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CITY

Folly Beach

South Carolina · 2,081 residents (2025 est.) · 12.507 sq mi
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The short version

Folly Beach is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $102,279. Population has fallen 40% since 2000, a loss of 849 residents. 65% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than tripled since 2000, reaching $1,000,000. With a median age of 62.0, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It sits in the top 10% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 62.0
US median: 38.9
More educated
65% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 103%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
1,267
−40%since 2000
from 2,116 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
101 / sq mi
−40%since 2000
from 169 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
62.0
+51%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,081 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
7811K2K2K3K1990201020202024Folly Beach
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$102,279
+20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,935 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$82,963
+172%since 2000
from $30,493 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
61.2%
+27.6 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
4.0%
−8.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.443
−6%since 2010
from 0.470 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Other services11.5%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade6.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Transportation & warehousing6.8%
US avg: 2.2%
Information6.8%
US avg: 10.8%
Public administration6%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade5.5%
US avg: 9.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,000,000
+103%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $270,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,844
+23%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $821 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
94.7%
+36.4 ptssince 2000
from 58.3% in 2000
5.3% rent
Vacancy rate
72.1%
+28.7 ptssince 2009
from 43.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
21.8%
−14.5 ptssince 2009
from 36.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
100.0%
+46.0 ptssince 2009
from 54.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.8
+69%since 2000
from 5.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
57
RELATED:See current rent listings in Folly Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(2,027)
Black0.8%(16)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(30)
Asian0.2%(4)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.9%(125)
2024
White, non-Hispanic96.3%(1,220)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other3.7%(47)
Diversity Score8.9%(113)
Diversity Score
9
+51%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
65.3%
+14.5 ptssince 2000
from 50.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
97.4%
+1.7 ptssince 2000
from 95.7% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
27.7%
+10.0 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.9 min
+84%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
51.4%
−37.3 ptssince 2009
from 88.6% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
2.0%
−0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
33.0%
+32.3 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.6% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
6.6%
+4.4 ptssince 2009
from 2.3% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.6%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.1%
−4.0 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
60.7%
−12.0 ptssince 2011
from 72.7% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
6.8%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.7% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
63.6%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
54.5%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
45.5%
−2.0 ptssince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
9.6%
−42.2 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.7%
−2.6 ptssince 2012
from 16.3% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
0.0%
−80.6 ptssince 2013
from 80.6% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
96.1%
+14.8 ptssince 2017
from 81.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.5%
+0.5 ptssince 2016
from 98.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−1.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.2% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Folly Beach to nearby cities

FOLLY BEACH VS
James Island
Income$104,217+2%
Home value$508,600−49%
Population12,660+508%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOLLY BEACH VS
Charleston
Income$92,414−10%
Home value$509,700−49%
Population159,423+7561%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOLLY BEACH VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$124,755+22%
Home value$748,500−25%
Population95,469+4488%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOLLY BEACH VS
North Charleston
Income$62,956−38%
Home value$302,200−70%
Population129,245+6111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Folly Beach, South Carolina?

Folly Beach, South Carolina has about 1,267 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Folly Beach, South Carolina?

The typical household in Folly Beach, South Carolina earns about $102,279 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Folly Beach, South Carolina expensive?

In Folly Beach, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $1,000,000, and the typical rent is about $1,844 a month.

How educated are people in Folly Beach, South Carolina?

About 65.3% of adults age 25 and over in Folly Beach, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Folly Beach, South Carolina?

About 4.0% of people in Folly Beach, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Folly Beach, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Folly Beach, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 129 residents, a change of about -9 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Folly Beach, South Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy