This blog was ghostwritten by Brian Gregg for a client. It is not available for publication.
Buy Your New Home on Lake Keowee near Seneca, SC
If you are reading this blog chances are you are looking to relocate to Lake Keowee near Seneca SC. You might be looking for a place to retire and you would be looking in the right place. Lake Keowee near Seneca SC is an outstanding choice among numerous destinations for a vacation or retirement home in upstate South Carolina. Of note are the luxurious waterfront homes near Seneca SC.
Seneca SC
Seneca (pop. 8,500) is the largest city in Oconee County located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains at the south end of Lake Keowee. It is loaded with waterfront homes near Seneca SC at a broad price range. Oconee County and the region of Lake Keowee near Seneca SC are populated by several small towns in relatively close proximity to each other.
Seneca is just seven miles from Clemson, S.C. (pop. 14,000) and 38 miles from Greenville, S.C. Amid the forest-covered mountains are three major lakes – Keowee, Hartwell, Jocassee, and Lake Keowee near Seneca SC. This makes for an exceedingly scenic country.
The town of Seneca is surrounded by serene heavily wooded areas with beautiful lakes and small cities and towns and attractive waterfront homes near Seneca SC. Fall foliage, beginning in late October, is spectacular for hiking, boating, fishing, or just viewing by car.
Downtown Seneca has the unequaled charm of a small town with excellent dining and shopping. It holds a diverse choice of quaint independent boutiques and restaurants.
Seneca was founded in 1874 on a railroad in the post-Civil War reconstruction period. It was a central point for selling and shipping cotton. Textile mills were a major employer in the area. The Little River supplied hydropower for the mills.
Between 1963 and 1974 major dams were built on the Keowee and other rivers to form the man-made Hartwell and Jocassee lakes in Oconee and other counties and Lake Keowee near Seneca SC. Lake Keowee near Seneca SC is the second largest of the three lakes.
Since the dams were built the area has experienced ambitious development and it is now very popular for retirement living and vacation homes. Lake Keowee near Seneca SC is particularly known for upscale, luxury waterfront homes near Seneca SC.
According to the 2020 Census, the population of Seneca is 63% white, 24% African-American, with the remainder Asian, Hispanic, or mixed.
Seneca’s median household income in 2020 is $49,691 compared to the national median of $64,994. The homeownership rate was 73.2% while the median property value was $164,000. Some of these statistics are misleading. Seneca has a large segment of its population who are retired so are not shown in the labor force but contribute heavily to Seneca’s economy.
The climate in Seneca is moderate and typical of the southeast U.S. The average low is 36 degrees (January) and the average high is 90 degrees (July). Summers can be humid while winters can average 2-inch snowfall annually.
Seneca Events
Life in Seneca is reminiscent of your youth if you grew up in a small town where everybody knew everybody and celebrated together. If you didn’t have such childhood advantages you should move to Seneca and enjoy it while you still can. If you are still raising kids you can’t find a better community to do it.
The City of Seneca publishes the Seneca Spotlight newsletter on its website which includes important information for residents, prospective residents, and visitors alike. If you are contemplating buying a home on Lake Keowee near Seneca SC you should check out the City website and the Spotlight newsletter.
Here is a sampling of annual events enjoyed by residents of Lake Keowee near Seneca S, including waterfront homes near Seneca SC.
- Jazz on the Alley starts April 7 and features different touring music groups every Thursday through October
- Cruizin’ on Main starting April 2 the first Sat each month. Bring back your teenage years with your refurbished vintage and muscle cars.
- Memorial Day Weekend Kickoff Laser Show May 26
- Juneteenth Celebration June 18 All-day family fun, face painting, balloons, food, and craft vendors.
- July 4 Celebration – Free family fun, Food drink vendors, and live music performances all day.
- Youth Carnival October 15 Food vendors, music, rides, games, and prizes.
- Brew n’ Que September 5. Barbeque, Beer, and Music.
- Halloween on the Green Oct 31 Kids 12 and under trick or treating costume contest.
- Seneca Christmas Parade and Tree Lighting Nov 28
- Seneca Magical musical lightshow throughout historical downtown mid-November through December.
Oconee County
Seneca is part of Oconee County which is situated in the far northwest corner of South Carolina at the border with North Carolina and Georgia. The county has a population of more than 78,000 as of the 2020 U.S. Census. WaIhalla is its county seat while Seneca is its largest city. Walhalla is just 8.7 miles from Seneca.
The county was organized in 1868 after the Civil War. It was settled by German immigrants. Hence, Walhalla is a favorite place for residents of Lake Keowee near Seneca SC to celebrate Octoberfest.
The average effective property tax rate is 0.45% and the median home value is $155,200.
According to the 2010 Census, the racial makeup of the county was 87.8% white, 7.6% black or African American, 0.6% Asian, 0.2% American Indian, 2.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. The median household income was about the same as the town of Seneca’s.
