Two things drive the housing market in the charming small town of Chapin, South Carolina, according to Terri Scheper, Realtor with NextHome Specialists – “One is the stellar school district, the other is the jewel of the Carolinas, Lake Murray.” The town was once a booming area for the cotton and lumber industries and has since adopted a true lake lifestyle, eventually garnering the title of ‘Capital of Lake Murray.’ The small town just west of the state capital of Columbia had a population of about 1,800 according to the 2020 census and has seen a small but steady increase throughout the years.
Chapin is know as the capital of Lake Murray.
Artists make their mark in Chapin by charming boat shaped sculptures throughout the town.
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Waterfront amenities at Lake Murray
Lake Murray received the title of ‘The Jewel of South Carolina,’ spanning over 48,000 acres with over 600 miles of shoreline. Because of the area’s extensive waterfront access, fishing, boating and swimming are common pastimes. Public and private access points are scattered throughout the town, including Eptings Landing and the Rocky Point recreation area. In addition to the many lakeside parks, there are several greenspaces nearby. Crooked Creek Park opened in 1994, boasting an abundance of amenities, including a community center, disc golf and walking trails, among others. Melvin Park notably had a baseball complex with six fields and four pickleball courts.
Lake Murray Marina is the go-to place in Chapin for boating and waterfront fun.
The charm of Lake Murray living in Chapin makes it a top choice for waterfront dreams.
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Lexington-Richland School District No 5 receives high marks
Well-regarded public schools add to the area’s appeal. Chapin is part of the Lexington-Richland School District 5, which received an overall A grade from Niche. All of the schools are located in Chapin, so students won’t have to travel outside of town to get to class. U.S. News and World Report ranks Chapin High School ninth for best high schools in the state. The high school offers 26 Advanced Placement classes and a 96% graduation rate in its 2023 class. Most of the other schools in the district have Niche ratings of A- or better. To enroll at Spring Hill High School, an all-magnet school, students select from five career paths: engineering, entertainment, entrepreneurial, environment or exercise science.
Chapin Middle School is one of the town's public school options.
Chapin High School is a public option for teenagers in the lake town.
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Contemporary homes and lakeside properties
Chapin’s residential areas stem from the town’s main thoroughfare, with single-family homes being the primary option. Homes in the heart of town are clustered along residential roads, and many homes were built in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Chapin has its fair share of homes that are priced under the national average of $416,000, but some homes cost slightly over that average. Homes closer to the lake are priced much higher, sometimes ranging between $700,000 and $1.5 million.
A Chapin neighborhood home is a great place to raise a family on Lake Murray.
Lake front homes are abundant in Chapin, on Lake Murray.
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Chapin Road restaurants and shops
Much of Chapin’s restaurants and shopping centers are along or around the main thoroughfare of Chapin Road. Chapin Crossing has a Publix, along with restaurants and shops. The town has its fair share of local spots, including the Tipsy Toad Tavern and Bakon Southern Eatery. Catfish Johnny’s is a lakeside restaurant with an expansive outdoor patio space. Liberty Tap Room, in neighboring Irmo, serves American fare and also has outdoor spaces to dine with a view.
Catfish Johnny's is a popular lakeside spot in Chapin on a marina at Lake Murray.
Chapin’s La Fogata Mexican Restaurant is a staple for authentic flavors and good times.
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Important to Know
Like the rest of Lexington County, Chapin has humid summers and its share of rainy days. According to FEMA, Lexington County has a relatively moderate risk index, receiving relatively high risks from strong winds and tornados. Though the crime rate fluctuates, Chapin has reported violent and property crime rates higher than the US average during several months of the past few years. The town’s small population size is a big factor for the higher rates. Lexington County Sheriff’s Department reported a 16% decrease in overall crimes in 2023, going from 5,771 in 2022 to 4,859.
Crooked Creek Park in Chapin features a shaded Disc Golf course.
Chapin youth can take to the ball fields at Melvin Park.
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Easy access to Columbia
Interstate 26 is the area’s major highway and leads to Columbia, about 24 miles away. Chapin Road, the town’s main road, leads to neighboring communities like Irmo or White Rock. With little to no public transportation around, Chapin and surrounding communities are car-dependent. Residents use I-26 to commute, and it can also be used to get to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which provides commercial services throughout the country.
