Port Royal, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Port Royal, South Carolina had a total population of 15,579, the 41st largest town in South Carolina, with a median household income of $74,870, which is 8% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 1.0%.
Port Royal Quick Facts
How Port Royal 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 | 15,047 | 15,579 | +3.5% |
| Median household income | $70,330 | $74,870 | +6.5% |
| Median home value | $298,000 | $347,200 | +16.5% |
How Port Royal 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+)
Port Royal 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 |
| 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 |
| Laurel Bay | 5,882 | $54,345 | 17.5% | $231,800 |
| 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 Port Royal
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ladson | 16,140 | $78,760 | $234,900 | 19.8% | 12.3% |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | $249,500 | 21.8% | 19.1% |
| Moncks Corner | 15,485 | $91,500 | $333,200 | 29.7% | 8.3% |
| Seven Oaks | 15,921 | $62,955 | $208,400 | 41.3% | 12.2% |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | $244,400 | 26.5% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Port Royal is a small city located in South Carolina, within Beaufort County. The total population is 15,579. It ranks as the 41st most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Port Royal is 25.1 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Port Royal is $74,870. This is 8% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 7% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 8.4%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 1.0%. This is 80% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $347,200. Housing costs are 34% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 38.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 47% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Port Royal is White (non-Hispanic), making up 56.8% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 21.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (21.4% vs 7.4%).
Education
38.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 93.3%. Notably, 19.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Port Royal, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Port Royal, South Carolina?
Port Royal, South Carolina has a population of 15,579 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Port Royal, SC?
The median household income in Port Royal is $74,870, which is 7% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Port Royal, SC?
The poverty rate in Port Royal is 8.4%. This means approximately 976 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Port Royal, South Carolina?
Port Royal's population is 56.8% White, 13.6% Black, 21.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.1% Asian.
What is the median home value in Port Royal, SC?
The median home value in Port Royal is $347,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Port Royal, South Carolina?
38.4% of adults (25+) in Port Royal hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.