Kershaw County

Kershaw County includes Camden, Elgin, Lugoff, Bethune, Cassatt, Boykin, Lake Wateree, Liberty Hill, and Westville. It is named in honor of Joseph Kershaw, an early settler and founding father figure of sorts. Camden is the county seat and is virtually centrally-located within the county. Kershaw County taxes are the lowest in the state in spite of its great location right next to Richland County and the Columbia metropolitan area. In fact, the entire county qualifies for rural housing. These details, combined with an excellent location make the area an affordable and appetizing place to settle.

If you could attempt to sum up the value of Kershaw County in just a few words, it would be to highlight the convenience of its location to the city of Columbia combined with it’s history and pristine natural beauty. The county boasts parks, historical sites, festivals, hunting, fishing, golfing and much more! These activities are all close by, whether your prefer the city scene or simply want to admire natural beauty.

Kershaw County is home to two State Parks: N. R. Goodale State Park and Lake Wateree State Park. The former is a short drive from the city limits and is a 149 acre mill pond complex from the Civil War era. Activities here include fishing, canoeing, a nature trail, and wildlife viewing. The latter is a slightly larger 238 acre park that includes boat access, a campground, and other activities associated with Lake Wateree. There are other boat access points scattered around Lake Wateree and so finding that special fishing spot is never an issue!

The county contains two golf courses: the Camden Country Club and Pine Creek Golf Course. There are numerous places to fish at Lake Wateree, Goodale State Park, along the Wateree River and Kendall Lake. Lake Wateree frequently hosts large fishing tournaments as well. If fishing is not your thing, then other water activities like canoeing, kayaking, water skiing, diving, and simply cruising the lake are available. Last but certainly not least, Kershaw County encompasses several different shooting ranges.

Kershaw County is homes to a large contingent of the South Carolina Equestrian community. This comes as no surprise since Camden hosts both the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup. However, Camden is home to many other Equestrian events including the Camden Cup Polo Weekend and the National Steeplechase Museum. Just recently, the South Carolina Equine Park made Kershaw County its new home. Camden’s Polo field is the third oldest continuously active Polo Field in the United States. Well over a thousand thoroughbreds call Camden home during the winter months, so the area is never short of the graceful animals. There are numerous farms and training facilities located in the area.

• • • Consistently among the lowest taxes in the state.
    • Close proximity to Columbia yet the area is unspoiled by the city traffic and noises.
    • Events like the Carolina Cup and Colonial Cup offer a unique South Carolina tradition each Spring and Summer. Or, great local and regional music can be heard at the Downhome Blues Festival and other events.
    • Access to great restaurants locally and just 30 minutes away in Columbia
      The entire county qualifies for USDA Rural Housing loans.
    • Lake Wateree is always close by, but the county is just over two miles from great beaches (Charleston, Myrtle Beach, Pawley’s Island, etc.) and mountain retreats.
    • Southern hospitality abounds; the county is friendly for all types including new families and retirees.
    • The City of Camden literally has been a tourism destination for hundreds of years now because of it’s mild climate and natural southern beauty.