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CITY

Kiawah Island

South Carolina · 2,014 residents (2025 est.) · 11.171 sq mi
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The short version

Kiawah Island is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $213,594. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 100% since 2000. 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $2,000,001. With a median age of 66.8, 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 66.8
US median: 38.9
More educated
87% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 40%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
2,326
+100%since 2000
from 1,163 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
208 / sq mi
+100%since 2000
from 104 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
66.8
+9%since 2000
from 61.2 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:2,014 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
5761K2K2K2K1990201020202024Kiawah Island
20242K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$213,594
+54%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $76,114 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$210,726
+341%since 2000
from $47,782 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
86.3%
+8.5 ptssince 2009
from 77.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
3.1%
−3.3 ptssince 2000
from 6.4% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.546
+4%since 2010
from 0.525 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade12%
US avg: 9.9%
Other services11.8%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration9.8%
US avg: 4.8%
Information4.2%
US avg: 10.8%
Finance & insurance3.3%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical2.5%
US avg: 5.1%
Arts, entertainment, food1.9%
US avg: 1.9%
Wholesale trade1.3%
US avg: 6.9%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Education & health services0.9%
US avg: 0.9%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$2,000,001
+40%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $785,900 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
98.9%
+2.3 ptssince 2000
from 96.6% in 2000
1.1% rent
Vacancy rate
68.7%
−9.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.9% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
25.7%
−2.7 ptssince 2009
from 28.4% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
−46.7 ptssince 2009
from 46.7% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
9.4
−9%since 2000
from 10.3 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
56
RELATED:See current rent listings in Kiawah Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic98%(1,140)
Black0.3%(4)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(2)
Asian0.2%(2)
Other0%
Diversity Score1.7%(20)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.2%(2,283)
Black0.3%(7)
Hispanic / Latino0.2%(5)
Asian1%(24)
Other0.3%(7)
Diversity Score4.6%(106)
Diversity Score
5
+163%since 2000
from 2 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
87.3%
+12.8 ptssince 2000
from 74.6% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
98.9%
+0.4 ptssince 2000
from 98.5% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
50.7%
+15.1 ptssince 2000
from 35.6% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
32.1 min
+57%since 2000
from 20.4 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
39.1%
−19.3 ptssince 2009
from 58.4% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.9%
−8.8 ptssince 2009
from 9.7% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
4.6%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.2% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
44.2%
+17.5 ptssince 2009
from 26.7% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
2.5%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.7%
−1.3 ptssince 2009
from 3.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
1.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2011
from 3.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
30.5%
−1.0 ptssince 2011
from 31.6% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
3.8%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 9.3% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
81.1%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 80.4% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.7%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 50.3% in 2009
Female
50.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 49.7% in 2009
Foreign born
3.7%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 2.7% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.7%
−42.1 ptssince 2009
from 50.8% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
5.4%
+0.6 ptssince 2012
from 4.8% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.5%
−97.0 ptssince 2013
from 98.5% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
97.3%
+4.4 ptssince 2017
from 92.9% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.7%
+2.0 ptssince 2016
from 96.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.6%
−0.5 ptssince 2016
from 1.0% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Head to head

Compare Kiawah Island to nearby cities

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Income$104,217−51%
Home value$508,600−75%
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SEE FULL COMPARISON →
KIAWAH ISLAND VS
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Income$92,414−57%
Home value$509,700−75%
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KIAWAH ISLAND VS
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Income$124,755−42%
Home value$748,500−63%
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KIAWAH ISLAND VS
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Income$62,956−71%
Home value$302,200−85%
Population129,245+6317%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Kiawah Island, South Carolina?

Kiawah Island, South Carolina has about 2,326 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Kiawah Island, South Carolina earns about $213,594 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Kiawah Island, South Carolina expensive?

In Kiawah Island, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $2,000,001.

How educated are people in Kiawah Island, South Carolina?

About 87.3% of adults age 25 and over in Kiawah Island, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 3.1% of people in Kiawah Island, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Kiawah Island, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Kiawah Island, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 1,591 residents, a change of about 216 percent over that period.

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

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