Bluffton, South Carolina facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Bluffton
Town
Clockwise from top: May River, Heyward House, a gravel path, Carecore Drive, a post office, Myrtle Island, and The Store
Flag Seal Logo
Nickname(s):  Heart Of The Lowcountry
Motto(s):  "A State of Mind"
Bluffton Location in South Carolina Show map of South Carolina Bluffton Location in the United States Show map of the United States
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
Counties	Beaufort
Settled	1728
Incorporated	1852
Named for	Original jurisdiction on a bluff above the May River
Government
• Type	Council–manager
• Body	Bluffton Town Council
Area
• Total	54.19 sq mi (140.36 km2)
• Land	51.97 sq mi (134.60 km2)
• Water	2.23 sq mi (5.77 km2)  4.12%
Elevation	20 ft (6 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	27,716
• Estimate  (2023)	35,243
• Density	533.33/sq mi (205.92/km2)
• Urban	71,824 (US: 395th)
• Urban density	1,135.7/sq mi (438.5/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (EST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
ZIP codes	29909-29910
Area code	843, 854
FIPS code	45-07210
GNIS feature ID	1220833

Bluffton is a growing town in southern Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It's known as the "Heart of the Lowcountry." In 2020, about 27,716 people lived there. This was a huge increase from 2010, making it one of the fastest-growing towns in South Carolina!

Bluffton is located near U.S. Route 278, between Hilton Head Island and Interstate 95. The oldest part of town, called Old Town, sits on a high piece of land (a bluff) next to the May River. Bluffton is a main town in the larger Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Port Royal area.

After a tax law called the Tariff of 1842 was passed, people in Bluffton became very unhappy with federal taxes. This led to a protest movement in 1844. Even though the protest didn't last long, it helped lead to South Carolina being the first state to leave the Union before the Civil War. Before the Civil War, Bluffton was a popular place for rich merchants and plantation owners. During the Civil War, about two-thirds of the town was burned down by Union forces in 1863.

History of Bluffton

Early Times (1670–1776)

In the 1600s and 1700s, the area where Bluffton is now was called Granville County. The Yamasee people lived here. They had ten towns with over 1,200 people.

In 1715, the Yamasee War started. After some years of fighting, the Yamasee moved to Florida. This opened up their lands for European settlers. In 1718, the land was divided into new areas. One of these was Devil's Elbow Barony, which included the future town of Bluffton.

The first owner of this land was Sir John Colleton from Barbados. Colonists started building farms (plantations) in the Bluffton area in 1728. The Colletons grew crops like cotton, corn, and indigo, which made them rich.

American Revolution (1776–1785)

Before he died in 1776, Sir John Colleton (the grandson of the first owner) had many farms near Victoria Bluff. These farms were destroyed by the British army in 1779 during the American Revolution.

In the 1700s, much of the land south of the May River was covered with rice fields. Rice was a very profitable crop and an important part of the local culture. However, a series of big storms in the early 1900s damaged the rice fields, and rice farming stopped.

Before the Civil War (1785–1861)

Church of the Cross

Secession Oak, where a protest against federal taxes began in 1844.

The town of Bluffton was built on land bought by Benjamin Walls and James Kirk. The first homes were built in the early 1800s. Plantation owners wanted to escape the unhealthy conditions on their farms. They liked the high ground and cool river breezes in Bluffton. It was also easy to get there by water.

The community was first known as "Kirk's Landing" or "Kirk's Bluff." The streets were formally planned in the 1830s. The name Bluffton was chosen in the early 1840s.

The first movement for South Carolina to leave the Union started under a large oak tree, now called the Secession Oak. This happened on July 31, 1844, led by Robert Barnwell Rhett.

In the 1850s, a steamboat dock was built at the end of Calhoun Street. Bluffton became an important trading center for southern Beaufort County. It was a stop for travelers between Savannah and Beaufort. In 1852, the town officially became a town. It was about one square mile in size.

The famous Church of the Cross was designed by Edward Brickell White. Construction began in 1854 and cost $5,000. The first church services were held there on July 17, 1857.

