Kiawah Island is a city of 2,326 people in South Carolina. At a median age of 66.8, this is an older place than the country as a whole. That is roughly 208% ahead of the South Carolina median. 87% of adults hold a bachelor's degree, against 36% nationally. Home values have more than doubled since 2000, reaching $2,000,000+. Median household income runs $213,594, well clear of the $82,259 US median.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $213,594, 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%
Top-priced homes
median home value $2,000,000+, the Census reporting cap
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Kiawah Island
What changed most since 1990
Population735 → 2,326(+216%)US over the same years: +35%
Homes owned by their occupants76.3% → 98.9%(+22.6 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
Adults with a bachelor's degree55.4% → 87.3%(+31.9 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)14.9%(30)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)15.9%(32)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era49.3%(99)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.5%(9)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 201 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Kiawah Island, decade by decade
Kiawah Island population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
735
$161,141
$700,580
55.4%
0.7
2000
1,163
$138,653
$1,431,639
74.6%
4.9
2010
1,626
$249,788
$1,438,572+
78.3%
9.0
2020
2,013
$245,905
$1,775,637
86.0%
11.8
2024
2,326
$213,594
$2,000,000+
87.3%
4.6
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
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 $2,000,000 or more.
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.
