Ridgeville is a small town of about 1,500 residents with a peaceful, rural setting. With proximity to employers, highways and the bustling cities of Charleston and Summerville, it's on the verge of substantial growth. The Walmart distribution center, Volvo car plant and Resonac, a graphite electrode supplier, are major employers in the area. Area officials noted in the 2024 Downtown Master Plan that the area lacked grocery stores and expressed a desire to build a stronger town identity with a walkable and thriving village center. "Soon enough, it'll be the next hot spot," says Nick Crane, owner of Cobblestone Properties with Realty One Group. "There's going to be a lot of growth."
Historic renovation opportunities and new homes communities
Ridgeville's median single-family home price is $400,000 — significantly lower than Charleston's. There is also more space to grow. "It's just a little more elbow room than anything — the ability to not be so on top of your neighbors," says Crane, who has been practicing real estate in the Low Country area since 2017. Victorian, Queen Anne, bungalow and country cottage-style homes showcase this area's 18th- and 19th-century origins. However, many need repairs. The Master Plan recommends preserving these homes by listing them on the National Register of Historic Places. New home subdivisions are popping up around the area, but additional housing is still necessary.
Dorchester County schools in Ridgeville and surrounding towns
Dorchester County School District Four serves the area and gets an overall B-minus grade from Niche. It emphasizes cultural diversity, cutting-edge technology and innovative programs. The C-plus-rated Clay Hill Elementary School is the only school in town, but bus services are available to the upper schools. The district includes two middle schools and one high school in St. George and Dorchester. Woodland High School earns a B-minus and features several high-achieving extracurricular organizations.
Swimming, hiking and camping in the cypress swamp
The Edisto River and cypress swamps set the scene for outdoor activities. Givhans Ferry State Park is a popular spot to explore the natural setting, with campsites, hiking trails and a swimming spots. Ridgeville maintains one town park featuring new play equipment and a covered picnic pavilion. New parks are in Ridgeville's future. The new downtown plan aims to weave green spaces between the homes and shops, including a central park with a pavilion.
A few favorite restaurants in town, grocery stores out of town
Ridgeville has some well-loved gathering spaces, but is generally a desert for food, groceries, pharmacies, healthcare and childcare. Dukes Bar-B-Que, one of the few dining options, has been serving the area for about 40 years. It's a local favorite for the southern-style buffet on the weekends. Servers greet their regulars by name at Christina's Pizza & Subs. Carter's gas station has cold drinks and grab-and-go snacks, but locals drive about 6 miles to Food Lion and other grocery stores in Summerville. The weekly Sunday morning farmer's market helps meet the demand for fresh produce and groceries. The Downtown Master Plan points out future commercial plots in the town center. Proposed pedestrian pathways and inviting store frontage could help draw more businesses and foot traffic.
Holiday festivities and Sunday worship services
Ridgeville builds community ties with annual celebrations. The fall season includes trick-or-treating and a Moonlight Market, a Halloween-themed take on the Sunday farmer's market. Christmastime consists of a holiday market with vendor booths and a downtown parade. Ridgeville Baptist Church, dating back over a century, also brings neighbors together for Sunday worship services.
Interstate 26 leads to Charleston
Ridgeville is a car-dependent area since locals commute out of town for the essentials. Truck traffic from nearby industry remains an issue, which leaders hope to solve with a planned truck route on the future Campbell Thicket Road. Pedestrian safety is another future focus, with planned sidewalks, crosswalks and lighting. U.S. Route 78 and Interstate 26 are direct routes to Summerville and Charleston, about 35 miles southeast. Future multi-modal pathways could also connect to Summerville.
White Oak Real Estate was founded by Jeff Rush in 2023 who grew up as a native of North Charleston. Born and raised, he, likewise, raised his three children in the North Charleston area. Years before opening his brokerage, he visited Summerton, South Carolina, and found his happy place in the “country.” When his kids were well on their way, Jeff decided it was time to buy land, transplant to rural living on Lake Marion, and find a slower lifestyle.
When looking to purchase real estate in Summerton, Jeff decided to earn his real estate license and handle the buying process on his own. After retiring from the North Charleston fire department as a Division Chief after 27 years, he found real estate something that could become his new passion. He took the care and concern for family and home that drove him in his firefighting career and now channels it to help homebuyers through the buying and selling process. Owning a home is one of the biggest investments that most adults will ever make, and Jeff’s devotion is to make the process go as smoothly and stress-free as possible.
White Oak Real Estate understands that technology is a must in the real estate industry, but it doesn’t overlook the value of human connections, bestowing the faith that people put into its company, or the relationships that it creates going far after the paperwork is signed and filed.
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.
