feel like I play better. I step up.
“Early on, before the year, I had the decision to transfer, to go to a prep school. But I really wanted to stay and play with my brothers. These are the same kids I’ve been playing with since rec ball, AAU, and I just knew we’ve had some unaccomplished stuff we had to finish.”
Lancaster (25-1) nearly led the entire game against South Pointe, played inside its packed gymnasium early Tuesday evening.
The Bruins gained the upper hand early, making several defensive stops as various players drove to the basket, which helped them build a six-point lead at the half. Roughly one third of Lancaster’s 30 points at halftime came from Watford, who finished with 20 points.
South Pointe (18-9) kept the game close throughout the second half, continually preventing the Bruins from getting more than a three-score lead for most of the night.
Behind Watford’s performance that included a 6-of-6 mark from the free throw line, junior Columbus Parker — son of former J.C. Smith great Chris “Green Light” Parker — finished with 19 points and junior R.J. Brown added a strong 11-point effort.
“Our community responds, especially as this is a place where they love you or they hate you,” Lancaster head coach Jerron Cauthen said. “When you do right by kids, and right by people, that’s how they support you. They will be behind you, but they just want you to do the right thing. Not be perfect; Just do the right thing.
“I’ve been here for 20 years. I remember losing. A lot of these kids don’t remember that, they were just being born in ‘05, or they were babies. I know what it feels like to lose to a lot of teams several times. The effort was there, the coaching was there, we just couldn’t close. I’ve stayed home and I’m reminding them of that, because I don’t want them to have this feeling that our former teams had.”
▪ Lancaster won its 20th straight game. The Bruins’ lone loss came Dec. 13 against Dynamic Prep, the Jermaine O’Neal-coached powerhouse in Texas.
▪ Lancaster has been dominant in every victory this season, putting up nearly 72 points per game while outscoring opponents by an average of roughly 15.2 points.
▪ South Pointe, winners of eight of 10 entering Tuesday night, bowed out after another strong season. Three of the Stallions’ nine losses came to Lancaster — both the previous ones were also decided by single digits — including a 61-58 game on Feb. 7.
The Bruins are now set to play Wren, which defeated Greer at Powdersville High School on Tuesday night, for the Upper State Championship and a ticket to the SCHSL 4A title game on Monday. The game is set for 7:30 p.m. at the Florence Center, site of the SCHSL’s week-long regional finals and state championships.
Andrew Jackson got a test early but pulled away in the second quarter and trounced visiting Atlantic Collegiate, 99-45, in a 2A girls’ quarterfinal game.
The victory send the Volunteers (25-3) into a Tuesday afternoon Lower State regional championship contest against Lake City in Florence.
The Armada entered the game with a 9-12 record but had upset Lake Marion in the previous round. The visitors surprised Andrew Jackson by taking an early lead and were up 12-9 before Andrew Jackson went on a 9-0 run and finished the first quarter up 18-12.
The Volunteers surged in the second quarter, outscoring Atlantic Collegiate 32-8. Tamia Watkins scored 16 of her team’s points in that period.
Andrew Jackson’s regional final/state semifinal game will be at 3 p.m. Tuesday in the Florence Center, against Lake City (16-7).
This story was originally published February 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM.
Walhalla Ends 73-Year Title Drought, Lancaster Boys Make History, and North Augusta Girls Continue Dynasty in South Carolina State Basketball ChampionshipsSouth Carolina decided six state champions over the last three days at the Florence Center to wind up the 2024-25 basketball season.Among the highlights are the Wa...
Walhalla Ends 73-Year Title Drought, Lancaster Boys Make History, and North Augusta Girls Continue Dynasty in South Carolina State Basketball Championships
South Carolina decided six state champions over the last three days at the Florence Center to wind up the 2024-25 basketball season.
Among the highlights are the Walhalla girls winning the school’s first team state championship in any sport since 1952 and the North Augusta girls winning their sixth state championship in nine years. Lancaster also won its first championship in boys basketball.
Here’s what happened.
1-A
Denmark-Olar 58, Abbeville 52
History was made as Denmark-Olar beat Abbeville 58-52 to claim the program’s first state championship.
