Summerville, South Carolina is known as "The Flowertown in the Pines". Coincidentally, It is also known as the birthplace of sweet tea, but whether that's factually accurate or not, what's 100% true is that Summerville has a lot going for it. From its yearly arts festival to its local and national shopping and dining to its wonderful outdoor activities and hometown feel. If you've been wondering if Summerville, SC is the place for you to call home, make sure to read on and bookmark this page for later!
History
Positioned along the northwest border of North Charleston, South Carolina and located mostly in Dorchester County, Summerville was originally known as Pineland Village because of its vast pine tree forests, the area began its growth as a refuge for plantation owners to escape the heat, bugs, and swamp fever in the lower elevations near Charleston during the summer. As the area's popularity grew as an escape from the summer heat, the area eventually became known as Summerville.
Summerville's pine tree population became so valuable that a law was passed in 1847 prohibiting the cutting down of trees of a certain size with fines imposed for those who did. "Sacra Pinus Esto" or "Let the Pine be Sacred" is the motto found on the town's official seal and in 1899, the international congress of physicians listed Summerville as one of the two best areas in the world for the treatment and recovery of lung and throat disorders. This was due to its dry location and pine trees releasing turpentine derivatives in the air.
Economy
Summerville's unemployed are currently around 4.5% of its population which falls lower than the national average of 6%. Its job market growth is predicted to be around 34.9% over the next 10 years also coming in better than the national average of 33.5%
The Summerville sales tax rate falls slightly below the national average of 7.3% at 7% while its income tax rate of 7% is noticeably higher than the national average of 4.6%
The average income of a resident of Summerville is listed at $25,808 a year while the median household income is $55,290 slightly above the national average of $53,482.
Weather
Photo by David Moynihan on Unsplash
As mentioned before, Summerville got its name as a refuge from the famous Lowcountry summer heat. The months of October, May, and April are the most pleasant in Summerville, while July and August are the least comfortable months with temperatures getting up into the higher digits.
Check out Summerville, South Carolina's current weather.
Schools
Summerville offers a highly rated selection of both public and private education options for those interested. Public education in Summerville is administered by Dorchester School District Two. Below is an alphabetical list of Summerville schools with links to their pages for further research:
|
School |
Grades |
Type |
Rating |
|
06 - 08 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
09 - 12 |
Regular |
8 |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
9 |
|
|
PK - KG |
Private |
N/A |
|
|
PK - 04 |
Regular |
6 |
|
|
09 - 12 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
05 - 08 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
06 - 08 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
PK - 12 |
Private |
N/A |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
9 |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
10 |
|
|
06 - 08 |
Regular |
8 |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
9 |
|
|
KG - 02 |
Private |
N/A |
|
|
KG - 12 |
Private |
N/A |
|
|
06 - 08 |
Regular |
10 |
|
|
PK - 02 |
Regular |
4 |
|
|
03 - 05 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
PK - 08 |
Private |
N/A |
|
|
PK - 05 |
Regular |
7 |
|
|
09 - 12 |
Regular |
8 |
|
|
11 - 12 |
Private |
N/A |
Arts and Culture
In 1972, the Summerville Family YMCA began hosting the annual Flowertown Festival to support the health and wellness programs at the YMCA with the town of Summerville's full support.
The largest arts and crafts festival in South Carolina is held during the last weekend of March or the first weekend of April in Summerville's Azalea Park. Often coinciding with the Cooper River Bridge Run in Charleston, Summerville hosts around 200,000 visitors during its three-day event. While no alcohol or pets are permitted at the event, admission and parking are free to all.
Over 200 artists from around the country display their work for purchase and area restaurants can be found in the "Taste" section of the event where samplings of their various offerings can be had with the purchase of tickets.
And, there's something for everyone at the Flowertown Festival, even the kids! A carnival in the Children's Jubilee section is there for their enjoyment.
If the theater arts interest you, the Flowertown Players have been creating theatrical productions for over 40 years. This award-winning group offers comedy, drama, musicals, and children's shows as-well-as educational performances.
The Summerville Orchestra, founded in 2003, features local musicians both professional and amateur offering jazz, classical, and world music productions.
Sculpture in the South began as an annual event back in 1999 when 23 Bronze sculptures were installed around town. In the early years, Azalea Park was the site of an art show and sale to help fund the city's public sculpture collection. Nowadays, there's a convenient virtual gallery called Sculpture Showcase where visitors can view various pieces of sculpted art for purchase.
Finally, if all this art and culture talk has given you the hankering to own some of your own art, Off The Wall Art Gallery located in Summerville's downtown historic district offers paintings, pottery, stationery, and other beautiful items.
Dining
Summerville may not be the touted culinary destination that Charleston is, but make no mistake, it holds its own with a wide selection of local dining options and national chains that will satisfy anyone's growling tummy. When we talk to clients about all the reasons to move to Summerville, SC - dining is always one of the great features we mention.
In fact, you can find a number of popular Charleston spots that have opened outposts in Summerville proving that Summerville is a destination for foodies all on its own.
Here are just a few of our favorite spots to frequent:
Oscar's
image via Oscar's
A local landmark that's stuck around for over 35 years. Offering what they label as "traditional American favorites", their southern dishes, steaks, seafood, and more keep folks coming back.
Poogan's Southern Kitchen
image via Poogan's Southern Kitchen
This is an outpost of sorts for the famous Poogan's Porch in downtown Charleston. Although it holds its own with its fun diner-like atmosphere, exhibition bakeshop, and excellent cooking, this location offers breakfast, lunch, and dinner.
