Kingstree’s name and legacy trace back to colonial times
The town of Kingstree got its name in the 1700s when an explorer arrived at the banks of the Black River and claimed a white pine tree for King William of Orange, who used them for his ships. A small but busy community formed around that “king’s tree” and over the years it has played a role in tobacco, textile and garment productions. Today the community is home to roughly 3,000 people who, according to Lee Cross, a real estate agent with Re/Max Cornerstone who sells throughout Williamsburg County, are drawn here for its quaintness. “It’s got a lot of Southern charm. It’s just a cute little town,” she says.
Ranch-style, Colonial Revival homes are most common
Homes in Kingstree are primarily ranch-style, manufactured and Colonial Revival. There are some older homes, built in the early 20th century that feature Victorian or Craftsman style influences. Lawns are landscaped with grass and mature trees. Closer to the outskirts of town, residential streets have a suburban-rural feel to them with few sidewalks and lot sizes that can reach an acre. Near downtown, the vibe is more small-town Americana, with vintage homes on sidewalk-lined streets. “Some of the homes on North Academy Street, you can just walk outside to the corner and see the parades go by when there are events,” Cross says. Prices range from about $100,000 to about $300,000. Some land is also available. Most properties range from a half-acre to 14 acres and are priced between $10,000 to $65,000.
Local schools rated C-minus and C-plus by Niche
Williamsburg County School District serves the town, rates a C-minus on Niche and offers intra-district transfers. The schools in town are C-plus-rated W.M. Anderson Primary School, C-minus-rated Kingstree Middle Magnet for the Arts, and Kingstree Senior High School, which currently has no rating. In 2024, Kingstree High "River of Soul" marching band participated in the ESPN Charleston Classic Basketball Tournament in Downtown Charleston.
Parks and river access offer recreation and local history
The town offers youth sports in football and cheerleading. Gilland Memorial Park offers a one-lane boat ramp, playground and picnic shelter. Kellahan Park was once the location of the Battle of Kingstree and today draws history buffs and recreation seekers alike for its green space, gazebo and swing sets. Welch Park is located downtown and is home to the annual Christmas Tree in December. The nearby Black River offers tubing, paddling and fishing. Hunters often join the Black River Hunt Club and bag ducks, deer and turkeys throughout Williamsburg County.
Walkable downtown with local dining, shopping and services
Kingstree’s walkable downtown district features locally owned boutiques, businesses and restaurants. Residents dine out at Jarrito’s Mexican Restaurant, a family-owned spot that serves classic Mexican dishes, and Downtown Café, which is popular for its wide array of options including burgers, sandwiches, salads and Southern favorites. For groceries and essentials, residents head to Food Lion, KJ’s Market, CVS and Dollar General. More shopping and dining options are about 40 miles away in Florence. HopeHealth is located on the town’s southeast side along with several other medical and dental offices. MUSC Health Black River Medical Center is about 11 miles away and has an emergency room.
Pig Pickin’ Festival brings food, parades and fun
Residents shop for fresh produce, flowers and baked goods at the farmers market, which takes place at Kingstree Depot the second Saturday of every month. The Kingstree Pig Pickin’ Festival is a popular annual event, that takes place in October and takes over downtown with a barbecue cookoff, pony rides, arts and crafts vendors and a parade.
U.S. Route 52 and Amtrak connect Kingstree to nearby cities
There are no bus lines in Kingstree, so residents get around by car. However, there is an Amtrak train station located off Main Street downtown. U.S. Route 52, also known as North Longstreet Street, runs through town and connects to nearby cities including Cades and Florence. The closest airport with commercial flights is Florence Regional, about 40 miles away.
Hurricane winds and river flooding are weather considerations
Kingstree has a risk of severe winds during hurricanes. Flooding is also possible, especially close to the Black River. Buyers are encouraged to consider buying flood insurance.