And it came in the final game for Vikings’ coach Hercules Davis, who is retiring at the end of the school year.
Joshua Goodman led the way for D-O, scoring 28 points. Tykeem Ross added 12 points for the Vikings, who ended the season with a 15-game winning streak and a 20-5 record.
Jaden Baylor led Abbeville with 15 points and Jamearion Williams had 14.
2-A
Atlantic Collegiate Academy 58, High Point Academy 52
The Armada won a state championship in the first year the program, which is in its second year of existence, was eligible to participate in the playoffs.
Jaylen Bellamy scored 20 points to lead the Armada while Jamie Brooks had 14 and C.J. Hemingway had 9.
ACA took command with a 13-0 run at the end of the first half. The Grizzlies rallied several times in the second half but ACA never relinquished the lead.
Travis Morman led HPA with 16 points, Jaden McNeil had 11 and Chonci Miller 10.
3-A
Keenan 58, Powdersville 53
Antoine Caughman scored 17 points as Keenan beat Powdersville 58-53 to win the program’s 10th state championship. Nyheim McNeil had 15 points and Brian Sumpter added 10.
Von Burton led the Patriots with a game-high 19 points while Jaleel McGee gad 15 points and Quan Burton 13.
4-A
Lancaster 69, North Augusta 55
Jordan Watford and Columbus Parker each scored 19 points as the Bruins made history. Malik Tinsley scored 15 points, and Jacarey Ballard had 13 points in Lancaster’s balanced effort.
Jamison McKenzie scored a game-high 21 points for North Augusta. Da’Ron Dunbar had 16 points and Quh’mareon Webb added 10.
5-A Division II
Greenville 81, Goose Creek 71 in 2 OT
Greenville rallied from a 15-point deficit to win a thriller. Franklin Whitley led the Red Raiders with 25 points while Caden Coleman had 21. Roman Cooley scored 13 points and Tucker Scholl added 11.
Shane Potts led Goose Creek with a game-high 29 points. JaQuell Brown had 27 points.
5-A Division I
Ridge View 71, Blythewood 47
Korie Corbett led the way with 23 points as the Blazers cruised to their second straight state title and sixth in the last eight years. Yale Davis scored 13 points while Malachi Cooper had 9 and Tal Staley 8. Ridge View finished the season on a 17-game winning streak.
T.J. Lewis led Blythewood with 17 points.
1-A
Military Magnet 59, Lee Central 40
Military Magnet won its fourth state championship in the last five year comfortably.
Da’nariyah Williams led Military Magnet with 18 points, Dream Watson had 16 and Sabri Mitchell contributed 11.
Kiyonna Austin led Lee Central with 12 points.
2-A
Andrew Jackson 89, Eau Claire 36
Winning by over 50 points in a state championship game is the epitome of dominance. That’s how good Andrew Jackson was Saturday and all season. The Volunteers won their second consecutive state championship and fourth overall.
The same two stars led the way once again. Tamia Watkins scored 31 points and grabbed 15 rebounds while Ni’Yonna Asbelle had a career-high 30 points.
Andrew Jackson won its five playoff games by an average of 60.5 points.
MiLayshia Chisholm led Eau Claire with 16 points.
3-A
Walhalla 52, Dillon 37
Talk about history. Walhalla finished off the season with a 20-game winning streak and secured the school’s first title in 73 years.
Miley White led the Razorbacks with 14 points while Annie Campbell had 13 and Kami Roach 11.
Treasure Davis led Dillon with 18 points.
4-A
North Augusta 50, Westside 37
North Augusta added yet another title to its dynasty. Celena Grant led the way with 17 points while Ashley Walker had 10.
Khalia Hartwell scored a game-high 21 points for Westside.
5-A Division II
Berkeley 60, Greenwood 54
Amani McCray and Madison Thomas each scored 15 points to lead the Stags. Alaina Carter contributed 13 points to the balance effort.
Danielle Oliver scored 22 points to lead Greenwood. Tykirea Johnson added 14 points and Cameron Oliver had 13.
