LAKE MURRAY
neighborhood
Just 15 miles northwest of downtown Columbia, you’ll find the jewel of South Carolina – Lake Murray, which boasts 520 miles of shoreline and 78 square miles of sparkling water, along with plenty of neighborhoods to call home.
While Lake Murray touches Richland, Lexington, Newberry, and Saluda counties, some of the fastest-growing lake neighborhoods are concentrated around Lexington, Ballentine, and Chapin, which advertises itself as “the capital of Lake Murray.”
Residents are drawn to the area for the family-friendly neighborhoods, amenity-filled homes, excellent schools, and the relaxed lake lifestyle. With the area’s mild weather, boaters, anglers, kayakers, water skiers, and paddleboarders can be on the water much of the year. Upscale housing developments are sprinkled throughout the communities, many with waterfront views, boat slips, launch areas, and dry dock facilities nearby.
The lake was designed and built from 1927 to1 930 when 100,000 acres was purchased to build a dam and lake to generate electricity. Land was purchased from more than 5,000 families who were living in rural communities on the property, selling at $15 to $45 per acre. To make room for the lake, nearly a dozen communities were abandoned.
LAKE MURRAY
neighborhood
Just 15 miles northwest of downtown Columbia, you’ll find the jewel of South Carolina – Lake Murray, which boasts 520 miles of shoreline and 78 square miles of sparkling water, along with plenty of neighborhoods to call home.
While Lake Murray touches Richland, Lexington, Newberry, and Saluda counties, some of the fastest-growing lake neighborhoods are concentrated around Lexington, Ballentine, and Chapin, which advertises itself as “the capital of Lake Murray.”
Residents are drawn to the area for the family-friendly neighborhoods, amenity-filled homes, excellent schools, and the relaxed lake lifestyle. With the area’s mild weather, boaters, anglers, kayakers, water skiers, and paddleboarders can be on the water much of the year. Upscale housing developments are sprinkled throughout the communities, many with waterfront views, boat slips, launch areas, and dry dock facilities nearby.
The lake was designed and built from 1927 to1 930 when 100,000 acres was purchased to build a dam and lake to generate electricity. Land was purchased from more than 5,000 families who were living in rural communities on the property, selling at $15 to $45 per acre. To make room for the lake, nearly a dozen communities were abandoned.
RECREATION & PARKS
Lake Murray is truly a paradise for outdoor lovers, with the water drawing boaters, swimmers, water skiers, and anglers. Waterfront homes typically have docks for relaxing and boat launching, while many of the developments have community pools and lake access points.
The Lake Murray Dam Walkway, a 1.7-mile walkway on S.C. Highway 6, is a popular destination for walkers and runners and offers breathtaking views of the lake, particularly at sunrise and sunset. A large public swimming area and beach, along with a parking area and picnic shelters, is located just south of the Lake Murray dam. Dreher Island State Park on the shores of Lake Murray about 30 miles from downtown Columbia, offers wooded hiking trails and plenty of places to fish. The park also offers picnicking, camping, and rental villas, along with a boat ramp.
Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake, both from boats, docks, and land. The lake is restocked with bass each spring, and top anglers are drawn to Lake Murray each year for fishing tournaments.
what’s in a name?
Lake Murray is named for William S. Murray, an engineer involved in designing and creating the dam that was built to generate electricity and form the lake. The lake and the dam were built from 1927 through 1930.
FUN FACT
Lake Murray is popular with the birds, too. Each summer, a flock of more than one million purple martins makes their way to their roost at Bomb Island in the middle of the lake. It’s the first official sanctuary in North America solely for roosting purple martins.
Bomb Island has a story, too. The 12-acre island in the middle of the lake is officially known as Doolittle Island, named for General James H. Doolittle who commanded the Doolittle Raiders, the Americans who conducted an air raid on Japan during World War II. Much of that raid was planned in Columbia and B-25 pilots practiced bombing runs on Doolittle Island.
RECREATION & PARKS
Lake Murray is truly a paradise for outdoor lovers, with the water drawing boaters, swimmers, water skiers, and anglers. Waterfront homes typically have docks for relaxing and boat launching, while many of the developments have community pools and lake access points.
The Lake Murray Dam Walkway, a 1.7-mile walkway on S.C. Highway 6, is a popular destination for walkers and runners and offers breathtaking views of the lake, particularly at sunrise and sunset. A large public swimming area and beach, along with a parking area and picnic shelters, is located just south of the Lake Murray dam. Dreher Island State Park on the shores of Lake Murray about 30 miles from downtown Columbia, offers wooded hiking trails and plenty of places to fish. The park also offers picnicking, camping, and rental villas, along with a boat ramp.
Fishing is one of the most popular activities on the lake, both from boats, docks, and land. The lake is restocked with bass each spring, and top anglers are drawn to Lake Murray each year for fishing tournaments.
FUN FACT
Lake Murray is popular with the birds, too. Each summer, a flock of more than one million purple martins makes their way to their roost at Bomb Island in the middle of the lake. It’s the first official sanctuary in North America solely for roosting purple martins.