Civil War (1861–1865)

After a Union victory in 1861, Confederate forces moved from Hilton Head Island to Bluffton. From Bluffton, the Confederates could watch the Union ships. These ships were blocking trade along the southern coast. Bluffton was the only place on the East Coast where Confederates could get direct information about the Union blockade.

In May 1863, a Union general ordered Bluffton to be destroyed by fire. The attack happened on June 4, 1863. About two-thirds of the town's buildings were burned. Only the town's two churches and fifteen homes were left. Today, eight old homes and two churches still stand in Old Town. They are part of the town's historic district.

After the Civil War (1865–1945)

Child labor at Varn & Platt Canning Company in Bluffton, 1913.

Rebuilding the town was slow. Few landowners could afford summer homes in Bluffton anymore. The town didn't truly start rebuilding until the 1880s. Then, it became a trading center for Beaufort County again.

Modern Times (1945–present)

Palmetto Bluff at Montage Resort in Bluffton

Bluffton was a trading center until new highways and bridges were built. This made river travel less popular. The Great Depression then caused the town's business to slow down.

However, Bluffton remained a popular vacation spot. In the 1990s, new developments like Hilton Head Island and Sun City brought new business to the town.

In 1996, Bluffton was named a National Historic District. In 1998, the Heyward House opened to the public. It became the town's welcome center in 2000. In 2005, Bluffton was recognized for its efforts to save its history.

Several important places in Bluffton are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include Altamaha Town, Bluffton Historic District, Church of the Cross, and Rose Hill Plantation House.

Geography of Bluffton

Map of Bluffton in Beaufort County

Bluffton was once mostly wet, marshy land. Much of it was drained long ago for farming. Today, the town has five main areas:

• Old Town: The historic part, on the north side of the May River.
• Palmetto Bluff: On the south side of the May River.
• Jones Estate: Along the New River.
• Buckwalter: On the northwest side of town.
• Shultz Tract: North of Old Town.

The May River flows through the middle of town. The New River forms the southwest border.

Land and Water

Bluffton is about 54 square miles in total. Most of this is land (about 52 square miles), and a smaller part is water (about 2.2 square miles). This makes Bluffton the fifth largest town in South Carolina by land area.

Many parts of Bluffton were undeveloped until the early 2000s. Then, a building boom led to fast growth. Many new neighborhoods were built during this time.

Climate and Weather

Bluffton has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has very mild winters and hot, humid summers. It rains a lot all year. August is usually the wettest month. Almost half of the yearly rain falls in summer as thundershowers. Fall stays warm until November. Winter is short and mild, with some rain. Snow almost never falls.

The hottest temperature ever recorded was 107°F (42°C) in 1986. The coldest was 4°F (-16°C) in 1985. Hurricanes are a big concern in summer and early fall. However, Bluffton hasn't had a major hurricane since 1893.

People of Bluffton

Population in 2020

In 2020, there were 27,716 people living in Bluffton. There were 7,560 households and 5,402 families.

Population in 2010

In 2010, Bluffton had 12,530 people. The town grew by a huge 882.7% between 2000 and 2010. This made it the fastest-growing town in South Carolina for towns with over 2,500 people.

The people living in Bluffton in 2010 were:

• 71.4% White
• 16.1% African American
• 0.3% Native American
• 2.0% Asian
• Less than 0.1% Pacific Islander
• 7.3% from other races
• 2.9% from two or more races

About 18.8% of the population was Hispanic or Latino.

In 2010, 54% of households had children under 18. The average age in town was 32.7 years old.

Economy and Jobs

Bluffton used to be just a stopover town. Now, it's a popular place for tourists. It has many hotels, restaurants, and shopping areas like Tanger Outlets. The Inn at Palmetto Bluff is a very famous hotel.

Education is also important for the local economy. There are colleges nearby like the University of South Carolina Beaufort Hilton Head Gateway Campus.

Bluffton is also known for its art. You can find several art galleries on Calhoun Street. It's also home to South Carolina's last full-time oyster shucking business, Bluffton Oyster Co. It opened in 1899 on the May River.

Arts and Culture

Art and Theater Groups

• Society of Bluffton Artists: This is a group that supports local artists. It started in 1999.
• May River Theatre: This theater company puts on plays at the Ulmer Auditorium in downtown Bluffton.

