Folly Beach, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Folly Beach is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 958. Residents earn $97,813 per year, which is 30% above the national average.

3.0 /5.0
B Good
958 Population 77/sq mi density
$97,813 Median Income $78,174 per capita
$951,200 Home Value $1,021,686 Zillow
$1,930 Median Rent
67°F Avg Temperature
440 Violent Crime/100K 3,187 property/100K
B
Overall
3.0 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
A+
Economy
4.7 / 5.0
$97,813 median income, 1.8% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.2 / 5.0
$951,200 home value, $1,930/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
440 violent crimes/100K (16% above avg)
A+
Education
5.0 / 5.0
60.5% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $97,813
30% higher than US avg
Home Value $951,200
237% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 440/100K
16% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 60.5%
80% higher than US avg
Median Rent $1,930
66% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 25.8%
20% lower than US avg
Unemployment 1.8%
50% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 10.1%
19% lower than US avg

How Folly Beach Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population958
Median Age62.7 yrs
Density77/mi²
Male / Female54% / 46%
Largest GroupWhite 95%

Economy

A+
Median Income$97,813
Per Capita$78,174
Unemployment1.8%
Poverty10.1%
County GDP$50,462M
Commute29 min

Housing

F
Home Value$951,200
Rent$1,930
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$1,021,686

Crime

F
Violent440/100K
Property3,187/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault293/100K
Burglary586/100K

Health

Obesity25.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.9%
Heart Disease4.2%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain44.3 in/yr
Elevation2 ft

Education

A+
Bachelor's+60.5%
High School+96.4%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 46% / D 52%
Commute29 min
Libraries18

Is Folly Beach a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Folly Beach receives an overall livability score of 3.0 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Folly Beach offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Folly Beach is $97,813, 30% above the national average of $75,149. Residents generally enjoy above-average earning potential. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 1.8%. 10.1% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Folly Beach is $951,200, making it a premium housing market at 237% above the U.S. median of $281,900. Renters pay a median of $1,930 per month, significantly above the national average of $1,163. With a home price-to-income ratio of 9.7x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

The violent crime rate of 440 per 100,000 is above the national average of 380 — something for prospective residents to consider. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,187 per 100,000, 63% above the national average.

Education

Folly Beach is a highly educated community — 60.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 96.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Folly Beach enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 44.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Folly Beach has a population of 958 with a density of 77 people per square mile. The median age is 62.7 years, 61% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (94.8%).

Population

958
Total Population
77
People / sq mi
62.7yrs
Median Age
61% above US avg
12.5mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 54%
Female 46%

Race & Ethnicity

Folly Beach vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only100.0%
27% above US avg
Spanish0.0%
100% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Folly Beach vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Folly Beach is $97,813, which is 30% above the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 1.8% (below the 3.6% US average). 10.1% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 29 minutes.

Income: Folly Beach vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$97,813
30% above US avg
Per Capita Income$78,174
Avg Weekly Wage$1,313
IRS Avg AGI$126,097

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment1.8%
50% below US avg
Poverty Rate10.1%
19% below US avg
Establishments (County)22,449
County GDP$50,462M

Business (County)

Restaurants1,560
Healthcare1,541
Retail2,099
Manufacturing332

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$5,037
44% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate0.53%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time28.5 min
Work from Home34.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Folly Beach is $951,200, 237% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,930 (66% above US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $1,021,686.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$951,200
237% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$1,021,686
Median List Price$1,462,500

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$1,462,500
$/Sq Ft$545
Homes Sold6
Sale-to-List Ratio93.7%
Price Drops15.0%
Inventory60

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,930
66% above US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$928
1 Bedroom$982
2 Bedrooms$1,155
3 Bedrooms$1,450
4 Bedrooms$1,699

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied91.5%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$5,037
44% above US avg
Effective Rate0.53%
In Folly Beach, 25.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 22.9% report depression. 14.9% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Folly Beach vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity25.8%
20% below US avg
Diabetes7.5%
Heart Disease4.2%
High Blood Pressure25.1%
Asthma8.3%
COPD4.2%
Stroke2.2%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking26.2%
Physical Inactivity14.9%
Depression22.9%
Mental Distress14.1%
Physical Distress9.4%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate97.9%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death8,317/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.4/10
Exercise Access87.9%
Healthcare Facilities1,541
Folly Beach has a violent crime rate of 440 per 100,000 residents, 16% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,187 per 100,000 (63% above US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Folly Beach vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent439.6/100K
16% above US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape109.9/100K
Robbery36.6/100K
Assault293.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,186.8/100K
63% above US avg
Burglary586.1/100K
Theft2,307.7/100K
Vehicle Theft293.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)57

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Folly Beach has an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 51°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation is 44.3 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

51°F Jan (10°C) 82°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average67.2°F
24% above US avg
January Average51°F (10°C)
July Average82°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall44.3 inches
16% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation2 ft (1 m)
Area12.5 sq mi (32.4 km²)
Population Density77/sq mi
Coordinates32.6693°N, 79.9606°W
County FIPS45019
It is classified as Metro — 250K–1M. 60.5% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (80% above US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 5.7-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 46.3%
D 51.9%

Winner: Democrat by 5.7 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+60.5%
80% above US avg
High School+96.4%
School Test Score4.51
A+ Education Grade (5.0/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 2Metro — 250K–1M
Population Density77/sq mi
Total Area12.5 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries18
Healthcare Facilities1,541
Restaurants1,560
Retail Stores2,099

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)57
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute28.5 min
Work from Home34.8%

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