Not from around these parts? Be prepared to be pleasantly surprised! Located in the center of the state, Lexington/Columbia is home to every amenity you’d expect of a major metropolitan area, not to mention a beautiful 50,000 acre lake. We're also just a couple of hours from South Carolina's world-famous beaches and the serenity of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Getting to either area is no problem. Three interstate highways intersect here — I-20, I-26 and I-77, with I-85 and I-95 just an hour's drive away. More than 583,000 people call this area their home, a number expected to increase to 650,000 by the year 2010, to one million by 2025. According to the Census Bureau, 50.4% of the population here is male, 49.6% is female. The median age is 33 years.

A Nice Place To Call Home.

The Town of Lexington, about 12 miles from Columbia, is much smaller than Columbia. The latest census figures show that 9,793 people live in the town, although many more live in the outlying areas. As the Lexington Chamber of Commerce website puts it, "Here we know no visitors; we only welcome new friends."

Lexington is the fastest growing area in South Carolina ... for good reason. We have one of the best school districts in the state and are home to the spectacular, 45-mile long Lake Murray ... with some of the best fishing in the nation. Our economy is dynamic and growing. The people are friendly here, the schools are top-notch, the theaters and museums ... all combine to make our town a great place to live, work, play and raise a family.

There is a wide variety of housing in the Lexington/Columbia area. Older homes are nestled in downtown Columbia neighborhoods such as Shandon and Forest Acres. Newer neighborhoods are expanding in the suburban areas of Lexington, Irmo & Blythewood. Along the shorelines of Lake Murray, in the communities of Lexington, Ballentine & Chapin, are some of the area's most spectacular homes.

Oh, The Weather!
It's no wonder so many people are choosing to retire in the Lexington/Columbia area. The weather here is comfortable year-round which makes almost any outdoor activity feasible at any time, including a stroll in one of our many parks with the grandchildren!

While a mild dusting of snow every year or so guarantees just a touch of winter, a round of golf in December is not the least bit unsual. (Average annual snowfall is just 1.89 inches.)

So Many Greens. So Little Time.
Parks with tennis courts and playgrounds, public and private clubs, and some dozen or so golf courses are available throughout our community. Hunting and fishing are popular in the outlying areas of the city. Weekend afternoons find families taking in the sounds of outdoor concerts in neighboring Columbia's downtown 17-acre Finlay Park, or jogging, biking or walking on paths that stretch through nearby Riverfront Park.

Riverbanks Zoo and Botanical Garden, popular among locals and out-of-towners alike, is ranked in the Top 10 zoos in the nation and rests upon the banks of the Saluda River. There is also Virginia Hylton Park in downtown Lexington.

The Water’s Fine!
The Lexington/Columbia area boasts a life-long prescription for peace-of-mind—the spectacular 50,000-acre Lake Murray. Recognized as one of the nation's top large-mouth bass fishing spots, Lake Murray delights residents and visitors alike along 649 miles of shoreline. There are several parks, even restaurants, on the lake. In the summer months, the lake is alive with activity ... boating, sailing, skiing and sunbathing.

Full-time residents enjoy Lake Murray's serenity and changing moods year-round. They can often be seen out on the water in the afternoons after work, enjoying a little wind sailiing, a dinner or cookout on a pontoon or deck boat, a scenic motorboat tour, or a quiet canoeing trip around the lake's many placid coves. It is the ultimate way to unwind at the end of a day.

Steve Lives Here.
Sports fans can take in any number of spectator sports in the area. Columbia is home to University of South Carolina 'Gamecock' football ... and Steve Spurrier! It's also home to the Capital City Bombers baseball franchise.

A member of the southeastern conference, the University of South Carolina hosts men's and women's basketball teams in a new $70 million multi-purpose facility in downtown Columbia that opened last year. With a seating capacity of up to 19,000 and 41 executive suites, the Colonial Center is the tenth largest campus basketball facility in the country. The 12,401-seat Carolina Coliseum is also nearby.

The 82,500-seat Williams-Brice Stadium in Columbia is home to the university's football team. And just 90 miles away in nearby Charlotte, N.C., Columbians can cheer on the Carolina Panthers, Charlotte Hornets and Charlotte Sting, respective members of the NFL, NBA, and WNBA.

Southern Class.
If you're looking for culture, we have lots of it! Several art and history museums in Columbia house nationally recognized collections.

A variety of theatrical, dance and musical offerings can be experienced at the Koger Center for the Arts, the Colonial Center, the Carolina Coliseum, the Township Auditorium and the nearby Newberry Opera House. Lexington also has its own community theatre!

Nightlife is vibrant in the Congaree Vista area of Columbia, featuring local eateries and clubs catering to every age group. Also unique to South Carolina are a number of hometown festivals which celebrate traditions, seasons and landmarks.