Town · South Carolina
Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Kiawah Island, town, in Charleston County, South Carolina. Kiawah Island had 2,014 residents on July 1, 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, down 0.1% since 2020; the 2020 Census counted 2,013 and the ACS 2020-2024 5-year estimates put it at 2,326 (±297). GEOID 4538162.
Residents, July 2025 estimate
2,014
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 2,013 · ACS 2020-2024: 2,326 ±297
Median household income
$213,594
±$44,182 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$2,000,000 or more
The survey's top or bottom value; no margin is published
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
not published
South Carolina: $1,180
Where is Kiawah Island and what county is it in?
Kiawah Island is a town in Charleston County, South Carolina. It covers 11.2 square miles of land, 180 residents per square mile in 2020.
Kiawah Island is in the Charleston-North Charleston, SC metropolitan statistical area, which takes in 3 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 Kiawah Island, and is it growing?
The Census Bureau estimates that 2,014 people lived in Kiawah Island on July 1, 2025, down 0.1% since 2020, while South Carolina grew 8.8%. The 2020 Census counted 2,013 residents. The 2020-2024 American Community Survey, a five-year sample, puts the population at 2,326 (±297).
| Measure | Kiawah Island | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 2,326 ±297 | 420,264 | +650 |
| Households | 1,211 ±150 | 178,975 | +342 |
| Average household size | 1.92 ±0.06 | 2.29 | no clear change |
| Housing units | 3,865 ±286 | 209,803 | no clear change |
Kiawah Island's population since 2000
From 1,163 in 2000 to 2,014 in 2025: up 73.2%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts, each for Kiawah Island 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 Kiawah Island?
The median resident of Kiawah Island is 66.8 years old. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 98.2%, then non-Hispanic Asian residents at 1.0%. 3.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Kiawah Island | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 66.8 ±2.0 | 39.2 | no clear change |
| Under 18 years | 0.6% ±1.1 pts | 19.5% | – |
| 65 years and over | 57.0% ±6.1 pts | 17.9% | – |
| Male | 49.7% ±2.0 pts | 48.5% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 7.2% | – |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 98.2% ±1.3 pts | 64.5% | no clear change |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.4 pts | 22.7% | – |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.0% ±1.1 pts | 1.8% | – |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.1% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 0.3% ±0.3 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.0% ±1.9 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.7% ±1.8 pts | 6.7% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 1.3% ±0.8 pts | 9.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.7% ±2.6 pts | 8.2% | – |
| With a disability | 5.4% ±1.8 pts | 11.2% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 1.5% ±1.1 pts | 8.3% | – |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 98.9% ±1.0 pts | 93.5% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 87.3% ±2.7 pts | 50.3% | +5.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 50.7% ±5.0 pts | 19.8% | – |
| Lived in the same house a year earlier | 85.9% ±6.5 pts | 84.5% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 13.6% ±6.5 pts | 4.5% | – |
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 Kiawah Island earn?
Half of Kiawah Island's 1,211 households earn less than $213,594 a year (±$44,182), against $88,494 in Charleston County and $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 it was $238,447 in 2024 dollars; the margins of error cannot tell the two periods apart. 3.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Kiawah Island | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $213,594 ±$44,182 | $88,494 | no clear change |
| Mean household income | $404,011 ±$58,697 | $131,674 | – |
| Per capita income | $210,726 ±$30,342 | $56,921 | no clear change |
| People below the poverty line | 3.1% ±1.8 pts | 11.3% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 0.0% ±90.1 pts | 15.6% | – |
| Households receiving SNAP | 0.0% ±3.6 pts | 6.4% | – |
| Households with a computer | 98.4% ±1.3 pts | 96.3% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 97.3% ±1.7 pts | 88.9% | – |
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 Kiawah Island?
Owners occupy 98.9% of Kiawah Island's occupied homes and renters 1.1%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $2,000,000 or more by its owner ().
| Measure | Kiawah Island | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $2,000,000 or more | $489,100 | no clear change |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 0.0% ±100.0 pts | 44.8% | – |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $4,000 or more | $2,167 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 98.9% ±1.1 pts | 63.9% | no clear change |
| Renter-occupied homes | 1.1% ±1.1 pts | 36.1% | – |
| Housing units | 3,865 ±286 | 209,803 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 5.3% ±4.3 pts | 1.1% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 84.6% ±12.8 pts | 11.7% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 69.4% ±5.1 pts | 58.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 0.5% ±0.6 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.2% ±0.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Built 2010 to 2019 | 9.6% ±2.1 pts | 18.0% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.2% ±0.3 pts | 4.9% | – |
| Households with no vehicle | 1.7% ±1.4 pts | 5.9% | – |
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 Kiawah Island building?
Builders took permits for 48 new housing units in Kiawah Island in 2025 (48 in single-family houses), 23.8 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 Kiawah Island work and get to work?
39.1% of Kiawah Island's workers drive alone and 44.2% work from home. The average trip to work takes 32.1 minutes.
| Measure | Kiawah Island | Charleston County | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 30.5% ±6.1 pts | 66.0% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 1.8% ±2.3 pts | 3.5% | – |
| Drove alone to work | 39.1% ±9.4 pts | 69.0% | – |
| Carpooled | 0.9% ±1.3 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 4.6% ±3.5 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Walked | 2.5% ±2.9 pts | 1.9% | – |
| Worked from home | 44.2% ±13.2 pts | 17.7% | no clear change |
| Mean travel time to work | 32.1 min ±5.7 | 25.1 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 Kiawah Island?
1 census tract lies mostly in Kiawah Island, and 2 more reach into it (2020 census blocks).
| Tract | Residents, 2020-2024 | Median household income |
|---|---|---|
| Tract 21.04Charleston County | 2,326 | $213,594 |
| Tract 21.05Charleston County | 2,308 | $132,188 |
| Tract 21.03Charleston County | 4,013 | $109,103 |
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 Kiawah Island) · Census block assignment files
How does Kiawah Island compare with other places in South Carolina?
By the Census Bureau's July 2025 estimates, Kiawah Island is the 7,658th-most populous of the 19,476 U.S. incorporated places that have one and the 114th-most populous of 271 in South Carolina.
Kiawah Island ranks 1st 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 | 114th | 271 |
| Growth 2020-2025 (PEP) | 112th | 149 |
| Residents per square mile | 251st | 261 |
| Median household income | 1st | 248 |
| Per capita income | 1st | 259 |
| Median home value | 1st | 248 |
| Poverty rate | 212th | 214 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 1st | 226 |
| Median age | 2nd | 261 |
| Owner-occupied share | 1st | 258 |
| Work from home | 2nd | 119 |
| Travel time to work | 22nd | 261 |
Kiawah Island's figures with every place in South Carolina (CSV)
Every place in South Carolina, sortable · Compare Kiawah Island 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 Kiawah Island?
21 of the 56 figures for Kiawah Island 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 Kiawah Island 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 Kiawah Island.