Monster Self Storage
For sale1758 St Matthews Rd NE, Orangeburg, SC 29118
Sumter, SC
Sumter, known as the “Gamecock City,” sits near the geographic center of South Carolina, roughly 45 miles east of Columbia. The county seat and hub of the Sumter metropolitan area, it occupies a crossroads between the Sandhills, Midlands, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry. Founded as Sumterville in 1845, the community developed through railroads, agriculture, textiles, and manufacturing. Today, it is renowned for Shaw Air Force Base, its World War II heritage, Swan Lake Iris Gardens, and a distinctive blend of military, cultural, and agricultural traditions.
Recreational Delights
Swan Lake Iris Gardens is Sumter’s signature outdoor attraction, featuring islands, wildlife, a Braille Trail, Japanese iris, camellias, azaleas, day lilies, and magnolias. It is especially popular during the annual Iris Festival in May and the Fantasy of Lights holiday display, which illuminates the gardens with more than one million lights. Palmetto Park’s 24-court tennis center supports recreational play and youth, collegiate, and professional tournaments. Riley Park provides a setting for baseball and American Legion competition, while the city’s warm, humid subtropical climate supports outdoor activities through much of the year. Sumter’s location also places residents within driving distance of Columbia, Myrtle Beach’s Grand Strand, and South Carolina’s broader network of parks, lakes, and historic communities.
Culinary Scene
Sumter’s culinary identity reflects its agricultural heritage, Southern traditions, and military-connected population. Local dining commonly emphasizes barbecue, fried chicken, seafood, soul food, country cooking, and other Lowcountry and Midlands favorites. The area’s agricultural legacy is especially distinctive through Palmetto Pigeon Plant, a long-established producer of squab, poussin, Cornish game hens, and silkie chickens. Restaurants and independent food businesses are concentrated around central Sumter, the historic downtown area, and major commercial corridors serving residents, visitors, and Shaw Air Force Base personnel. The city’s location between the Midlands, Pee Dee, and Lowcountry also gives its food culture a broad regional character, combining inland barbecue and comfort food with coastal seafood influences.
Demographics
- The supplied demographic profile lists a population of 104,725 and a median age of 38, close to the U.S. median age of 38.9.
- Median household income is $56,693, below the U.S. median of $80,734, indicating a comparatively moderate-cost community with varied household finances.
- At the 2020 city census, Sumter had 43,463 residents; 24.2% were under 18 and 16.7% were 65 or older, with 98.8% living in urban areas.
Population
104,725
Growth -0.12%
Households
41,083
Growth -0.24%
Median Age
38
US Median Age 38.9
Median Household Income
$56,693
US Median Household Income $80,734
Radius Metrics Highlights in 3-mile radius
23,894
Total population
34%
5 year population growth projection
9,066
Total households
$23,980
Per capita income
| 1 Mile | 3 Miles | 5 Miles | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 4,235 | 23,894 | 33,252 |
| 5 year projected total population | 3,918 | 32,029 | 50,348 |
| Total households | 1,818 | 9,066 | 12,837 |
| Current Median Household Income | $40,424 | $42,343 | $46,666 |
| 5 year projected median household income | $47,778 | $60,574 | $72,837 |
| Current Per Capita Income | $22,037 | $23,980 | $25,316 |
| 5 year projected per capita income | $20,793 | $29,735 | $33,714 |
| Median home value | $125,167 | $126,816 | $125,107 |
Sports
Baseball
Sumter P-15s American Legion Baseball
High school football
Sumter High School Gamecocks
High school football
Crestwood High School Knights
Tennis
Palmetto Tennis Center
Education
Morris College
University of South Carolina Sumter
Central Carolina Technical College
Sumter School District
Entertainment
Swan Lake Iris Gardens
Sumter Town Hall-Opera House
Carnegie Public Library
Riley Park
Quality of Life
Sumter offers a moderate-cost lifestyle, a central South Carolina location, accessible parks, community festivals, historic sites, and a strong military and civic presence. Healthcare, education, transit, and retail serve as regional amenities, while Shaw Air Force Base supports economic stability. Summers are long and hot, winters mild, and Columbia and coastal destinations are within convenient reach.
2022 Population by age
6%
0-4 Years
20%
5-19 Years
7%
20-24 Years
25%
25-44 Years
23%
45-64 Years
18%
65+ Years
Employers
7%
Unemployment rate
Employment sectors
Health Care and Social Assistance
15.92%
Manufacturing
15.47%
Retail Trade
11.76%
Educational Services
10.68%
Accommodation and Food Services
7.93%
Construction
7.54%
Public Administration
6.25%
Administrative and Support and Waste Management Services
5.22%
Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services
5.11%
Transportation and Warehousing
4.61%
Finance and Insurance
2.78%
Other
6.73%