James Island, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, James Island, South Carolina had a total population of 12,198, the 53rd largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $104,217, which is 50% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 5.6%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 50% above the state average — one of the wealthiest communities in South Carolina.
- 49.5% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in South Carolina.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.1%.
James Island Quick Facts
How James Island 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 | 11,738 | 12,198 | +3.9% |
| Median household income | $100,176 | $104,217 | +4.0% |
| Median home value | $454,200 | $508,600 | +12.0% |
How James Island 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+)
James Island 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 |
| 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+ |
| Seabrook Island | 2,204 | $127,500 | 4.4% | $1,001,400 |
Cities Similar to James Island
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Irmo | 11,813 | $80,489 | $203,400 | 39.2% | 9.2% |
| Oak Grove | 12,256 | $74,554 | $210,300 | 32.6% | 12.6% |
| Fountain Inn | 12,020 | $73,585 | $275,300 | 33.5% | 7.7% |
| Powdersville | 10,771 | $84,910 | $334,900 | 36.5% | 9.3% |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | $244,400 | 26.5% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
James Island is a small city located in South Carolina, within Charleston County. The total population is 12,198. It ranks as the 53rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in James Island is 41.7 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in James Island is $104,217. This is 50% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 29% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 5.6%. This is 60% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.1%. This is 76% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $508,600. Housing costs are 96% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 87.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in James Island is White (non-Hispanic), making up 81.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 12.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.1%) is well below the state average of 7.4%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
49.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places James Island in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 54% 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 95.6%. Notably, 16.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for James Island, 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 James Island, South Carolina?
James Island, South Carolina has a population of 12,198 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in James Island, SC?
The median household income in James Island is $104,217, which is 29% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in James Island, SC?
The poverty rate in James Island is 5.6%. This means approximately 681 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of James Island, South Carolina?
James Island's population is 81.3% White, 12.7% Black, 2.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in James Island, SC?
The median home value in James Island is $508,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is James Island, South Carolina?
49.5% of adults (25+) in James Island hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 16.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.