WEST COLUMBIA
neighborhood
West Columbia, separated from the capital city by the Congaree River, is home to everything from renovated mill houses to high-dollar homes with whitewater views. And while its waterfront location hasn’t changed, it has enjoyed steady growth and sported a new vibe in recent years.
With views of the Columbia skyline and hip restaurants, breweries and coffee shops, West Columbia is drawing new residents to join long-time homeowners. Home to a population of about 17,000, West Columbia offers a wide variety of housing stock. Mill houses share a neighborhood with brand new high-end homes, while other parts of town feature everything from small, starter houses to contemporary homes with spectacular views.
The West Columbia Riverwalk Park is a huge draw that brings a diverse group of walkers, runners and bicyclists to the paved and wooden walkway that hugs the river. The amphitheater near the base of the Gervais Street bridge offers free concerts in the summer and fall, along with other theater productions. And West Columbia’s location on the Congaree is a big sell for people interested in kayaking and tubing along the quick moving river. Kayakers or tubers can hop out of the river near Gervais Street and find casual and fine dining a block away on State Street, home to restaurants, coffee shops and bars.
WEST COLUMBIA
neighborhood
West Columbia, separated from the capital city by the Congaree River, is home to everything from renovated mill houses to high-dollar homes with whitewater views. And while its waterfront location hasn’t changed, it has enjoyed steady growth and sported a new vibe in recent years.
With views of the Columbia skyline and hip restaurants, breweries and coffee shops, West Columbia is drawing new residents to join long-time homeowners. Home to a population of about 17,000, West Columbia offers a wide variety of housing stock. Mill houses share a neighborhood with brand new high-end homes, while other parts of town feature everything from small, starter houses to contemporary homes with spectacular views.
The West Columbia Riverwalk Park is a huge draw that brings a diverse group of walkers, runners and bicyclists to the paved and wooden walkway that hugs the river. The amphitheater near the base of the Gervais Street bridge offers free concerts in the summer and fall, along with other theater productions. And West Columbia’s location on the Congaree is a big sell for people interested in kayaking and tubing along the quick moving river. Kayakers or tubers can hop out of the river near Gervais Street and find casual and fine dining a block away on State Street, home to restaurants, coffee shops and bars.
RECREATION & PARKS
The Riverwalk is the gem of West Columbia, offering views of the river and downtown Columbia. It connects with the City of Cayce’s Riverwalk, offering a long, meandering path along the waterfront that’s a big hit with all ages. The connected outdoor amphitheater offers free concerts and theater productions, and can also be rented for private events.
Carraway Park at the Riverwalk is popular with families, and features a large picnic shelter and an all-inclusive playground. The Interactive Art Park on Meeting Street features art pieces sculpted and created by local South Carolina artists, while vendors sell their wares each Saturday at the pavilion at the Meeting Street Artisan Market.
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is one of the country’s top zoos, with the botanical gardens easily accessible through an entrance in West Columbia. Just across the bridge, less than a mile from West Columbia, you’ll find the South Carolina State Museum and Edventure, Columbia’s popular children’s museum.
FUN FACT
A former mayor of what is is now West Columbia, Lemuel Hall, had an interesting way to help finance the operations of the town. Elected in 1921, Hall and the one town police officer would block the Guignard Bridge to catch bootleggers transporting illegal liquor to Columbia during Prohibition. Fines would range from $100 to $200 per offender.
what’s in a name
There is no question where West Columbia’s name came from – sitting just west of South Carolina’s capital city. But the city was originally called Brookland, named for the large number of clear brooks, when it was first chartered in 1894. The Postal Service designated it “New Brookland” since there already was a town named Brookland. In 1936, the charter was changed to West Columbia. It also picked up a nickname that’s become more visible in the past few years – WECO.
RECREATION & PARKS
The Riverwalk is the gem of West Columbia, offering views of the river and downtown Columbia. It connects with the City of Cayce’s Riverwalk, offering a long, meandering path along the waterfront that’s a big hit with all ages. The connected outdoor amphitheater offers free concerts and theater productions, and can also be rented for private events.
Carraway Park at the Riverwalk is popular with families, and features a large picnic shelter and an all-inclusive playground. The Interactive Art Park on Meeting Street features art pieces sculpted and created by local South Carolina artists, while vendors sell their wares each Saturday at the pavilion at the Meeting Street Artisan Market.
Riverbanks Zoo and Gardens is one of the country’s top zoos, with the botanical gardens easily accessible through an entrance in West Columbia. Just across the bridge, less than a mile from West Columbia, you’ll find the South Carolina State Museum and Edventure, Columbia’s popular children’s museum.