Yearly Events

May River Cleanup

Christmas Parade

• Bluffton Village Festival: Also called "Mayfest," this event started in 1978. It brings together local artists and musicians. It's a "celebration of Bluffton life" and local culture.
• Christmas Parade: This parade happens every December. It has many unique floats from local groups and nearby areas.
• Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival: This fall festival has many activities. These include an art show, kayak tours, a 5K run, and tasting local seafood.
• Shag & Drag: This event in June features a classic car show and live music.
• May River Cleanup: Every year, hundreds of volunteers help clean up trash from the May River. They also help people learn about protecting the river.

Museums and Historic Places

Bluffton has many historic buildings, art places, and history museums:

• Heyward House and Historical Center
• Church of the Cross
• Squire Pope Carriage House
• Allen-Lockwood House
• Huger-Gordon House
• Seven Oaks, Bluffton SC
• Fripp-Lowden House
• The Store, Bluffton SC
• Carson Cottage
• D. Hasell Heyward House
• Patz Brothers House
• Planters Mercantile
• Cordray House
• Campbell Chapel African Methodist Episcopal Church

Parks and Fun Activities

Bluffton has many parks and places for fun. For biking, Bluffton Parkway and Buckwalter Parkway have bike paths. Bluffton Road also has a bike lane.

• Beaufort County Parks & Recreation Bluffton Pool – An indoor swimming pool.
• Buckwalter Regional Park – Soccer fields and a skateboard park.
• Buckwalter Trail – A path that goes around Buckwalter Place.
• DuBois Park – A playground with swings.
• New River Trailhead Park – A nature trail.
• MC Riley Sports Complex – Courts for basketball and fields for baseball.
• Oscar Frazier Park – A playground, soccer fields, and baseball parks.
• Oyster Factory Park
• Pritchard Park
• Bluffton Recreation Center – Places for tennis, soccer, youth football, and a playground.

Boat Landings

Calhoun St Boat Dock

• Oyster Factory Boat Landing – You can get to the May River from here.
• H.E. Trask Boat Landing – You can get to the Colleton River from here.
• Calhoun St. Boat Dock – You can get to the May River from here.
• Alljoy Boat Landing – You can get to the May River from here.

Education

The schools in Bluffton are part of the Beaufort County School District. Here are the local public schools:

There are also several private schools. These include Cross Schools, May River Montessori, Christian Heritage Montessori, and Saint Gregory the Great Catholic School. For older students, there's the University of South Carolina Beaufort South Campus and the Technical College of the Lowcountry.

Bluffton also has a public library, which is part of the Beaufort County Library system.

Town Services

Utilities

Water and sewer services are provided by the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority (BJWSA). Electricity comes from South Carolina Electric and Gas Company (SCE&G) and Palmetto Electric Cooperative. Hargray provides phone and internet services. Waste Management, Inc. handles trash collection.

Transportation

May River Road

Airports

Bluffton is served by two airports:

• Savannah/Hilton Head International Airport in Savannah, Georgia.
• Hilton Head Island Airport.

Highways

Interstate 95 is west of Bluffton. You can get to it using U.S. Route 278. The Bluffton Parkway is being built and will connect Hilton Head Island to I-95.

Here are the major highways near Bluffton:

• I-95 (west of Bluffton)
• US 278 - Fording Island Road
• SC 46 - May River Road
• SC 170 - Okatie Highway
• Bluffton Parkway

Fire Department

The Bluffton Township Fire District started in 1978. It covers all the land in Beaufort County south of the Broad River, except for a few islands. It has nine fire stations. The Bluffton Fire District also works with Hilton Head Island Fire & Rescue on special teams for hazardous materials and urban search and rescue.

Police Department

The Town of Bluffton Police Department helps keep the town safe. It received a special award in 2009 for meeting high standards. It has one main headquarters that handles operations, support, and neighborhood services.

Famous People from Bluffton

• Gus Dean, a NASCAR race car driver.
• Kitty Ferguson, a science writer and speaker.
• Bill Workman, a former town manager and business consultant.

See also

In Spanish: Bluffton (Carolina del Sur) para niños