Summerville SC

Summerville – The Flower Town in the Pines, is a charming Southern gem known for its beautiful azaleas, friendly community feel, and rich history. Just a short drive from Charleston, Summerville blends small-town warmth with easy access to city life. Whether you're enjoying a stroll through the historic downtown, savoring Lowcountry cuisine, or attending the famous Flowertown Festival, Summerville offers a peaceful and colorful retreat for residents and visitors alike.

• Population: ~51,000
• Weather: Warm and humid summers, mild winters (45–90°F); occasional short rain showers.
• Places To Visit: Azalea Park, Colonial Dorchester State Historic Site, Summerville Farmers Market, Hutchinson Square, Sweet Tea Trail.
• Top Activities: Exploring local shops and cafes, attending art and music festivals, walking nature trails, kayaking on the Ashley River, sipping sweet tea at historic cafés.
• Famous Food: Shrimp and grits, fried green tomatoes, pulled pork BBQ, and traditional sweet tea – the town’s signature drink.

Summerville, South Carolina is one of the fastest-growing cities in the Charleston metropolitan area. With a thriving mix of healthcare, logistics, education, and manufacturing, it offers many job opportunities for skilled professionals. Below are some of the top careers in demand in the Summerville area.

Top 5 Jobs in Summerville, South Carolina

Summerville, SC is a charming town filled with spots where students can kick back, relax, and have a good time away from the books. Whether you're into nature, history, or just good food, Summerville has something to offer.

Azalea Park – Take a peaceful stroll or have a picnic at Azalea Park, known for its beautiful gardens and stunning azalea blooms in spring. It's a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy nature with friends.

Downtown Summerville – Explore the historic downtown area with its cute shops, cozy cafes, and local eateries. It's an ideal place for window shopping or grabbing a bite with friends.

Sculpture in the South – Visit Sculpture in the South to appreciate outdoor art installations. The park combines nature and creativity, offering a serene spot for students to relax and get inspired.

Flowertown Players Theatre – Catch a local play or performance at the Flowertown Players Theatre. It's a great way to enjoy some culture and entertainment in an intimate setting.

Tea Farm Trail – For the more adventurous, head over to Tea Farm Trail for some easy hiking or biking. The trail offers a nice escape into nature and a chance to get some exercise while socializing.

Coastal Coffee Roasters – This is a great place to grab a cup of coffee and relax with friends. The laid-back vibe and live music events make it a local favorite for students to hang out.

Summerville, South Carolina is a growing community known for its charm, historic atmosphere, and commitment to education. Located near Charleston, it offers residents access to quality public and private higher education institutions focused on practical skills and career advancement.

Top Public Colleges & Universities in Summerville

Trident Technical College – Berkeley & Dorchester Campuses – Serving the Summerville area, this community college is well-regarded for its hands-on programs in nursing, culinary arts, information technology, and advanced manufacturing. It offers both associate degrees and workforce certifications.

The Citadel - The Military College of South Carolina (Charleston) – Located nearby in Charleston, The Citadel offers a disciplined academic environment focused on leadership, engineering, business, and the humanities. It is highly respected for producing principled leaders.

College of Charleston – Just a short drive from Summerville, the College of Charleston is a renowned public liberal arts and sciences university. It offers a broad range of undergraduate and graduate programs and is recognized for its business, education, and marine biology programs.

University of South Carolina – Salkehatchie – Though based in Walterboro, this USC campus serves many students from the Summerville region. It offers associate degrees and pathways to transfer into the University of South Carolina’s main campuses.

South Carolina State University (Orangeburg) – Though not directly in Summerville, it is within the broader Lowcountry region. This historically Black public university offers strong programs in education, agriculture, engineering technology, and business.

Top Private Colleges & Universities in Summerville

Charleston Southern University – Located in North Charleston, just minutes from Summerville, CSU is a top private Christian university known for its programs in nursing, business, criminal justice, and education. It boasts small class sizes and a student-centered campus experience.

– With a location close to Summerville, Webster University provides flexible graduate programs including business administration, counseling, and human resources development, geared toward working professionals.

Limestone University (Charleston Location) – Limestone offers online and part-time degree programs and maintains a presence in the Summerville area. Its strength lies in business administration, healthcare, and criminal justice studies.

Southern Wesleyan University – Charleston Site – This private, faith-based university offers adult and graduate programs in business, education, and counseling. Its off-site location makes higher education accessible to Summerville's working professionals.

ECPI University – Charleston Campus – A private institution known for its strong focus on technology, healthcare, and engineering programs, ECPI delivers accelerated degrees through hands-on learning and flexible scheduling near Summerville.

Summerville, SC offers a variety of excellent public and private high schools that focus on academic achievement, college readiness, and student development. Known for its strong community values and educational support, Summerville is home to schools that help students succeed inside and outside the classroom.

Top Public High Schools in Summerville, SC

• Summerville High School – As one of the largest high schools in Dorchester County, it provides a wide range of AP courses and athletics, preparing students for college and future careers.
• Fort Dorchester High School – Known for strong academic programs and a focus on STEM, this school also boasts a competitive sports tradition and active student life.
• Ashley Ridge High School – Offers a modern campus with advanced coursework, arts programs, and a career and technology education (CTE) focus.
• – Located nearby in Berkeley County, this school serves many Summerville students and is praised for its inclusive environment and focus on academic excellence.

• Gregg Middle School (8th Grade Academy at Summerville High) – While technically not a high school, it helps prepare 8th-grade students for the high standards of Summerville High and provides early exposure to high school-level work.

Top Private High Schools in Summerville, SC

• Pinewood Preparatory School – A leading private school offering a college-preparatory curriculum along with strong arts and athletic programs. It emphasizes character development and leadership skills.

• Faith Christian School – Provides a Christ-centered education with a focus on academic growth, community service, and personal faith, from elementary through high school levels.

• Northwood Academy – Located in nearby North Charleston but serving Summerville families, it offers a well-rounded curriculum with a Christian foundation and high academic expectations.

• Cathedral Academy – A private Christian school recognized for nurturing both spiritual and academic growth through a balanced curriculum and supportive environment.

• Summerville Catholic School – While it primarily serves grades pre-K through 8, many students transition to top Catholic high schools in the area, making it a key preparatory institution for private high school education.

Summerville, South Carolina is a charming town known for its small-town charm, scenic beauty, and growing suburban feel. While it does not host any major professional sports teams of its own, Summerville is located near Charleston and is passionately involved in regional sports culture. Several minor league and semi-professional teams in the surrounding areas give fans plenty to cheer for.

⚾ Baseball – Charleston RiverDogs (MiLB)

• Charleston RiverDogs – Just a short drive from Summerville, the Charleston RiverDogs are a minor league baseball team based in Charleston, SC. They play in the Carolina League and are affiliated with the Tampa Bay Rays. The team is known for its fun ballpark atmosphere and devotion to the local community. Notable names like Derek Jeter and Aaron Judge have played for the RiverDogs during their development.

⚽ Soccer – Charleston Battery (USL Championship)

• Charleston Battery – One of the oldest and most respected clubs in the USL Championship, the Charleston Battery are based at Patriots Point Soccer Complex. The team has a loyal fanbase and multiple league championships to its name. It's a popular destination for Summerville residents who love the sport and want pro-level action nearby.

🏈 Football & 🏀 Basketball – No Major Pro Teams

• Summerville itself doesn’t have any professional football or basketball teams. However, local fans often support big teams like the Carolina Panthers (NFL) and Charlotte Hornets (NBA) based in Charlotte, North Carolina, just a few hours away. College football also draws huge regional loyalty, especially with the South Carolina Gamecocks and Clemson Tigers.

🏒 Hockey – South Carolina Stingrays (ECHL)

• South Carolina Stingrays – Located in nearby North Charleston, the Stingrays are part of the ECHL and have a strong hockey tradition in the region. They have won three Kelly Cups (1997, 2001, 2009), making them one of the most successful minor league hockey teams in the country. The Stingrays serve as the affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals.

While Summerville may not house major league teams, its close ties to Charleston and passion for sports make it a thriving community for fans. Whether it's catching a minor league baseball game or following college football closely, residents remain deeply connected to the sports world around them.

Summerville, South Carolina is a charming southern town with deep roots and a vibrant character. Known as “The Flower Town in the Pines,” Summerville offers a mix of natural beauty, history, and southern hospitality. Here are some fun facts about this delightful city:

1. Birthplace of Sweet Tea – Summerville proudly claims to be the birthplace of sweet tea, a beloved Southern staple.
2. Azalea Paradise – Nicknamed the “Flower Town in the Pines,” Summerville is famous for its thousands of blooming azalea bushes, especially during the spring.
3. World’s Largest Sweet Tea – In 2016, the town set a Guinness World Record by serving over 2,500 gallons of iced sweet tea in a massive Mason jar sculpture known as "Mason."
4. Historic Downtown Charms – The downtown area features classic southern architecture, local boutiques, and cozy cafes that offer a relaxing small-town vibe.
5. Healing Traditions – In the 1800s, Summerville was known as a place of healing due to its pine-scented air believed to help with lung conditions like tuberculosis.
6. Home of Flowertown Festival – Every spring, the city hosts the Flowertown Festival, one of the largest arts and crafts festivals in the Southeast, drawing over 200,000 visitors yearly.
7. Historic Railroad Roots – Summerville grew as a railroad town in the 1800s, becoming a vacation spot for those escaping the coastal heat.
8. Tree City USA – Summerville has been designated a Tree City USA for its commitment to urban forestry and is filled with towering pines and live oaks.
9. Haunted History – Legend says Summerville is home to a few ghosts, and ghost tours are popular with locals and visitors alike.
10. Gateway to the Lowcountry – Located near Charleston, Summerville is known as a warm welcome to South Carolina’s Lowcountry and a celebrated spot for Southern hospitality.