Rural landscapes outside of Columbia
Set on the outskirts of Columbia, Hopkins is a rural Richland County community with deep historical roots, space and heritage. Founded in 1764 as plantation land worked by enslaved people, Hopkins transformed after the Civil War when freedmen and freedwomen were able to purchase land and establish lasting roots — symbolized today by the Harriet Barber House, a National Register-listed site still owned by descendants today. “It’s simple out here. Country, farmland and plenty of wetlands,” says local Realtor Todd Jacobs with Premier Properties of the Carolinas. “Homebuyers looking to keep farm animals on their property could find acreage for less than $100,000."
Established homes, newer builds and plenty of acreage
Most homes in Hopkins are set on lots of at least an acre, and many are found in quiet cul-de-sacs. The housing stock includes a significant number of older homes built between the 1970s and ‘80s, as well as a few two-story New Traditional homes constructed in the 2020s. Larger four and five-bedroom homes are typically priced the highest, generally ranging from $250,000 to $300,000. Manufactured homes—often with two or three bedrooms—are usually priced between $100,000 and $150,000 yet still offer lots of an acre or more. The market also features plenty of vacant lots for those who prefer to build their homes from scratch, typically going for under $100,000.
Hopkins Elementary and Lower Richland School District
Local kids can start school at Hopkins Elementary, which earns a C-plus from Niche, then continue to the C-rated Hopkins Middle School. Lower Richland High School receives a C-minus, an International Baccalaureate-certified institution known for its Cambridge curriculum.
Hopkins Park and the Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival
Hopkins Park, found on the southwest corner of the community, features a playground, swimming pool, ball fields and basketball courts. Every spring, the park comes alive for the Lower Richland Sweet Potato Festival, a tradition that’s been going strong for 47 years and now welcomes more than 8,000 visitors annually. The festival features a lively parade, live music, and sweet potato pie-eating contests, bringing people together to celebrate the important role sweet potatoes have played in the community’s history. Congaree National Park, set about 7 miles from Hopkins, is an old-growth floodplain forest with 25 miles of hiking trails and canoeing along Cedar Creek. Residents can visit Columbia’s Woodlands Park for playgrounds and picnic areas.
Garners Ferry Road dining and local shopping
One of the few restaurants in Hopkins is the Epicurean Table, serving elevated Southern fare and comfort food like fried green tomatoes and balsamic-glazed lamb chops, set on Garners Ferry Road. The same road leads to Columbia’s broader range of shopping and dining options like Food Lion, Lizard's Thicket Restaurant and ALDI. East Pointe Plaza is the closest shopping center, set about 6 miles from Hopkins. Here, shoppers can browse home goods at Southeastern Salvage Home Emporium, Kimbrell’s Furniture and Home Outlet.
Connectivity to Columbia and Charleston
Interstate 77 links to Columbia and Charleston, while SC-48 provides direct access to Congaree National Park. The COMET’s Route 44X runs along Lower Richland Boulevard, connecting to Columbia’s downtown transit center every 90 minutes. The closest hospital is MUSC Health Columbia Medical Center Northeast, also known as Providence Hospital Northeast. Columbia Metropolitan Airport is about 20 miles away.
