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CITY

Laurel Bay

South Carolina · 5,882 residents · 4.164 sq mi
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Notable rankings
#71Fastest shrinkingof 6,642-13.7%#88Youngest by median ageof 6,82623.0
The short version

Laurel Bay has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $54,345. Population has declined 11% since 2000. 19% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $231,800. At a median age of 23.0, residents skew younger than the country as a whole.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Younger
median age 23.0
US median: 38.9
Less educated
19% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 83%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
5,882
−11%since 2000
from 6,625 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Population density
1,413 / sq mi
−11%since 2000
from 1,591 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
23.0
−1%since 2000
from 23.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9
Population, 1990 – 2024
5K5K6K6K7K1990201020202024Laurel Bay
20246K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$54,345
−27%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,777 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$22,523
+78%since 2000
from $12,686 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
29.1%
+15.8 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
17.5%
+12.9 ptssince 2000
from 4.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.412
+48%since 2010
from 0.279 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information14.6%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade7%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance5.6%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical5.6%
US avg: 5.1%
Wholesale trade4.1%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services4.1%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.8%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0.8%
US avg: 1.2%
Transportation & warehousing0.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0%
US avg: 1.9%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$231,800
+83%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $69,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,454
+15%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $693 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
22.5%
−12.6 ptssince 2000
from 35.1% in 2000
77.5% rent
Vacancy rate
7.4%
+1.6 ptssince 2009
from 5.8% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
24.7%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 22.2% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
59.8%
+12.5 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
4.3
+150%since 2000
from 1.7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
40
RELATED:See current rent listings in Laurel Bay on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic62.9%(4,165)
Black25.4%(1,680)
Hispanic / Latino7.9%(523)
Asian1.4%(96)
Other0%
Diversity Score63.8%(4,228)
2024
White, non-Hispanic45.2%(2,658)
Black38.4%(2,259)
Hispanic / Latino13.8%(814)
Asian0.3%(18)
Other2.3%(133)
Diversity Score78.6%(4,622)
Diversity Score
79
+23%since 2000
from 64 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
19.3%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 15.9% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
89.1%
−3.2 ptssince 2000
from 92.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
3.3%
+0.8 ptssince 2000
from 2.5% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.0 min
+124%since 2000
from 12.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
88.8%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 81.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
8.4%
−5.0 ptssince 2009
from 13.4% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
1.0%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 1.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
−1.9 ptssince 2009
from 1.9% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.4%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
4.6%
+4.6 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
4.5%
−7.6 ptssince 2011
from 12.1% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
67.2%
−10.6 ptssince 2011
from 77.8% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
2.1%
−9.8 ptssince 2009
from 11.9% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
21.5%
−48.2 ptssince 2009
from 69.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
49.6%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 47.3% in 2009
Female
50.4%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 52.7% in 2009
Foreign born
1.0%
−1.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.6% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
11.3%
−17.4 ptssince 2009
from 28.7% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
14.9%
+7.4 ptssince 2012
from 7.5% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.0%
−81.9 ptssince 2013
from 85.9% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
92.6%
+12.0 ptssince 2017
from 80.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
94.3%
−0.6 ptssince 2016
from 95.0% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
4.3%
+0.6 ptssince 2016
from 3.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Laurel Bay to nearby cities

LAUREL BAY VS
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Income$61,220+13%
Home value$345,400+49%
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LAUREL BAY VS
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LAUREL BAY VS
Hardeeville
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LAUREL BAY VS
Hilton Head Island
Income$94,657+74%
Home value$687,400+197%
Population38,196+549%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Laurel Bay, South Carolina?

Laurel Bay, South Carolina has about 5,882 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Laurel Bay, South Carolina?

The typical household in Laurel Bay, South Carolina earns about $54,345 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Laurel Bay, South Carolina expensive?

In Laurel Bay, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $231,800, and the typical rent is about $1,454 a month.

How educated are people in Laurel Bay, South Carolina?

About 19.3% of adults age 25 and over in Laurel Bay, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Laurel Bay, South Carolina?

About 17.5% of people in Laurel Bay, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Laurel Bay, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Laurel Bay, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 910 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

How we source and harmonize this data →