5-A Division I
Blythewood 62, Summerville 56
India Williams scored 22 points as the Bengals captured the program’s first state championship three years after having a winless season. Chase Thomas had 18 points for the Bengals. Hayley Hightower added 11 points.
Molly Daugherty led Summerville with 22 points and Cailah Tucker had 18.
Published Mar 9, 2025|Modified Mar 9, 2025
Mike Duprez became a freelance sports journalist for Scorebooklive.com several months after retiring from the newspaper business. A native of Oakland, California, Duprez moved around as a child due to his father’s service in the United States Marine Corps. He earned a bachelor’s degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1981. Duprez, who lives in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, had 30 years of experience in newspapers as well as other endeavors before retiring at the end of 2021. He covers stories in both North Carolina and South Carolina for Scorebooklive.com.
FLORENCE — Two top-ranked teams walked into the Florence Center on March 7 in search of their first boys' basketball state championship.While North Augusta came out swinging in its first state final appearance, it couldn’t come back from a flat third quarter as Lancaster surged ahead to capture its first title in school history.“Just disappointed for these young men,” said North Augusta head coach Tony Harrell. “At the end of the day, they had a tremendous season, 26-2. Nothing to hang your heads a...
FLORENCE — Two top-ranked teams walked into the Florence Center on March 7 in search of their first boys' basketball state championship.
While North Augusta came out swinging in its first state final appearance, it couldn’t come back from a flat third quarter as Lancaster surged ahead to capture its first title in school history.
“Just disappointed for these young men,” said North Augusta head coach Tony Harrell. “At the end of the day, they had a tremendous season, 26-2. Nothing to hang your heads about. We had a bad stretch there in the third quarter for the game, kind of got away from us, we were playing catch-up a little bit after that. But I love our heart. I love our fight. I love what they've done for not only themselves, the school, our community and the support we got from them. It's just been unbelievable.”
It was a revenge game for the second-ranked Jackets after the No. 1 Bruins (27-1) sent them home early in the second round of the playoffs last season.
Senior DaRon Dunbar opened up the game with a slam dunk to put them on the board first, which they built into an 8-0 scoring run midway through the period. It didn’t take long for Lancaster to catch back up with a run of its own to tie the game at 12-all.
Before the end of the quarter, North Augusta managed to recapture the lead behind more scoring from Dunbar and fellow senior Jamison McKenzie. They continued to fight off the Bruins at the net while they ate away at their lead, and their momentum, going into halftime.
The two seniors were scoring powerhouses in their final game in Yellow Jacket uniforms, with McKenzie leading the team with 21 and Dunbar right behind with 17 points .
Harrell said it won’t be easy to fill the holes those two will leave in North Augusta’s offense next year after the impact they’ve made on the program. They will go down in Jacket history as the senior class with the most wins at the time of graduation.
“They're just special kids,” he said. “Take the basketball out of the equation. Both of them are just really fine young men. They'll be successful in life, they'll be good, they'll be good husbands, they'll be good fathers. They've learned a lot about life through the game of basketball on the court. They're tremendous players. DaRon Dunbar, almost 1,400 career points, all the accolades that he's gotten has been fantastic. Jamison McKenzie, three-year varsity player. It'll be tough to replace them, too. And I appreciate everything they've done for our basketball program.”
While the Jackets were able to hold onto the lead by just three points, it started to go downhill as Lancaster exploded offensively in the third quarter while holding them to just six points.
Bruins All-State senior Jordan Watford not only led them to regain the lead after halftime, but he helped to extend it beyond North Augusta’s reach. He led the team in scoring with 19 points, which was tied with guard Columbus Parker.
It was a battle well into the third as a frustrated North Augusta tried to get its groove back at the net while also trying to contain a dominant Lancaster offense. While they started to regain scoring momentum in the final eight minutes of the championship, it wasn’t enough to claw back into the game with Lancaster capitalizing on late-game fouling trouble from the Jackets.
