Living in Cane Bay Plantation: Lakes, Homes, Location

Cane Bay Plantation, Summerville

Cane Bay Plantation is a large master-planned community off US 176 in unincorporated Berkeley County. It has a Summerville mailing address but sits outside town limits. Built around a 300-acre lake system, it mixes single-family homes, townhomes and a 55+ section from several national builders. The main tract is about 4,500 acres, with a 2,000-acre tract next door. Over Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 839 homes sold here at a median of $405,000.

By Barry Cunningham, REALTOR®. Updated October 22, 2026.

What's selling in Cane Bay Plantation

From Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 839 homes sold in Cane Bay Plantation at a median of $405,000, 1% above the median for Summerville. Most sold between $300K and $535K. The homes that sold were 81% single-family detached and 19% townhomes or condos, with a median year built of 2025, and 58% were built in the last three years, so new construction is a big part of the market here.

Government: Unincorporated Berkeley County (Summerville mailing address, but not inside the Town of Summerville)
Size: About 4,500 acres plus the 2,000-acre Wildcat Tract (About 10,000 homes permitted on the main tract and 5,700 planned on the Wildcat Tract)
Developer: Gramling Brothers Real Estate & Development (Many builders sell homes inside the community)
Amenities: 300-acre lake system, boat launch, trails (Builder pages describe a trail system planned to exceed 25 miles)

Where it is and getting around

Cane Bay sits along US 176 (State Road) in Berkeley County. Builders put it about 10 minutes from Main Street Summerville and about 35 miles from downtown Charleston, near the I-26 interchange at exit 197.

For years US 176 was the main way in and out. In August 2021 Berkeley County opened the Nexton Parkway Extension, which it called a much-needed third access point into Cane Bay. The county has also awarded a contract to widen US 176 from two to four lanes between US 17A and Nexton Parkway. Ask about current road work before you plan a commute.

The homes

Cane Bay is mostly new and newer construction from national and regional builders. You'll find single-family homes on lake and wooded lots, townhome sections, and Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay, which K. Hovnanian markets as a 55+ community with homes from about 1,550 to 2,750 square feet.

More than 7,000 homes were on the ground across the combined tracts by late 2023, about half of the plan. Recent land deals went to townhome builders, including Mungo Homes and Starlight Homes. See who's building now on my new construction tool.

The lakes and amenities

The lake system is the centerpiece: about 300 acres of water, with a boat dock, sun pier and a launch for small motorboats, canoes and kayaks, per Lennar. Some sections, like the 55+ section, have their own clubhouse, pools, courts and fitness center that are separate from the rest of the community.

Ask how dues and amenity access work for the section you're buying in. I haven't found an official published fee schedule, so get the HOA and any sub-association budgets in writing before you sign.

Still growing

Cane Bay was the No. 4 top-selling master-planned community in the country in 2022, per RCLCO, with 959 sales. At full build-out the Post and Courier projected almost 40,000 residents. A 45-acre commercial site is planned where State Road meets a future Fair Winds Boulevard extension.

That means construction traffic, new phases next to finished streets and changing views for years. If you're looking here, ask what's planned on the land behind and beside the lot.

Schools

Cane Bay is in the Berkeley County School District. Assignments go by address and can change as new schools open, so check the exact property on the county's official map: Berkeley County school lookup.

What people like

A 300-acre lake system with boating, fishing and paddling
Wide choice of new homes, townhomes and a 55+ section
A third road in via the Nexton Parkway Extension eases the US 176 bottleneck

What to weigh first

Long drive to downtown Charleston and the beaches, about 35 miles
Ongoing construction and road work for years to come
Fees and amenity access differ by section, which can be confusing

Common questions about Cane Bay Plantation

How much do homes cost in Cane Bay Plantation?

The median sale was $405,000 across 839 closed sales from Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026 (CHS Regional MLS), with most selling between $300K and $535K. That's 1% above the median for Summerville ($400,000). The median price per square foot was $188.

Is Cane Bay in the Town of Summerville?

No. Cane Bay has a Summerville mailing address, but it's in unincorporated Berkeley County. That affects property tax, zoning and which services you get. Check the tax bill on any home you're considering.

Is there a 55+ section in Cane Bay?

Yes. K. Hovnanian markets Four Seasons at Lakes of Cane Bay as a 55+ community, with its own clubhouse, indoor and outdoor pools, courts and fitness center.

Can I run a short-term rental in Cane Bay?

It depends on the HOA covenants for the section and Berkeley County zoning. I haven't found a published rule from the HOA. Read the recorded covenants and call county zoning before you buy for rental income.

Is Cane Bay in a flood zone?

Some lots sit along the lakes and wetlands and some don't. Look up the exact address with my flood zone tool and ask your insurance agent for a quote early.

More about the area: Summerville guide · all neighborhoods

Sources

Sales figures: closed residential sales recorded under the Cane Bay Plantation subdivision name in the CHS Regional MLS, Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026. Medians, not appraisals. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Other details checked against the sources above on October 22, 2026; HOA rules and fees change, so get current documents before you buy.