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CITY · 2020 ACS

Folly Beach

South Carolina · 2,078 residents · 12.507 sq mi
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The short version

Folly Beach is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $89,000. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 59% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $624,200. With a median age of 57.4, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 62% more than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 57.4
US median: 38.8
More educated
59% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 53%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,078
−2%since 2000
from 2,116 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
166 / sq mi
−2%since 2000
from 169 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
57.4
+40%since 2000
from 41.1 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
7811K2K2K3K1990201020202024Folly Beach
20241K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$89,000
+26%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $46,935 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$54,061
+77%since 2000
from $30,493 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
58.8%
+25.1 ptssince 2009
from 33.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
10.1%
−2.4 ptssince 2000
from 12.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Wholesale trade12%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services4.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Information3.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Retail trade1.7%
US avg: 10%
Arts, entertainment, food0.9%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 4.7%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
Public administration0%
US avg: 4.7%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$624,200
+53%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $270,800 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$984
−20%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $821 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
77.5%
+19.2 ptssince 2000
from 58.3% in 2000
22.5% rent
Afford Score
7.0
+22%since 2000
from 5.8 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic93.9%(1,951)
Black0.8%(16)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(28)
Asian0.4%(8)
Other0%(0)
Diversity Score6.4%(132)
Diversity Score
6
+8%since 2000
from 6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
59.4%
+8.7 ptssince 2000
from 50.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
97.8%
+2.1 ptssince 2000
from 95.7% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.8%
−8.9 ptssince 2000
from 17.7% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
18.2 min
+24%since 2000
from 14.6 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
82.2%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 88.6% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
2.1%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 3.7% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
−6.1 ptssince 2011
from 6.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
68.1%
−4.6 ptssince 2011
from 72.7% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
50.7%
−14.9 ptssince 2009
from 65.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Female
47.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 4.7% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
1.9%
−78.7 ptssince 2013
from 80.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Folly Beach

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Head to head

Compare Folly Beach to nearby cities

FOLLY BEACH VS
James Island
Income$104,217+17%
Home value$508,600−19%
Population12,660+508%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOLLY BEACH VS
Charleston
Income$92,414+4%
Home value$509,700−18%
Population159,423+7561%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOLLY BEACH VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$124,755+40%
Home value$748,500+20%
Population95,469+4488%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
FOLLY BEACH VS
North Charleston
Income$62,956−29%
Home value$302,200−52%
Population129,245+6111%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Folly Beach, South Carolina?

Folly Beach, South Carolina has about 2,078 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Folly Beach, South Carolina earns about $89,000 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 $624,200, and the typical rent is about $984 a month.

How educated are people in Folly Beach, South Carolina?

About 59.4% 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 10.1% 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 grown since 1990. The population has added about 682 residents, a change of about 49 percent over that period.

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

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