Saturday, Jun. 07, 2008

Communities: West Wateree

The West Wateree area — which includes Elgin and Lugoff — is the fastest-growing area of Kershaw County.

The area is known for good schools, lower taxes than neighboring Richland County, more house for the money — yet easy access to the interstate, major highways into Columbia and major retailers in Northeast Richland.

Many observers say Northeast Richland growth will march to the Kershaw County line in roughly a decade.

Slice of history: Elgin is the only incorporated town in the West Wateree area. With a housing boom in neighboring Northeast Richland County, Elgin is preparing for more growth with new traffic management plans and additional emergency services.

What to watch for in the future: A new rental market put in motion with the recent increase in foreclosure rates, additional starter homes under $130,000, and more re-locating families because of the lower taxes and good schools.

Homes and neighborhoods

ZIP codes: 29045 and 29078

Who’s moving here: Mostly younger families and a mix of middle-aged families and retirees.

Median range of home prices

2008: $80,000-$220,000

2007: $80,000-$325,000

Average cost

2008: $89.26 per square foot

2007: $96 per square foot

Among hot neighborhoods: Canterfield, Heath Pond, Kelsney Ridge

Dollars and sense

Tax rate: Annual taxes on a $100,000 home before credits: $1,079.60 in the county, $1,130.80 inside the Lugoff Fire District

Sewer rate: $26.15 monthly average for a family of four

Water rate: $30 monthly average for a family of four

Drive times

Distances from Lugoff-Elgin High School:

State House: 30 miles

Village at Sandhill shopping center: 12 miles

Columbia Place mall: 22 miles

Kershaw County Medical Center: 8 miles

Williams-Brice Stadium: 33 miles

Columbia Metropolitan Airport: 39 miles

Kershaw County Government Center: 7 miles

School district

Kershaw County: 1301 DuBose Court, Camden; (803) 432-8416 or www.kershaw.k12.sc.us/

5 things to know

1. Kershaw County, and Camden in particular, are known for many historic homes and sites that predate the Civil War. An example is Kamschatka, built in 1854 and home of well-known Civil War diarist Mary Boykin Chesnut.

2. Camden, South Carolina’s oldest inland city, draws antiques shoppers from all around, with its 14 antique stores.

3. With new sewer lines completed in 2005, new shops and restaurants are springing up regularly in downtown Elgin.

4. Known by most as the largest outdoor cocktail party in the state, the spring Carolina Cup draws more than 60,000 people to Camden for horse racing. There’s a fall counterpart, the Colonial Cup.

5. Located in Camden, the Fine Arts Center of Kershaw County provides children and adult plays, concerts, art displays and classes throughout the year.

— Tim Flach, Dawn Hinshaw, Marjorie Riddle, Adam Beam

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