University Hill
Suburban Neighborhood in Columbia, South Carolina
Richland County 29201, 29205, 29208
Centuries-old single-family homes mixed with high rise condo buildings
University Hill has a wide range of housing options. The area is noted for its historic , bungalows, and Foursquare homes among other styles. Many houses were built in the early 1900s and have undergone interior renovations while maintaining a great curb appeal. These historic homes blend with condos, townhomes, and high-rise apartments. “The closer you get to the university there are more high rises. Toward Five Points there are more historic homes and townhomes,” Sloan says. The neighborhood has a blend of students, faculty and folks looking to enjoy being near the campus lifestyle. Single-family homes often start at $360,000 and round out at about $600,000. However, some historic homes on oversized lots can range between $800,000 and $1.2 million.
/
Relaxing on campus at Gibbes Green
When the weather’s nice, students hang out around Gibbes Green Park on the USC campus. Towering trees provide shade for people walking along the paved walking paths, and students often read or study on the park benches. Maxcy Gregg Park is less than a mile away on Blossom Street. During the summertime, residents come here to take a dip in the pool, but the paved walking trails and pavilion area bring in residents year-round. Martin Luther King Jr. Park hosts community events throughout the year and is also home to a community center that has a game room and an indoor basketball court. The park notably has the Stone of Hope, a tribute to Martin Luther King Jr.
/
Historic University of South Carolina and Richland County schools
The University of South Carolina, or USC, is the centerpiece of the neighborhood and the main reason why many people rent or buy homes in the area. Founded in 1801, the university is the largest in South Carolina, offering over 350 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral degrees for a student body of 54,000. “A lot of professors like to live in University Hill because if they want, they can just walk to class,” Sloan adds. Before potentially attending the city’s flagship university, kids in the area are zoned to Richland County School District One. Students might start at A.C. Moore Elementary School, which received a B-minus overall grade on Niche. After fifth grade, kids will attend B-rated Hand Middle School, which was awarded one of Time magazine’s Schools of the Year in 2000. A-minus-rated Dreher High School is the third oldest high school in the state and one of the first to offer the AP Capstone Diploma.
/
Five Points is painted green for St. Patrick's Day
Holidays like St. Patrick’s Day and Halloween are huge in the University Hill and Five Points areas. St. Patrick’s Day is kicked off with 5k, 10k races and a family fun run, culminating with a parade and a lineup of live acts performing on multiple stages. “They do it big for St. Patrick’s Day,” Sloan says. “They’ll have about 3-4 stages with live bands, and they even turn the fountain green.” The Five Points Fountain usually serves as a place to sit when in the district, but during the holiday, the water turns a festive green. University Hill is also close to the Soda City Market on Main Street. Multiple blocks of Main Street are lined with local vendors selling everything from fresh produce and vegetables to vintage clothing and antique furniture. Of course, gamedays are a huge part of the area. Many houses in the area adorn USC signs and flags, and front yard tailgates are common before the Gamecocks play at Williams-Brice Stadium, which is about 3 miles away.Easily walkability around Downtown Columbia
Though some residents may own cars to get around, University Hill is one of the more walkable parts of Columbia. “It’s a very walkable area. There’s a few restaurants close by, and there’s a theater if you want to catch a show,” Sloan says. In addition to being a few blocks from USC, the neighborhood is within walking distance of the Vista, Five Points and the Congaree River. The Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority, more commonly known as The Comet bus, also has several routes in and around the neighborhood. Commuters can use Gervais Street to reach neighboring West Columbia or take Interstate 126 to get around the metro area. The neighborhood is 8 miles from the Columbia Metropolitan Airport, which flies commercial service around the country. Prisma Health Richland Hospital has a 24-hour trauma center and is about 3 miles away. Members of the armed forces are about 7 miles from Fort Jackson. The Trinity Episcopal Cathedral is a Gothic Revival church built in the 1840s that belongs to The National Register of Historic Places. The attached churchyard serves as the burial site for several South Carolina governors.
