Located about 15 miles from downtown Columbia, Gaston is a quaint town mostly comprised of families and retirees who prefer a peaceful, slower pace of life. Originating as a railroad town along a track that connected Columbia to Savannah, it's now mainly a farming town of about 1,600, populated by a mix of mobile homes, twentieth-century bungalows and ranch-styles, and newer two-story traditional homes. Houses often sit on wooded lots on dirt roads, providing a certain serenity that residents view as a benefit of life outside the city. "People here like that they're close to the city but don't have to live there," says real estate agent April Banks of Century 21 803 Realty, who's sold homes in the area since 2017. The town's residents primarily work in its local manufacturing and construction industries or commute to their jobs in the city, working for employers like BlueCross BlueShield of South Carolina, Prisma Health and the University of South Carolina.
Both buyers and sellers of goods from the Gaston area are only mins form the SC Farmers Market.
Agriculture in Gaston includes a variety of crops, livestock, and family-run farms that sustain the town.
1/2
Mobile homes, ranch-style homes and new developments
The median listing price in Gaston is about $240,000, but price points can range from $20,000 to around $300,000 depending on the property's age, size and condition. Housing options here range from manufactured or mobile homes to modest cottages and bungalows to larger ranch-style and traditional homes. Price points for manufactured homes start around $20,000 for a three-bedroom, 1,000-square-foot house, while a mid-sized mobile home, around 2,000 square feet, can go for about $175,000. Detached single-family homes start around $200,000, primarily built in the '60s and '70s, featuring mid-century designs like ranch-style and bungalows. New developments are primarily multi-story American traditional. "The market's pretty steady, but there has been more development in recent years," says Banks. "Developers are realizing it's a good area since it's so close to downtown." Aside from these newer, organized subdivisions, most houses in Gaston sit on at least half an acre of land.
Ranch-style homes are common in Gaston.
Some homes in Gaston have large front porches.
1/2
Shop for essentials in Gaston and more in Columbia
Much of the town's shops and restaurants are along Main Street. "For shopping, more restaurants and going out on the town, people head into Columbia, which isn't far away. It's about a 20-minute drive," says Banks. Seven miles away, the town of West Columbia is home to the state Farmers Market, which is open seven days a week to sell fresh produce, specialty products, and artisan groceries.
The Family Dollar in Gaston provides affordable shopping options for everyday household necessities.
The Food Lion in Gaston provides residents with fresh groceries and serves as a key shopping destination.
1/2
Travel US-321 to airport, hospital and downtown Columbia
US Highway 321 runs through Gaston, which residents can take 13 miles north to get to the Columbia Metropolitan Airport or 15 miles north to get to Lexington Medical Center or downtown Columbia. There is no public transportation in Gaston, so residents need cars to get around.
Highway 321 connects Gaston to Columbia, offering residents an easy commute to the state’s capital.
Traveling on Highway 321 from Gaston to Columbia provides scenic rural views along the historic route.
1/2
Community comes together for collards and the South Carolina State Fair
Between the Gaston Collard and BBQ Festival, an R&B and soul festival in Hopkins and the South Carolina State Fair, October's a big month for Gaston residents. What started as an annual gathering of Gaston residents to cook and share collards has grown into something much greater: now, families head to the Gaston Town Hall each year for the Gaston Collard and BBQ Festival, a celebration complete with amusement rides, carnival games, a parade and a barbecue cookoff. It’s a uniting force in the community, an event that all the town’s residents look forward to each year. In nearby Hopkins, music lovers head to Congaree Swampfest, a two-day festival with performances by R&B and Southern soul artists on the Historic Harriet Barber House Grounds. And in Columbia, the South Carolina State Fair happens each October: it's a gathering of residents from across the state to enjoy live music, rides, carnival games and plenty of fried food.
. The Gaston Library Garden grows fresh collards, demonstrating the town’s deep-rooted agricultural spirit.
Many families from Gaston visit the SC State Fair each year to experience live music and fun attractions.
1/2
Hike to waterfalls at Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve
The biggest park near Gaston is the Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve, a 460-acre plot of layered sandstone formations. The town has two municipal parks where residents can get out for some fresh air. The town's namesake park is right next to town hall and often hosts events throughout the year. Gaston Ball Park has several ball fields where little league baseball and softball leagues play.
Peachtree Rock Heritage Preserve is 460 acres of protected land just outside of Gaston, SC.
Just west of Gaston is the only naturally occurring waterfall in the midlands.
1/2
Lexington County schools recognized for youth leadership programs
Gaston students attend schools in Lexington County School District No. 4. All these schools received C-minus grades on the educational review site Niche. In 2022, the National Beta Club, the largest independent nonprofit educational youth organization in the US, named the district a National Beta District of Distinction, an award recognizing schools that best provide access to National Beta's youth leadership club. It is one of only 42 school districts to have received this title. The nearby city of Columbia is home to the University of South Carolina, a significant employer in the Columbia area.
Lexington School District 4 serves Gaston students with quality education and strong academic programs
Sandhills Middle School serves students from Gaston and the surrounding area.
1/2
Moderate climate year round and a low crime rate
Like most places in South Carolina, Gaston has a moderate climate with humid summers and mild winters. Gaston sees its fair share of rain throughout the year, but snow is very rare. As a whole, the town sees all four seasons. Gaston has a CAP Index crime score of 4 out of 10. According to FBI statistics, Gaston reported more property crimes in 2023 than violent crimes.
I'm an expert real estate agent with YIP Premier Real Estate LLC, in Columbia, SC and the nearby area, providing home-buyers and sellers with professional, responsive and attentive real estate services. Want an agent who'll really listen to what you want in a home? Need an agent who knows how to effectively market your home so it sells? Give me a call! I'm eager to help and would love to talk to you.
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.
