Population 8,806 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in St. Helena Island
Household size in St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.04 | 2.54 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.41 | 2.59 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.64 | 2.57 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.43 | 2.50 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.39 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Households in St. Helena Island run small, averaging 2.43 people against 2.65 nationally, which usually means more singles and couples and fewer children. Household size has climbed from 2.04 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the west.
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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 50.5 | 38.3 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 50.1 | 39.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 51.6 | 40.6 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 41.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | −3.0 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
St. Helena Island skews older: half of its residents are older than 47.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. The median age has dropped from 50.5 in 2006–10, even as the national median rose.
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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 17.4% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 17.0% | 13.0% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.0% | 11.8% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 19.7% | 11.7% | 11.6% |
| Change | +2.3 pts | −1.3 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are common in St. Helena Island: 19.7% of all households, against 11.6% nationally. The single-parent share has risen 2.3 points since 2006–10, even as the national share fell. Only 11 of the 172 South Carolina cities with 5,000+ people have a higher 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 St. Helena Island
Renters in St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.7% | 30.1% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 18.0% | 31.4% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 15.7% | 30.6% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 10.3% | 28.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −11.5 pts | −2.0 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 10.3% of households in St. Helena Island rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. About six in ten owners (60.0%) have paid off their mortgages, well above the national share of 39.8%. Since 2006–10, the renter share has fallen 11.5 points, even as the national share rose. Only four 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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.7% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 34.6% | 14.2% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.6% | 13.3% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 26.5% | 11.8% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | −2.5 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 26.5% of the housing in St. Helena Island, 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 risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1990 | 1984 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1991 | 1985 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1992 | 1987 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1996 | 1991 | 1980 |
| Change | +6 | +7 | +6 |
St. Helena Island has newer housing than the country as a whole: the median home was built in 1996, versus 1980 nationally. The median year built has moved up from 1990 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building.
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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $815 | $780 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $789 | $859 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,251 | $984 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,013 | $1,294 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$197 | +$514 | +$606 |
The median renter in St. Helena Island pays $1,013 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rents are up $197 a month from 2006–10, a 24% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 25.5% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally.
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 St. Helena Island
Bachelor's degrees in St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.7% | 25.2% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 31.2% | 26.5% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 29.9% | 28.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 34.3% | 32.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.6 pts | +7.4 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in St. Helena Island as nationally: 34.3% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 6.6 points, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the northwest and least in the center.
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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.8% | 84.0% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 88.4% | 85.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.0% | 87.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 93.0% | 90.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +6.2 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in St. Helena Island is above the national rate: 93.0% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. The share with a diploma has risen 8.2 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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 St. Helena Island
| Period | St. Helena Island | South Carolina | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.0% | 9.1% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 12.4% | 10.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 5.8% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.5% | 4.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −4.2 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in St. Helena Island has been low: just 2.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.5 points, in line with the national trend. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
St. Helena 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Helena Island | 2.43 | 47.4 | 19.7% | 10.3% | 26.5% | 1996 | $1,013 | 34.3% | 93.0% | 2.5% |
| Lands End | 2.14 | 60.1 | 27.0% | 7.8% | 48.4% | 1994 | $966 | 45.7% | 96.9% | 0.9% |
| Parris Island | 2.99 | 26.5 | 45.4% | 1.1% | 26.3% | 1996 | $1,053 | 27.8% | 94.4% | 1.9% |
| Ladys Island | 2.42 | 43.1 | 8.6% | 14.9% | 3.2% | 2001 | $1,761 | 46.0% | 94.8% | 0.5% |
| Port Royal | 3.44 | 30.3 | 8.0% | 52.5% | 7.2% | 2001 | $2,028 | 42.3% | 96.0% | 1.7% |
| Beaufort | 2.33 | 36.2 | 14.2% | 35.8% | 17.0% | 1988 | $1,399 | 33.4% | 94.1% | 3.1% |
| Burton | 2.49 | 37.1 | 10.9% | 45.6% | 8.3% | 1999 | $1,353 | 26.2% | 90.6% | 1.4% |
| Laurel Bay | 2.84 | 27.2 | 18.8% | 66.8% | 10.2% | 1986 | $1,421 | 23.9% | 91.9% | 1.5% |
| Edisto Beach | 1.74 | 65.0 | 5.8% | 12.6% | 70.9% | 1990 | $1,136 | 61.5% | 99.0% | 5.4% |
| Hilton Head Island | 2.10 | 58.2 | 6.9% | 20.8% | 24.1% | 1991 | $1,706 | 55.2% | 93.6% | 2.9% |
| Nevadun | 2.60 | 47.1 | 3.9% | 3.4% | 5.2% | 2003 | $1,322 | 31.9% | 97.6% | 3.1% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Berwick, ME · Wellsville, NY · Wellsville, OH · Browning, MT · Brookville, IN · Brooklet, GA · Brewerton, NY · Boqueron, PR · Booneville, AR · Bonsall, CA
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 St. Helena 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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