For some people, tiny towns are where it’s at. There’s something alluring about turning off your lights at night and not seeing the glow of streetlights shining in the window. Or turning off the television at bedtime and hearing…absolutely nothing. Because in small towns life is less complicated and much quieter.
South Carolina is blessed with many a small town where residents enjoy a peaceful, quiet existence. Here are 11 of those small towns throughout the state — and they have a lot to offer. You won’t want to miss anything as you drive by or through them — so don’t blink!
- Jefferson
Google Maps [streetview]
Facebook/Bermuda High Soaring School With a population of only 750 residents, Jefferson may be small but there’s a lot of green space that makes this small South Carolina town the perfect location for the Bermuda High Soaring School. If you’ve ever been curious about the sport of soaring, then Jefferson is the place to learn!
- Calhoun Falls
Google Maps [streetview]
TripAdvisor/Joseph D Only a stone’s throw from the Georgia state line, Calhoun Falls is right off the main highway. Be sure to visit Calhoun Falls State Park and beautiful Lake Russell.
- Burnettown
Wikimedia Commons/Festiva76 The home of the Annual Sassafras Festival is also home to a little over 2,600 folks and located about 10 miles west of Aiken.
- Greeleyville
Google Maps [streetview] Many people pass through Greeleyville via Highway 521 on their way to and from the Grand Strand. Blink and you’ll definitely miss it. Greeleyville has a cozy 375 residents.
- Jenkensville
Google Maps [streetview]
Google Maps [streetview]
Wikimedia Commons/Bill Fitzpatrick At just 46 residents, the tiny town of Jenkensville is easy to miss but you won’t be able to resist a second look at all the beautiful old churches in the area.
- Norway
Wikimedia Commons/Efy96001
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM Located in Orangeburg County and named “Norway,” by the same railroad company that came up with other Scandanavian-inspired names for rail towns in South Carolina, Norway has been around since 1892. Since the 1970 U.S. Census, Norway’s population has dwindled from 578 to 375.
- St. Stephen
Google Maps [streetview]
Flickr/Melody McClure Most folks pass by Berkeley County’s St Stephen on their way to Lake Moultrie, South Carolina’s third largest lake. But unless you steer off Highway 52 and onto Main Street, you’ll never see the narrow little historic district that defined so many rail towns in the late 19th century.
- Starr
Google Maps [streetview]
Google Maps [streetview] Located in Southern Anderson County, Starr is a town that’s easy to miss. That’s mostly because there’s a giant five-lane highway that cuts through this small bedroom community of less than 200 residents. But if you slow down enough you’ll see the charm of Starr, including the popular Gray House Restaurant shown above.
- Brunson
Brunson South Carolina Government You can blink as you pass through Brunson as long as you make it quick because you won’t want to miss this little charmer. Brunson’s former Town Hall is now the Brunson Museum – a tiny little octagon building that turns heads and inspires a lot of photos.
- Blenheim
Google Maps [streetview]
Flickr/Daniel Zemans Five lanes of highway blast through little Blenheim, South Carolina where the population is estimated to be only 148 strong. You won’t be so hasty to get through this little town once you’re reminded it was the birthplace of Blenheim Ginger Ale, South Carolina’s own carolina gold soft drink.
- Smyrna
Wikimedia Commons
Google Maps [streetview] Smyrna, South Carolina has two distinctions making this teeny town in the Palmetto State unlike the others. Firstly, at last count, Smyrna’s population was 45 people and that makes it the smallest town in the state. Secondly, this is the smallest town in the state to straddle two counties: Cherokee and York.
Are you from a small town? We’d love to hear in our comments!
Google Maps [streetview]
Facebook/Bermuda High Soaring School
With a population of only 750 residents, Jefferson may be small but there’s a lot of green space that makes this small South Carolina town the perfect location for the Bermuda High Soaring School. If you’ve ever been curious about the sport of soaring, then Jefferson is the place to learn!
TripAdvisor/Joseph D
Only a stone’s throw from the Georgia state line, Calhoun Falls is right off the main highway. Be sure to visit Calhoun Falls State Park and beautiful Lake Russell.
Wikimedia Commons/Festiva76
The home of the Annual Sassafras Festival is also home to a little over 2,600 folks and located about 10 miles west of Aiken.
Many people pass through Greeleyville via Highway 521 on their way to and from the Grand Strand. Blink and you’ll definitely miss it. Greeleyville has a cozy 375 residents.
Wikimedia Commons/Bill Fitzpatrick
At just 46 residents, the tiny town of Jenkensville is easy to miss but you won’t be able to resist a second look at all the beautiful old churches in the area.
Wikimedia Commons/Efy96001
Flickr/Jimmy Emerson, DVM
Located in Orangeburg County and named “Norway,” by the same railroad company that came up with other Scandanavian-inspired names for rail towns in South Carolina, Norway has been around since 1892. Since the 1970 U.S. Census, Norway’s population has dwindled from 578 to 375.
Flickr/Melody McClure
Most folks pass by Berkeley County’s St Stephen on their way to Lake Moultrie, South Carolina’s third largest lake. But unless you steer off Highway 52 and onto Main Street, you’ll never see the narrow little historic district that defined so many rail towns in the late 19th century.
Located in Southern Anderson County, Starr is a town that’s easy to miss. That’s mostly because there’s a giant five-lane highway that cuts through this small bedroom community of less than 200 residents. But if you slow down enough you’ll see the charm of Starr, including the popular Gray House Restaurant shown above.
Brunson South Carolina Government
You can blink as you pass through Brunson as long as you make it quick because you won’t want to miss this little charmer. Brunson’s former Town Hall is now the Brunson Museum – a tiny little octagon building that turns heads and inspires a lot of photos.
Flickr/Daniel Zemans
Five lanes of highway blast through little Blenheim, South Carolina where the population is estimated to be only 148 strong. You won’t be so hasty to get through this little town once you’re reminded it was the birthplace of Blenheim Ginger Ale, South Carolina’s own carolina gold soft drink.
Wikimedia Commons
Smyrna, South Carolina has two distinctions making this teeny town in the Palmetto State unlike the others. Firstly, at last count, Smyrna’s population was 45 people and that makes it the smallest town in the state. Secondly, this is the smallest town in the state to straddle two counties: Cherokee and York.
Want to read about more small towns in South Carolina? Here are 11 Small Towns In Rural South Carolina That Are Downright Delightful.
OnlyInYourState may earn compensation through affiliate links in this article.
