Living in Folly Beach, South Carolina
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Folly Beach · Census data 2020–2024
Folly Beach has 1,267 residents with a median age of 62. The median household income is $102,279 (48% higher than the South Carolina median), the median home value is $1,000,000, the median rent is $1,844/month.
Folly Beach is a small town, so Census survey estimates have wide margins of error. Treat percentages as approximate.
Folly Beach at a glance
- Population
- 1,267
- Median age
- 62State: 40.2
- Median household income
- $102,279State: $69,324
- Median home value
- $1,000,000State: $259,000
- Median rent
- $1,844/moState: $1,180
- Homeowners
- 94.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 65.3%
- Average commute
- 27 min
Is Folly Beach a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 48% higher than the South Carolina median; unemployment of 2.1%; a poverty rate of 4%.
Cons: Home values 286% higher than the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes.
The weather is best in April–May and September–October.
Cost of living in Folly Beach
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Folly Beach the median home value is $1,000,000, 201% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,844 per month, which is 34.3% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,667 a month in housing costs.
Folly Beach median household income
The median household income in Folly Beach is $102,279 and the income per person is $82,963. 4% of residents live below the poverty line (South Carolina: 14.1%).
Housing in Folly Beach: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,221
- Owner-occupied
- 94.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 5.3%
- Vacant
- 72.1%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1990
- Average household size
- 2.05
72.1% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Folly Beach has many vacation and second homes.
Folly Beach demographics
- Population
- 1,267
- Median age
- 62
- Under 18
- 9.2%
- 65 and older
- 38.8%
- Households
- 619
- Foreign-born
- 0%
- Veterans
- 9.6%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Folly Beach ›
Education in Folly Beach
65.3% of adults 25 and older in Folly Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher (South Carolina: 32.1%), and 27.7% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Folly Beach
- Unemployment rate
- 2.1%State: 4.9%
- Average commute
- 27 minState: 26 min
- Work from home
- 33%
- Drive alone
- 51.4%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 0%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.1%
Folly Beach vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Folly Beach | 1,267 | $102,279 | $1,000,000 | $1,844 |
| James Island | 12,198 | $104,217 | $508,600 | $1,695 |
| Kiawah Island | 2,326 | $213,594 | $2,000,001 | — |
| Sullivan's Island | 2,087 | $192,813 | $2,000,001 | $2,375 |
| Charleston | 154,338 | $92,414 | $509,700 | $1,722 |
| Mount Pleasant | 93,993 | $124,755 | $748,500 | $2,159 |
| Seabrook Island | 2,204 | $127,500 | $1,001,400 | $3,501 |
| Rockville | 121 | $82,500 | $459,100 | $2,083 |
| Hollywood | 5,382 | $73,693 | $460,100 | $1,625 |
More for people moving to Folly Beach
Folly Beach ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Folly Beach: FAQ
What is the median household income in Folly Beach, SC?
The median household income in Folly Beach is $102,279, 48% higher than the South Carolina median of $69,324 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Folly Beach?
The median home value in Folly Beach is $1,000,000, compared with $259,000 in South Carolina.
How much is rent in Folly Beach?
The median gross rent in Folly Beach is $1,844 per month, about 34.3% of household income.
Is Folly Beach, SC a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 48% higher than the South Carolina median; unemployment of 2.1%; a poverty rate of 4%. Minuses: home values 286% higher than the state median; an average commute of 27 minutes.
What is the median age in Folly Beach?
The median age in Folly Beach is 62 years (South Carolina: 40.2).
How long is the commute in Folly Beach?
The average commute to work in Folly Beach is 27 minutes; 33% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Folly Beach?
The unemployment rate in Folly Beach is 2.1% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Folly Beach?
65.3% of adults in Folly Beach have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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