“ No. 0, Jordan Watford on the team, heck of a player,” Harrell said. “He got the ball, he sliced our defense up a few times, got to the basket, got to the free throw line a lot. We just didn't have an answer there for him in the third quarter.”
North Augusta finished the season as Region 4-AAAA and Lower State champions with a 26-2 overall record.
The game marks the end of an era for North Augusta’s seniors, but Harrell is looking forward to getting several juniors back next season, including Jordan Rouse, Toian Nabriat and Quh’Mareon Webb, who have all played a big part in the Jackets' success so far.
He said this moment of heartbreak will do a lot to motivate them as they prepare to do it all again next season.
“Well, you remember,” Harrell said. “You remember the feeling. Now you'll go a little extra harder in the weight room or in individual workouts or whatever, just knowing in the back of your mind where you were and what it's going to take to get back to this point.”
For someone new to Indian Land, it would be hard to imagine the same community back in 2000. That’s before the freight train of population growth rolled in and turned a rural outpost into one of South Carolina’s most inhabited places.Now, the next surge of new Lancaster County residents is on the way. Only this...
For someone new to Indian Land, it would be hard to imagine the same community back in 2000. That’s before the freight train of population growth rolled in and turned a rural outpost into one of South Carolina’s most inhabited places.
Now, the next surge of new Lancaster County residents is on the way. Only this time it’s coming faster and isn’t confined to the panhandle.
“Growth is everywhere,” said County Administrator Dennis Marstall.
This month alone, the county planning commission faces decisions that could add more than 1,000 new homes. The largest project is the Cresswind neighborhood that would add 853 age-restricted homes, for seniors. It would go across Charlotte Highway from Walnut Creek.
Other communities are planning for thousands of homes they’ve already approved.
All that growth brings economic opportunity in places like Lancaster, but also challenges for roads, schools and public services countywide. The numbers are imposing, even for county and municipal planners.
“These folks are coming regardless,” said county Development Service Director Allison Hardin. “It just so happens South Carolina is a wonderful place to live, and the word is out.”
From 2000 to 2020, Lancaster County grew by 34,665 residents. That’s a nearly 57% increase. Now, the U.S. Census Bureau estimates the county grew by nearly 13% just from 2020 to 2023. That jump put the county at 108,215 people.
By 2035, the South Carolina Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Office estimates Lancaster County will have 128,294 residents. That’s up 32,278 people from 2020. So, that projection would have the county growing by about the same number of people in the 15 years after 2020 than in the 20 years before it.
“The growth in this 20-year period took up a lot of the land that was available for development,” Hardin said. “This (next wave) will take up even more, unless we take a step back and look at how we place density in the area.”
The county doesn’t intend to close the valve on growth, but people would keep coming even if the county did.
The county has about 190 residential or mixed-use, meaning business with residential, subdivisions. They combine for more than 29,000 home sites, but the properties they’re on would allow for more than 43,000 home sites.
Among those subdivisions already approved by the county, there are 26,484 lots that allow for a home but don’t yet have one built on them. The county already has roughly 45,000 housing units — homes and apartments, per the Census Bureau — on the ground today.
In 2000, Indian Land was a vastly different place.
Massive communities like Sun City, Walnut Creek and Tree Tops didn’t exist. Indian Land’s one elementary school had 15 students per classroom. Its high school teams played in the state’s smallest classification, against similar-sized communities like Great Falls, Lewisville, Dixie and North Central.
U.S. 521 was a smooth, scenic drive from Lancaster to North Carolina. The ongoing development of Ballantyne just across the state line, though, foreshadowed some of what was to come.
Today, in its geography and growth potential, Indian Land is a city without limits.
If the panhandle were incorporated, it would be larger than Fort Mill. Only Rock Hill would be larger in the region. Some Indian Land residents put incorporation onto a ballot in 2018, but voters decisively turned it down.
Indian Land’s high school now competes in the state’s largest size classification against schools in Rock Hill and Fort Mill. A failed bond referendum last fall would’ve built a second high school in Indian Land. Most of the $588 million bond proposal was for Indian Land projects.
