CensusEasy
CITY

Isle of Palms

South Carolina · 4,377 residents (2025 est.) · 4.436 sq mi
Time machine
COMPARE TO
Part of the Charleston metro area
Compare
The short version

Isle of Palms is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $156,979. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 72% 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 $1,581,300. With a median age of 54.6, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 1% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 54.6
US median: 38.9
More educated
72% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 106%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,362
−5%since 2000
from 4,583 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
983 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 1,033 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
54.6
+22%since 2000
from 44.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,377 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024Isle of Palms
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$156,979
+13%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,170 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$128,199
+190%since 2000
from $44,221 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
79.4%
+14.6 ptssince 2009
from 64.8% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
2.5%
−0.9 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.514
−2%since 2010
from 0.524 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Finance & insurance15%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical14.4%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services9.3%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade7.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration5.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade4.4%
US avg: 9.9%
Information4%
US avg: 10.8%
Transportation & warehousing3.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Arts, entertainment, food1.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services0.6%
US avg: 0.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$1,581,300
+106%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,893
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,169 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
93.5%
+12.7 ptssince 2000
from 80.7% in 2000
6.5% rent
Vacancy rate
55.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2009
from 53.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
26.3%
−9.7 ptssince 2009
from 36.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
15.0%
−7.4 ptssince 2009
from 22.4% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
10.1
+82%since 2000
from 5.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
69
RELATED:See current rent listings in Isle of Palms on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic97.3%(4,458)
Black0.3%(16)
Hispanic / Latino1.2%(55)
Asian0.5%(24)
Other0%
Diversity Score5.1%(236)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.9%(4,315)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0.3%(12)
Asian0%(1)
Other0.8%(34)
Diversity Score2.7%(116)
Diversity Score
3
−48%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
71.6%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 59.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.8%
+2.9 ptssince 2000
from 96.9% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
32.3%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 24.9% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
27.9 min
+67%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
58.4%
−17.9 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.0%
−4.0 ptssince 2009
from 8.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 1.6% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
35.2%
+26.7 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
1.1%
−1.7 ptssince 2009
from 2.8% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.6%
−3.7 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.3%
−12.7 ptssince 2011
from 14.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
50.7%
−8.2 ptssince 2011
from 58.9% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
10.6%
+2.2 ptssince 2009
from 8.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
64.0%
−17.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.5% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
49.9%
−3.1 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
5.3%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.6%
−33.6 ptssince 2009
from 44.2% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
9.2%
+2.8 ptssince 2012
from 6.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.1%
−91.7 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
91.9%
+1.4 ptssince 2017
from 90.5% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.8%
−0.3 ptssince 2016
from 96.1% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.7%
−2.0 ptssince 2016
from 2.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Isle of Palms

Indian River Shores
Pop 4,467
Highland Beach
Pop 4,328
Lake Clarke Shores
Pop 3,597
Oakland
Pop 3,774
Places similar to Isle of Palms
Head to head

Compare Isle of Palms to nearby cities

ISLE OF PALMS VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$124,755−21%
Home value$748,500−53%
Population95,469+2081%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLE OF PALMS VS
James Island
Income$104,217−34%
Home value$508,600−68%
Population12,660+189%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLE OF PALMS VS
Charleston
Income$92,414−41%
Home value$509,700−68%
Population159,423+3542%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLE OF PALMS VS
Hanahan
Income$87,984−44%
Home value$374,800−76%
Population22,415+412%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Isle of Palms, South Carolina?

Isle of Palms, South Carolina has about 4,362 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Isle of Palms, South Carolina?

The typical household in Isle of Palms, South Carolina earns about $156,979 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Isle of Palms, South Carolina expensive?

In Isle of Palms, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $1,581,300, and the typical rent is about $2,893 a month.

How educated are people in Isle of Palms, South Carolina?

About 71.6% of adults age 25 and over in Isle of Palms, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Isle of Palms, South Carolina?

About 2.5% of people in Isle of Palms, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Isle of Palms, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Isle of Palms, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 680 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

Keep going

Explore from here

Up the hierarchy
South Carolina
Rankings
Highest income citiesFastest growing citiesMost educated cities
Compare
Compare Isle of Palms with another place

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

How we source and harmonize this data →