Okatie, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Okatie, South Carolina
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 Okatie, South Carolina
Location in South Carolina
Okatie, South Carolina
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| Counties | Beaufort, Jasper |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population
(2010)
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| • Total | 12,570 |
| ZIP code |
29909
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| Area code(s) | 843, 854 |
Okatie (pronounced "OH-kuh-tee") is a community in South Carolina. It's not a city or town with its own government. Instead, it's a suburban area that stretches across parts of Beaufort and Jasper counties.
Okatie is located in the Lowcountry region. This area is known for its flat land and coastal feel. The community gets its name from the nearby Okatee River. This river is an estuary, which means it's where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water from the Port Royal Sound.
Several important places are found in Okatie. These include the main office for the Beaufort-Jasper Water and Sewer Authority. This group helps manage water for the area. You can also find the Beaufort-Jasper Academy for Career Excellence and John Paul II Catholic High School here.
Contents
Where is Okatie Located?
Okatie is found west of Hilton Head Island. It stretches from south central Jasper County into western Beaufort County. The area is located between two major roads: I-95 and SC 462.
Main Roads and Boundaries
South Carolina Highway 170, also known as Okatie Highway, is the main road that runs through the community. While Okatie is a defined area, parts of it have been added to nearby towns. These towns include Bluffton, Hardeeville, and Port Royal.
Okatie was officially recognized as a voting area on March 1, 1916. This was decided by the General Assembly of the State of South Carolina.
Growth and Development
Since the 1990s, Okatie has seen a lot of growth. Most of this growth has been for homes. New neighborhoods like Sun City Hilton Head, Riverbend, and Oldfield have been built.
Types of Development
Besides homes, some businesses and light industries have also moved into Okatie. This has happened mostly in the Jasper County parts of the community. This kind of growth means more buildings and roads.
Concerns About Growth
This rapid development has led to some worries. People are concerned about the quality of the water in the area. They are also worried about losing forest areas that are homes for wildlife. There have been attempts to make Okatie an official town. However, these efforts haven't worked out. This is partly because people have different ideas about how the area should grow in the future.
