City profile · South Carolina · Census ACS 2023

Sullivan's Island, SC

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

2,127
Residents
$179,614
Median income
$2,000,001
Median home
$1,787
Median rent (state)

Sullivan's Island - the verdict

Sullivan's Island ranks in the 97th percentile for household income and the 58th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

97th
percentile, household income
99th
percentile, home value
74th
percentile, median rent
58th
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: Sullivan's Island, SC

Sullivan's Island is a small town in South Carolina, home to 2,127 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. The typical household in Sullivan's Island brings in $179,614 a year, placing it in the top quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 2.5%. Home values in Sullivan's Island run a median of $2,000,001, and the median resident age is 52.9 years. 87.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 61.8% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 12 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Slowing), down 8% from five years earlier. Sullivan's Island reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1139.9 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in South Carolina run below the national norm: the state registers 93.7 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,787 per month. Monthly utility costs average around $224 across South Carolina, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 98.6 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Very High).

Population

2,127 residents

Census ACS 2023 - South Carolina

Median Household Income

$179,614 /yr

Poverty 2.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

93.7 (US=100)

Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, South Carolina average

How does Sullivan's Island compare to other US cities?

Where Sullivan's Island sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 97% higher than other cities
Home value 99% pricier than other cities
Median rent 74% pricier than other cities
Safety 58% 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, Sullivan's Island ranks #15 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 Sullivan's Island'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.

97thIncome percentile
58thSafety percentile

97th percentile nationally for median household income · 58th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sullivan's Island's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sullivan's Island'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 56 Avg. percentile National median
Sullivan's Island'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 Sullivan's Island's home value compares nationally

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

$2,000,001 1st percentile more affordable than 1% 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%). Below this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Below this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). This entry sits in this band. Sullivan's 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 - Sullivan's Island, SC Sullivan's Island, SC's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sullivan's 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 Sullivan's Island, SC median $179,614/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%
Sullivan's 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 Sullivan's Island, SC. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 87.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 2.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 61.8%

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

Population
2,127
Median Income
$179,614
Median Home Value
$2,000,001
Median Age
52.9
Poverty Rate
2.5%
Labor force participation
61.8%
Bachelor's Degree+
87.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1139.9
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
0.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1139.9
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 →
1,850 residents1,900 residents1,950 residents2,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 1,898 residents 1,961 residents ▲ +3.3%
Sullivan's Island's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

🏗️ Slowing
Total Permits (2024)
12
housing units authorized
Single-Family
12
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 13
2020 7
2021 17
2022 16
2023 19
2024 12

Permit volume decreased 8% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
81.1%
Carpool
1.4%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
2.4%
Work from Home
11.1%
Other
4.0%

Based on 1,131 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 Sullivan's Island sits in

Cost of Living Index
93.7
Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,787/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
98.6 / 100
Very High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in South Carolina

Seabrook Island
2,107 people
Timmonsville
2,153 people
Blacksburg
2,158 people
Pacolet
2,164 people
Elgin
2,176 people
Graniteville
2,176 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sullivan's Island's 2,127 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Southmont, PA
2,127 people
Putnamville, IN
2,126 people
Jackson, KY
2,128 people
Odem, TX
2,128 people
Columbus Junction, IA
2,129 people
Cherryvale, KS
2,125 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sullivan's Island's $179,614 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Pelham, NY
$179,561 median income
Matinecock, NY
$179,688 median income
Springdale, NJ
$179,531 median income
Summit Park, UT
$179,516 median income
Lincolnshire, IL
$179,735 median income
Millerton, CA
$179,779 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sullivan's 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 Sullivan's Island, SC - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 98.9% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.1% White 98.9% Black or African American 0.0% Asian 0.4% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 0.8% 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 Sullivan's 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
Sullivan's Island (this city) 2,127 $179,614
Seabrook Island 2,107 $124,519
Timmonsville 2,153 $32,736
Blacksburg 2,158 $33,500
Census ACS 5-year FIPS SC FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sullivan's Island, SC?

What is the population of Sullivan's Island, SC? +

Sullivan's Island, SC counts 2,127 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Sullivan's Island, SC? +

The median household income in Sullivan's Island is $179,614 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sullivan's Island? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Sullivan's 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.

Is Sullivan's Island, SC safe? +

Sullivan's Island has a total crime rate of 1139.9 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 Sullivan's Island, SC? +

The median home value in Sullivan's Island is $2,000,001, 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 Editorial

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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.