EZ Home Search Guide to Living in Lexington County, SC

Are you looking for a blend of quality of life and cost of living? Check out Lexington County, South Carolina. Here you have a contemporary, urban lifestyle with southern hospitality and affordable housing. Residents live close to the state capital Columbia, providing access to excellent health care, education, dining, and entertainment attractions. At the same time, you can find farmland and woodlands, creating a blended urban and rural lifestyle. 

Come see why Lexington County, South Carolina, could be a great place to live for you.

About Lexington County

Lexington County is situated just west of Richland County and the state capital, Columbia. In fact, the western side is essentially shared with Columbia and has many of the city’s suburbs.

Getting around Lexington County is relatively easy, thanks to three interstates that run through its borders: I-20, I-26, and I-77.

Inside Lexington County is Lake Murray, well known for its excellent fishing opportunities. The hundred of water acres create ample space for water recreation and a chance for waterfront living.  Part of the Congaree and Saluda Rivers makes up the western border. In the southwest, the North Fork of the Edisto River is another part of the border.

Topographically, Lexington has many natural resources. It is part of the Piedmont Region and also the Coastal Plain. The highest point is approximately 660 feet above sea level. About one-half of the county is Woodlands, predominantly in longleaf pine. 

The climate is temperate, with an annual mean temperature of 63.1 Fahrenheit. The sunshine and rainfall lead to an abundant growing season of 225 days. 

Lexington County is surrounded by Fairfield, Richland, and Calhoun counties to the east, Orangeburg County to the South, and Aiken, Saluda, and Newberry counties to the West. 

Lexington County History

After the Native American tribes in the area, the Lexington region’s earliest colonial settlers were primarily of German descent. A mix of Swiss and Scots-Irish immigrants also came to work the area’s small farms.

Lexington County is one of the oldest in South Carolina, formed in 1785 by an Act of the General Assembly. It was modified slightly in those early years, and its present borders were formed in 1804.

Lexington, and its county seat of the same name, got their names from the American Revolutionary Battle of Lexington.  Several Revolutionary War battles took place in the general area. The Battle of Tarrar Springs was fought near the town of Lexington.

Historically, the region was agricultural and made up of small farm owners. Major crops throughout the 18th century included corn, wheat, tobacco, flax, hemp, and livestock. It was one of the leading producers of wheat in the state. Lexington farms were also known for fruit production, and in particular, peaches. 

Lake Murray was formed in the 1930s by the damming of the Saluda River. Over 5,000 small farmers and citizens had to be relocated due to the lake’s formation. The Saluda Dam was once the largest earthen dam in the world, at 1.5 miles wide and 208 feet high. Today the lake has over 700 miles of shoreline, primarily inside Lexington County. 

The original county seat was Granby, but historic and frequent flooding caused by upstream farming prompted the new county seat to be established on a high sand ridge near Twelve Mile Creek, now known as Lexington.

The area was not spared during the American Civil War. The town of Lexington was destroyed by occupying Union troops in 1865. 

Lexington County Cities and Areas

The western part of Lexington County serves as part of the capital Columbia, the largest city by population in South Carolina. Several large Columbia suburbs lie inside the county’s borders. These include:

• West Columbia, primarily a commuter town near the downtown district and the Congaree Vista.
• Cayce, a more rural suburb of Columbia with Revolutionary War history
• Irmo, which partially lies in Richland County, is a large suburb with a downtown heart
• Chapin, just to the north of Lake Murray.

Lexington is the county seat for Lexington County. It sits on the southern shoreline of Lake Murray. It was originally established as part of the Royal township of Saxe-Gotha under the colonial government of King George II. Today it is a thriving hub and a jumping-off point for Lake Murray visitors.

Batesburg-Leesville lies in the western area of Lexington County at the intersection of US 178 and US 1. These two towns consolidated into one in 1993. Once a trading post, the town continues to be a market center for the surrounding agricultural communities. Today, the Poultry Festival in May draws tourism.

Lexington County Job Market

Lexington County’s major employing industries are in health care, retail trades, transportation and warehousing, and accommodation and food services. A community profile estimates the job market will grow by 12.06% from 2016 to 2026. 

The top employers include, but are not limited to, the Lexington County School Districts, Amazon, Charter Communication, Michelin North America, Nephron SC, Prysmian Communications Cables and Systems, UPS, and Southeastern Freight Lines.

The 2020 unemployment rate was 4.4%, below the state rate of 6.2%, and the national rate of 8.1%. In June 2021, the reported rate was 3.5%, where the state had a 4.5% average and the nation a 6.1% average. The most openings in the month were in retail sales, customer service, and heavy or CDL truck drivers. 

