These days, million-dollar homes in the county are no longer a rarity, said John Panizza, a developer and president of General Residential Properties Inc. of Exton. Even the shortstops are hitting home runs. For builders, the Chester County market is attractive for many reasons. Three years ago, American Demographics magazine ranked the county one of the top 20 in the country in terms of disposable income per capita. About 85 percent of residents have received some post-secondary education, according to the 1990 census.
Population continues to soar.
In 1970, the county was home to 279,000 people. In 1990, there were 376,000. This year, the county planning commission projects 442,000 residents. But we have maintained a rapid growth rate through the 1990s. The growth is likely to continue.