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CITY

James Island

South Carolina · 12,660 residents (2025 est.) · 4.744 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#171Lowest unemploymentof 6,8261.2%
The short version

James Island is wealthier than most US places, with a median household income of $104,217. Population has held roughly steady since 2023. 49% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. Median home value is $508,600. Poverty is rare here, at 5.6% of residents. 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 41.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
49% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
12,198
+4%since 2023
from 11,738 in 2023
2013 – 2025
Population density
2,571 / sq mi
+4%since 2023
from 2,474 / sq mi in 2023
US average: 281
Median age
41.7
+1%since 2023
from 41.3 in 2023
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:12,660 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 2013 – 2024
11K11K12K12K12K201320202024James Island
202412K
201320202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$104,217
+1%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $100,176 in 2023
US average: $82,259
2013 – 2024
Per capita income
$52,756
+17%since 2023
from $44,971 in 2023
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
70.0%
+2.7 ptssince 2023
from 67.3% in 2023
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
5.6%
+0.2 ptssince 2023
from 5.4% in 2023
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.420
+12%since 2023
from 0.374 in 2023
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information9.7%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services7.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Wholesale trade6.8%
US avg: 6.9%
Public administration5%
US avg: 4.8%
Retail trade4.6%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance2.2%
US avg: 5.9%
Arts, entertainment, food1.6%
US avg: 1.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing1.2%
US avg: 2.2%
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
$508,600
+9%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $454,200 in 2023
US average: $376,019
2013 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,695
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2023
from $1,443 in 2023
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
87.5%
+1.6 ptssince 2023
from 85.9% in 2023
12.5% rent
Vacancy rate
6.1%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 6.1% in 2023
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
17.8%
−2.2 ptssince 2023
from 19.9% in 2023
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
38.8%
+6.0 ptssince 2023
from 32.9% in 2023
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.9
+8%since 2023
from 4.5 in 2023
2013 – 2024
Gentrification Score
83
RELATED:See current rent listings in James Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2023
White, non-Hispanic82.6%(9,690)
Black12.1%(1,426)
Hispanic / Latino2.4%(279)
Asian0.3%(34)
Other2.6%(309)
Diversity Score37.8%(4,438)
2024
White, non-Hispanic81.3%(9,921)
Black12.7%(1,544)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(258)
Asian0.6%(79)
Other3.2%(396)
Diversity Score40.1%(4,893)
Diversity Score
40
+6%since 2023
from 38 in 2023
2013 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
49.5%
+1.5 ptssince 2023
from 48.0% in 2023
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
95.6%
+1.7 ptssince 2023
from 93.9% in 2023
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
16.5%
+0.6 ptssince 2023
from 15.9% in 2023
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
22.5 min
Unchangedsince 2023
from 22.6 min in 2023
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
73.1%
−0.2 ptssince 2023
from 73.3% in 2023
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
4.6%
−2.6 ptssince 2023
from 7.2% in 2023
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.2%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 0.3% in 2023
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
18.2%
+3.1 ptssince 2023
from 15.1% in 2023
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.7%
+0.2 ptssince 2023
from 1.5% in 2023
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.3%
+0.1 ptssince 2023
from 0.2% in 2023
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
6.0%
−0.3 ptssince 2023
from 6.3% in 2023
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.2%
−0.2 ptssince 2023
from 1.4% in 2023
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
66.4%
+0.3 ptssince 2023
from 66.1% in 2023
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.1%
−0.7 ptssince 2023
from 12.8% in 2023
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
53.1%
+1.3 ptssince 2023
from 51.8% in 2023
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2023
from 49.8% in 2023
Female
51.0%
+0.7 ptssince 2023
from 50.2% in 2023
Foreign born
2.9%
+0.8 ptssince 2023
from 2.2% in 2023
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.5%
+0.1 ptssince 2023
from 10.4% in 2023
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
13.1%
Unchangedsince 2023
from 13.1% in 2023
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
3.1%
−1.3 ptssince 2023
from 4.4% in 2023
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
88.7%
−0.1 ptssince 2023
from 88.8% in 2023
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
96.5%
+0.4 ptssince 2023
from 96.1% in 2023
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.8%
−0.7 ptssince 2023
from 1.5% in 2023
US average: 13.6%
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Compare James Island to nearby cities

JAMES ISLAND VS
Mount Pleasant
Income$124,755+20%
Home value$748,500+47%
Population95,469+654%
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JAMES ISLAND VS
Charleston
Income$92,414−11%
Home value$509,700same
Population159,423+1159%
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JAMES ISLAND VS
Hanahan
Income$87,984−16%
Home value$374,800−26%
Population22,415+77%
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JAMES ISLAND VS
North Charleston
Income$62,956−40%
Home value$302,200−41%
Population129,245+921%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in James Island, South Carolina?

James Island, South Carolina has about 12,198 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in James Island, South Carolina earns about $104,217 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is James Island, South Carolina expensive?

In James Island, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $508,600, and the typical rent is about $1,695 a month.

How educated are people in James Island, South Carolina?

About 49.5% of adults age 25 and over in James Island, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in James Island, South Carolina?

About 5.6% of people in James Island, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

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

How we source and harmonize this data →