Lexington County’s community profile projects that by 2026, the industries with the most growth will be transportation and warehousing, health care, accommodation and food services, and administrative or support positions.

Lexington County Real Estate Market Highlights

Lexington County shares its market data with nearby Richland County. The data provided by the Central Carolina Real Estate Association shows the 12 months starting August 2020 had a lack of supply and increasing median home prices. 

Looking at the July 2021 market overview, the data shows a dip in the number of new listings during summer 2020. This was followed by a slow and steady increase in new listings up to July 2021. There was a steady decline in the days on the market starting in 2019. At the same time, median sales price growth accelerated due to home buyer demand. The inventory of homes available for sale drops dramatically in the Lexington County area during 2020. 

As of July 2021, the region reported a 21% increase in the number of new listings year-over-year, but still not enough to satisfy buyer demand. There was a 63% drop in the days on market to 17 days and a 10.6% increase in the median sales price. The median residential sale price was $228,625. The regional month’s supply of inventory reached one month, a 41.2% year-over-year decline.

The Central Carolinas Real Estate Association reports break down the data further by price point and housing characteristics. EZ Home Search can also provide more focused and current home data for Lexington County and its areas.

Lexington County Population Growth

According to the 2019 US Census estimates, the average age of a Lexington County resident was 39.1 years old. Its community profile shows that the age bracket with the highest number of residents was the 45-to-49-year-old bracket, followed closely by the 50-to-54-year-old group.  When you look at the age breakdown, the population is spread rather evenly from 0 to 70 years old. 

Around 81% of Lexington County residents identified as white or Caucasian. Approximately 14% identify as black or African-American, while 4% identify as two or more races. Around 28% have a bachelor’s degree or higher and about 50% have some college or higher.

In the first release of 2020 US Census Bureau data, Lexington County is still smaller than neighboring Richland, but it is growing faster. It reported 293,991 residents, an increase of 12%. The area with the most growth was West Columbia, which increased by 16% to 17,416 residents. 

Lexington County Education

Five public school districts service Lexington County students. In summary, the county has 75 schools enrolling 56,000 students. Which school district services you depends on the area you live.

• District 1 operates 31 schools and serves 27,000 students. It runs 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, five high schools, one technology center, and one alternative education services program. Its borders go from Lake Murray to the southern border of Aiken County, occupying 48% of the county’s square miles.
• District 2 primarily covers the Eastern side of the county, including West Columbia, Cayce, and South Congaree. It runs six elementary schools, four middle schools, two high schools, and one alternative center.
• District 3 Is a more rural school district serving 2,000 students in grades K to 12. It has one primary, one elementary, one middle, and one high school. It is in the western portion of Lexington County and also serves as part of Saluda County. Its boundaries go from Lake Murray to the Sandhills.
• District 4 operates two elementary schools, two middle schools, a freshman academy, and a high school. It covers the Southeastern area around Swansea and Gaston.
• Lexington-Richland District 5 is a shared School District with Richland County. It covers most of the northern portions of the county around Lake Murray. It operates 12 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, three middle schools, four high schools, and one alternative school. 

Some of the best public schools inside Lexington County are New Providence, Lake Murray Elementary, Airport High School, and Brookland-Cayce high school.

There were 21 private schools operating in 2021. Some of the top-performing private schools included Northside Christian Academy, Grace Christian School, Compuhigh/Whitmore School, and Columbia Adventist Academy. About 76% of the private schools were religiously affiliated.

For higher education, Midlands Technical College is a two-year vocational and work skills training College. It operates a campus inside of Lexington County and offers over 150 associate degree and certificate programs of study. 

Lexington County Health Care

Being situated close to the state capital, residents have access to some excellent health care facilities.

The Lexington Medical Center is a primary medical provider for Lexington County residents. Its hospital has 481 beds. With over 56 doctors on staff, it specializes in pediatrics, orthopedics, radiology, gynecology, and more.

Prisma Health Baptist Hospital also operates a center inside Lexington County. Its facility has 330 beds and over 740 doctors. Its specialties include heart, cancer, and orthopedics. 

Lexington County Things To Do

Lexington residents are close to the entertainment amenities located inside Columbia, such as the state capital, its museums, family entertainment, and dining. However, there are plenty of things to do located inside Lexington County. 

