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CITY · 2020 ACS

Hilton Head Island

South Carolina · 37,661 residents · 41.353 sq mi
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The short version

Hilton Head Island is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $86,171. Population has held roughly steady since 2000. 54% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 33%. Median home value has risen by half since 2000, reaching $488,000. With a median age of 59.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 57% more than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 59.3
US median: 38.8
More educated
54% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
37,661
+11%since 2000
from 33,862 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
911 / sq mi
+11%since 2000
from 819 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
59.3
+29%since 2000
from 46.0 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K27K32K37K42K1990201020202024Hilton Head Island
202438K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$86,171
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $60,438 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$60,988
+67%since 2000
from $36,621 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
55.0%
+9.2 ptssince 2009
from 45.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
6.9%
−0.5 ptssince 2000
from 7.3% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information12.2%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services10.7%
US avg: 6.6%
Wholesale trade8.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.4%
US avg: 10%
Public administration4.8%
US avg: 4.7%
Finance & insurance3.5%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing1.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.4%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.5%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$488,000
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $280,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,330
+4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $847 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
78.8%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 77.7% in 2000
21.2% rent
Afford Score
5.7
+22%since 2000
from 4.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Hilton Head Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic79%(26,752)
Black8.1%(2,758)
Hispanic / Latino11.5%(3,886)
Asian0.5%(181)
Other0%
Diversity Score43.1%(14,605)
2020
White, non-Hispanic77.4%(29,150)
Black5.7%(2,160)
Hispanic / Latino13.4%(5,045)
Asian0.8%(286)
Other1.7%(624)
Diversity Score45.8%(17,234)
Diversity Score
46
+6%since 2000
from 43 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
53.9%
+8.0 ptssince 2000
from 45.9% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
93.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2000
from 92.5% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
22.9%
+7.8 ptssince 2000
from 15.1% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
19.6 min
+73%since 2000
from 11.3 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
73.9%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 75.0% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
4.8%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.3%
−3.2 ptssince 2011
from 6.5% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
51.0%
−4.9 ptssince 2011
from 55.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
42.0%
−21.8 ptssince 2009
from 63.8% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.4%
+1.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.3% in 2009
Female
50.6%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.7% in 2009
Foreign born
10.9%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 14.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.3%
−72.3 ptssince 2013
from 82.6% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Hilton Head Island

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Pop 39,585
Land O' Lakes
Pop 38,910
Merritt Island
Pop 34,992
Royal Palm Beach
Pop 42,477
Places similar to Hilton Head Island
Head to head

Compare Hilton Head Island to nearby cities

HILTON HEAD ISLAND VS
Bluffton
Income$111,281+29%
Home value$492,100+1%
Population36,807−4%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HILTON HEAD ISLAND VS
Port Royal
Income$74,870−13%
Home value$347,200−29%
Population16,648−56%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HILTON HEAD ISLAND VS
Beaufort
Income$61,220−29%
Home value$345,400−29%
Population15,775−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
HILTON HEAD ISLAND VS
Hardeeville
Income$78,365−9%
Home value$488,900same
Population16,459−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has about 37,661 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?

The typical household in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina earns about $86,171 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Hilton Head Island, South Carolina expensive?

In Hilton Head Island, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $488,000, and the typical rent is about $1,330 a month.

How educated are people in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?

About 53.9% of adults age 25 and over in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina?

About 6.9% of people in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Hilton Head Island, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Hilton Head Island, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 13,967 residents, a change of about 59 percent over that period.

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

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