Set along the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Upstate South Carolina, Seneca first developed as a railroad town. Today, the city is better known for its outdoor recreation, including Lake Keowee, which it abuts. “People are drawn here by the quality of life and the natural beauty,” says Mayor Dan Alexander, who grew up in the area and has served as mayor for 26 years. “We’re near three lakes; to get anywhere in the county, you have to go over a body of water. Within 20 or 30 minutes, there are hundreds of waterfalls, small and large, and we’re 20 minutes from the mountains.” With a population of roughly 9,000, Seneca’s active lifestyle, walkable downtown and proximity to Clemson University have helped the city grow.
Keowee Key is one of the private communities in Seneca on the lake.
The Blue RIdge Mountains can be seen from most of the areas in Seneca.
1/2
Seneca's lakefront estates and midcentury homes downtown
While Seneca has a share of homes priced in the seven figures, especially lakefront, its median price is $337,900, lower than the national figure of $406,100 and nearby Greenville’s median of $360,000. Early 20th-century and midcentury homes are typical downtown, including bungalows, cottages and the scattered Victorian-style house. Suburban neighborhoods sit on the city’s edges, often featuring New Traditional architecture.
Large lakefront homes on Lake Keowee are among the most expensive in Seneca.
New traditional style homes in Seneca can cost up to 1 million dollars.
1/2
Fishing and boating at Lake Keowee
Seneca is on the banks of Lake Keowee, but it also has access to two additional nearby lakes: Lake Hartwell and Lake Jocassee. Each lake offers fishing and boating, while parks like South Cove Park on Lake Keowee offer beaches and campsites. The Blue Ridge Mountains are also close, with hiking trails at Oconee State Park 20 miles away.
Keowee Marina houses boats of all sizes and has opportunities for rentals.
There are campgrounds to rent at the state parks near Seneca.
1/2
Shopping and dining in Ram Cat Alley
Residents and visitors alike frequent Seneca’s walkable downtown, the focal point of which is Ram Cat Alley. The uniquely-named extension of Main Street has restaurants and boutiques. “We’re seeing lots of investment in downtown, especially Ram Cat Alley,” Mayor Alexander says. “It’s an area of town where there used to be a lot of fish markets. They used to say that at the end of the day, there were so many cats that you couldn’t ram another down the alley.” Meanwhile, grocery stores and chain restaurants line Route 123.
Keowee Brewing offers local favorites in downtown Seneca.
Downtown Seneca features storefronts that have been around since 1875.
1/2
Ram Cat Alley's community events
Ram Cat Alley hosts regular events, including the weekly Jazz on the Alley. Attendance regularly reaches 2,000 or more. Seneca also has a vibrant visual and performing arts scene. The city is building a 707-seat auditorium for performances at downtown’s Blue Ridge Arts Center.
The renovated depot space in Seneca has installations form local artists.
Seneca started out as a railroad town, as depicted in the mural downtown.
1/2
Oconee County Schools and nearby Clemson University
The Oconee County School District serves Seneca and receives an A-minus grade from Niche. The system offers a robust school-choice program where students can apply to any district school. Students can also attend the district’s Hamilton Career and Technology Center for vocational training in subjects like health science, construction and information technology.
Seven miles east of Seneca, Clemson University is the second-largest university in the state, enrolling nearly 30,000 students. Over 80,000 football fans converge on the school’s campus on fall Saturdays to watch the Tigers play at Memorial Stadium, better known as “Death Valley.”
Seneca High is the home of the Bobcats, and the only high school in Seneca.
Blue Ridge Elementary school is one of the top rated schools in Seneca.
1/2
Car-reliant transportation through the Upstate
The main road through Seneca is U.S. Route 123, which connects to Greenville, 37 miles northeast. Greenville-Spartanburg International Airport is 50 miles away, with commercial flights to nearby hubs. Interstate 85 is 14 miles south, heading toward Charlotte to the north and Atlanta to the south. With no bike lanes in town, residents rely on their cars or Clemson Area Transit, a free bus service with routes connecting Seneca with Clemson. Many residents work in Clemson at the university or the manufacturing plants west of town.
