Bluffton
RANK #850 / 996 NAT · #21 / 24 SC · POP 189,071
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +14%
Beaufort County, South Carolina, is distinguished by its historic town of Beaufort, the second oldest city in the state, known for its preserved antebellum architecture and oak-lined streets. Situated on Port Royal Island, the county is surrounded by tidal rivers, creeks, and salt marshes, offering extensive natural beauty. It lies midway between Savannah, Georgia, and Charleston, South Carolina. Commute options include local public transit, the Palmetto Breeze, which offers fixed routes and on-demand services, primarily within Beaufort County. The area provides abundant outdoor recreation, including beaches at Hunting Island State Park, kayaking, fishing, and numerous parks with trails.
Life in Beaufort County attracts both young professionals and retirees, many of whom own their homes. The public school system is highly rated, with various elementary, middle, and high schools across the county. The economy is significantly driven by tourism and the strong military presence, including the Marine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island. Recent economic developments focus on diversifying business sectors and attracting new companies, with efforts to expand commercial and residential spaces, and foster growth in areas like cybersecurity.
Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Well below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.2x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Residential Development (3,100 units along Robert Smalls Parkway/Battery Creek)
Various Developers (e.g., Tri Pointe Homes)
|
$930M | Planned/Under Construction |
|
Community Solar Portfolio (Seabrook, Yemassee, Trask East)
Dominion Energy Inc., Southern Current
|
$94M | Operating |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Beaufort County scores just 14/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #850 of 996 counties. Job growth at +0.3% and median household income of $81,260 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Beaufort County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $377,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.21 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,435/month on average.
Beaufort County's population is growing — up +1.6% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.3%). Home values shifted +0.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.25% of Beaufort County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.