Town · South Carolina
Bluffton, South Carolina
Bluffton, town, in Beaufort County, South Carolina. Bluffton had 36,807 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 33.0% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 27,716 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 33,157 (±35). GEOID 4507210.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
36,807
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 27,716 · ACS 2020-2024: 33,157 ±35
Median household income
$111,281
±$6,844 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$492,100
±$27,672 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$2,256
±$121 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
Where is Bluffton and what county is it in?
Bluffton is a town in Beaufort County, South Carolina. It covers 52.1 square miles of land, 532 residents per square mile in 2020.
Bluffton is in the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal, SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 2 counties (Census Bureau delineation, July 2023).
Source: 2024 Gazetteer and 2020 place-by-county files, U.S. Census Bureau · Census reference files
How many people live in Bluffton, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 36,807 people lived in Bluffton on July 1, 2025, up 33.0% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020 Census counted 27,716 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 33,157 (±35).
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 33,157 ±35 | 195,289 | +12,358 |
| Households | 12,987 ±517 | 82,333 | +5,427 |
| Average household size | 2.54 ±0.10 | 2.28 | −0.20 |
| Housing units | 13,882 ±523 | 103,177 | +5,382 |
Bluffton's population since 2000
From 1,275 in 2000 to 36,807 in 2025: up 2,786.8%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Bluffton as it was drawn that year: a place that annexed land, or a community that has since incorporated, covered a different area then. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); Census PEP Vintage 2025 (SUB-EST2025, CO-EST2025); 2020 Census P.L. 94-171 · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Bluffton?
The median resident of Bluffton is 42.7 years old; 22.7% are under 18 and 24.6% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 74.8%, then Hispanic or Latino residents (of any race) at 10.5%. 5.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 ±2.1 | 48.1 | +5.2 |
| Under 18 years | 22.7% ±2.4 pts | 17.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 24.6% ±3.0 pts | 28.4% | – |
| Male | 49.4% ±1.8 pts | 49.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 10.5% ±3.1 pts | 12.4% | −6.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 74.8% ±4.0 pts | 67.3% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 9.0% ±2.9 pts | 15.5% | no clear change |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.4% ±0.9 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.3% ±1.3 pts | 3.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±0.7 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 5.7% ±1.9 pts | 7.7% | −5.5 pts |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 10.2% ±2.5 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 11.8% ±2.2 pts | 11.0% | – |
| With a disability | 8.9% ±1.7 pts | 13.4% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.3% ±1.8 pts | 8.5% | −3.8 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 96.8% ±1.4 pts | 94.7% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 51.9% ±3.5 pts | 46.0% | +6.1 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 21.3% ±3.5 pts | 19.2% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 83.6% ±3.2 pts | 85.9% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 9.9% ±2.6 pts | 7.4% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Bluffton earn?
Half of Bluffton's 12,987 households earn less than $111,281 a year (±$6,844), against $86,573 in Beaufort County and $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $101,509 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 4.3% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $111,281 ±$6,844 | $86,573 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $160,804 ±$21,074 | $126,267 | – |
| Per capita income | $63,413 ±$8,012 | $53,951 | +$15,689 |
| People below the poverty line | 4.3% ±1.7 pts | 9.6% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 4.7% ±3.6 pts | 15.9% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 1.2% ±0.8 pts | 5.2% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.2% ±1.2 pts | 97.2% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 96.7% ±1.5 pts | 94.0% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Bluffton?
Owners occupy 83.4% of Bluffton's occupied homes and renters 16.6%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $492,100 by its owner (±$27,672). The median renter pays $2,256 a month including utilities, and 41.6% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $492,100 ±$27,672 | $455,600 | +$134,214 |
| Median gross rent | $2,256 ±$121 | $1,653 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 41.6% ±11.9 pts | 45.0% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $2,157 ±$125 | $2,030 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.4% ±2.8 pts | 75.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 16.6% ±2.8 pts | 24.1% | – |
| Housing units | 13,882 ±523 | 103,177 | +5,382 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.0% ±0.4 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 0.0% ±2.1 pts | 19.4% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 79.1% ±3.3 pts | 64.4% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 12.5% ±2.1 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 48.4% ±4.6 pts | 16.5% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.9% ±1.0 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.5% ±0.9 pts | 4.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Bluffton building?
Builders took permits for 506 new housing units in Bluffton in 2025 (506 in single-family houses; the permit office reported 7 of 12 months), 13.7 per 1,000 residents against 8.2 across South Carolina.
Counts of units in permits a local office issued; not every permitted unit is built. A year marked with months was reported for part of the year.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual place files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Bluffton work and get to work?
74.5% of Bluffton's workers drive alone and 15.5% work from home. The average trip to work takes 28.3 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 2.2%.
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 60.6% ±3.5 pts | 56.4% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 2.2% ±1.1 pts | 2.6% | no clear change |
| Drove alone to work | 74.5% ±4.2 pts | 71.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.7% ±3.1 pts | 10.2% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.0% ±0.3 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 0.0% ±0.1 pts | 2.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 15.5% ±3.7 pts | 13.2% | +7.0 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 28.3 min ±2.4 | 23.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What census tracts are in Bluffton?
5 census tracts lie mostly in Bluffton, and 3 more reach into it (2020 census blocks). Their median household incomes run from $78,341 (Tract 21.07) to $115,526 (Tract 21.06).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 21.03Beaufort County | 11,683 | $109,773 |
| Tract 21.07Beaufort County | 10,432 | $78,341 |
| Tract 21.02Beaufort County | 9,203 | $113,723 |
| Tract 21.06Beaufort County | 11,005 | $115,526 |
| Tract 21.05Beaufort County | 5,285 | $82,908 |
| Tract 22.01Beaufort County | 7,009 | $106,324 |
| Tract 21.08Beaufort County | 4,558 | $98,264 |
| Tract 22.02Beaufort County | 4,684 | $130,152 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 block assignment files (tract share = share of the tract's census blocks in Bluffton) · Census block assignment files
How does Bluffton compare with other places in South Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Bluffton is the 1,130th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 16th-most populous of 271 in South Carolina.
Bluffton ranks 16th of 248 places in South Carolina with 1,000 or more residents and a reliable estimate, by median household income.
| Measure | Rank | Of |
|---|---|---|
| Population, July 2025 estimate | 16th | 271 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 8th | 149 |
| Residents per square mile | 209th | 261 |
| Median household income | 16th | 248 |
| Per capita income | 13th | 259 |
| Median home value | 15th | 248 |
| Median gross rent | 3rd | 235 |
| Poverty rate | 211th | 214 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 22nd | 226 |
| Median age | 69th | 261 |
| Owner-occupied share | 43rd | 258 |
| Work from home | 29th | 119 |
| Travel time to work | 59th | 261 |
Bluffton's figures with every place in South Carolina (CSV)
Every place in South Carolina, sortable · Compare Bluffton with other places
Source: PlainCities ranks computed from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How reliable are the figures for Bluffton?
11 of the 57 figures for Bluffton on this page carry a coefficient of variation over 40% and are marked with a ring: they come from a small sample, so read them as rough.
The American Community Survey samples about one household in eight over five years, so every figure is an estimate with a 90% margin of error (shown under each value). A ring marks an estimate whose coefficient of variation is over 40%. A change is called only when the gap between the two periods is larger than their combined 90% margin (the square root of the sum of the two squared margins), the Census Bureau's test. How to read a margin of error.
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026): margins of error as published · ACS technical documentation
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Bluffton are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' public schools in Bluffton.