Southern charm and an abundance of amenities in the Columbia metro area
Over a century ago, Irmo, South Carolina, was a quiet water and refueling stop for trains heading to downtown Columbia. By the latter half of the 1960s, new subdivisions began popping up across this once-rural landscape, and Irmo's population grew. Today, while residents can still hear train whistles in the distance, it's evident that Irmo is a thriving community of the modern era. The town of about 12,000 has well-maintained midcentury homes and contemporary construction, drawing in new residents for its small-town community atmosphere and abundance of commercial areas and proximity to Lake Murray. Irmo also has several hospitals nearby, including Prisma Health Baptist Parkridge Hospital and the Lexington Medical Center. "It has a city feel to it, but then you can also drive out past vegetable fields," says Jill Hydrick, a Realtor with Exit Real Estate Consultants and an Irmo local. "It has the kind of friendliness you might expect of a small town, but you're 20 minutes from downtown Columbia. A pretty good deal, honestly."
From I-26 at Irmo one can see Lake Murray in the distance.
Locals dig the vibe in Loveland Coffee day or night.
Lake Murray view toward Columbia
Lake Murray
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Endless retail and restaurant options at Columbiana Centre
Irmo is notably near the Columbiana Centre, an indoor shopping mall with dozens of retail options and restaurants. The southern end of Irmo is lined with shopping centers like Columbiana Station and Harbison Court, which have an array of chain eateries and stores. There are more options around the town's center, including local spots like Loveland Coffee and Maurice's BBQ Piggie Park.
Kroger offers a wide variety of fresh produce for a healthy lifestyle.
Count on The Bistro to provide a fun twists on classic American fusion cuisine and cocktails.
Customers like the fact that Eeverything on the menu at Bellacino's is made-to-order.
Bellacino's has used the same scrumptious “Grampa Sam” bread recipe since 1959!
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The Okra Strut Festival draws crowds in September
The Irmo Community Park is home to the one and only Okra Strut Festival, which occurs annually each September. Originally a fundraiser for the Irmo Public Library, the 50-year-old festival includes two days of parades, live music, carnival rides and, of course, fried okra. On weekends, Mary's Mobile Market, a traveling maker's market organized by Irmo locals, sets up shop at various locations throughout the neighborhood. Here, local restaurants and artisans sell their wares from beneath tents. "You'll really get to know your neighbors here, between the events and people wanting to look out for each other," Hydrick says. The trees at Irmo Town Park bloom in the spring, capped off by the Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival, which includes a Japanese import car show and local vendors.
Residents of Irmo enjoy the peace and serenity at the Community Park of Irmo.
Children and adults enjoy the aligator and fountain at Irmo Community Park.
Residents of Irmo enjoy a photoshoot in the park.
Moore Park (formerly Irmo Community Park) is the perfect place to host an outdoor gathering.
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Irmo Community Park, the place to gather
There are several green spaces in and around Irmo. Lake Murray, nicknamed the jewel of South Carolina, is a few miles away. With over 600 miles of shoreline, the lake is a hotspot for waterfront activities and also has miles of multi-use trails. Irmo Town Park not only serves as a welcome spot for a day outside but is also home to events like the Irmo Tree Lighting and the Irmo Cherry Blossom Festival. Residents can rent out the Prisma Health Amphitheater at Moore Park, which also hosts events throughout the year.
. rmo Town Park’s trails, pond, and events embody its charm and community spirit.
Irmo has several outdoor venues for perfmormance such as this one at Irmo Town Park.
Irmo Police Department is adjacent to Town Park.
Irmo Town Park is home to the annual Cherry Blossom Fesivall.
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Classic Cape Cods and brand-new subdivisions
In Irmo, quaint three-bedroom Cape Cods and modest ranch styles sit side-by-side along wide streets flanked by thickets of pine trees. Many of these properties were built during the early days of the Irmo boom in the 1980s and '90s; most prices range between $180,000 and $210,000 for smaller, older homes. Irmo's northern portion borders more rural areas and new construction began in earnest around 2000. As the 21st century progresses, modern tract housing and large subdivisions continue to pop up. In newer planned communities like River Shoals, a sizeable five-bedroom home can start at $450,000 and sell for just over $500,000, depending on the size and location of the property. Homes bordering the Broad River can sell for upwards of $600,000.
Hilly terrain provides an opportunity to build large basements for plentiful living space.
Colonial-inspired two-story homes are somewhat typical in the Irmo area.
Clean lines and shapes of this French Colonial design stand out among the trees' organic shapes.
This beautiful, traditional home features a two-car garage, which is typical in Irmo.
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Friday night lights and top-rated academics
Irmo is zoned to Lexington-Richland School District 5, which has an overall A grade from Niche. All three schools are along St. Andrews Road, so students won't have to travel far to get to class. The Irmo Branch Library is on the southern side of town and has everything from summer reading books to free internet and printers. Irmo is 12 miles from the University of South Carolina. The historic college was founded in 1801 and currently offers over 350 bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees.
Irmo High School has an overall Niche rating of B.
Irmo Middle School has an overall Niche rating of A-.
Irmo High’s AFJROTC shines in Columbia’s Veterans Day Parade every November.
Lexington-Richland 5 schools ensure academic excellence for Irmo families.
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Easy access to Columbia via Interstate 26
Irmo is 12 miles from downtown Columbia along Interstate 26. Columbia also serves as the closest central transportation hub, providing residents access to Amtrak and the Silver Star line, which travels along the East Coast from New York City to Miami. The COMET bus system has several routes along Saint Andrews Road, providing an easy route to Columbia. Alternatively, the Columbia Metropolitan Airport offers commercial flights across the country.
Important to Know
Like its neighboring towns and the capital city of Columbia, Irmo has humid summers and mild winters. Strong winds are common in the area, and several parts of town have flood risks. In 2023, Irmo reported violent crime and property crime rates lower than the national average, according to FBI statistics.
Donna Arvay and the Arvay Home Sales Team strive to deliver a smooth and satisfying experience for our home buying and selling clients through efficiency, clear communication and commitment to their highest satisfaction resulting in a transaction that is pleasantly remarkable, memorable and highly rewarding.
We will faithfully assist you with buying or selling all residential real estate homes and land including new construction homes. We can assist you in the entire Columbia SC, Irmo, Lexington SC, Chapin and Lake Murray areas and in most surrounding communities. Call Donna Arvay at 803-261-7304 today to learn more and get started now!
Designations and Specialties: REALTOR®, CLHMS™ (Luxury Homes), Lake Murray Waterfront Homes, Residential Resale, New Construction, Building Lots, Acreage.
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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.
