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CITY

Pawleys Island

South Carolina · 133 residents (2025 est.) · 0.701 sq mi
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The short version

Pawleys Island is significantly wealthier than the US average, with a median household income of $122,500. Population has grown 23% since 2000. 88% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national rate of 36%. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $1,694,400. With a median age of 68.3, the population is older than the US median of 38.9. It ranks in the top 5% of US cities for household income.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 68.3
US median: 38.9
More educated
88% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 57%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
170
+23%since 2000
from 138 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
243 / sq mi
+23%since 2000
from 197 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
68.3
+24%since 2000
from 55.3 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:133 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
56891221541871990201020202024Pawleys Island
2024170
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$122,500
+29%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $51,964 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$116,778
+142%since 2000
from $48,183 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
66.7%
+0.7 ptssince 2009
from 66.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
21.8%
+20.2 ptssince 2000
from 1.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.600
+13%since 2010
from 0.533 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information29.4%
US avg: 10.8%
Retail trade9.8%
US avg: 9.9%
Wholesale trade5.9%
US avg: 6.9%
Other services5.9%
US avg: 6.7%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.2%
Public administration2%
US avg: 4.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.4%
Finance & insurance0%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical0%
US avg: 5.1%
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
$1,694,400
+57%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $593,800 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Owner-occupied
97.9%
+22.6 ptssince 2000
from 75.3% in 2000
2.1% rent
Vacancy rate
83.5%
−8.3 ptssince 2009
from 91.7% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
36.2%
+11.2 ptssince 2009
from 25.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
13.8
+21%since 2000
from 11.4 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
49
RELATED:See current rent listings in Pawleys Island on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic92%(127)
Black7.2%(10)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other0%
Diversity Score16.9%(23)
2024
White, non-Hispanic98.8%(168)
Black0%(0)
Hispanic / Latino0%(0)
Asian0%(0)
Other1.2%(2)
Diversity Score2.9%(5)
Diversity Score
3
−83%since 2000
from 17 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
88.0%
+33.3 ptssince 2000
from 54.7% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
99.4%
+4.1 ptssince 2000
from 95.3% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
48.5%
+24.3 ptssince 2000
from 24.2% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
12.3 min
−17%since 2000
from 14.8 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
69.4%
+1.2 ptssince 2009
from 68.2% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
0.0%
−6.8 ptssince 2009
from 6.8% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
2.0%
+2.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
28.6%
+17.2 ptssince 2009
from 11.4% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
1.0%
+1.0 ptssince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2011
from 0.0% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
30.5%
−8.7 ptssince 2011
from 39.3% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
9.8%
−19.7 ptssince 2009
from 29.5% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
49.0%
−19.2 ptssince 2009
from 68.2% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
45.3%
−4.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Female
54.7%
+4.7 ptssince 2009
from 50.0% in 2009
Foreign born
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
12.0%
−37.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
6.5%
−8.9 ptssince 2012
from 15.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
1.2%
−98.8 ptssince 2013
from 100.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
99.0%
+5.4 ptssince 2017
from 93.6% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
100.0%
+4.5 ptssince 2016
from 95.5% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.0%
−4.5 ptssince 2016
from 4.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
Drill deeper

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Compare Pawleys Island to nearby cities

PAWLEYS ISLAND VS
Litchfield Beach
Income$76,351−38%
Home value$459,000−73%
Population9,044+6700%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PAWLEYS ISLAND VS
Murrells Inlet
Income$77,438−37%
Home value$366,000−78%
Population10,044+7452%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PAWLEYS ISLAND VS
Georgetown
Income$56,981−53%
Home value$168,100−90%
Population8,869+6568%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
PAWLEYS ISLAND VS
Garden City
Income$47,249−61%
Home value$217,400−87%
Population11,591+8615%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?

Pawleys Island, South Carolina has about 170 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Pawleys Island, South Carolina earns about $122,500 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Pawleys Island, South Carolina expensive?

In Pawleys Island, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $1,694,400.

How educated are people in Pawleys Island, South Carolina?

About 88.0% of adults age 25 and over in Pawleys Island, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

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

About 21.8% of people in Pawleys Island, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Pawleys Island, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Pawleys Island, South Carolina has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 6 residents, a change of about -3 percent over that period.

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

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