A drive along U.S. 521 is seldom smooth or scenic anymore. Of the $405 million transportation tax referendum vote last fall that narrowly failed, $150 million would’ve gone to widen U.S. 521 or nearby roads.
Growth brought challenges, but also additions that might have been unthinkable in 2000. Indian Land has a movie theater, restaurants and corporate headquarter sites. A new Target and then a new Costco are expected to open in Indian Land this year.
More than 60% of panhandle residents have moved there since 2010. Now when county planners interact with Indian Land, Hardin said, discussion tends toward what people want to see now that they’re here rather than what the area used to be.
“The people in the panhandle that lived there and grew up there are now outnumbered by the people that have moved in to that area,” she said.
The past 15 years, Lancaster County has ranked alongside York, Union (N.C) and Mecklenburg (N.C.) as the highest-growth counties in the Charlotte region. But Lancaster County growth is different.
“We’re the only county where the (majority of) growth has gone outside of the cities,” Hardin said.
The past two years, though, the city of Lancaster has had new subdivision requests for hundreds of homes at a time. Last fall, the city had three projects come in at a combined 1,500 homes.
“This (past) year we’ve probably annexed more (land) than we have in the last 25 to 30 years, so we’re excited about that,” said Mayor Pro Tem Jackie Harris. “We’re excited about some of the features that we’re going to have in our downtown.”
There are more large plans in unincorporated spots south of Indian Land, too.
They include three of the four largest subdivisions by approved but unbuilt homes. Edgewater, approved in 1999, has more than 15,000 home sites remaining. Roselyn has 1,850 and Riverchase has 737 sites.
While Indian Land has its proximity to Charlotte, Hardin said, Lancaster has rail service and is near Interstate 77. There’s opportunity for apartments above retail and higher-density options in the city. The southern, more rural part of the county has a gold mine, gravel pit and agricultural space for jobs.
“There is richness in every section of our county,” Hardin said, “and opportunities for growth in all of them.”
It’ll take a connected county, officials say, to tackle growth challenges that aren’t likely to stop soon.
The county sheriff’s office asked for four new deputies in Indian Land in this year’s budget, and the county will need to staff the $90 million detention center under construction. Marstall is ordering ambulances and looking at a new model for fire service.
Both the county and school district will hold public input meetings this spring, in part to determine why the bond referendum and transportation tax votes failed. New proposals could come to voters in tandem or separately.
The school board also will discuss impact fees this month, said board member Melvin Stroble, including whether to increase them from about $9,300 per new home or extend them outside of the Indian Land panhandle.
“All of that (non-panhandle growth) is going to impact future infrastructure for the Lancaster County School District,” Stroble said.
Part of Lancaster’s recent growth surge has been the availability of water and sewer service, said City Administrator Steven “Flip” Hutfles.
Other nearby communities in North Carolina have had capacity issues that led developers south. Lancaster has room for residential and industrial growth, but Hutfles said it would cost an estimated $150 million to double wastewater capacity to 15 million gallons per day.
The city doesn’t know how it would get that money if needed.
“That is going to be what is the main driver in the future,” Hutfles said. “It may be 20 or 25 years, but the way the growth is coming it could be sooner.”
Construction will start this spring on the Catawba Ridge Boulevard extension, Marstall said, to provide a second access to the massive Edgewater development. There’s county discussion on both a national and Lancaster County trend, Hardin said, where most housing tends to be affluent or subsidized.
“There’s not a lot of in between,” she said.
Even with so much growth spreading to other areas, there’s always Indian Land. It’s likely to remain the most densely populated part of the county, and a difficult place to manage since it takes countywide decisions to tackle issues there.
“Can we make our growth manageable in the higher-density areas with the same rules that we use in the lower-density areas?” Hardin said. “And if not, how can we adjust our rules to that they’re fair to each side?”
This story was originally published February 12, 2025 at 6:00 AM.
The Herald
John Marks graduated from Furman University in 2004 and joined the Herald in 2005. He covers community growth, municipalities, transportation and education mainly in York County and Lancaster County. The Fort Mill native earned dozens of South Carolina Press Association awards and multiple McClatchy President’s Awards for news coverage in Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
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