Celebrating the holidays with Old Saint Nick at the Old Timey Christmas event
Chapin welcomes the holiday season with the annual Old Timey Christmas celebration, which starts with a tree lighting ceremony and a visit from Santa Claus himself. The night caps off with live music and plenty of caroling among residents. Chapin hosts other seasonal events, like the Fall Night Out hosted by the town’s police department, as well as a Labor Day weekend parade that’s filled with local vendors, live music and food trucks.
Chapin SC’s Old Timey Christmas is a celebration of joy, unity, and tradition.
Families treasure the memories made at Chapin SC’s Old Timey Christmas festival.
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Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Photography Contributed By
Lisa Dachsteiner
Video By
Kyle Keyes
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Doreen Miller,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Chapin, SC sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Chapin, SC over the last 12 months is $384,900, up 3% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
OPEN HOUSE Sunday Nov 2nd from 1-3pm. Assumable mortgage interest rate currently at 4. Enjoy pristine move in ready condition on three fully finished levels, and over 3700 sq ft of living space. A Holiday Builders former model home, within Eagles Nest subdivision, is ready for new owners and comes with all the bells and whistles, they do not make this model anymore: molding throughout, audio
Welcome to this beautifully maintained one-story all-brick home located in the highly desirable The Village at Hilton neighborhood. This thoughtfully designed floor plan offers three spacious bedrooms and two full bathrooms on the main level, plus a versatile office or flex room with elegant French doors—perfect for working from home or creating your ideal hobby space. This room can easily be
818 Ruskin Drive sits on a large lot with a tree-lined backyard in Chapin’s Portrait Hill neighborhood, backing to green space with access to walking trails, a creek, and a neighborhood pond. Built in 2022, this 4,100 sq ft home is among the largest in the neighborhood and offers 5 true bedrooms, 4 full baths, 2 private offices, a loft, and a sunroom. The Yates floor plan delivers the square
Beautifully maintained 5-bedroom, 4-bath brick home in the Westcott Ridge community of Chapin. Built in 2014, this spacious residence offers over 4,300 sqft with an open floor plan, loft, and finished room over garage for flexible living. Interior highlights include durable laminate and carpet flooring, ceiling fans, and a cozy fireplace. The fenced backyard is a private retreat with covered
OPEN HOUSE Sunday Nov 2nd from 1-3pm. Assumable mortgage interest rate currently at 4. Enjoy pristine move in ready condition on three fully finished levels, and over 3700 sq ft of living space. A Holiday Builders former model home, within Eagles Nest subdivision, is ready for new owners and comes with all the bells and whistles, they do not make this model anymore: molding throughout, audio
BEST VALUE FOR A PRIVATE BOAT SLIP ON LAKE MURRAY!! Welcome to this immaculate 4-bedroom, 2.5-bathroom home located in the highly desirable Lake Murray gated lakefront community of Paradise Cove in Chapin. This beautiful home offers a modern, open floor plan that is perfect for both everyday living and entertaining. The primary bedroom is conveniently located on the main floor, with spacious
Coming soon - this home is currently being enjoyed by another resident but will be available soon. Pre-lease this home now with Tricon Pre-Lease Guarantee. This home is professionally managed by Tricon Residential, dedicated to creating exceptional rental experiences. Featuring 3 bedrooms, 2.0 bathrooms, and approximately 1,410 square feet, this well-maintained home offers a high standard of
This home is located in the Wessinger Farms subdivision (lot 221) and is available for rent!All homeowner's association dues are included in the rent. Blinds, kitchen appliances, and garage door remotes are also included.The two-story Jamison plan has three bedrooms, two and half bathrooms and a bonus room. This open plan features a large family room, kitchen with large center island, pantry and
Coming soon - this home is currently being enjoyed by another resident but will be available soon. Pre-lease this home now with Tricon Pre-Lease Guarantee. This home is professionally managed by Tricon Residential, dedicated to creating exceptional rental experiences. Featuring 4 bedrooms, 3.0 bathrooms, and approximately 1,756 square feet, this well-maintained home offers a high standard of
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