A primary driver of tourism is Lake Murray and its 700 miles of shoreline. There is ample access to swimming, boating, and fishing opportunities around the lake. You will find parks and public boat ramps spread out the shoreline. The lake also hosts fishing tournaments throughout the year, some of which are nationally sponsored.

Throughout the county, you will find more parks and recreation opportunities. This is an area that is rich with outdoor opportunities. However, if you like watching movies or going to concerts, you are still close to all of those venues.

Not only do you have excellent fishing and water recreation in your backyard, but Lexington County has golf clubs. Of note is the Indian River Golf Club, a Scottish-style course designed by Lynn Young, which uses elevation changes while blending nature and unspoiled terrain. You can also check out the Golden Hills Golf and Country Club or the semi-private Charwood Golf Club. 

Lexington County Local Attractions

The West Columbia Riverwalk Park and Amphitheatre is along the Congaree River. It hosts concerts and events throughout the year. The park also connects with the Three Rivers Greenway, making it an excellent biking and walking trail.

For a smaller experience, visit the Saluda Shoals Park, a 400-acre park featuring a river observation deck, boat launches, picnic shelters, and multi-use trails. The Saluda River stays a cool 65F all year round, making it a local favorite in the summer.

The Riverbanks Zoo & Botanical Gardens straddles the Richland and Lexington borders along the Saluda River. It has a kid’s Splash Zone, native and exotic plants, and a zoo to educate families about wildlife.

The Icehouse Amphitheater located near downtown is a 900-seat venue that hosts community events and concerts. 

Dreher Shoals Dam has a walking path along the top. It’s one of the best places in Lexington for an expansive view of Lake Murray. It’s especially stunning for a sunrise or sunset walk. 

The Lexington County Baseball Stadium seats over 3,000 Spectators for Lexington Blowfish, a summer collegiate baseball team playing in the Coastal Plain League. The team gets its name from the popular South Carolina band Hootie and the Blowfish.

The Lexington County Museum has 36 historic houses and outbuildings. It has exhibits on colonial and antebellum periods in Lexington County history.

Lexington County Dining

Being this close to Columbia, you have all kinds of cuisine available to you in Lexington County. There will be more choices and options towards the eastern side as you move closer to the city and the suburbs. However, you can still find some delicious and traditional South Carolina southern food throughout Lexington County. Here are a few places to give you a sense of the dining scene:

• Hudson’s Smokehouse BBQ – Southern barbecue spot with lunch & dinner buffets plus an à la carte menu in modern-rustic digs.
• Momma Rabbit’s Nibbles and Sips– An eclectic, farm-to-table style restaurant with chicken pot pie, a German-inspired Heidelberger, lots of vegetable-forward dishes. 
• Flight Deck Restaurant – Greek & American diner dishes in an old-school aviation-themed setting with a kid-friendly arcade.
• Old Mill Brewpub – Casual haunt in a historic building with original burgers & a large beer list, plus outdoor seating.

Lexington County Shopping

One unique feature of Lexington is its Farmer’s Market, known as the Market at Icehouse. It’s an open-air market open from May to October on Saturdays from 9 a.m. to noon. It has locally grown produce, food trucks, and other artisanal vendors. 

If you like antiquing, try the Old Mill Antique Mall. It’s in the historic River District just across from downtown Columbia. This antique mall has over 75 dealers under one roof.

The Columbiana Centre is a one-story indoor shopping mall off of I-26. It has a collection of name-brand retailers such as Coach and Dillard’s, along with brand classics American Eagle, Pandora, Loft, and Sephora. 

Lexington County Local Favorites

Virginia Halton Park is located in downtown Lexington. It has a picnic area, playground, staging area, gardens, and places to walk. There’s no entry fee and it’s a great place to spend the day with the family. 

At the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, there is a two-mile trail that is accessible year-round. It has some interesting rock formations that are sure to leave the family admiring what nature can create. 

The Mercer House Estate Winery is one of only ten organic vineyards operating in the United States. You can take a tour and try some of their organic and sustainably crafted wines. They also grow over 50 varieties of grapes and different kinds of fruits on the 12-acre estate.

Creekside Restaurant is a dining venue built in an old mill. It serves homestyle American food for breakfast and lunch.

Wingard’s Market is a long-established local resource for landscaping and plants. It also has a market with local produce.

Living in Lexington County, South Carolina

As you can see, a life in Lexington County is one filled with outdoor amenities and access to modern conveniences. You have a range of housing options available, from urban living to the more rural estate. Residents enjoy ample dining, shopping, and entertainment options. The outdoorsman and fisherman will appreciate access to a world-class destination in Lake Murray.