A high-end suburb in the South Carolina Lowcountry
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge connects Charleston with the upscale suburb of Mount Pleasant in the South Carolina Lowcountry. Much of the suburb’s growth has occurred since 2005, when the Ravenel Bridge spanned the Cooper River to replace a smaller, dilapidated bridge. Even with all its recent development, Mount Pleasant takes pride in preserving its quiet, community-oriented character. “We are still called the town of Mount Pleasant because, even though we have a relatively large residential population of 90,000-plus, we still very much have a community feel with the support of businesses, nonprofit organizations and very involved residents,” says Rebecca Imholz, who has lived in the town for 28 years and serves as executive director for the Mount Pleasant Chamber of Commerce. While the area has faced challenges related to rapid growth, including outdated infrastructure and increasing prices, housing demand in the area remains high thanks to its proximity to downtown Charleston and its inviting Lowcountry homes.
The Arthur Ravenel Jr. Bridge connects Charleston with the suburb of Mount Pleasant.
Discover Lowcountry living with coastal styles of homes in Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant has elegant colonial style homes with double porches in upscale communities.
Mount Pleasant has unique styles of homes on the marsh with scenic Lowcountry views.
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Rising prices for Lowcountry-style homes in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant has experienced nearly continuous growth since the 1980s, doubling in population since 2000. More than 96,000 people live in Mount Pleasant, and the rapid expansion has strained the town’s infrastructure. Recently, it has responded by working to slow growth and limiting permits for new construction. While the tactic has succeeded in moderating new builds, it has also increased prices in the town. The median home price in Mount Pleasant is $875,750, which has risen 17% over the past year. “There’s really not a ton of room for new development of rural land in Mount Pleasant,” says Jon Stroud, a Realtor for the Stroud Team of The Boulevard Company who has worked in the Lowcountry for over 20 years. “The only way to grow would be up Highway 17, but I don’t think a lot of those areas are interested in growing.” Condos and small cottages start around $300,000, though even small homes often sell for more than $700,000 in the Mount Pleasant Historic District. The upper end of the market usually reaches $3 million and higher for Lowcountry-style mansions, especially in the Historic District and neighborhoods like the planned I’On community.
Find charming styles of cottages in the historic areas of Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant has spacious waterfront mansions with modern styles of architecture.
Find condos with coastal styles in Mount Pleasant.
Mount Pleasant has elegant homes with Charleston style architecture.
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Patriots Point and Atlantic beaches
Much of Mount Pleasant’s recreation is concentrated around Charleston Harbor and the various waterways that weave through the town. Patriots Point has trails along the waterfront as well as sports facilities including baseball, softball and soccer fields for the nearby College of Charleston’s teams and the Charleston Battery professional soccer club. The complex has also leaned into its patriotic theme, featuring a naval museum and the USS Yorktown, a decommissioned aircraft carrier that visitors can tour and explore. Neighborhoods within Mount Pleasant often include recreation facilities for residents, such as the tennis club and trails within I’On. Meanwhile, the Ravenel Bridge includes a pedestrian section for walkers, runners and bikers. Every spring, nearly 40,000 runners take over the bridge, racing in the Cooper River Bridge Run 10K. “It’s over 45 years old and usually brings in tens of thousands of people, and it starts in Mount Pleasant,” Imholz says. “It’s one of the biggest running events in the Southeast.” Residents can also visit nearby beaches at Sullivan’s Island or Isle of Palms, each about 2 miles from the town, for time by the Atlantic.
Mount Pleasant residents enjoy baseball, soccer, and tennis events at Patriots Point.
Patriots Point Soccer Complex in Mount Pleasant has great soccer fields for families to enjoy.
Learn about American history at Patriots Point Naval & Maritime Museum in Mount Pleasant.
Patriots Point residents enjoy biking across the Ravenel Bridge in Mount Pleasant.
