Living a College Town Lifestyle in Sumter, South_Carolina

Brightened by a branch of the University of South Carolina, Sumter is a college town of about 38,000 in central South Carolina, not too far from Columbia.  It is the county seat of Sumter County and home to Shaw Air Force Base. Sumter is noted for its lovely gardens and charming residential neighborhoods. It is part of the Santee-Cooper Lakes region. Sumter is renowned for hunting, fishing, water sports and golf.

Photo of Main Street courtesy of Wikipedia and Prince Grobhelm.

Where to Retire in Sumter and Home Prices

You can live in the town or in one of the active adult communities in the area (see link at top right).
According to Zillow, the median home value in Sumter was $138,265 in early 2021. Sumter promotes itself heavily as a retirement destination.

What Is Special about Sumter

This is a low cost area. Swan Gardens is a large public park. Palmetto Tennis Center is the largest tennis center in the state and hosts the Palmetto Pro Open, a women's 10k  professional event. Morris College is a a private four-year liberal arts college in Sumter - there is also a 2 year technical college and a branch of the U of SC.

What Is Not Special about Sumter

Crime rate is very high.

Climate and Physical Environment

Sumter is near the geographic center of South Carolina, 38 miles from Columbia. The average July high temperature is 92 and the average January high is 56 (the average low is 34). The wettest month is July (5").

Restaurants & Cultural Scene

The City of Sumter hosts the "Iris Festival" which is centered around Swan Lake/Iris Gardens. The gardens are home to all 8 species of swans. The Sumter branch of the University of South Carolina offers cultural opportunities.

Crime

The crime rate is about twice the national average.

Medical Facilities

Tuomey Hospital serves the town.

Transportation

I 95 is not too far to the east. Columbia is the nearest airport.

Valuable Links

Wikipedia for Sumter
Sumter Chamber of Commerce

Rate This Town