Located 45 miles west of Columbia and known by its motto of “uncommon patriotism,” Sumter is a medium-sized historic community featuring tons of parks and a growing downtown district. “It’s got more of a small-town vibe than big-city,” says Chris Hardy, president of Sumter’s Chamber of Commerce. “But driving in, you wouldn’t know it’s bigger than you think.” Locals here hit the green at the areas many golf courses, play ball at Patriot Park west of the city and relax near the cypress tree-filled waters at Swan Lake Iris Gardens close to the city center. Major employers include the manufacturing industry and Shaw Air Force Base. Sumter’s downtown includes an array of local shops and businesses along with picturesque 19th-century homes, and people of all ages love filling its tree-canopied streets for annual festivals.
South Sumter is a peaceful community with abundant green space.
Cherryvale is a small suburb near Shaw Air Force Base, which has a workforce of 20,000 people.
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More affordable properties in all parts of Sumter
The median home sale price is about $240,000, roughly 20 percent lower than the state median and nearly half the national median. Just a short walk from Main Street Hampton Park is the Downtown Historic District, with Neoclassical-inspired homes dating back to the nineteenth century. Midcentury ranch-style homes are found in subdivisions across the city, and larger New Traditional houses are found in the newer developments. Hardy says nearby Shaw Air Force Base is driving a lot of the new development.
In Hampton Park, numerous historic homes date back to the early twentieth century.
You can also find newly built traditional style homes in Wilder.
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Acres of parkland and lakes
More than 30 recreational areas dot the Sumter landscape, and nearly 200 miles of trails cross the county. Poinsett State Park covers more than 1,000 acres of foothills and wetlands. It also serves as the Palmetto Trail trailhead, a 500-mile path that stretches from the South Carolina coast to the mountains. In central Sumter, Swan Lake Iris Gardens "is one of the city's claims to fame," says Sumter native and Realtor with Re/Max Summit, Talmadge Tobias. “It’s the only park in the U.S. to have all eight species of swan.” A new 3-mile greenway connects the gardens to sports facilities at Dillion Park, where three new football fields opened in 2022. Sumter also boasts a world-class tennis center and five golf courses.
Pickleball is quickly becoming the most popular sport at Palmetto Park.
The Palmetto Park Playground offers equipment designed for children of all ages.
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Sumter hosts over 100 events each year
The city hosts more than 100 festivals and events each year. There’s the renowned Sumter Iris Festival in the spring, Oktoberfest in the fall and the Fantasy of Lights Festival each December. During the summertime, locals head downtown for the Fourth Friday Concert Series. All kinds of events, from off-Broadway musicals to community-led jazz concerts, take place at the Sumter County Cultural Center.
Downtown local businesses and national retailers on Broad Street
Red-brick sidewalks outline the brick-and-mortar stores and local restaurants along Main Street in Downtown Sumter. There are fine dining options with award-winning chefs, coffee shops hidden in antique stores and a few hometown bars. Sumter’s first brewery opened along Main Street in 2020. Locally owned boutiques and more casual restaurants are about 2 miles west on Bultman Drive, the city’s main shopping strip. Ward’s Bar-B-Que is a beloved local chain serving Sumter’s specialty dish, red hash and rice. Though locals are eager to support small businesses, big box stores and national restaurant chains line both sides of Broad Street.
Sumter Original Brewery is an East Sumter favorite for craft beer.
The Side Bar restaurant offers family-friendly casual dining in Downtown Sumter.
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Sumter Schools earn a C-plus on Niche
The Sumter School District earns an overall C-plus on Niche. It serves approximately 14,800 students, with 15 elementary schools, six middle schools and three high schools spread across the county. The district opened its first public charter school in 2021. As a Purple Star School District, Sumter offers numerous programs to support its military students no matter their grade level.
The city is also home to a few higher education institutions, including a campus of the University of South Carolina, Morris College and Central Carolina Technical College.
Alice Drive Middle School offers advanced classes for students.
At Sumter High School, advanced classes are available for students.
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Easy access to other South Carolina cities
Sumter stands at the crossroads of several state highways, including U.S. Routes 76, 15 and 378. From Highway 378, commuters can easily access Shaw Air Force Base or continue 45 miles west to South Carolina’s capital city. The Santee Wateree Regional Transportation Authority has a fixed route bus system linking Sumter to Columbia. The Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers direct flights to 10 major U.S. cities.
Over the last several years, city officials have been working to increase pedestrian infrastructure around Downtown Sumter. In 2024, they approved a revitalization plan which will add bike lanes and paved sidewalks along Main Street and Manning Avenue.
Climate and Crime in Sumter
Summers in Sumter are long and muggy; winters are short and mild. Heavy rains from tropical storms are common during hurricane season, which runs from June to September. Heavy rains can cause flooding, especially along the unpaved backroads on Sumter’s outskirts.
Since 2018, the Department of Defense has worked with residents in the Cherryvale neighborhood whose water was contaminated by firefighting foam used in Shaw Air Force Base trainings.
The Sumter Police Department reported a 14% decline in property crime and a 16% drop in violent crime from 2022 to 2023.
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.
