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Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC Metro Area

Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC · Metro Area

227,455Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 2 counties (1 central, 1 outlying). The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income
$83,304
Median home value
$439,500
Land area
1,231 sq mi
185 people per sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

CountyRolePopulationMedian incomeMedian home value
Beaufort County, SCCentral195,289$86,573$455,600
Jasper County, SCOutlying32,166$65,613$325,500

Largest cities and towns

10 places in our city pages lie in this area.

PlaceTypePopulationMedian income
Hilton Head Island, SCTown37,911$94,657
Bluffton, SCTown33,157$111,281
Port Royal, SCTown15,579$74,870
Beaufort, SCCity13,747$61,220
Hardeeville, SCCity10,871$78,365
Burton, SCCDP6,912$68,063
Laurel Bay, SCCDP5,882$54,345
Ridgeland, SCTown3,764$62,981
Shell Point, SCCDP1,439$81,630
Yemassee, SCTown1,178$44,896

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate
10.8%
Unemployment
2.9%
College Educated
43.1%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income
$83,304
Mean Household Income
$120,100

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male
49.6%
Female
50.4%

Population Split

Male49.6%
Female50.4%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

German12.7%
English12.6%
Irish11.7%
Mexican6.5%
Italian6.0%
Polish2.5%
French2.4%
Scottish2.4%
African0.6%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

8.2%Foreign Born
91.8%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized37.1%
Non-Citizen62.9%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later32.8%
Before 201067.2%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units
117,935
Median Rent
$1,573/mo
Median Home Value
$439,500
Median Year Built
1999

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled
40,217
College Enrollment
18.8%
High School
24.4%
College Educated
43.1%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time
24.3 min
Drive Alone Rate
72.3%
Public Transit
0.5%
Work From Home
12.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18
17.6%
18-34 Years
20.2%
35-64 Years
34.6%
65+ Years
27.6%

Population Composition

Under 1817.6%
18-3420.2%
35-6434.6%
65+27.6%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples
55.4%
Single Parent
4.8%
Living Alone
25.9%
Avg Size
2.29

Household Types

Married Couples55.4%
Single Parent4.8%
Living Alone25.9%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income
$51,125
SNAP Usage
6.0%
Health Insurance
90.7%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k11.9%
$25k - $50k15.7%
$50k - $100k30.6%
$100k+41.6%

Key Industries

Manufacturing
6.3%
Retail Trade
13.4%
Education & Health Care
19.5%
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

13.5%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

90.7%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet
93.0%vs ~90% National Avg
Computer Ownership
96.6%vs ~95% National Avg
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better
98.0
0130
Below average< 97
Near average97 - 103
Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better
92.7
0200
Hard to Afford< 80
Moderate80 - 100
Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)