Hilton Head Island town, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Hilton Head Island town is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina. The total population is 37,805. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Hilton Head Island town is 59.9 years. This is 49% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 12.1% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 19.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Hilton Head Island town is $96,715. This is 45% higher than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 23% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.4%. This is 51% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $652,100. Housing costs are 175% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.7x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 79.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% higher than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Hilton Head Island town is White (non-Hispanic), making up 75.1% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 15.1%. The Black or African American population (6.3%) is well below the state average of 25.1%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (15.1% vs 7.1%).

Education

55.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Hilton Head Island town in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 76% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.0%. Notably, 23.9% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Hilton Head Island town, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.