Population 5,695 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Isle Of Palms
Household size in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.27 | 2.61 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.26 | 2.62 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.44 | 2.63 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.28 | 2.51 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.01 | −0.10 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in Isle Of Palms are small: just 2.28 people on average, compared with 2.65 nationally. That is typical of places where many people live alone or as couples, and fewer have children at home. Households are largest in the northwest and smallest in the east.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.1 | 36.2 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.7 | 37.1 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 53.0 | 38.5 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 51.4 | 39.2 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.3 | +3.0 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 51.4, Isle Of Palms is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 50.1 in 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 11 are older.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.2% | 12.9% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 4.5% | 12.3% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.2% | 10.5% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 3.0% | 10.1% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.2 pts | −2.8 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 3.0% of households in Isle Of Palms, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 4.2 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other South Carolina city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Isle Of Palms
Renters in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 20.3% | 33.8% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.7% | 35.4% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 14.6% | 33.8% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 7.1% | 30.9% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −13.3 pts | −2.8 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Isle Of Palms is overwhelmingly a place of homeowners: only 7.1% of households rent, far below the national share of 34.8%. Owner-heavy areas like this tend to see less turnover. The renter share has fallen 13.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only one other South Carolina city with 5,000+ people has a lower share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.5% | 13.5% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 41.9% | 11.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 42.9% | 10.7% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 37.1% | 9.9% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −3.6 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 37.1% of the housing in Isle Of Palms, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy has fallen 2.5 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1983 | 1986 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1983 | 1987 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1987 | 1989 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1992 | 1995 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +8 | +9 | +7 | +6 |
Isle Of Palms has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1992, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1983 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,181 | $1,002 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,507 | $1,088 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $2,113 | $1,260 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,823 | $1,767 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$1,642 | +$765 | +$514 | +$606 |
A typical rental in Isle Of Palms costs $2,823 a month with utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $1,642 a month since 2006–10, up 139%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 24.0% of the typical renter's income, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. No other South Carolina city with 5,000+ people has higher rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Isle Of Palms
Bachelor's degrees in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 57.8% | 30.2% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 64.3% | 32.6% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 67.8% | 35.9% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 69.2% | 41.2% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +11.5 pts | +11.0 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College graduates are unusually common in Isle Of Palms: 69.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's degree or higher, against 35.6% nationally. Education tends to track local incomes and the kinds of jobs nearby. The share with a degree has risen 11.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Isle Of Palms has the highest share of college graduates of any South Carolina city with 5,000+ people.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 96.2% | 87.9% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 97.0% | 89.1% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 98.6% | 90.9% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 99.9% | 92.8% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +3.6 pts | +4.8 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Isle Of Palms: 99.9% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 3.6 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Isle Of Palms has the highest share of high school graduates of any South Carolina city with 5,000+ people.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Isle Of Palms
| Period | Isle Of Palms | Charleston area | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.9% | 7.8% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.7% | 9.5% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 2.9% | 4.3% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.2% | 3.6% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −10.6 pts | −4.2 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Isle Of Palms has been low: just 1.2% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only four have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 10.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Isle Of Palms compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Isle Of Palms | 2.28 | 51.4 | 3.0% | 7.1% | 37.1% | 1992 | $2,823 | 69.2% | 99.9% | 1.2% |
| Sullivans Island | 2.54 | 52.8 | 6.4% | 14.0% | 21.0% | 1981 | $2,390 | 81.6% | 99.8% | 1.5% |
| Mount Pleasant | 2.45 | 42.8 | 5.5% | 26.9% | 10.2% | 1999 | $2,439 | 67.5% | 97.3% | 3.2% |
| Awendaw | 2.72 | 45.9 | 3.7% | 6.8% | 9.2% | 2005 | $2,602 | 54.1% | 95.7% | 7.3% |
| Wando | 2.54 | 41.1 | 7.5% | 11.3% | 9.7% | 2003 | $2,134 | 45.1% | 90.5% | 3.7% |
| Charleston area | 2.51 | 39.2 | 10.1% | 30.9% | 9.9% | 1995 | $1,767 | 41.2% | 92.8% | 3.6% |
| Hanahan | 2.68 | 37.6 | 11.4% | 32.7% | 8.7% | 1984 | $1,572 | 38.7% | 92.9% | 2.8% |
| North Charleston | 2.39 | 36.6 | 13.5% | 50.0% | 10.1% | 1987 | $1,458 | 25.9% | 86.8% | 4.3% |
| Charleston Afb | 2.40 | 27.1 | 13.5% | 84.4% | 17.0% | 1999 | $1,902 | 38.8% | 88.0% | 0.7% |
| Johns Island | 2.44 | 41.7 | 6.5% | 15.4% | 11.8% | 2009 | $1,581 | 54.9% | 94.4% | 1.9% |
| Fenwick Hills | 3.00 | 38.0 | 13.8% | 15.7% | 11.3% | 2008 | $1,914 | 42.3% | 92.8% | 1.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Caruthersville, MO · Black Hawk, SD · Buffalo, MO · Buena Vista, MI · Blauvelt, NY · Buena Vista, CO · Buellton, CA · Bloomingburg, NY · Carlisle, OH · Bloomingdale, GA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Isle Of Palms. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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