The rapid pace of housing construction in York County began in the mid-1980s and has continued through the ‘90s and into the 21st century. Since 1990, the housing stock has increased by over half, adding almost 8,500 units and growing, on average, by more than 500 units or 2.6% per year. As a result, the County's housing stock is relatively young and of good quality. This is reflected in the relatively high residential property values.

As the housing stock has grown it has also grown more diverse. Although single-family detached homes continue to dominate the landscape, over one-third of the housing units built since 1990 have been townhouses, duplexes, condominiums, and rental apartments.