Folly Beach, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Folly Beach, South Carolina had a total population of 1,267, the 245th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $102,279, which is 48% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 4.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Carolina.
- An exceptionally low poverty rate of 4.0% — among the lowest in South Carolina.
- 65.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.8x the median household income.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Folly Beach Quick Facts
How Folly Beach Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 958 | 1,267 | +32.3% |
| Median household income | $97,813 | $102,279 | +4.6% |
| Median home value | $951,200 | $1,000,000 | +5.1% |
How Folly Beach Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Folly Beach Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Charleston County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Charleston | 154,338 | $92,414 | 12.3% | $509,700 |
| North Charleston | 119,913 | $62,956 | 14.4% | $302,200 |
| Mount Pleasant | 93,993 | $124,755 | 6.1% | $748,500 |
| Summerville | 51,654 | $81,046 | 10.1% | $328,100 |
| Ladson | 16,140 | $78,760 | 12.3% | $234,900 |
| James Island | 12,198 | $104,217 | 5.6% | $508,600 |
| Hollywood | 5,382 | $73,693 | 12.2% | $460,100 |
| Isle of Palms | 4,362 | $156,979 | 2.5% | $1,581,300 |
| Ravenel | 2,615 | $82,738 | 19.0% | $238,700 |
| Kiawah Island | 2,326 | $213,594 | 3.1% | $2,000,000+ |
Cities Similar to Folly Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Meggett | 1,307 | $97,865 | $714,100 | 46.0% | 11.0% |
| Cottageville | 1,196 | $80,938 | $164,700 | 14.9% | 8.0% |
| Chapin | 1,394 | $79,922 | $221,000 | 34.7% | 7.5% |
| Edisto Beach | 1,092 | $85,521 | $719,200 | 61.0% | 2.5% |
| Shell Point | 1,439 | $81,630 | $293,300 | 27.2% | 3.1% |
Population Overview
Folly Beach is a small community located in South Carolina, within Charleston County. The total population is 1,267. It ranks as the 245th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Folly Beach is 62.0 years. This is 54% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 9.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Folly Beach is $102,279. This is 48% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 27% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 4.0%. This is 71% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 57% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $1,000,000. Housing costs are 286% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.8x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 94.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
Folly Beach has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 96.3% of all residents. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (96.3% vs 61.9%).
Education
65.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Folly Beach in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 103% higher than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 97.4%. Notably, 27.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Folly Beach, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Folly Beach, South Carolina?
Folly Beach, South Carolina has a population of 1,267 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Folly Beach, SC?
The median household income in Folly Beach is $102,279, which is 27% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Folly Beach, SC?
The poverty rate in Folly Beach is 4.0%. This means approximately 51 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Folly Beach, South Carolina?
Folly Beach's population is 96.3% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Folly Beach, SC?
The median home value in Folly Beach is $1,000,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.8x.
How educated is Folly Beach, South Carolina?
65.3% of adults (25+) in Folly Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.