People who come to me looking at homes around Clemson often haven't heard of Central yet. Then we drive through it, and it's usually on their list after that. Central sits in Pickens County right next to Clemson, and it has kept its own small-town feel, with a historic depot, a college campus and a few parks that get a lot of use. Here's my local's take on what living in Central, SC is like.
A Town Built by the Railroad
Central's story starts with the tracks. According to the Town of Central, the community was established in 1873 when the Atlanta and Richmond Air Line (later the Southern Railroad) came through Pickens County. The spot sat about halfway between Atlanta and Charlotte, roughly 133 miles from each, so the railroad put a repair station here and called it "Central Station." The town was incorporated on March 17, 1875.
You can still see that history today. The restored Central Historic Depot on Wood Street is available for events, and the town lists the Red Caboose and the Central Railway Museum among its landmarks. The Central History Museum is in the old Morgan family home, which is on the National Register of Historic Places. If you like to know the history of the place you're moving to, the town's history page is a great place to start.
Southern Wesleyan University and the Clemson Connection
Southern Wesleyan University, a private four-year liberal arts school, has been part of Central since classes started there in 1906. Add Clemson University just down the road, and Central ends up with a lot of the energy of a college area while still feeling like a small town.
That closeness to Clemson is one of the big reasons buyers look here. If you work at the university, want to be close to game days, or just want to be near Clemson's restaurants and shopping, Central puts you right in the neighborhood.
Parks, Recreation and Getting Outside
For a small town, Central has a good lineup of places to play. A few I like to point out:
Grand Central Station Disc Golf Course on Ansleigh Drive. The town calls it the longest public disc golf course in South Carolina, spread over 35 acres.
Central-Clemson Indoor Recreation Center on Commons Way, a fitness center the Town of Central and the City of Clemson run together.
Bolick Sports Fields on Pepper Street, with a walking track around the fields. It's home field for the Central Tigers.
Central Baseball Fields & Playgrounds on Wood Street, with ball fields, a playground and a pavilion.
You can find the full list and rental info on the town's Parks & Recreation page.
Schools Serving Central
Public schools in Central are part of the School District of Pickens County. The town lists Central Academy of the Arts, R.C. Edwards Middle School and D.W. Daniel High School as its local schools. School assignments are set by address, so before you fall in love with a house I always recommend checking the exact attendance zone with the district.
Buying a Home in Central: My Tips
Every town has its own quirks, and Central is no different. Here's what I tell my buyers:
Check whether the home is inside town limits. A Central mailing address doesn't always mean the property is inside the Town of Central, and that can affect services and taxes.
Apply for the 4% primary residence rate. If the home will be your primary residence, make sure you apply for South Carolina's 4% assessment ratio instead of paying at the 6% rate. I wrote a whole post on how to get the 4% property tax rate.
Think about where you'll spend your days. Central works well if you want to be near Clemson but also get to Easley, Seneca and the lakes without much trouble.
We at JW Martin Real Estate have been helping people buy and sell in the Upstate since 2011, and our motto is simple: Be the kind of Realtor you'd want your Mother to have. That means telling you the good and the not-so-good about a house and a town, so you can make the right call.
You can browse current listings and more about the area on our Central, SC community page.
FAQ: Living in Central, SC
What county is Central, SC in?
Central is in Pickens County, right next to the City of Clemson.
Is Central close to Clemson University?
Yes. Central and Clemson are neighbors. They even share the Central-Clemson Indoor Recreation Center.
What school district serves Central?
Public schools in Central are part of the School District of Pickens County, including D.W. Daniel High School. Check the district's attendance zones for any specific address.
Thinking About a Move to Central?
If Central sounds like a fit, I'd love to show you around. Give us a call at 864-722-5558, stop by our office at 10622 Clemson Blvd in Seneca, or reach out to us here and let's start your search.
