Pawleys Island South Carolina Real Estate

Pawleys Island is both an Atlantic coast barrier island and an incorporatated town in Georgetown County, South Carolina. As of the 2000 census, the incorporated town had a total population of 138.The post office address also includes an incorporated area on the mainland adjacent to the island, which includes a commercial district along the King's Highway (US Route 17) and a residential area between the highway and the Waccamaw River. The island is on the southern end of The Grand Strand and is one of the oldest resort areas of the US East Coast. The community of Pawleys Island is part of Waccamaw Neck, a long, narrow peninsula between the ocean and the river.

History
The earliest known inhabitants of the area were Waccamaw and Winyah Indians. They called the area "Chicora," meaning "the land," and the term is frequently used by local businesses.

With European colonization, George Pawley was an early settler, giving his name to the community. The breezy island quickly became a refuge from the mosquitoes that were notable during the summer. With African slaves that were brought to the area came malaria, so those of means would move to summer cottages on the island to avoid the mosquito-vectored maleria and other sicknesses.

In 1791, two years after he was elected president, George Washington toured the Grand Strand. He passed right down The King's Highway in the unincoporated portion of Pawleys Island to visit the Alstons, who were wealthy plantation owners just to the south. Rice plantations occupied the Waccamaw River side of the neck.

The Grand Strand began to develop into a major tourist area during the early 20th century, but Pawleys was among the last areas to be heavily developed. Cypress sided cottages on the island gave the community one of its monikers: arrogantly shabby. With the coming of Hurricane Hugo in 1989 some of these cottages were swept away, and have since been replaced by more upscale homes, but the island's codes prohibit large high rise condos.

The town government was incorporated in 1986 (some sources say 1984 or 1985). The inland areas are developing very rapidly.

Today
A local legend on the island has grown about The Gray Man, a friendly ghost who warns of impending hurricanes. Serious hurricanes have struck in 1724, twice in 1752, 1822, 1911, 1954, and 1989.

The island is connected to the mainland by two bridges, the Northern Causeway and the Southern Causway. At the southern tip of the island is a public beach access area.

There is no industry or trade on the island. There is a town hall/sheriff's office, a chapel and there are two inns.

The Coastal Observer, a weekly newspaper covers Pawleys Island, Litchfield and Murrells Inlet.

Although less secluded, and more up-scale than it was only a decade ago, Pawleys Island still retains a quaintness and a relaxed pace which makes it a rare island along the U.S. east coast. The water temperature is comfortable from May to October, and there is abundant fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and birdwatching most months of the year.

Geography
Pawleys Island is located at 33°25'45" North, 79°7'30" West (33.429169, -79.124880)GR1. The island proper is only about seven miles long and about a quarter of a mile wide. To the east-southeast lies the Atlantic Ocean. The island is a sandy barrier, with some dunes on the northern end up to about 15 feet (5 meters) high. The southern end is very low. Behind the island is a tidal creek/marsh. Farther inland is a sandy neck of land extending to the Waccamaw River and originally forested mostly by longleaf pine which supported an important naval stores industry in the late 19th century and timbering later.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²). 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is land and 0.8 km² (0.3 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 29.29% water.

Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 138 people, 81 households, and 43 families residing in the town. The population density is 76.1/km² (196.9/mi²). There are 521 housing units at an average density of 287.4/km² (743.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 92.03% White, 7.25% African American, 0.00% Native American, 0.00% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.72% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 81 households out of which 9.9% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% are married couples living together, 1.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% are non-families. 45.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 17.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.70 and the average family size is 2.30.

In the town the population is spread out with 8.0% under the age of 18, 0.0% from 18 to 24, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 50.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 55 years. For every 100 females there are 76.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town is $51,964, and the median income for a family is $97,125. Males have a median income of $28,750 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the town is $48,183. 1.5% of the population and 0.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 0.0% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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