Isle of Palms city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Isle of Palms city is a small community located in South Carolina. The total population is 4,350. It ranks as the 109th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Isle of Palms city is 54.2 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. 12.4% 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 Isle of Palms city is $148,029. This is 122% higher than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 88% higher. The poverty rate stands at 1.8%. This is 87% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. This exceptionally low poverty rate indicates strong economic prosperity across the community. The unemployment rate is 1.5%. This is 69% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $1,192,200. Housing costs are 404% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 8.1x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 90.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 27% higher than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

Isle of Palms city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 97.2% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (97.2% vs 62.2%). The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 7.1%.

Education

69.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Isle of Palms city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 121% 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 99.8%. Notably, 36.7% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Isle of Palms city, 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.