Living in Riverland Terrace, James Island: Homes, History

Riverland Terrace, James Island

Riverland Terrace is one of James Island's oldest neighborhoods, started in 1925 on the island's north side. It's bounded by Wappoo Creek, the Stono River and Maybank Highway, about 10 minutes west of downtown. There are roughly 800 homes, from mid-century bungalows to waterfront houses, under big live oaks. There's no HOA. Over Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 24 homes sold here at a median of $1,025,000.

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

What's selling in Riverland Terrace

From Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 24 homes sold in Riverland Terrace at a median of $1,025,000, 63% above the median for the MLS city of Charleston. Most sold between $700K and $6.8M. The homes that sold were 100% single-family detached, with a median year built of 1951. With this few sales, one or two big or small homes can move the median, so read it as a range.

Built: Started 1925 (First houses finished in May 1926)
Size: About 800 homes (Six early subdivisions, 711 original lots)
HOA: None (Voluntary neighborhood association)
Government: City or county (Parcels split between City of Charleston and unincorporated county)

Where it is and getting around

Riverland Terrace sits on the north side of James Island, bounded by Wappoo Creek, the Stono River and Maybank Highway. Wappoo Drive and Riverland Drive are the main streets. Downtown is about 10 minutes away.

Maybank Highway is the busy edge. A 95-townhome project called Riverland Oaks, off Maybank between Woodland Shores Road and Stefan Drive, was back in city review in October 2026, and neighbors raised traffic and flooding concerns, per Live 5.

The homes and lots

Edisto Realty Co. launched Riverland Terrace in 1925 with 229 lots. Today the name covers six early subdivisions, from Wappoo Hall (1925) to Kings Highway (1953), with 711 original lots. Most homes are older bungalows and ranches from about the 1940s to 1960s, mixed with waterfront homes and newer rebuilds.

Yards are generous by Charleston standards and the tree canopy is the draw. Many homes are older, so budget for updates and get a thorough inspection.

Landmarks and water access

Wappoo Drive's Avenue of Oaks has 73 live oaks believed to be more than 100 years old. Plymouth Park has a public boat landing on Wappoo Creek with access to the Stono River, and the remains of Fort Pemberton, built in 1862, are on the waterfront. The Charleston Municipal Golf Course is at the neighborhood's entrance, and the Terrace Theater and Terrace Plaza shops are close by.

There's no HOA. The Riverland Terrace Neighborhood Association and Garden Club are voluntary, so you won't pay dues, but you also won't get covenants controlling what neighbors build.

City or county, and rentals

This matters here. Some Riverland Terrace parcels are inside the City of Charleston and many are unincorporated Charleston County, according to city and county address records. Check the tax record for the exact address.

Short-term rental rules follow that line. In the city, a rental must be the owner's full-time primary residence. In the county, permits are mostly limited to 72 days a year in residential districts. Details are on my short-term rental rules page. Waterfront and low-lying lots can carry flood insurance requirements, so use the flood zone lookup.

Schools

Riverland Terrace is in the Charleston County School District. Attendance zones can change, so check the exact address with the district's official lookup: Charleston County school zone map.

What people like

Big live oaks, larger lots and no HOA
Public boat landing on Wappoo Creek
About 10 minutes to downtown

What to weigh first

Older homes often need updates
Maybank Highway traffic and new projects nearby
City vs. county jurisdiction varies by parcel

Common questions about Riverland Terrace

How much do homes cost in Riverland Terrace?

The median sale was $1,025,000 across 24 closed sales from Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026 (CHS Regional MLS), with most selling between $700K and $6.8M. That's 63% above the median for the MLS city of Charleston ($629,000). The median price per square foot was $527.

Does Riverland Terrace have an HOA?

No. There's a voluntary neighborhood association and a garden club, but no mandatory HOA or dues.

Is Riverland Terrace in the City of Charleston?

Partly. Some parcels are in the City of Charleston and many are in unincorporated Charleston County. Check the county tax record for the exact address, because it changes rental rules, services and taxes.

Can I rent a home short term in Riverland Terrace?

It depends on the parcel. City parcels allow short-term rentals only in the owner's full-time primary residence. County parcels need a county permit, mostly capped at 72 days a year. See my short-term rental rules page.

Is Riverland Terrace in a flood zone?

Waterfront and low-lying lots can be, and higher lots may not be. Run the address through my flood zone lookup and ask for an elevation certificate.

More about the area: James Island guide · all neighborhoods

Sources

Sales figures: closed residential sales recorded under the Riverland Terrace 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.