Tega Cay, South Carolina
Opening a business in Tega Cay
A lakeside city on Lake Wylie, about 20 miles south of Charlotte, where household incomes, schools and growth all rank near the top of the state. Here’s what that means for a local business, and how to get started.
The city
Small city, high-income households
Tega Cay is mostly homes, which is why it works for businesses that serve families: the customers already live here.
Growing for 20 years
Tega Cay more than tripled between the 2000 Census and the Census Bureau’s July 2023 estimate. Next door, Fort Mill grew 26.2% between the 2020 Census and 2022, a top-five growth rate nationally for towns its size.
Among the highest incomes in the state
Tega Cay’s median household income is about 80% above the national median, and a Stacker ranking based on Census data named it the highest-earning city in South Carolina.
Schools that draw young families
Niche ranked the Fort Mill School District, which serves Tega Cay, the best in South Carolina for 2025, and all ten of the state’s top public elementary schools are in the district, led by Gold Hill Elementary in Tega Cay.
An educated, professional customer base
Two in three adults hold at least a bachelor’s degree, roughly double the South Carolina rate, which supports professional services, health care and specialty retail.
The 3-mile trade area
Who lives around Windhaven Commercial
The neighborhoods within 3 miles of 1244 Hubert Graham Way reach well beyond city limits into Fort Mill and Lake Wylie.
Where the money goes
Annual consumer spending by residents within 3 miles, selected categories. Total spending is about $835 million a year, including $211 million on food and alcohol.
Source: CoStar demographics and consumer spending, 3-mile radius from 1244 Hubert Graham Way (2025 estimates, 2030 projections).
Getting here
Close to I-77 and Charlotte
Windhaven Commercial sits off Gold Hill Road, which carries about 19,064 cars a day, at the entrance to the Windhaven Village neighborhood in Tega Cay.
Getting started
How to open a business in Tega Cay
The usual order for a new storefront or office. Requirements change, so confirm each step with the agency involved.
Choose a space and confirm your use
Check that your business is allowed where you want to open. Windhaven Commercial is zoned PDD, and each use is subject to Windhaven PDD zoning and City of Tega Cay approval. The listing team can help you check before you commit.
Set up your business with the state
Form your entity with the South Carolina Secretary of State if needed, then register with the SC Department of Revenue for the taxes your business will collect or owe, such as sales tax or payroll withholding.
Plan and permit your build-out
A cold dark shell suite is finished to your plans. Your designer or contractor submits building permits to the City of Tega Cay before work starts.
Get your City of Tega Cay business license
Licenses run from May 1 to April 30, fees are based on gross income, and they’re due before you open. Call the Business License Official at City Hall, 803-548-3513.
Add any licenses for your field
Regulated businesses, such as health care, food service and alcohol sales, also need state professional, health or ABC licensing before opening.
Downloads
Take it with you
Download the full test-fit book and brochure to share with your partners, banker or designer.
Ready to see the space?
Six suites in Building 2 are for sale from 1,206 SF, alone or combined. See layouts for 20 business types.
Questions
Opening a business in Tega Cay
Is Tega Cay a good place to open a business?
For businesses that serve households, the numbers are strong: a median household income of about $141,000, two-thirds of adults with a bachelor’s degree, the top-ranked school district in South Carolina, and steady population growth. Within 3 miles of Windhaven Commercial, residents spend about $835 million a year.
How many people live in Tega Cay?
Tega Cay had 12,832 residents in the 2020 Census, up from 4,044 in 2000. The Census Bureau estimated 14,057 residents as of July 2023. About 55,205 people live within 3 miles of Windhaven Commercial.
How far is Tega Cay from Charlotte?
Windhaven Commercial is about 15 miles from Uptown Charlotte and 12 miles from Charlotte Douglas International Airport (straight-line), and about 3 miles from I-77 Exit 88.
Do I need a business license in Tega Cay?
Yes. The City of Tega Cay issues business licenses for a license year that runs May 1 through April 30, and fees are due before you start operating. Fees are based on gross income. Contact the Business License Official at City Hall, 803-548-3513.
What is South Carolina’s corporate income tax rate?
South Carolina taxes C corporations at a flat 5% of South Carolina taxable income. LLCs, S corporations and sole proprietors are taxed differently, so check with your accountant.
Sources
- U.S. Census Bureau, 2000 and 2020 Census counts for Tega Cay city.
- U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts, Tega Cay city: population estimate, July 1, 2023; bachelor’s degree or higher, 2019–2023.
- U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates (2019–2023), median household income, via DataUSA and StateDemographics.
- Stacker, “Highest-earning cities in South Carolina,” based on Census ACS data.
- Niche 2025 K–12 rankings, as reported by WRHI and WSOC-TV.
- WRHI, Census Bureau population estimates for Fort Mill and Tega Cay (May 2023).
- SC Department of Revenue and SC Department of Commerce, corporate income tax rate.
- City of Tega Cay, Business License Services.
- CoStar: demographics and consumer spending, 3-mile radius (2025), daytime employment and traffic counts (2026).