About Sumter
Sumter County is located in the heart of South Carolina, with the City of Sumter just 44 miles east of the state capital, Columbia. Sumter is encircled by a modern highway system, including interstates 95, 20, 77 and 26. Sumter enjoys easy access to these interstates via four-lane U.S. Highways. Once a sleepy agricultural town, Sumter has become a burgeoning industrial center. With five industrial parks housing about 65 manufacturing facilities and employing about 8,200, the county is a perfect place for both manufacturing and retail expansion. Shaw Air Force Base is also located here, home to the 20th Fighter Wing, Headquarters Ninth Air Force/United States Central Command Air Forces, and several associate units.
Whether walking the tree-lined streets of downtown Sumter or its various parks, Sumter offers the shade and tranquility perfect for a Sunday stroll. While still industrialized, Sumter has a soft side for the finer things in life. The arts are a rich part of Sumter’s identity, with the annual Arts Festival showcasing works from local artists. Sumter’s Opera House is probably one of our best-known landmarks. With its towering 100-foot clock tower, the Opera House is a legend in its own right. Sumterites know how to let their hair down too. At the Sumter@Six performances, attendees can hear nationally known bands from the area, such as The Tams or The Headliners, enjoy taste-testing local vendors and do the official state dance, the shag, all night long. Sumter also has numerous annual festivals and special events, beginning with the world-renowned Iris Festival each May. In addition to the Iris Festival, Sumter residents enjoy many other cultural events including Sumter-Shaw Streetfest, Scottish Country Fair, The Poinsettia Festival and Fantasy of Lights, Black Cowboy Festival, the Mary McLeod Bethune Birthday Celebration, the Rub O' the Green Golf Tournament, Sumter County Fair and much more.
