Downtown Charleston South Carolina Skyline
Downtown Charleston South Carolina Skyline

Charleston, SC

Land in Charleston

  • About

  • History

  • Location

  • Things to do

  • Demographics

  • Culture

  • Schools

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Everything you want to know before buying land in Charleston, South Carolina

If you are looking to buy land in Charleston, South Carolina, now may be the right time. Not just for those looking to settle roots, Charleston is also a popular destination for vacationers as well. With beautiful weather almost every day of the year, Charleston also has a strong economy consistently ranked better than the national average, and plenty of activities to keep you busy.

In this article, we’ll look at some of the best neighborhoods to buy land in Charleston. We’ll also take a look at Charleston’s geography, climate and demographics, and even what the locals and tourists alike do for fun.

History of Charleston

History of Charleston

Charleston South Carolina

Before the European settlers arrived, the region of Charleston was the territory of the Cusabo people. When the initial British settlers arrived around the 1670s and established the first settlement of Charles Town, they declared war on the Cusabo. Just a few years later, in 1679, the British settlers switched sides and allied with the Cusabo against the Westo people. Before long, Charles Town failed and was abandoned, and another nearby village took its name. In 1780, this new village started to thrive based on its more defensible terrain and better harbor, and its early economy was based on plantation agriculture, shipbuilding and the slave trade. Charles Town had a turbulent start, initially marked by war, an earthquake, and many yellow fever and malaria outbreaks. The town was fortified in 1704 in order to withstand the French and Spanish forces contesting ownership of the region, as well as pirates and hostile native peoples. It was also heavily contested in the Revolutionary War, as well as in the Civil War.

Charleston South Carolina

Things to do in Charleston

Things to do in Charleston

 Charleston Harbour

Anyone considering buying land in South Carolina, and in particular, Charleston, will want to know what the locals do for fun. Activities include exploring the colorful, landscaped gardens at Middleton Place, spending the day at the Joe Riley Waterfront Park, seeing the Fort Sumter National Monument and the statues at the Battery & White Point Gardens, a visit to the South Carolina Aquarium and shopping at the Charleston City Market.

 Charleston Harbour

Unreal land in Charleston, SC

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Location

Map showing Charleston

Location

Charleston can be found on the coast of South Carolina, just south of the center of its ocean-facing border. Old Charleston was effectively built on a peninsula, along an inlet where the three rivers – Ashley, Cooper and Wando – flow into the sea. The six districts of modern Charleston sprawl along both sides of this complex river delta. Some of the best Charleston land is located very close to one waterway or another. Before you begin looking at land in Charleston, however, consider the type of neighborhood you would like to live in. A few of the most liveable neighborhoods in the city include: Folly Beach Folly Beach is a surf town at heart, known for its beaches, pier, great waves and laid-back attitude. In the summer, Folly Beach comes alive with its huge tourist draw, but the rest of the year is a sleepy beach neighborhood. The majority of its population is made up of college students, retirees and young families. Folly Beach is on the higher end of residential costs, with median house pricing upwards of $560,000. Harleston Village Another spot to find high quality Charleston land for sale is in Harleston Village. This neighborhood is popular with professionals, students and families due to its mix of quiet residential streets coupled with bars, great restaurants and some of the city’s best shopping on King Street. In Harleston Village, you will also find a large number of stately and historic homes. James Island If you are looking for land in Charleston, SC that is near both downtown and the beach, consider James Island. Opposite downtown on the other side of the harbor, James Island is the destination for great restaurants – mostly barbecue and seafood restaurants. After a good meal, take a stroll or a boat ride through the 600-acre James Island County Park. West Ashley Situated very close to downtown and famed for its nightlife, West Ashley is also Charleston’s single largest neighborhood. Its population is very diverse and has just about every type of residential dwelling represented, making it a great place to buy a piece of land. West Ashley is just west of the Charleston peninsula, along the Ashley River. For those looking to buy land here and build a home, the median home price is just around the $300,000 mark. Sullivan’s Island This neighborhood is just a 20-minute drive to the center of town, so if you want to buy land and not feel like you are “in the city,” then this is the place for you. Sullivan’s Island has the advantage of distance, yet still being close enough to take advantage of Charleston’s amenities as well. For those lucky enough to buy land in Sullivan Island, your family will have access to some of the best schools in the city.

Charleston Demographics

Charleston Demographics

Large group of people forming the shape of South Carolina

As of the 2020 census, Charleston had a population of 150,227. This is a substantial increase from the 2010 figure of 120,083. This rapid growth the city is seeing is just one of the many reasons why buying land in Charleston, SC is popular right now.

Almost all Charleston residents over the age of 25 have high school diplomas, and more than half have a Bachelor’s degree or higher. The median household income was $72,071 in 2020, and the median value of owner-occupied housing units at the same time was $349,000.

Large group of people forming the shape of South Carolina

Arts in Charleston

Arts in Charleston

Dock Street Theatre Charleston

Anyone looking to buy land in Charleston will love the city’s thriving art and cultural scenes, all due to the city’s cultural roots in England, France and many different parts of West Africa. Many of these roots are celebrated in annual festivals including the Charleston Antiques Show, Charleston Fashion Week, the Charleston Food and Wine Festival, the Charleston International Film Festival, the Cooper River Bridge Run, the Historic Charleston Foundation's Festival of Houses and Gardens, the Holiday Festival of Lights, the Lowcountry Oyster Festival, the MOJA Arts Festival, the Spoleto Festival USA and the Southeastern Wildlife Exposition and Taste of Charleston.

Charleston also boasts many museums including the Avery Research Center for African American History and Culture, the Calhoun Mansion, the Charleston Museum, the Exchange and Provost, the Gibbes Museum of Art and the Halsey Institute of Contemporary Art at the College of Charleston.

Dock Street Theatre Charleston

Schools in Charleston

Schools in Charleston

Charleston has many great schools at all levels, including religious schools. Just a handful of schools include Bishop England High School, Charleston Catholic School, Charleston Collegiate School, Christ Our King School, Coastal Christian Preparatory School, Divine Redeemer School, First Baptist Church School, Palmetto Christian Academy, Blessed Sacrament School, Ashley Hall and Addlestone Hebrew Academy. For those enrolling in higher education, there are plenty of colleges and universities in and around Charleston to choose from. Some include the American College of the Building Arts, the Charleston School of Law, the Citadel, the College of Charleston, the Medical University of South Carolina, the Military College of South Carolina, the Roper Hospital School of Practical Nursing and Trident Technical College.

University Charleston South Carolina

Why Charleston?

Why Charleston?

Colonial Lake real estate South Carolina

If you have visited Charleston and fell in love with the city, its charm and the wealth of activities available, then yes, you should probably consider buying land there. Plus, with its strong economy and plenty of great educational options for the younger ones in the family, it may be one of the best financial decisions you ever make.

Colonial Lake real estate South Carolina
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