Crime rates and environmental risk
According to FBI data, Seneca’s violent crime rate is lower than the state and national rates, while property crimes hover near the state and national figures. Both rates are generally steady. “We have an excellent police department that’s always doing stuff out in the community,” Mayor Alexander says. “We have a strong relationship with the Oconee County Sheriff’s Office.”
Seneca has hot, humid summers and cool winters. The city can experience intense storms during the warmer months. Though rare, tornadoes have affected the city, including an EF3 tornado in 2020. Seneca is in an emergency planning zone for the Oconee Nuclear Station, which is 9 miles to the northeast; in the case of an emergency at the plant, residents may hear sirens and be advised to evacuate.
Written By
Brendan Doyle
Photography Contributed By
William Neary
Video By
Jacob McAllister
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Laury Gardner,
an experienced agent in this area.
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
On average, homes in Seneca, SC sell after 64 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Seneca, SC over the last 12 months is $355,000, up 8% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
MOTIVATED SELLER! OPEN HOUSE ON SATURDAY, JUNE 21 10 am - 1 pm! Close to Clemson University, the lakes, and Ram Cat Alley! Practically brand new, no HOA, and a lot that is over a 1/3 of an acre! This well-maintained home is only three years old and located in a quiet neighborhood that's close to everything, including Seneca's vibrant, revitalizing downtown. Outside, it has a covered rocking chair
Welcome to Seneca Falls, a new home community in the picturesque town of Seneca, SC. Located just minutes from Lake Keowee, Seneca Falls provides residents with easy access to breathtaking lakeside views, perfect for outdoor activities like boating and fishing. The community is also ideally located near downtown Seneca, where you'll find a variety of restaurants, shopping centers, and
Single-family homes in Seneca, SC. Wells Crossing is perfectly situated for those seeking a vibrant lifestyle with easy access to everything they need. Proven floorplans featuring one-and two-level single family homes including main level owner’s suites. Private tree lined homesites. Award winning craftsman-style exteriors with James Hardie ColorPlus siding. Enjoy an active lifestyle? Wells
Welcome to 219 Summersweet Lane on Lake Keowee, a fully furnished, move-in ready waterfront retreat in a quiet, family-friendly cove. Built in 2005 this charming 3-bedroom, 2.5 bath home sits on 0.63 beautifully landscaped acres with 112 feet of waterfront and direct access to a covered dock featuring a boat lift and jet ski ports. Enjoy approximately 6 to 7 feet of water depth at the dock,
This 6.9 acre parcel has completed engineered plans with an approved commercial entrance and approved SC DHEC permitting for 9 residential garage condominiums (each unit 2000 sq. ft. 40’x50”) with all utilities. Parcel is in an Opportunity Zone and could possibly be developed with 9 residential homes. Survey & current design for garage condominiums are in supplements.
This 5.1 acre prime corner parcel with 510 feet of road frontage on Hwy 130 Rochester Highway is “zoned Control Free District” and in an Opportunity Zone. With a traffic count of 9000 daily this parcel is ideal for your commercial endeavor.Utilities already on site: Electric, Water, Gas, Cable.
EPOCH is Clemson's newest student living community with all inclusive rates is located minutes from campus, on Lake Hartwell, and across the street from Hartwell Village. Life on Purpose. From our fully furnished apartments with state-of-the-art amenities, to our game-changing outreach opportunities and activities, EPOCH was built with purpose and backed by service that puts student
Welcome to Windsor Pointe Duplexes! Single level living, 2 bedrooms, 1 full bathroom. Full kitchen with stainless steel appliances, refrigerator, stove, and dishwasher!! Upstated LVP throughout, and no carpet. These one-level units are perfect for someone looking for a new home with modern finishes close to town! Lawncare, Pest control, Washer/Dryer package included with rent! Tenant is
Introducing The Pier at Clemson, your premier living destination just 5 minutes away from Clemson University. Nestled on the picturesque shores of Lake Hartwell, our apartment complex offers a unique blend of convenience, comfort, and scenic beauty.Choose from our diverse range of floorplans, including 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, and 9-bedroom layouts, designed to cater to various lifestyle
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.
