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CITY · 2020 ACS

Isle of Palms

South Carolina · 4,347 residents · 4.436 sq mi
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The short version

Isle of Palms is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $128,523. Population has declined 5% since 2000. 74% 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 $815,300. With a median age of 56.2, the population is older than the US median of 38.8. Households here earn about 134% more than the South Carolina median.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 56.2
US median: 38.8
More educated
74% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 29%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,347
−5%since 2000
from 4,583 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
980 / sq mi
−5%since 2000
from 1,033 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
56.2
+25%since 2000
from 44.9 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K4K5K1990201020202024Isle of Palms
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$128,523
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,170 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$91,893
+108%since 2000
from $44,221 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
75.4%
+10.6 ptssince 2009
from 64.8% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
2.6%
−0.8 ptssince 2000
from 3.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Other services9.6%
US avg: 6.6%
Information9.3%
US avg: 11.1%
Finance & insurance8.8%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical8.4%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade5.7%
US avg: 10%
Public administration4.3%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.5%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1.8%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.5%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$815,300
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $420,900 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$2,083
+19%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $1,169 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
90.3%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 80.7% in 2000
9.7% rent
Afford Score
6.3
+15%since 2000
from 5.5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic94%(4,085)
Black0.3%(12)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(93)
Asian0.8%(35)
Other0.5%(22)
Diversity Score9.3%(403)
Diversity Score
9
+80%since 2000
from 5 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
73.5%
+13.9 ptssince 2000
from 59.7% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
99.6%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 96.9% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
37.2%
+12.3 ptssince 2000
from 24.9% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
26.4 min
+58%since 2000
from 16.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
74.1%
−2.1 ptssince 2009
from 76.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
0.2%
−5.1 ptssince 2009
from 5.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
2.4%
−11.5 ptssince 2011
from 14.0% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
48.2%
−10.7 ptssince 2011
from 58.9% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
61.4%
−20.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.5% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.3%
+0.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.0% in 2009
Female
52.7%
−0.3 ptssince 2009
from 53.0% in 2009
Foreign born
7.0%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 4.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
3.9%
−88.9 ptssince 2013
from 92.8% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Isle of Palms

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Pop 4,467
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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$124,755−3%
Home value$748,500−8%
Population95,469+2081%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLE OF PALMS VS
James Island
Income$104,217−19%
Home value$508,600−38%
Population12,660+189%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLE OF PALMS VS
Charleston
Income$92,414−28%
Home value$509,700−37%
Population159,423+3542%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
ISLE OF PALMS VS
Hanahan
Income$87,984−32%
Home value$374,800−54%
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 4,347 residents according to the 2020 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 $128,523 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 $815,300, and the typical rent is about $2,083 a month.

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

About 73.5% 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 2.6% 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 665 residents, a change of about 18 percent over that period.

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

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