Sweetwater One Twenty Three
image via Sweetwater One Twenty Three
Established in 2000, this eatery is located in downtown Summerville offering brunch, lunch, and dinner. Great sandwich and burger options as well as some great southern dinner picks.
Five Loaves Cafe
image via Five Loaves Cafe
A great lunch spot located inside a remodeled home, you can find sandwiches, salads, and even vegan options. But, it's not just lunch, they also serve dinner with great dinner specials and more.
Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar
image via Shuckin' Shack Oyster Bar
Opened in 2015, this spot offers traditional Lowcountry seafood options, cold drinks, and more.
Halls Chophouse Nexton
image via Hall's Chophouse
One of our favorite lunch spots and places to entertain clients, Halls is an example of a Charleston staple opening a Summerville outpost and we're so glad they did! For more info, check out our Review of Halls Chophouse Nexton.
Myles and Jun Yakitori
image via Myles and Jun Yakatori
Bad Daddy's Burger Bar
image via Bad Daddy's Burger Bar
When in the mood for a good, quality burger, you can’t go wrong with Bad Daddy's Burgers. A place where you can build your own burger just as you build your own salad. We can sometimes be picky eaters, but trust me when I say, there is truly something on the menu for everyone and a very relaxing atmosphere.
The Cod Father
image via The Codfather
Viva Chicken
image via Viva Chicken
The Taste Asian Bistro
image via The Taste Asian Bistro
Eclectic Chef
image via The Eclectic Chef
Shopping
While smaller towns can pose interesting challenges for shopaholics - either with only a few big box stores to choose from or only small local shops with smaller selections. Summerville's shopping options can satisfy anyone's need for some retail therapy.
While you can find pretty much any big box store in close proximity, Summerville also boasts a ton of locally owned shops offering hard-to-find products and great gift ideas.
Operating since 1871, Guerin's Pharmacy & Soda Shop is the oldest pharmacy in South Carolina. Here you can find locally created products, postcards, and souvenirs. But don't forget the vintage soda fountain for a great lunch finishing up with a delicious float or milkshake.
If you're looking for a new outfit for dinner out, check out FLY Modern Apparel for women's clothing, Maggie Rose Boutique for great women's clothing but also hats and jewelry, or East Winds for the perfect jewelry piece to compliment your new duds.
Looking to grab a little something to remember your trip to the Lowcountry? Cotton Down South offers a selection of home decor styles like rustic, shabby-chic, farmhouse, and more. Four Green Fields is a great local shop we use often for client gifts offering gifts, gourmet food products, gift baskets, and more.
If you're entertaining and looking for some perfect wine pairings or adult beverages to offer, try Accent on Wine for expert advice. And while you're there, go ahead and pick up everything you need for your soiree as they also offer meat and cheese boards, food, and candy, too! This is definitely a cool place to visit.
Outdoor Activities
Photo by David Banning on Unsplash
After enjoying all the dining and shopping, you'll probably be in need of some outdoor activity. In Summerville, there's no need to go far. The Ashley and Edisto Rivers are both readily accessible from Summerville for watersports and leisurely activities.
The gently flowing Ashley River is a designated South Carolina scenic river and offers a 30-mile section free from large craft called the Ashley River Blue Trail to enjoy kayaking and canoeing. While, Givhans Ferry State Park allows access to the Edisto River for kayak and canoeists, as well.
Summerville also boasts tons of parks to enjoy. Head to Azalea Park during the spring for amazing blooms and a prime example of why the town's official nickname is, "Flowertown". The park features plenty of walking paths with ponds, creeks and more to explore.
For the more athletic folks, Gahagan Park features soccer and baseball fields and a large children's playground to get in some great exercise and work up a sweat.
Hutchinson Square and Brown Family Park both feature performance stages for outdoor concerts along with options for other outdoor activities like running and ball fields.
Sawmill Branch Trail features a wide paved pathway perfect for bikers and runners that winds alongside the Sawmill Branch canal with plans to extend the trail at each end offering even more access to the area.
The Summerville Skate Park is a small, but a popular spot for skaters young and old.
For the history buffs, there are also plenty of options. Colonial Dorchester Historic Site offers the history of the Dorchester trading town that still features several structures including a fort built with "Tabby" which was a Lowcountry staple of oyster shell concrete. And nearby you can find Middleton Place, Magnolia Plantation and Gardens and Drayton Hall all part of the National Register of Historic Places and all along the same road for easy access to tours, gardens, and even farm animals, food, and shopping! If you want proof of the town's past history as a health resort, visit the Summerville Dorchester Museum for artifacts and exhibits about this interesting part of Summerville's history. They also offer educational programs for children, as well.
And finally, we can't forget the golfing fans. We love our golf in the Lowcountry and Summerville has a selection of excellent golf courses, too. Pine Forest Country Club, also known as "Little Augusta", Legend Oaks a little outside of town and Summerville Country Club operated by the Blanton Family.
Plan a Visit To Summerville Soon
Summerville's southern charm is always on full display whenever you visit so make sure you plan a trip soon. Be sure to get in touch if you're looking for additional insider tips or additional information about Summerville, too.
Have we convinced you to move yet? Check out available Summerville homes for sale and read our latest post for a guide to Cane Bay Plantation one of the most popular subdivisions in Summerville.
