Living in Whitney Lake, Johns Island: Homes, HOA, Location

Whitney Lake, Johns Island

Whitney Lake is a neighborhood on Johns Island, inside the City of Charleston, between Maybank Highway and River Road. Homes went up from 2006 to 2022: three-story townhomes on the older streets and detached homes in later sections like Johnston Pointe. A 25-acre lake sits in the middle, ringed by walking trails, with a dock, kayak storage, a dog park and a playground. Over Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 26 homes sold here at a median of $560,000.

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

What's selling in Whitney Lake

From Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026, 26 homes sold in Whitney Lake at a median of $560,000, 14% below the median for Johns Island. Most sold between $395K and $610K. The homes that sold were 54% single-family detached and 46% townhomes or condos, with a median year built of 2013. With this few sales, one or two big or small homes can move the median, so read it as a range.

Built: 2006 to 2022 (Townhomes first (2006 to 2010), detached homes mostly 2013 to 2022)
Size: About 525 addresses (Residential addresses on its seven main streets in city records)
Government: City of Charleston (Per city address points and county municipal boundaries)
Amenities: 25-acre lake, trails, dock (Plus kayak storage, dog park, fire pit and playground)

Where it is and getting around

Whitney Lake sits between Maybank Highway and River Road on the north end of Johns Island. County street records show it connecting to River Road by way of Murray Wood Road and to Maybank Highway by way of Sailfish Drive, with August Road linking over to Summertrees Boulevard. The main streets are Sugarberry, Sweetleaf, Sparkleberry and Brittlebush Lanes, plus Valley Oak, Waterleaf and August Roads. Downtown is roughly 10 to 12 miles away.

I live on Johns Island, so here's what I'd tell a friend: the drive you'll feel is Maybank Highway at rush hour. Live 5 reported in September 2026 that the city and county plan to add a second lane where Maybank narrows near the river, at a little over $10 million, with work expected to start in early 2027 and finish in fall 2027. For the bigger picture, see my Johns Island growth tracker.

The homes and lots

There are two kinds of homes here. The older streets (much of Sugarberry and Sweetleaf, and parts of Brittlebush) are three-story townhomes built from about 2006 to 2010, usually around 1,400 to 1,800 square feet with 3 bedrooms and off-street parking instead of a garage. The detached homes came later, mostly 2013 to 2022, at roughly 1,700 to 2,200 square feet, many with double front porches, rear alleys and detached garages. Johnston Pointe is one of the newer detached sections.

Lots are on the small side and many homes face the lake, a trail or a green. In MLS sales this year the split was close to even between townhomes and detached homes, so compare like with like when you look at prices.

The lake, amenities and HOA

The 25-acre lake is the center of the neighborhood. Listings describe walking trails around it, a lakeside dock for kayaks, paddleboards and fishing, community canoe and kayak storage, a fire pit area, a dog park and a playground.

There's a homeowners association, and townhome owners also pay a separate fee that, per a 2026 listing, covers exterior maintenance, landscaping, pressure washing and recent roof work. Dues aren't published by the HOA, and the townhome fee runs well above the detached-home dues, so ask for the current budget, the reserve study, the transfer fee and the covenants before you write an offer.

What's changing nearby

Besides the Maybank Highway lane work, a 72-townhome build-to-rent community called 3030 Maybank is going up on about nine acres just south of the neighborhood. Vertical construction started in April 2026 and the first homes were expected in November 2026, according to a September 10, 2026 report.

Because Whitney Lake is in city limits, short-term rentals follow City of Charleston rules: the home must be the owner's full-time primary residence (verified by the 4% tax rate), with a permit and an added off-street parking space. HOA covenants can be stricter. Details are on my short-term rental rules page. The lots I checked on FEMA's maps were in Zone X (minimal hazard), but check the exact address with my flood zone lookup.

Schools

Whitney Lake 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

A 25-acre lake with trails, dock and kayak storage
A mix of townhomes and detached homes at different price points
Inside City of Charleston limits, with access to both Maybank Highway and River Road

What to weigh first

Maybank Highway backs up at rush hour, and the added lane isn't built yet
Townhome fees run well above detached-home dues
Small lots, and many townhomes have no garage

Common questions about Whitney Lake

How much do homes cost in Whitney Lake?

The median sale was $560,000 across 26 closed sales from Jan 1, 2026 to Oct 21, 2026 (CHS Regional MLS), with most selling between $395K and $610K. That's 14% below the median for Johns Island ($654,000). The median price per square foot was $275.

Does Whitney Lake have an HOA?

Yes. The HOA covers the lake, trails, dock and other common areas, and townhomes carry an additional fee that covers exterior maintenance and landscaping. Dues aren't published, so get the current budget, the transfer fee and the covenants from the seller before you commit.

Is Whitney Lake in the City of Charleston?

Yes. City address records and Charleston County's municipal boundary map both put it inside the City of Charleston, even though the mailing address says Johns Island.

Can I rent my Whitney Lake home short term?

Only if it's your full-time primary residence, under City of Charleston rules, with a city permit and an extra off-street parking space. HOA covenants may be stricter. See my short-term rental rules page.

Is Whitney Lake in a flood zone?

The lots I checked on FEMA's flood maps were in Zone X, an area of minimal flood hazard, but zones are set lot by lot. Run the exact address through my flood zone lookup and ask for an elevation certificate.

More about the area: Johns Island guide · all neighborhoods

Sources

Sales figures: closed residential sales recorded under the Whitney Lake 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.