FUN FACT
A former mayor of what is is now West Columbia, Lemuel Hall, had an interesting way to help finance the operations of the town. Elected in 1921, Hall and the one town police officer would block the Guignard Bridge to catch bootleggers transporting illegal liquor to Columbia during Prohibition. Fines would range from $100 to $200 per offender.
fun fact
There is no question where West Columbia’s name came from – sitting just west of South Carolina’s capital city. But the city was originally called Brookland, named for the large number of clear brooks, when it was first chartered in 1894. The Postal Service designated it “New Brookland” since there already was a town named Brookland. In 1936, the charter was changed to West Columbia. It also picked up a nickname that’s become more visible in the past few years – WECO.
HOME STATS
West Columbia has a wide range of homes from small siding and brick homes and pockets of historic bungalows while other parts of town feature everything from small, starter houses to contemporary homes with spectacular river views. Homes are generally on the more affordable side depending on the part of town. With it’s excellent proximity to Lexington, new and upcoming Cayce, and everything downtown has to offer, WeCo has seen steady growth and prosperity in the past few years with more and more people heading West.
HOME STATS
West Columbia has a wide range of homes from small siding and brick homes and pockets of historic bungalows while other parts of town feature everything from small, starter houses to contemporary homes with spectacular river views. Homes are generally on the more affordable side depending on the part of town. With it’s excellent proximity to Lexington, new and upcoming Cayce, and everything downtown has to offer, WeCo has seen steady growth and prosperity in the past few years with more and more people heading West.
1
Homes for Sale
19
New Listings
17
Homes Sold
$310,400
Average Sales Price
16
Days on Market
98.27%
List Price to Sales Price Ratio
These numbers are provided by CMLS and collected by The Moore Company for 2022. They were updated on January 24, 2022. The information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
1
Homes for Sale
19
New Listings
17
Homes Sold
$310,400
Average Sales Price
16
Days on Market
98.27%
List Price to Sales Price Ratio
These numbers are provided by CMLS and collected by The Moore Company for 2022. They were updated on January 24, 2022. The information contained herein is deemed reliable but not guaranteed.
NEARBY
AMENITIES
RESTAURANTS & MORE
The area around the Gervais Street bridge, the main route from downtown Columbia, has seen a steady growth of restaurants in recent years. Two local spots – Savage Craft Ale Works and WECO Bottle and Biergarten — offer large outdoor areas to sample a wide variety of craft beers on tap, or check out the Black Rooster, a “Frenchish” restaurant with a rooftop bar that has a great view of the Columbia skyline. There has also been a lot of new spots popping up along Sunset Boulevard as well as the staples that hold strong throughout West Columbia.
NEIGHBORHOODS SCHOOLS
West Columbia students attend a variety of schools in Lexington School District 2. East Point Academy, a language immersion public charter school, Glenforest School and Gray Collegiate Academy are also located in West Columbia.
NEED GROCERIES?
Many grocery store chains serve West Columbia, including BiLo, Food Lion, Wal-Mart Superstore and Aldi. A Publix is located just over the Gervais Street bridge in the Vista.
NEARBY
AMENITIES
RESTAURANTS & MORE
The area around the Gervais Street bridge, the main route from downtown Columbia, has seen a steady growth of restaurants in recent years. Two local spots – Savage Craft Ale Works and WECO Bottle and Biergarten — offer large outdoor areas to sample a wide variety of craft beers on tap, or check out the Black Rooster, a “Frenchish” restaurant with a rooftop bar that has a great view of the Columbia skyline. There has also been a lot of new spots popping up along Sunset Boulevard as well as the staples that hold strong throughout West Columbia.
NEIGHBORHOODS SCHOOLS
West Columbia students attend a variety of schools in Lexington School District 2. East Point Academy, a language immersion public charter school, Glenforest School and Gray Collegiate Academy are also located in West Columbia.
NEED GROCERIES?
Many grocery store chains serve West Columbia, including BiLo, Food Lion, Wal-Mart Superstore and Aldi. A Publix is located just over the Gervais Street bridge in the Vista.
EXPLORE THE AREA
West Columbia is located on the banks of the Congaree River, just west of downtown Columbia via the Gervais Street bridge. It is adjacent to the city of Cayce, and stretches along the river toward the town of Lexington, the county seat. U.S. 1 and U.S. 378 are major arteries through West Columbia, and the city has easy access to I-26 and I-20.
EXPLORE THE AREA
West Columbia is located on the banks of the Congaree River, just west of downtown Columbia via the Gervais Street bridge. It is adjacent to the city of Cayce, and stretches along the river toward the town of Lexington, the county seat. U.S. 1 and U.S. 378 are major arteries through West Columbia, and the city has easy access to I-26 and I-20.