South Carolina's historic town of Lexington offers a slower pace, with easy access to Lake Murray and an array of small-town amenities. The town was founded in 1735 when King George II of Britain established 11 townships in the state during his rule. The town has over 20 sites listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Lexington is now the most populated town of Lexington County, with an estimated population of over 24,000 in 2022. The historic town is located about 15 miles west of the state capital of Columbia but offers plenty of amenities in its own right. "There's a lot of family-oriented activities in Lexington, like the amphitheater. They do a kid's day once a year, and there are several parks around. There's just a lot of things to do," says Leah Grebe, a sales associate with Coldwell Banker Realty and a previous resident of Lexington. As the county seat of Lexington County, one of the major employers in town is the county government.
The Lawrence Corley Log House at the museum is Lexington’s oldest documented building.
The Lexington County Museum spans 7 acres and preserves life from 1770 to the Civil War
The Icehouse Amphitheater is a 900-seat venue that hosts many concerts and events.
Jake's Landing Marina is an Atlantic ICW Marina with boat slips for rent on Snag-A-Slip.
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Boating, fishing and relaxing at Lake Murray
Lake Murray is a 50,000-acre reservoir with over 600 miles of shoreline and is a popular destination for fishing and boating. The lake is stocked with fish, including trout and bass. The lake is a welcome spot for wake and no-wake boats, kayaks, and speedboats. There are plenty of boat ramps along the miles of shoreline and several islands. One of the more popular is Bomb Island, where purple martins gather at sunset. Lexington also has eight public parks and trails, including the wooded, 15-acre Gibson Pond Park, complete with a fishing pier, hiking trails and a pedestrian walkway over the dam. The city recently finished a $7 million expansion of downtown's Virginia Hylton Park that added an additional 8.25 acres to the existing 6.5 acres.
Outdoor trails at Virginia Hylton Park highlight Lexington’s focus on green spaces.
Virginia Hylton Park is a peaceful haven with gardens and walking trails in Lexington.
Gibson Pond Park is beautiful park in Lexington with picnic shelters and fishing access.
Gibson Pond Park has boat access and docks for fishing.
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Award winning barbecue and local boutiques along Main Street
Residents can stroll the sidewalks on Main Street in Downtown Lexington to explore the array of locally owned boutiques and staple eateries. Additional local and chain dining options, retailers, and big-box grocery stores can be found on Sunset Boulevard. Hudson's Smokehouse on Sunset Boulevard serves Carolina barbeque and was featured on Turner South's "Blue Ribbon" as one of the South's best barbeque joints. The Flight Deck Restaurant, which is closer to downtown, serves classic American and Greek fare in a brightly colored, aviation-themed setting, complete with an arcade. Within walking distance of downtown shops and restaurants, the 900-seat, open-air Icehouse Amphitheater hosts live concerts, art displays and community festivals throughout the year. Every Saturday during the summer, the amphitheater hosts a farmer's market where locals can shop fresh area produce and artisan goods while enjoying live music. Just north of downtown, the Village Square Theatre stages musicals and offers performing arts classes for kids and youth summer theatre workshops. The Lexington County Museum shows what the area was like during the Colonial era through the Civil War. The museum is set on seven acres and comprises 36 historic buildings, including the original Lexington County Post Office.
Takosushi combines Japanese and Mexican flavors in an artistic fusion of culinary delight.
Cribb’s Sandwich & Sweet Shop is perfect for indulgent treats and creative sandwiches.
Hudson's Smokehouse BBQ draws diners from all around the Oak Grove area.
Customers get ready for a night out at Cho On Main Salon & Boutique.
