Edisto Beach, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Edisto Beach, South Carolina
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Location of Edisto Beach, South Carolina
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Colleton |
| Government | |
| • Type | Council–manager government |
| Area | |
| • Total | 2.35 sq mi (6.09 km2) |
| • Land | 2.14 sq mi (5.53 km2) |
| • Water | 0.21 sq mi (0.55 km2) |
| Elevation | 7 ft (2 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,033 |
| • Density | 483.39/sq mi (186.65/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
29438
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| Area code(s) | 843, 854 |
| FIPS code | 45-23020 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1231260 |
Edisto Beach is a small town in Colleton County, South Carolina, United States. It is located on Edisto Island. In 2020, about 1,033 people lived there.
Edisto Beach is known for being a quiet place. It doesn't have a lot of big industries or huge crowds of tourists. This makes it a peaceful spot for people who live there and for visitors.
Contents
History of Edisto Beach
Early Days and Plantations
Long ago, the Edistow Indians lived in the area that is now Edisto Beach. Later, in the late 1500s, Spanish explorers arrived. Over time, people started to trade and farm on the island.
Farmers grew crops like rice and indigo (a plant used to make blue dye). Later, large cotton farms became very important. These farms were run by wealthy landowners. Many people were forced to work on these plantations. This way of life continued until the Civil War.
Civil War and New Beginnings
During the Civil War, soldiers from the Union came to Edisto and Johns Island. However, soldiers from the Confederate side managed to keep control of Charleston until the very end of the war in 1865.
After the war, a man named John McConkey began planning to develop Edisto Island. But his plans stopped when he was murdered.
Becoming a Vacation Spot
By the 1920s, people from South Carolina started coming to Edisto Island and Edisto Beach. They built simple vacation homes. Back then, it was hard to get to the island. You could only drive or ride across the marsh at low tide. The path was made of oyster shells!
Many homes on the island were destroyed in the 1940s. But in 1989, Hurricane Hugo did not cause much damage to Edisto. Since then, Edisto Beach has become a popular place for vacations. In 2006, a company called Wyndham Resorts bought a part of the island. This area included a restaurant and a golf course.
In 2012, Edisto Beach held its first road race. Nearly 200 runners, including the mayor, took part.
Geography of Edisto Beach
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Edisto Beach is located at the very southeastern tip of Colleton County. It's separated from the rest of the county by the South Edisto River. This means the only way to drive there is by taking South Carolina Highway 174 through Charleston County.
Highway 174 goes north across the rest of Edisto Island for about 24 miles (39 km). It then connects to U.S. Route 17 at Osborn. The city of Charleston is about 48 miles (77 km) northeast of Edisto Beach by road.
The town covers a total area of about 2.35 square miles (6.1 km2). Most of this area, about 2.14 square miles (5.5 km2), is land. The rest, about 0.21 square miles (0.55 km2), is water. Edisto Beach State Park is right next to the town, to its north and east.
People of Edisto Beach
Population Changes
The number of people living in Edisto Beach has changed over the years:
- 1980: 193 people
- 1990: 340 people
- 2000: 641 people
- 2010: 414 people
- 2020: 1033 people
In 2010, there were 414 people living in the town all year round. About half were male and half were female. The average age of people living there was about 63 years old. Most of the people were adults, with many being 65 or older.
Homes and Families
In 2010, there were 2,181 homes in Edisto Beach. Only a small number of these, about 10%, were lived in by their owners. Most of the homes, about 87%, were rented out or used for vacations.
Most of the people living in Edisto Beach were white. A very small number were African American or from other backgrounds.
The average household had about 1.78 people. Many households were married couples living together. Some people lived alone, especially those who were 65 or older.
Work and Income
In 2009-2013, the average income for a household in Edisto Beach was about $67,875 per year. For families, the average income was higher, around $100,500.
About half of the people aged 16 and older were working. On average, they spent about 30 minutes traveling to work. A small number of people, about 2.4%, were looking for jobs but couldn't find one. The other half of the residents were not working.
Education
Edisto Beach has a public library. It is part of the Colleton County Library System.
Notable People
- James Jamerson, a famous musician
- Patti LuPone, a well-known actress and singer
See also
In Spanish: Edisto Beach para niños
