$462,772Average Value$212Average Price per Sq Ft66Homes For Sale
A city intertwined with its namesake university
In many ways, Clemson is a classic college town, one of many across the South. The school color — a trademark bright orange — adorns businesses, homes and the sprawling campus, and its paw print logo trots along the highways running through Upstate South Carolina. However, Clemson does have one unique factor: The school and the city are two separate localities. The city of Clemson nearly surrounds Clemson University, yet the campus is its own municipality, meaning the school can make its own decisions. “It’s a really hard balance because you have two different municipalities operating, but there are a lot of ways that, not only do we want to be collaborative, but that we are collaborative. And that’s the key to balance it out,” says Clemson Mayor Robert Halfacre. “It makes it a little more difficult, but not difficult in a bad way. It just makes it a little more challenging.” Regardless, the city of Clemson intertwines with its namesake institution, particularly since students, faculty and staff make up most of the population. Even residents unaffiliated with the school benefit from its events and energy, and many Clemson grads return to live nearby.
Clemson University sits in the center of Clemson County.
Clemson is a college town with a strong academic curriculum.
Tilman Hall has a striking profile and can be seen from the road in Clemson.
Students can be found all throughout the Clemson college town.
1/4
Increasing demand for Clemson homes
While Clemson University dominates the local landscape, residents enjoy more than collegiate culture. “Clemson is a college town, but it’s also surrounded by lakes,” says Mary Beth Shealy, a Realtor and broker with the Mary Beth Shealy Group of Keller Williams Western Upstate. “I do a lot of business there for people who want to be on the water, or they have kids that go to Clemson, and they’re buying condos while they go to school.” Homes near the lakefront and campus in modern and Craftsman-influenced styles can go from the mid-$600,000s to just north of $1 million, while ranch or new traditional style houses further from downtown sell between the low $400,000s and mid-$600,000s. Prices have gone up due to increased demand, with the median price now at $410,000 — up 21% over 12 months. “It’s such a desirable area that it’s increased our prices and made it not as attainable for most families,” Halfacre says. “To me, it’s harsh words, but it’s literally disheartening because I grew up here and I want everyone to be a part of it.” The city is working on initiatives to increase the supply of affordable housing, including discussions with Pickens County and the university to fund workforce housing. Student housing has also been a hot topic. In a tight vote, the city council recently approved the Hub Clemson development, a multiuse development that will include apartments, condos and retail space.
Craftsman style homes can be found in more secluded areas in Clemson.
Many students chose to live in apartment complexes near Clemson University.
Ranch style homes are quite common throughout the Clemson area.
Many modern lake-front homes can be found around Clemson.
1/4
Highly rated Clemson schools
While a small portion of Clemson is in Anderson School District No. 4, rated an A-minus by Niche, most of the city is zoned to the Pickens County School District, also rated A-minus. Clemson University is the second largest school in the state, with over 28,000 students. As such, the city quiets down over the summer when many students are out of town on break.
Clemson has a rich history and was essentially built on top of a plantation.
The D.W. Daniel High School offers a premium education for students living in Clemson.
Clemson Elementary is the first stop for young students in Clemson, SC.
Students living in Clemson can attend the R.C. Edwards Middle School.
1/4
Access to Lake Haswell from city parks
Much of Clemson’s outdoor recreation revolves around the lake, including multiple parks with public boat ramps. Twelve Mile Park was once administered by the Army Corps of Engineers before the city took over management. “They were planning on closing down that park, and we were like, ‘No, we want to continue to have that,’" Mayor Halfacre says. "We made it work because it’s a great park and it has access to the lake.” Residents of Clemson can also use university green spaces, such as the South Carolina Botanical Garden. Trails blaze through 295 acres of forests and gardens on school campus.
Clemson is known for the many lakes that surround it.
The Reflection Pond in Clemson offers a relaxing spot for students to study.
The Caboose in the Botanical Gardens has been present since the 1800s.
Clemson locals can swim at Lake Hartwell via the Twelve Mile Park.
1/4
Student hangouts along College Avenue
On gamedays, football fans draped in orange and purple descend on College Avenue’s strip of bars, restaurants and shops directly across the street from campus. Families dip into eateries like Palmettos Smokehouse and Backstreets Pub and Grill, while spots like Tiger Sports Shop sell spirit wear. When the sun goes down, College Avenue becomes a hub for student nightlife. Tiger Town Tavern and TD’s of Clemson are staples, offering cheap eats and cheaper drinks for the young crowd. Those looking for a night away from student life can head to Patrick Square Town Center, with restaurants like Rick Erwin’s Steakhouse and the city’s only brewery, Kite Hill Brewing. Tiger Boulevard has fast-food joints and a Publix for groceries.
The Evolve Kitchen offers great comfort foods in Clemson downtown.
Kite Hill Brewing is Clemson's only brewery and is located at the Patrick Square.
The Tiger Sports Shop is a great place to pick up some Clemson memorabilia.
Clemson locals can head to Publix to pick up some groceries.
