Harbor Island, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harbor Island
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 Harbor Island
Location in South Carolina
Harbor Island
Location in the United States
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| Country |  United States |
| State |  South Carolina |
| County | Beaufort |
| Area | |
| • Total | 1.52 sq mi (3.93 km2) |
| • Land | 1.03 sq mi (2.66 km2) |
| • Water | 0.49 sq mi (1.27 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 209 |
| • Density | 203.51/sq mi (78.58/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
29920
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| Area code(s) | 843 and 854 |
| FIPS code | 45-32172 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2812934 |
Harbor Island is a small island where people live. It's about 14 miles (22 km) east of Beaufort, South Carolina. This island is one of the beautiful Carolina Sea Islands. Most of Harbor Island is made up of tidal marsh, which are wetlands flooded by tides. However, there are about 800 acres (3.2 km²) of higher land on the northeastern part. In 2020, 209 people lived in the main residential area of the island.
The island is connected by U.S. Route 21 (US 21). This is the only road for cars to get to Harbor Island and other nearby islands. The old US 21 Harbor River Bridge was built in 1939. It was a swing bridge, meaning it could open to let boats pass. This bridge was old and narrow. A new, safer bridge was built to replace it. The new bridge opened on April 25, 2021.
Contents
Island History and Growth
For a long time, Harbor Island was mostly empty. People used it mainly for hunting. This changed in the 1930s when US 21 was built. This road connected Saint Helena Island to Hunting Island.
Not many homes were built on Harbor Island until later. A company called The Fripp Company bought most of the land. They are known for developing Fripp Island. This company then created a private community on Harbor Island with homes and resorts. There are also a few small shops along US 21.
In 2018, some homes on the beach were affected by rapid erosion. This means the land was washed away by the ocean.
Island Nature and Wildlife
Harbor Island is a special place for nature. It has been certified as a Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation. This means it's a great place for animals to live and thrive.
Birds of Harbor Island
Harbor Island is part of an important area for birds. It's called the Beaufort Barrier Islands Important Bird Area. Many different kinds of birds live here or visit during their migrations.
Sea Turtle Nest Protection
Harbor Island has a special program to protect Sea Turtles. Volunteers run this program, and it's approved by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources. They work hard to keep sea turtle nests safe on the beaches.
Island Population Facts
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 2020 | 209 | — | |
| U.S. Decennial Census 2020 |
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The main residential part of Harbor Island was counted as a special area in 2020. This is called a census-designated place. According to the 2020 census, 209 people lived there. Most of the people living on Harbor Island are White. There are also smaller numbers of Black or African American, Pacific Islander, and people of mixed races. A small group of people are also of Hispanic or Latino background.
