City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Port Royal, SC

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

15,047
Residents
$70,330
Median income
$298,000
Median home
$1,816
Median rent (state)

Port Royal - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Port Royal lands in the 50th percentile for household income and the 50th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
65th
percentile, home value
76th
percentile, median rent
50th
percentile, safety
📝 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: Port Royal, SC

Port Royal is a small town in South Carolina, home to 15,047 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $70,330 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.8%. Home values in Port Royal run a median of $298,000, and the median resident age is 25.8 years. About 37.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, while 41.1% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 7 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 99% from five years earlier. Port Royal reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 1352.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts South Carolina at 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,816 monthly. Monthly utility costs average around $224 across South Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. The average commute for Port Royal workers runs 12.3 minutes, with 66.4% driving alone and 9.2% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 97.1 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very High).

Population

15,047 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$70,330 /yr

Poverty 6.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Port Royal compare to other US cities?

Port Royal measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 65% pricier than other cities
Median rent 76% pricier than other cities
Safety 50% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at South Carolina, Port Royal ranks #19 of 127 South Carolina cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Port Royal's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in South Carolina, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

50thIncome percentile
50thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 50th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Port Royal's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Port Royal's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 43 Avg. percentile National median
Port Royal's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Port Royal's home value compares nationally

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

$298,000 35th percentile more affordable than 35% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $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. Port Royal $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 - Port Royal, SC Port Royal, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Port Royal, 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 Port Royal, SC median $70,330/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%
Port Royal, 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 Port Royal, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 37.3%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 41.1%

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

Population
15,047
Median Income
$70,330
Median Home Value
$298,000
Median Age
25.8
Poverty Rate
6.8%
Labor force participation
41.1%
Bachelor's Degree+
37.3%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1352.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
129.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1222.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
1
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
14,000 residents15,000 residents16,000 residents17,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 14,757 residents 16,648 residents ▲ +12.8%
Port Royal's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
7
housing units authorized
Single-Family
7
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 633
2020 157
2021 479
2022 387
2023 99
2024 7

Permit volume decreased 99% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
12.3 minutes
Drive Alone
66.4%
Carpool
15.0%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
8.2%
Work from Home
9.2%
Other
1.2%

Based on 8,888 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 Port Royal 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

Gantt
15,057 people
Lake Wylie
15,177 people
Dentsville
15,396 people
Moncks Corner
14,362 people
Seven Oaks
15,990 people
Ladson
16,261 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Port Royal's 15,047 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Los Osos, CA
15,048 people
Tonawanda, NY
15,044 people
Talladega, AL
15,041 people
Mastic, NY
15,031 people
Depew, NY
15,065 people
Roanoke Rapids, NC
15,024 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Port Royal's $70,330 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Woodland Beach, MI
$70,330 median income
Lake Mills, IA
$70,333 median income
Hide-A-Way Lake, MS
$70,333 median income
Tremont, PA
$70,333 median income
Weigelstown, PA
$70,333 median income
West Mifflin, PA
$70,335 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Port Royal, 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 Port Royal, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 62.7% 18.0% 11.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 17.3% White 62.7% Black or African American 18.0% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 5.3% Two or more races 11.9% 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 Port Royal 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
Port Royal (this city) 15,047 $70,330
Gantt 15,057 $47,265
Lake Wylie 15,177 $112,113
Dentsville 15,396 $44,029
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Port Royal, SC?

What is the population of Port Royal, SC? +

Port Royal, SC counts 15,047 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Port Royal, SC? +

The median household income in Port Royal is $70,330 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Port Royal? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Port Royal; 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.

Is Port Royal, SC safe? +

Port Royal has a total crime rate of 1352.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Port Royal, SC? +

Homes in Port Royal carry a median value of $298,000, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.