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A competitive housing market and array of housing styles
Lexington's housing market is competitive, with some houses selling for above asking price and without contingencies. Many homes in Lexington are less than the national average of 416,000, but prices range depending on square footage and proximity to Lake Murray. "I'd say, depending on the area, Lexington is a little more expensive than Columbia. But some parts of Columbia have the same cost of living," Grebe says. Homes in Lexington date back to the late 20th century, though most were built more recently; as the community continues to grow, there's also a large selection of brand-new homes in developing subdivisions. Ranch-style homes, New Traditional, and contemporary homes are common in Lexington, typically starting at around $250,000 and can raise up to $700,000. Lakefront homes can go for over $1 million. In response to the city's growth, a new 2-acre, multi-use downtown development called Sandpiper Square recently began construction; this project will include commercial spaces and 31 new single-family housing units.
Whether you like activites or privacy, it’s easy to experience both at Saluda River Club.
Craftsment and Ranch-style homes are plentiful in Lexington.
More stately homes can be found in communities like Saluda River Club in Lexingon.
Lake Murray has waterfront homes for those that enjoy boating, skiing, fishing, or just relaxing
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Lexington County School District One has a nationally recognized tech program
"Our schools are top-notch," Grebe says. The city is zoned to Lexington County School District One, which receives an overall A rating from Niche. The district is the largest in Lexington County, with 17 elementary schools, eight middle schools, five high schools, and the Lexington Technology Center (LTC). The latter is open to students at all five high schools, offering career and technical education courses in 32 areas of study and STEM programs. LTC has been recognized locally, statewide and nationally as a School of Excellence, and has received the Blue Ribbon Lighthouse School Award and Palmetto Gold Award. Students can check out books for their summer reading list at Lexington County Public Library.
Lexington High School puts students on the path of academic success.
River Bluff High School is a public school option in Lexington, SC.
Midlands Montessori School puts students on the path of academic success.
Students are well-prepared at Lexington High School for their future endeavors.
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Several major roads leading to Columbia
Lexington residents have several ways to get to Columbia, which is about 15 miles away. U.S. 1 and U.S. 378 run through Lexington, providing residents with access to stops throughout South Carolina. The city is also close to Interstate 20 and Interstate 26, allowing residents easy travel to hubs like Atlanta and Augusta to the west and Florence to the east. Lexington is also served by the greater Columbia area's Central Midlands Regional Transit Authority bus system. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is less than 10 miles away, with commercial service to major domestic and international hubs.
The Comet has expanded its network to 47 routes, including Columbia to Lexington lines.
The Comet offers vanpool programs, making Lexington-bound commutes more eco-friendly.
With just 15 miles between Lexington and Columbia, daily travel is a breeze for residents.
Lexington's proximity to Columbia makes it ideal for weekend urban explorations.
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Lower violent and property crime rates than the state and national average
Lexington's average violent and property crime rates are lower than those in both South Carolina and the United States. According to the FBI, the annual violent crime rate in Lexington is 1.9 incidents per 1,000 people, compared to 4.9 incidents statewide and 3.9 nationwide. Lexington's annual property crime rate is 16.8 incidents per 1,000 people, compared to the statewide 23.0 and national 19.5. In 2022, Lexington saw 414 reported cases of property crime; most were due to larceny, and 35 were burglary.
Close enough to the coast for residents to consider purchasing flood insurance
While inland Lexington rarely experiences hurricanes, it can receive heavy rainfall, flooding and high winds from coastal storms. In 2015, a low-pressure system mixing with moisture from Hurricane Joaquin created an atmospheric river and led to catastrophic flooding throughout the state, causing the dams at Lexington's Old Mill Pond, Gibson Pond and Barr Lake to all break and unleash heavy damage upon homes, roadways and other parts of the city. The dams have since been rebuilt to better withstand flooding from heavy rainfall.
Written By
Robert Breckenridge
Photography Contributed By
David Robinson
Video By
Nick Seitz
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Dana Vann,
an experienced agent in this area.
On average, homes in Lexington, SC sell after 19 days on the market compared to the national average of 53 days. The median sale price for homes in Lexington, SC over the last 12 months is $287,695, down 4% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
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