Lake Keowee
Lake Keowee is a man-made reservoir built in 1971 mainly for the purposes of hydroelectric power generation, providing cooling water for the Duke Energy nuclear power plant as well as providing public recreation. It is fed by the Keowee River and tributaries of cold waters flowing from the Appalachian Mountains. It is sustained by the Keowee and Little River Dams.
Most of the lake is located in Oconee County. The lake has 300 miles of shoreline, is 26 miles long, 3 miles wide, and covers more than 18,000 acres. The average depth is 54 feet. There are several wooded islands. It is connected to two other major man-made and commonly sourced Hartwell and Jocassee Lakes.
Lake Keowee has pure and clean water and is popular for water sports including swimming, water skiing, fishing, boating, sailing, and kayaking.
There are 10 excellent golf courses and country clubs within 10 miles of Lake Keowee. The scenic settings make for an enjoyable golfing experience for the Keowee residents and visitors.
Lake Keowee near Seneca SC is surrounded by numerous campgrounds and public parks. A large marina serves the residents living around the lake while several subdivisions of waterfront homes near Seneca SC have their private marinas.
For fishermen, the lake stocks bass, crappie, bluegill, yellow perch, catfish, brown trout, and rainbow trout.
Community Organizations
Homeowners on or near the lake have formed community advocacy groups including the very active Friends of Lake Keowee Society (FOLKS). Established in 1993, it represents the lake residents for environmental and recreational issues and protection of the coveted beauty and serenity of Lake Keowee near Seneca SC.
They monitor the lake’s water quality and watershed. Other programs reduce litter. The Society is also a public advocate for controlling commercial development, including multi-use projects.
Cultural and Entertainment Features
Notwithstanding its small-town atmosphere, Seneca has extraordinary access to cultural amenities. Seneca is just 7 miles from the college town of Clemson the home of prestigious Clemson University.
Clemson University has excellent college sports programs in the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC). Lake Keowee residents are fans who frequently attend Clemson sports events.
South Carolina is a football-crazy state. The residents of Lake Keowee near Seneca SC tend to be avid football fans. Always highly rated, the Clemson football team puts on an exciting game each fall weekend amid the beautiful foliage and crisp autumn air.
Clemson regularly fields very competitive football teams. For the last several years, Clemson has been highly ranked in the AP College Poll’s top 25 teams. In October 2022, it was ranked No. 5 with a 5-0 record. In 2021, its final rank was No, 14. The Tigers were NCAA national champions in 2016 and 2018. They ranked No. 2 and No. 3 respectively in 2019 and 2020.
Clemson has played their home games in Memorial Stadium nicknamed “Death Valley” since 1948.
The residents of Lake Keowee near Seneca SC also have convenient access to the extensive cultural facilities and entertainment including:
- Brooks Center for the Performing Arts – Clemson University
- Clemson Little Theater. – Pendleton
- Oconee Community Theater – Seneca
- Seneca 8 Cinema
- South Carolina Botanical Garden – Clemson University
Health Care
Folks looking for a retirement home will naturally want proximity to good healthcare.
Seneca’s principal healthcare center is the 169-bed Prisma Health Oconee Memorial Hospital. It has served the health needs of Oconee County since 1939. The Oconee Memorial Hospital by itself furnishes the expertise necessary to treat all but the rare conditions that Seneca residents will have. This is particularly important for residents settling into the area for their retirement years.
In addition, it is a part of the not-for-profit Prisma Health system, the largest healthcare organization in South Carolina.
Prisma Health associates with 5,167 total doctors and other clinicians in its clinically integrated network. Seneca and Lake Keowee residents benefit from the diversified specialty practices in the entire Prisma system.
Real Estate Market
Lake Keowee near Seneca SC has a vibrant real estate market. The economy supports a labor force with a relatively low unemployment rate. Retirees from many parts of the nation are moving into permanent homes. Lake properties are very popular for vacation homes.
The market is especially noted for its luxury waterfront homes near Seneca SC.
In October 2022, there were 380 homes for sale in Seneca. The median list price for single-family homes was $299,500 with a price per sq ft of $184. The median sales price was $254,000. Lake Keowee near Seneca SC
Waterfront homes near Seneca SC are another matter. Homes on Lake Keowee near Seneca SC are typically very high-end luxury waterfront homes near Seneca SC.
At the time of this blog, there were on the market numerous waterfront homes near Seneca SC. There are more than 300 subdivisions offering homes and waterfront homes near Seneca SC on Lake Keowee.
The following are a few representative properties on Lake Keowee near Seneca SC including numerous luxurious waterfront homes near Seneca SC.
- 49 acres waterfront lot – $299,000
- 74 acres waterfront lot – $495,000
- 4 acres waterfront lot – $749,000
- Lakefront home, 2,750 sq ft, 3 bdrm, 3 bath, – $999,000
- Lakefront home, 4,176 sq ft, 5 bdrm, 3 bath, – $1,438,900
- Lakefront home, 11,500 sq ft, 6 bdrm, 7 bath, – $2,800,000
- Lakefront home, 6,000 sq ft, 5 bdrm, 7 bath, – $3,499,999
- Lakefront home, 7,498 sq ft, 6 bdrm, 8 bath, – $5,950,000