Clemson is a special place to live, and not just on fall Saturdays. Whether you're a professor relocating, parents buying near campus, or a Tiger fan who finally wants to live here, here's what I tell buyers about Clemson and the towns around it.
The town and the university
The City of Clemson has about 16,600 residents and sits in both Pickens and Anderson counties, at the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Clemson University is the center of everything, and the town has a reputation for strong town-and-gown relations.
Clemson also borders Lake Hartwell, one of the largest recreation lakes in the Southeast, so it's one of the few college towns where you can live on the water and walk or ride to a game.
Look beyond the city limits
A lot of buyers start in Clemson and end up in a neighboring town. Here's how Clemson University describes the drive times from campus:
Pendleton: about 5 minutes, a historic town with a classic village green.
Central: about 10 minutes, home to Southern Wesleyan University.
Seneca: about 10 minutes, with Lake Keowee on its doorstep.
Easley: about 20 minutes.
Anderson: about 25 minutes, right off I-85.
Greenville: about 30 minutes.
Getting around without a car
Clemson Area Transit (CATbus) is fare-free and serves Clemson, the university, Central, Pendleton, Seneca and parts of Anderson County. For students, faculty and anyone who hates game-day parking, it's a big plus.
Buying near campus
A few things I always talk through with buyers here:
Game days and traffic. Being close to the stadium is fun until you need to get home on a Saturday. Drive the route on a game day if you can.
Rentals and HOAs. If you're buying for a student and planning to rent rooms later, check the HOA and city rules before you buy.
Your tax rate. If it's your full-time home, file for South Carolina's 4% legal residence rate. A student rental or second home is generally taxed at 6%.
School zoning. Clemson straddles two counties, so check which school district serves the specific address.
Lake Hartwell living
If you want water, Lake Hartwell is the closest option. It's managed by the Army Corps of Engineers, and not every lakefront lot can have a dock. Read our Hartwell vs. Keowee comparison before you start touring.
Our motto is "Be the kind of Realtor you'd want your Mother to have." In a college town, that means helping you think about resale and rental rules up front, not after you've fallen in love with a house.
Frequently asked questions
What county is Clemson in?
The City of Clemson is in Pickens and Anderson counties.
Is the Clemson bus free?
Yes. Clemson Area Transit (CATbus) is a fare-free system.
Is Clemson on Lake Hartwell?
Yes. Clemson borders Lake Hartwell.
Let's find your place in Tiger Town
Browse homes in Clemson, catch Joey on CSN LIVE, or talk with our team about buying near campus.
Photo: Tillman Hall at Clemson University by Angie Yates, licensed under CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons.