Bomb Island has a story, too. The 12-acre island in the middle of the lake is officially known as Doolittle Island, named for General James H. Doolittle who commanded the Doolittle Raiders, the Americans who conducted an air raid on Japan during World War II. Much of that raid was planned in Columbia and B-25 pilots practiced bombing runs on Doolittle Island.
what’s in a name?
Lake Murray is named for William S. Murray, an engineer involved in designing and creating the dam that was built to generate electricity and form the lake. The lake and the dam were built from 1927 through 1930.
HOME STATS
From sprawling waterfront estates to cozy condos, you can find it all around Lake Murray. The lake is 41 miles long and 14 miles across at its widest point, so there is quite a variety available in housing. While there are still some remaining weekend cottages built in the 1940s and ‘50s, there are myriad home developments built in the past few decades that boast upscale amenities, walkable streets, and breathtaking views. There are resort home communities with boat landings, tennis courts, and swimming pools, and some condominiums have been built on all sides of the lake.
HOME STATS
From sprawling waterfront estates to cozy condos, you can find it all around Lake Murray. The lake is 41 miles long and 14 miles across at its widest point, so there is quite a variety available in housing. While there are still some remaining weekend cottages built in the 1940s and ‘50s, there are myriad home developments built in the past few decades that boast upscale amenities, walkable streets, and breathtaking views. There are resort home communities with boat landings, tennis courts, and swimming pools, and some condominiums have been built on all sides of the lake.
25
Homes for Sale
219
New Listings
179
Homes Sold
$265,735
Average Sales Price
42
Days on Market
97%
List Price to Sales Price Ratio
These numbers are provided by CMLS and collected by The Moore Company for January – October 2020. They were updated on November 11, 2020. The information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
25
Homes for Sale
219
New Listings
179
Homes Sold
$265,735
Average Sales Price
42
Days on Market
97%
List Price to Sales Price Ratio
These numbers are provided by CMLS and collected by The Moore Company for January – October 2020. They were updated on November 11, 2020. The information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
NEARBY
AMENITIES
RESTAURANTS & MORE
Depending on where you are on Lake Murray, you’ll find all sorts of dining options around the towns of Lexington, Irmo, and Chapin. Waterfront dining, with sunset views that can’t be beaten, is available at several restaurants, and some offer spots where you can dock your boat while you come ashore and eat.
NEIGHBORHOODS SCHOOLS
Some of South Carolina’s top schools are located in the districts surrounding Lake Murray. Lexington District One, one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, serves students around the town of Lexington. There are 17 elementary schools, including Lake Murray Elementary, eight middle schools, and six high schools. School District Five of Lexington and Lexington Counties serves the Irmo, Dutch Fork, and Chapin areas. District Five operates a total of 12 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, three middle schools, four high schools, and the Center for Advanced Technical Studies.
NEED GROCERIES?
The areas around Lake Murray housing developments have seen extensive growth, so you’re never too far away from a grocery store. Publix, Food Lion, The Fresh Market, and Lowes Foods are among the many grocery store options near lakeside neighborhoods.
NEARBY
AMENITIES
RESTAURANTS & MORE
Depending on where you are on Lake Murray, you’ll find all sorts of dining options around the towns of Lexington, Irmo, and Chapin. Waterfront dining, with sunset views that can’t be beaten, is available at several restaurants, and some offer spots where you can dock your boat while you come ashore and eat.
NEIGHBORHOODS SCHOOLS
Some of South Carolina’s top schools are located in the districts surrounding Lake Murray. Lexington District One, one of the fastest-growing districts in the state, serves students around the town of Lexington. There are 17 elementary schools, including Lake Murray Elementary, eight middle schools, and six high schools. School District Five of Lexington and Lexington Counties serves the Irmo, Dutch Fork, and Chapin areas. District Five operates a total of 12 elementary schools, two intermediate schools, three middle schools, four high schools, and the Center for Advanced Technical Studies.
NEED GROCERIES?
The areas around Lake Murray housing developments have seen extensive growth, so you’re never too far away from a grocery store. Publix, Food Lion, The Fresh Market, and Lowes Foods are among the many grocery store options near lakeside neighborhoods.
EXPLORE THE AREA
Lake Murray is northwest of downtown Columbia, with the closest lakefront property to the capital city located near the towns of Lexington, Chapin, and Irmo. Four counties are in Lake Murray Country – Richland, Lexington, Newberry, and Saluda – so it truly is a Midlands locale.
Wherever you are on the lake, you have easy access to major roads interstate highways, including I-26 and S.C. 6, the road that goes past the Lake Murray dam.
EXPLORE THE AREA
Lake Murray is northwest of downtown Columbia, with the closest lakefront property to the capital city located near the towns of Lexington, Chapin, and Irmo. Four counties are in Lake Murray Country – Richland, Lexington, Newberry, and Saluda – so it truly is a Midlands locale.
Wherever you are on the lake, you have easy access to major roads interstate highways, including I-26 and S.C. 6, the road that goes past the Lake Murray dam.