In the heart of the South Carolina Lowcountry, on the south side of Berkeley County, is the growing community of Goose Creek. Located just 25 miles from Charleston and the South Carolina coast, Goose Creek is considered a bedroom community by many and is situated between a handful of industrial and commercial hubs. Residents are within 20 miles of Charleston, the Boeing industrial plant and the Volvo automotive plant, allowing for short commute times. The city is also home to the Naval Nuclear Power Training Command Base, located on the east side of town along Red Bank Road. Over 47,000 people live across the city’s 43 square miles, allowing residents to spread out more than surrounding communities like Charleston and North Charleston.
In the early days of the Carolina Territory, this area earned its name from the namesake waterway’s curves resembling that of a goose’s neck. The city was officially founded in 1961, and the population has grown rapidly since its founding, with a growing rate of 1.43% a year. This rate of growth is reflected in the area’s new developments and subdivisions, with numerous new neighborhoods under construction across town.
Below-average price tags
A wide variety of architectural styles and price tags make up the housing market in Goose Creek, with prices ranging from the low $200,000s to the upper $900,000s. With a median home sales price of $315,000, houses here are a bit more affordable than the average South Carolina home, and around $100,000 cheaper than the average United States home. Additionally, houses tend to leave the market after around a month of being listed. Most of the market is comprised of single-family residences, with a few condo complexes featuring three-bedroom, 2,000-square-foot units listed in the high $200,000s.
The top-of-market price tags are pinned to luxurious modern homes with private lots, five or more bedrooms and over 5,000 square feet. Many of these high-end homes are located along the residential streets surrounding the Crowfield Golf Club.
Berkeley County Schools
Berkeley County School District serves the families of Goose Creek and is home to 48 public schools. The district earns a B-plus overall grade from Niche and an A-minus rating on its athletic programs. Most high schoolers here attend either Goose Creek High or Stratford High School, which earn B-minus and A-minus ratings, respectively. Around 37,000 learners are served by BCSD, with an average student-to-teacher ratio of 16-1. The district's graduation rate is 82.6%, which is slightly higher than the South Carolina average. Berkeley Middle College is the only magnet high school in the district, with attending learners earning a high school diploma along with an associate degree, allowing students to earn up to two years of college credits before graduating high school.
Wooded and waterside recreation in Goose Creek
There are 13 public parks across town featuring playgrounds, sports facilities, picnic areas and more, and all residents are within a 5-minute drive from the nearest park. The Goose Creek Reservoir is a 600-acre body of water on the south side of town, where local anglers can be found casting lines and paddling their canoes and kayaks on the water. Outdoor enthusiasts can also be found enjoying nature along the wooded, 15-mile Wannamaker North Trail, popular among hikers, runners and mountain bikers.
Proximity to Charleston means proximity to east-coast beaches and waterside recreation and the beaches of Sullivan's Island and Isle of Palms are a 35-minute drive away.
Convenient amenities and accessible nearby dining hubs
St. James Avenue is the go-to area for running errands in Goose Creek, and residents pick up their groceries at the local ALDI, Walmart, Publix or Food Lion. The community lacks a central, walkable downtown district but has a small selection of local eateries and night-out spots sprinkled throughout the area, like Alex’s Restaurant and Stones Throw Brewing. For a larger nightlife scene, Goose Creek residents can take the 25-minute drive to downtown Charleston for waterfront restaurants and charming mom-and-pop eateries serving up classic Charleston dishes, from shrimp and grits to oyster roasts.
As the community’s population grows, so do its amenities. A project is currently underway for a mixed-use building that will bring over 300 multi-family units and 11,000 square feet of ground-floor retail space.
Lower-than-average crime rates
Crime is less common here than in the average U.S. city, with a crime rate of 27.88 per 1,000 residents. CrimeGrade.org gives the community a B-plus overall crime grade, and the least crime occurs in the northwest side of town. The rate of property crime is 17.63 per 1,000 residents, while the rate of violent crime sits at 3.31.
Getting around the greater Charleston area
It takes Goose Creek residents around 15 minutes to reach North Charleston and 25 minutes to reach downtown Charleston, with Interstate 25 allowing for a convenient direct route. Additionally, residents are within a 10-mile drive of Charleston International Airport. The city is included in the TriCounty Link transportation system, which has six commuter routes throughout Berkeley, Dorchester and Charleston counties.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
