City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Hilton Head Island, SC

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Hilton Head Island - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

37,805
Residents
$96,715
Median income
$652,100
Median home
$1,816
Median rent (state)

Hilton Head Island - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Hilton Head Island places in the 76th percentile for household income. Source: Census ACS.

76th
percentile, household income
91st
percentile, home value
76th
percentile, median rent
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Hilton Head Island, SC

37,805 people live in Hilton Head Island, South Carolina - a small city by U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Hilton Head Island brings in $96,715 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 6.2%. Home values in Hilton Head Island run a median of $652,100, and the median resident age is 59.9 years. About 55.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 47.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 116 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Growing), up 10% from five years earlier.

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, South Carolina scores 93.7 (Below Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,816 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts South Carolina's average monthly utility costs around $224 (state average). On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 97.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

37,805 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$96,715 /yr

Poverty 6.2%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Hilton Head Island compare to other US cities?

Here's how Hilton Head Island stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 76% higher than other cities
Home value 91% pricier than other cities
Median rent 76% pricier than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Hilton Head Island against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to South Carolina only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

South Carolina-relative analysis

Median Gross Rent is Hilton Head Island's strongest outlier among South Carolina cities

Among the 441 South Carolina cities PlainCities tracks with reported median gross rent data, Hilton Head Island ranks #1 - the 97th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Hilton Head Island only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#36 of 403
91st percentile in South Carolina
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 441
97th percentile in South Carolina
Median Home Value
#11 of 404
97th percentile in South Carolina
Poverty Rate
#330 of 439
25th percentile in South Carolina
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#28 of 441
94th percentile in South Carolina

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within South Carolina only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

76thIncome percentile

76th percentile nationally for median household income. Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

How Hilton Head Island's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$652,100 9th percentile more affordable than 9% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). This entry sits in this band. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Hilton Head Island $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Hilton Head Island, SC Hilton Head Island, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Hilton Head Island, SC-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Hilton Head Island, SC median $96,715/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Hilton Head Island, SC's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Hilton Head Island, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 55.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.2%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 47.6%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
37,805
Median Income
$96,715
Median Home Value
$652,100
Median Age
59.9
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Labor force participation
47.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
55.3%

Schools

Total Schools
5
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
37,500 residents38,000 residents38,500 residents39,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 37,592 residents 38,196 residents ▲ +1.6%
Hilton Head Island's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

🏗️ Growing
Total Permits (2024)
116
housing units authorized
Single-Family
116
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
3.1
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 105
2020 188
2021 554
2022 193
2023 89
2024 116

Permit volume increased 10% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
69.6%
Carpool
8.7%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
1.4%
Work from Home
17.3%
Other
2.6%

Based on 15,787 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for South Carolina - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$52
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$224
estimated/month

Estimates reflect South Carolina state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a South Carolina state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Hilton Head Island sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,816/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
97.1 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Myrtle Beach
37,214 people
Spartanburg
38,578 people
Greer
39,191 people
Florence
40,205 people
Sumter
43,065 people
Aiken
32,334 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Hilton Head Island's 37,805 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Montclair, CA
37,809 people
Tupelo, MS
37,825 people
Winchester, NV
37,774 people
Longview, WA
37,836 people
Rome, GA
37,754 people
Central Islip, NY
37,751 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Hilton Head Island's $96,715 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

South Eliot, ME
$96,705 median income
Brucetown, VA
$96,726 median income
Heritage Creek, KY
$96,696 median income
Freemansburg, PA
$96,696 median income
Eldorado at Santa Fe, NM
$96,692 median income
Missouri City, TX
$96,746 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Hilton Head Island, SC Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Hilton Head Island, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 77.5% 6.3% 8.8% 6.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 15.1% White 77.5% Black or African American 6.3% Asian 0.9% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 8.8% Two or more races 6.6% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Hilton Head Island compares to nearby South Carolina cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Hilton Head Island (this city) 37,805 $96,715
Myrtle Beach 37,214 $53,679
Spartanburg 38,578 $51,193
Greer 39,191 $80,030
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Hilton Head Island, SC?

What is the population of Hilton Head Island, SC? +

Hilton Head Island, SC counts 37,805 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Hilton Head Island, SC? +

Median annual household income in Hilton Head Island runs $96,715, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Hilton Head Island? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Hilton Head Island; the closest available measure is the South Carolina state average, a cost of living index of 93.7 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within South Carolina vary by metro area.

What is the median home value in Hilton Head Island, SC? +

A typical home in Hilton Head Island is worth $652,100, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.