Laurel Bay, SC

South Carolina · Metropolitan Area

Laurel Bay is a small city in South Carolina with a population of 5,627. Residents earn $52,094 per year, which is 31% below the national average.

3.4 /5.0
B Good
5,627 Population 1,353/sq mi density
$52,094 Median Income $23,549 per capita
$221,300 Home Value
$1,375 Median Rent
67°F Avg Temperature
B
Overall
3.4 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$52,094 median income, 0.0% unemployment
A
Affordability
4.3 / 5.0
$221,300 home value, $1,375/mo rent
C+
Education
2.6 / 5.0
20.4% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $52,094
31% lower than US avg
Home Value $221,300
21% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 20.4%
39% lower than US avg
Median Rent $1,375
18% higher than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.4%
10% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.0%
100% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 17.5%
41% higher than US avg

How Laurel Bay Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population5,627
Median Age23.3 yrs
Density1,353/mi²
Male / Female48% / 52%
Largest GroupWhite 48%

Economy

B
Median Income$52,094
Per Capita$23,549
Unemployment0.0%
Poverty17.5%
County GDP$12,873M
Commute24 min

Housing

A
Home Value$221,300
Rent$1,375
OwnershipN/A

Crime

ViolentN/A
PropertyN/A

Health

Obesity35.4%
UninsuredN/A
Depression20.4%
Heart Disease6.0%

Climate

Avg Temp67°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain45.0 in/yr
Elevation36 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+20.4%
High School+88.2%
School Score4.51

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute24 min
Libraries7

Is Laurel Bay a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Laurel Bay receives an overall livability score of 3.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include an elevated poverty rate, below-average incomes. Laurel Bay offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Laurel Bay is $52,094, 31% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. The poverty rate of 17.5% exceeds the national average of 12.4%, indicating economic hardship for a significant portion of the population. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Laurel Bay is $221,300, 21% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $1,375 per month. A price-to-income ratio of 4.2x indicates a reasonably affordable housing market.

Education

20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 88.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.

Climate & Weather

Laurel Bay enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 67°F. Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Laurel Bay has a population of 5,627 with a density of 1,353 people per square mile. The median age is 23.3 years, 40% younger than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (47.6%), with 2.3% Hispanic, 38.2% Black.

Population

5,627
Total Population
1,353
People / sq mi
23.3yrs
Median Age
40% below US avg
4.2mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 47.9%
Female 52.1%

Race & Ethnicity

Laurel Bay vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only88.9%
13% above US avg
Spanish11.1%
17% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Laurel Bay vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Laurel Bay is $52,094, which is 31% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.0% (below the 3.6% US average). 17.5% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 24 minutes.

Income: Laurel Bay vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$52,094
31% below US avg
Per Capita Income$23,549
Avg Weekly Wage$1,053
IRS Avg AGI$116,088

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.0%
100% below US avg
Poverty Rate17.5%
41% above US avg
Establishments (County)7,748
County GDP$12,873M

Business (County)

Restaurants590
Healthcare573
Retail806
Manufacturing88

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,407
83% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate2.90%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time24.4 min
Work from Home1.4%

Walkability

The median home value in Laurel Bay is $221,300, 21% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $1,375 (18% above US avg).

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$221,300
21% below US avg

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

$/Sq Ft$270
Homes Sold2
Sale-to-List Ratio102.4%
Price Drops20.0%
Inventory5

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$1,375
18% 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-Occupied24.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,407
83% above US avg
Effective Rate2.90%
In Laurel Bay, 35.4% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 20.4% report depression. 24.8% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Laurel Bay vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.4%
10% above US avg
Diabetes12.8%
Heart Disease6.0%
High Blood Pressure35.0%
Asthma9.8%
COPD7.2%
Stroke3.9%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity24.8%
Depression20.4%
Mental Distress17.7%
Physical Distress14.0%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate94.8%
Checkup Rate78.5%
Premature Death7,369/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access85.0%
Healthcare Facilities573

Crime Rates: Laurel Bay vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Property Crime

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Safety Score

Laurel Bay has an average annual temperature of 67°F (20°C). Winters average 50°F in January while summers reach 83°F in July. Annual precipitation is 45.0 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

50°F Jan (10°C) 83°F Jul (28°C)
Annual Average67.2°F
24% above US avg
January Average50°F (10°C)
July Average83°F (28°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall45.0 inches
18% above US avg
Snowfall0.0 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation36 ft (11 m)
Area4.2 sq mi (10.8 km²)
Population Density1,353/sq mi
Coordinates32.4599°N, 80.7865°W
County FIPS45013
It is classified as Metro — under 250K. 20.4% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (39% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 14.5-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.6%
D 42.2%

Winner: Republican by 14.5 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+20.4%
39% below US avg
High School+88.2%
School Test Score4.51
C+ Education Grade (2.6/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 3Metro — under 250K
Population Density1,353/sq mi
Total Area4.2 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

Public Libraries7
Healthcare Facilities573
Restaurants590
Retail Stores806

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)22

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute24.4 min
Work from Home1.4%

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