South Carolina
Pawleys Island is a small town in South Carolina with a population of 116. Residents earn $118,750 per year, which is 58% above the national average.
Based on current data, Pawleys Island receives an overall livability score of 3.7 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B+. Key strengths include above-average household incomes, low unemployment, a highly educated population, a low poverty rate. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs. Pawleys Island offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.
The median household income in Pawleys Island is $118,750, which is significantly higher than the national average — 58% above $75,149. This places Pawleys Island among higher-income communities. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.0%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 15 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.
The median home value in Pawleys Island is $1,538,500, making it a premium housing market at 446% above the U.S. median of $281,900. With a home price-to-income ratio of 13x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.
Pawleys Island is a highly educated community — 81.6% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, well above the national average of 33.7%. 99.1% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 4.5/10.
Pawleys Island enjoys a moderate climate with an average annual temperature of 65°F. Winters average 48°F in January while summers reach 82°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.4 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.
| English Only | 100.0% |
| 27% above US avg | |
| Spanish | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg |
| Median HH Income | $118,750 |
| 58% above US avg | |
| Per Capita Income | $139,302 |
| Avg Weekly Wage | $968 |
| IRS Avg AGI | $89,219 |
| Unemployment | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Poverty Rate | 0.0% |
| 100% below US avg | |
| Establishments (County) | 2,442 |
| County GDP | $4,016M |
| Restaurants | 185 |
| Healthcare | 297 |
| Retail | 318 |
| Manufacturing | 52 |
| Property Tax (IRS) | $4,279 |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Effective Tax Rate | 0.28% |
| Commute Time | 15.2 min |
| Work from Home | 25.6% |
| Census Median | $1,538,500 |
| 446% above US avg | |
| Zillow ZHVI | $533,203 |
| Median List Price | $3,399,999 |
| Median List Price | $3,399,999 |
| $/Sq Ft | $553 |
| Homes Sold | 1 |
| Sale-to-List Ratio | 100.0% |
| Price Drops | 16.7% |
| Inventory | 6 |
| Zillow Rent (ZORI) | $2,225 |
| Studio | $928 |
| 1 Bedroom | $982 |
| 2 Bedrooms | $1,155 |
| 3 Bedrooms | $1,450 |
| 4 Bedrooms | $1,699 |
| Owner-Occupied | 92.5% |
| Avg Tax (IRS) | $4,279 |
| 22% above US avg | |
| Effective Rate | 0.28% |
| Obesity | 24.1% |
| 25% below US avg | |
| Diabetes | 8.1% |
| Heart Disease | 4.4% |
| High Blood Pressure | 26.6% |
| Asthma | 8.1% |
| COPD | 4.2% |
| Stroke | 2.2% |
| Binge Drinking | 17.2% |
| Physical Inactivity | 13.9% |
| Depression | 20.9% |
| Mental Distress | 13.1% |
| Physical Distress | 9.1% |
| Insurance Rate | 98.1% |
| Checkup Rate | 72.1% |
| Premature Death | 13,428/100K |
| Food Environment | 7.7/10 |
| Exercise Access | 69.7% |
| Healthcare Facilities | 297 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 16 |
| Annual Average | 65.1°F |
| 21% above US avg | |
| January Average | 48°F (9°C) |
| July Average | 82°F (28°C) |
| Annual Rainfall | 55.4 inches |
| 46% above US avg |
| AQI Median | 43.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Area | 0.7 sq mi (1.8 km²) |
| Population Density | 166/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 33.4281°N, 79.1250°W |
| County FIPS | 45043 |
Winner: Republican by 19.5 points
| Bachelor's Degree+ | 81.6% |
| 142% above US avg | |
| High School+ | 99.1% |
| School Test Score | 4.51 |
| RUCC Code 4 | Nonmetro — Urban 20K+, adjacent |
| Population Density | 166/sq mi |
| Total Area | 0.7 sq mi |
| Broadband Access | 64.0% |
| EV Charging Stations | 4 |
| Alt Fuel Stations | 4 |
| Public Libraries | 5 |
| Healthcare Facilities | 297 |
| Restaurants | 185 |
| Retail Stores | 318 |
| Fatal Crashes (County/yr) | 16 |
| Avg Commute | 15.2 min |
| Work from Home | 25.6% |