/
Local boutiques and eateries in Five Points
University Hill is within walking distance of the rest of downtown Columbia, which includes the Vista neighborhood and the bustling Five Points district. Five Points serves as a nightlife district as well as a home for dozens of local boutiques and restaurants. Most days, Columbians stroll through the five major thoroughfares that make up the district for a bite to eat at barbecue spots like Home Team or a deli sandwich at Groucho’s. Boutique shops are the main shopping options around Five Points. Loose Lucy’s has a broad selection of clothes, jewelry and gifts, while Sunrise has an array of handcrafted soaps and lotions. Bang Back Pinball Lounge is a welcome spot for residents to grab a craft beer and try to beat the high score on one of the pinball games. For a sweet treat, The Baked Bear is popular for its ice cream sandwiches made from freshly baked cookies. There are many more options along Gervais Street, one of the major thoroughfares in the Downtown Columbia area.
/
Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Photography Contributed By
David Robinson
Video By
Anthony Pesa
Was this overview helpful?
Agents Specializing in this Area
-
Terry Bishop
Terry Bishop
Responds QuicklyFathom Realty SC LLC
(803) 832-4298
123 Total Sales
3 in University Hill
$155K - $340K Price Range
-
Karen Yip
Karen Yip
Yip Premier Real Estate LLC
(803) 889-0498
472 Total Sales
4 in University Hill
$187K - $600K Price Range
-
Michael Pulliam
Michael Pulliam
Coldwell Banker Realty
(843) 594-4132
5 Total Sales
1 in University Hill
$375,000 Price
-
Randy Odell
Randy Odell
RE/MAX At The Lake
(803) 674-3415
108 Total Sales
1 in University Hill
$150,000 Price
-
Andrea Reynolds
Andrea Reynolds
Responds QuicklyBHHS Midlands Real Estate
(803) 884-2573
313 Total Sales
6 in University Hill
$389K - $600K Price Range
-
Jenifer Maldonado Miller
Jenifer Maldonado Miller
Realty One Group Redefined
(803) 887-3756
149 Total Sales
3 in University Hill
$145K - $325K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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
- 9th to 12th
- Public
- 6th to 8th
- Public
- Pre-K to 5th
- Public
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pacific Park
M L King Park
Edisto Discovery Park
- Basketball
- Pool
- Playground
Maxcy Gregg Park
Hollywood Park
A.C. Moore Garden
- Picnic Area
- Trails
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | University Hill | US |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide | 4 | 4 |
| Sexual Assault | 8 | 4 |
| Assault with Weapon | 3 | 4 |
| Robbery | 5 | 4 |
| Burglary | 9 | 4 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 6 | 4 |
| Larceny | 9 | 4 |
| Crime Score | 6 | 4 |
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
University Hill Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in University Hill, Columbia sell after 52 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in University Hill, Columbia over the last 12 months is $221,250, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$232,250
Median Sale Price
$221,250
Median Single Family Sale Price
$675,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$599,900
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$259,400
Median Change From 1st List Price
4%
Last 12 months Home Sales
54
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$243
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
504
Number of Homes for Sale
8
Median Year Built
1975
Months of Supply
1.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,818
Significantly above the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
5,857
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,377
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
715
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
8,712
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
Homes for Rent
-
$1,320 - $2,070 per month
- The Wilshire House
- 1-2 Beds
- 1-2 Baths
- 525+ Sq Ft
- 1100 Wheat St
- Columbia, SC
-
-
$1,350 - $2,600 per month
- Senate Plaza
- Studio-3 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 462+ Sq Ft
- 1520 Senate St
- Columbia, SC
Condo Buildings
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Renters
Demographics
Total Population
7,099
Median Age
23
Population Density
13 ppl/acre
Population under 18
29.7%
Above the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
5.8%
Below the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$19,484
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$44,296
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.8%
College Graduates
62%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
38%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
49.7%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
43''
Average Winter Low Temperature
38°F
Average Summer High Temperature
93°F
Annual Snowfall
1''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
44
/ 100
Very Walkable
Walk Score®
77
/ 100
Some Transit
Transit Score®
49
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Wales Garden
A residential community with opulent homes on the edge of USC
Main Street District
A bustling urban area in the heart of downtown Columbia
Historic Waverly
Historic neighborhood with proximity to Columbia's Five Points district
Melrose Heights
A charming historic neighborhood just minutes from shops and restaurants
Old Shandon
Columbia's oldest planned neighborhoods, next to Devine St and Five Points
Olympia
Historic mill community with easy access to Columbia
Reviews
Are you familiar with the University Hill neighborhood? to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Was this page helpful?