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Local seafood at Shem Creek
National retailers and grocery chains are available along Mount Pleasant’s busy thoroughfare, Highway 17. But local businesses can be found near Shem Creek, a commercial district that grew around the area’s fishing industry. Seafood restaurants, popular bars and a scenic boardwalk line the creek where boats drop anchor to sell their catch. “Shem Creek is very popular,” Imholz says. “It’s right on the creek where the shrimp boats are docked, and there are a lot of restaurants with outdoor music and a view of the creek. You can go kayaking from there as well and see dolphins, and you can go on the docks and get shrimp and local fish from the boats.” The Mount Pleasant Towne Centre is another community hub, with over 65 stores and several dining options. Otherwise, residents of Mount Pleasant often head into Charleston for a night out or a nice meal.
Shemwood is within a stone's throw to the famous Salt Water Cowboy in Mount Pleasant.
Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant is a popular place to see shrimp boats lined up on the docks.
Mount Pleasant locals shop for shrimp on Shem Creek at Geechie Seafood in Mount Pleasant.
Shem Creek in Mount Pleasant is a great place for Old Village families to Kayak.
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Seafood and Sweetgrass Festivals in Memorial Waterfront Park
Like much of Mount Pleasant’s lifestyle, many of the town’s popular community gatherings are oriented around the harbor. Events are held in Memorial Waterfront Park adjacent to the Ravenel Bridge, including the annual Blessing of the Fleet and Seafood Festival. Each spring, the festival includes a parade of fishing boats, plenty of locally caught shrimp and fish to buy and entertainment including live bands. Over the summer, Memorial Waterfront Park hosts the Sweetgrass Festival, which celebrates the Gullah Geechee people and their culture, including their handmade sweetgrass baskets.
Mount Pleasant Memorial Waterfront Park has tree shaded trails for residents to walk.
Residents shop for local shrimp at Mount Pleasant Seafood on Shem Creek.
Geechie Seafood in Mount Pleasant on Shem Creek is a great place to shop for local seafood.
Memorial Waterfront Park hosts the Sweetgrass Festival each year in Mount Pleasant.
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Highly rated schools in Charleston County School District
The Charleston County School District serves Mount Pleasant, with the system receiving an A grade from Niche. The site also ranks the district as the ninth-best in the state. Alongside the traditional elementary, middle and high schools, the district operates East Cooper Montessori Charter School, which offers kindergarten through eighth grade for students who apply. The district also provides career education opportunities, with the town’s high schools offering agriculture, health science, finance and marketing programs. Mount Pleasant is home to several private school options, including B-plus-rated Palmetto Christian Academy, which serves prekindergarten through 12th grade.
East Cooper Montessori Charter School is an elementary and middle school in Mount Pleasant.
Palmetto Christian Academy is a private, Christian school Pre-K-12 in Mount Pleasant.
Lucy Garrett Beckham High School is a highly rated, public school in Mount Pleasant.
Wando High School in Mount Pleasant is a public high school with a well-rounded curriculum.
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Commutes across the Ravenel Bridge to Charleston
Residents of Mount Pleasant often head across the Ravenel Bridge for work. Employers like the Medical University of South Carolina call Charleston home, while Boeing and Joint Base Charleston are located in North Charleston 10 miles away. Most residents drive, but congestion is a sore spot. “The traffic has gotten worse in Mount Pleasant because it’s definitely a growth area,” Stroud says. The Charleston Area Regional Transportation Authority operates buses through Mount Pleasant and back into the city, including a line that runs 12 miles to Charleston International Airport. The airport offers nonstop flights to over 40 destinations.
Community safety and flood risk in Mount Pleasant
Mount Pleasant has been recognized as one of the safest cities in South Carolina via both FBI statistics and independent organizations. According to FBI crime data, the violent crime rate of 58.1 per 100,000 people per year was below the state average of 132.4 athe nd national average of 119.3 in December 2023, the last month for which data was reported. The property crime rate was 85.1 occurrences, compared to 171.6 in South Carolina and 179.6 nationally. Due to its coastal location, much of the town is in high-risk flooding zones as designated by FEMA, and homeowners may be required to purchase flood insurance. Hurricanes can impact the town, with storms such as Hurricane Hugo in 1989 bringing storm surges and wind damage. The area offers a humid subtropical climate, with hot, humid summertime conditions and shorter, milder winters.
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