Laurel Bay, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Laurel Bay, South Carolina had a total population of 5,882, the 95th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $54,345, which is 22% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.5%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Laurel Bay Quick Facts
How Laurel Bay 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 | 5,627 | 5,882 | +4.5% |
| Median household income | $52,094 | $54,345 | +4.3% |
| Median home value | $221,300 | $231,800 | +4.7% |
How Laurel Bay 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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Laurel Bay Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Beaufort County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hilton Head Island | 37,911 | $94,657 | 8.6% | $687,400 |
| Bluffton | 33,157 | $111,281 | 4.3% | $492,100 |
| Port Royal | 15,579 | $74,870 | 8.4% | $347,200 |
| Beaufort | 13,747 | $61,220 | 12.5% | $345,400 |
| Hardeeville | 10,871 | $78,365 | 11.8% | $488,900 |
| Burton | 6,912 | $68,063 | 12.1% | $247,600 |
| Ridgeland | 3,764 | $62,981 | 26.8% | $228,400 |
| Shell Point | 1,439 | $81,630 | 3.1% | $293,300 |
| Yemassee | 1,178 | $44,896 | 27.3% | $161,600 |
| Seabrook | 799 | $63,149 | 21.3% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Laurel Bay
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Piedmont | 5,462 | $52,764 | $161,900 | 18.6% | 25.4% |
| Walterboro | 5,480 | $56,457 | $183,500 | 25.0% | 28.2% |
| Belvedere | 5,180 | $53,021 | $143,500 | 22.4% | 16.8% |
| Central | 5,320 | $60,258 | $256,600 | 56.1% | 30.3% |
| Clemson University | 7,015 | N/A | N/A | 100.0% | 74.7% |
Population Overview
Laurel Bay is a small city located in South Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 5,882. It ranks as the 95th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Laurel Bay is 23.0 years. This is 43% lower than the state median of 40.2 years. With 36.2% of the population under 18, Laurel Bay has a notably young demographic profile, suggesting a family-oriented community.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Laurel Bay is $54,345. This is 22% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.5%. This is 24% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $231,800. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 22.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 69% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Laurel Bay is White (non-Hispanic), making up 45.2% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 38.4%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (38.4% vs 24.6%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.8% vs 7.4%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
19.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 40% lower 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 89.1%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Laurel Bay, 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 Laurel Bay, South Carolina?
Laurel Bay, South Carolina has a population of 5,882 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Laurel Bay, SC?
The median household income in Laurel Bay is $54,345, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Laurel Bay, SC?
The poverty rate in Laurel Bay is 17.5%. This means approximately 1,028 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Laurel Bay, South Carolina?
Laurel Bay's population is 45.2% White, 38.4% Black, 13.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.3% Asian.
What is the median home value in Laurel Bay, SC?
The median home value in Laurel Bay is $231,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x.
How educated is Laurel Bay, South Carolina?
19.3% of adults (25+) in Laurel Bay hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 3.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.