1/4
Cheering on the Tigers at Death Valley
For many people, Clemson means college football. The Tigers have won three national championships, and they play at one of the most iconic venues in the country: Memorial Stadium, better known as Death Valley. Gamedays are sacred, as thousands of tailgaters set up shop in the parking lots on and around campus. Plenty of Clemson locals enjoy the football festivities, and even more attendees come from out of town. As in many football-crazed college towns across the South, gameday homes have impacted the local real estate market. “Gameday housing has become very prevalent,” Mayor Halfacre says. “If we had this conversation 15 years ago, or even 10 years ago, that would be the predominant thing. But the way Clemson University has adapted with all of their sports and activities, it’s year-round now. There are a lot of reasons to come to Clemson not only in the fall but throughout the year.” Downtown hosts non-sports events like the Clemson Music Fest, which attracts big names like T-Pain and Mt. Joy. The Clemson Area African American Museum also puts on concerts and lectures, along with exhibitions on topics like desegregation in the South.
Students enjoy a number of great hangout spots around Clemson during gameday.
"Death Valley" is the nickname of the Howard Memorial Stadium in Clemson.
Football is the bread and butter of Clemson sports.
Clemson University has a mix of baseball, basketball, and football programs.
1/4
Getting around town with CATBus
The CATBus service offers free rides throughout the area, most days between 7 a.m. and 3 a.m. Otherwise, residents mostly drive, many commuting to the university, which doubles as the city’s largest employer. About 40 miles away, Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport serves over 20 destinations across the country, and the city is directly between two of the Southeast’s biggest cities, Charlotte and Atlanta, each roughly 130 miles away via Interstate 85.
Clemson University is one of the largest local employers in the area.
The Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is 43 miles away from Clemson.
Charlotte is roughly 130 miles away from Clemson via Interstate 85.
The CatBus Transit system is the most readily available public transport in the area.
1/4
Clemson community safety
Safewise ranks Clemson as one of the Top 10 safest cities in South Carolina. “Not only do we invest in the police, but our officers do an awesome job reacting to two different environments: During the day is what I see, but I have been out with our officers and our chief at night, and it’s a different dynamic,” Mayor Halfacre says. “It’s pretty amazing what they do on a day-to-day basis, how they react. It’s like two different worlds.” According to FBI crime data from December 2023, Clemson’s violent crime rate was 61 instances per 100,000 people, compared to 134 in South Carolina and 121 in the United States. The property crime rate was 106 offenses per 100,000 people, compared to the state average of 172 and the national average of 180. Climate includes hot summers and mild winters, though the lakeside location opens it up to flooding concerns, with 100-year floodplains along many of the area waterways. Clemson can also experience tropical storms, including heavy rain and gusty winds.
Written By
Brendan Doyle
Photography Contributed By
Viktor Zagorevskiy
Video By
Mark Barakat
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Amber Crain,
an experienced agent in this area.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
On average, homes in Clemson, SC sell after 70 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Clemson, SC over the last 12 months is $399,999, up 6% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Nearly a full acre (0.97 ac) within walking distance to Clemson University, SC Botanical Gardens, Memorial and McWorther Stadiums, Little John Colosseum, Lake Hartwell, Clemson Montessori School, restaurants, shops and all downtown Clemson has to offer! Just steps from the Green Crescent Trail Network, this flat corner lot with mature trees in the established Clinkscales neighborhood is one of
Location meets opportunity at this unique residential lot. Just steps from the Green Crescent Trail Network, this flat corner lot in the established Clinkscales neighborhood is one of Clemson’s few remaining spaces. Distribution lines set for relocation July 2025 to make way for your dream home. Walk to Clemson University, SC Botanical Gardens, Memorial and McWorther Stadiums, Little John
Cleared, level, and ready for your next chapter! Just steps from the Green Crescent Trail Network, this flat lot in the established Clinkscales neighborhood is one of Clemson’s few remaining spaces. Distribution lines set for relocation July 2025 to make way for your dream home. Walk to Clemson University, SC Botanical Gardens, Memorial and McWorther Stadiums, Little John Colosseum, Lake
Welcome to Clemson Edge, a residential community featuring Two & Four bedroom apartments in Clemson, SC. Spacious layouts and amenities to welcome you home, along with exceptional service and an ideal location within walking distance to shopping, dining, and entertainment options. Are you looking for an apt for rent in Clemson, SC? Contact our friendly, professional office staff to schedule a
Discover refined living in this beautifully updated 4-bedroom, 3-bathroom home on a 0.28-acre lot in Central, SC. Featuring wide-plank flooring, crisp white walls, and elegant wainscoting, the interior exudes modern sophistication. Two bedrooms are conveniently located on the main level, including a spacious master suite with a walk-in closet and en-suite bath. The gourmet kitchen boasts quartz
The Collective at Clemson offers off-campus townhome and cottage apartments near Clemson University. Choose from 2, 3, 4, and 5 bedroom floor plans; each featuring private bedrooms and bathrooms, walk-in closets, chic modern finishes, ample storage space, a full-size washer and dryer, and a bonus 1/2 bath on the first floor for your guests. Our pet-friendly apartments boast stained concrete
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
