Population 15,957 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Pawleys Island
Household size in Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.20 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.24 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.19 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.00 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in Pawleys Island are small: just 2.19 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. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only 12 have smaller households.
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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 54.6 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 54.4 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 58.0 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 60.0 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +5.4 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 60.0, Pawleys Island is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 54.6, as it has nationally. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only three 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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 7.3% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.2% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.7 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.7% of households in Pawleys Island, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share has fallen 3.7 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only six of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have 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 Pawleys Island
Renters in Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 19.6% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 22.2% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 12.5% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 12.5% of households in Pawleys Island rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. Among homeowners, 43.2% have no mortgage at all, above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 7.2 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only 11 of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have 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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 35.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.1% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 26.9% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 29.8% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.8 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Pawleys Island: 29.8% of homes are empty, 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. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 5.8 points, a much bigger shift than 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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1994 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1995 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1995 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1999 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +4 | +7 | +6 |
Much of the housing in Pawleys Island is relatively new: half of its homes were built after 1999, compared with 1980 for the U.S. as a whole. The median year built has moved up from 1994 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Pawleys Island has newer homes than the great majority of South Carolina cities.
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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $988 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,063 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,200 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,654 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$665 | +$514 | +$606 |
Rent in Pawleys Island runs $1,654 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $665 a month since 2006–10, up 67%, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 31.5% of household income on rent, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Renters on a budget will find the lowest rents in the west; the highest are in the north.
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 Pawleys Island
Bachelor's degrees in Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 41.9% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 42.0% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 47.6% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 52.1% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.3 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
Pawleys Island is highly educated: just over half of adults 25 and older (52.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 10.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only nine of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have a higher share of college graduates.
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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.4% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.2% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.6% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.6% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.3 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Pawleys Island: 96.6% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma is up 1.3 points from 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. Of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people, only eight have a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Pawleys Island
| Period | Pawleys Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.4% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 5.0% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.8% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 1.3% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −7.1 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Pawleys Island has been strong: just 1.3% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only five of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have lower unemployment. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 7.1 points, mirroring the country.
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).
Pawleys Island 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pawleys Island | 2.19 | 60.0 | 4.7% | 12.5% | 29.8% | 1999 | $1,654 | 52.1% | 96.6% | 1.3% |
| Waverly Mills | 2.49 | 53.5 | 5.5% | 7.6% | 7.8% | 1997 | $1,244 | 57.0% | 97.4% | 2.3% |
| North Litchfield Beach | 2.11 | 66.6 | 1.4% | 4.7% | 32.3% | 2006 | $2,363 | 75.1% | 100.0% | 4.3% |
| Plantersville | 2.14 | 52.7 | 10.3% | 12.9% | 20.1% | 1989 | $568 | 10.5% | 86.0% | 11.4% |
| Kensington | 2.66 | 41.6 | 20.5% | 22.4% | 15.0% | 1987 | $1,298 | 24.7% | 96.7% | 1.1% |
| Murrells Inlet | 2.16 | 59.9 | 4.3% | 10.9% | 14.6% | 2005 | $1,569 | 36.3% | 96.9% | 3.3% |
| Georgetown | 2.57 | 44.9 | 13.7% | 18.6% | 19.1% | 1983 | $1,044 | 22.8% | 88.9% | 5.9% |
| Garden City | 1.92 | 61.1 | 3.7% | 13.5% | 34.9% | 1990 | $1,489 | 26.1% | 93.0% | 4.8% |
| Oatland | 3.37 | 47.3 | 4.6% | 3.3% | 26.2% | 1989 | $1,645 | 11.0% | 82.2% | 0.1% |
| Maryville | 2.41 | 60.8 | 3.5% | 26.5% | 26.6% | 1984 | $1,124 | 27.6% | 88.1% | 1.0% |
| Simmonsville | 2.43 | 60.2 | 6.6% | 28.1% | 28.4% | 1980 | $1,095 | 21.2% | 84.9% | 0.9% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ludington, MI · Port Townsend, WA · Plymouth Meeting, PA · Pittston, PA · Miami, OK · McPherson, KS · McFarland, CA · McCordsville, IN · Mastic, NY · Mastic Beach, NY
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 Pawleys Island. 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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