SEO Company in Hilton Head Island, SC

The world brands Hilton Head as a vacation destination. Luxury and lifestyle travel magazines name it the best island in the U.S. Economists called it the “new Hamptons;” country singer Zach Bryan quipped about the two as retirement communities in a recent song.

There is some validity to those judgments, but there’s also a lot more to Hilton Head demographics than what’s on the surface, based on a recent town assessment.

A 2023 assessment shows the population is getting older and varies greatly based on the season. It also shows changing demographics that are rarely mentioned and might not be known among residents: Hilton Head’s population is plateauing, the Hispanic community is growing the fastest and there has been a long-term decrease in African American residents.

The town conducted a “Conditions and Trends” assessment last month, analyzing the town’s demographics to inform policy development and growth planning. The assessment was compiled by consultants and based on multiple sources including the U.S. Census, American Community Survey and Gullah Geechee Cultural Preservation Project report.

“This is the first time that we are assembling this level of data,” Director of Planning Missy Luick said.

Here are the top seven demographic findings from the report:

Hilton Head’s population is plateauing at 37,660 full-time residents after immense growth in the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, especially compared to Bluffton and Hardeeville.

The island population only grew 11% between 2000 and 2020 compared to Beaufort County as a whole growing 55%, Bluffton growing 2,074% and Hardeeville growing 317%. In Georgia, the Savannah metropolitan area grew 45% between 2000 and 2020.

More people in Hilton Head are living alone or live in a household where everyone is over 65 years old, shifting the population to be less likely to include school-aged children.

Households over 65 were up 50% and persons living alone were up 57% between 2000 and 2020. It makes for smaller average household sizes, which decreased 4.3% to 2.2%, compared to 1% for Beaufort County between 2000 and 2020.

On any given day, there are more than 8,500 visitors on Hilton Head, not including second-home owners or workers. In full, more than 3.1 million people visit throughout the year.

Workers are the highest percentage of the island’s daytime population, then non-working full-time residents, then visitors.

On average there are about 53,500 people on the Island each day. The most recent breakdown is from 2021 when Hilton Head’s 48,911 daytime population was:

The island population is getting older and the school-age population is decreasing.

Islander’s median age moved from 26 to 58 in between 2000 and 2020. During that period, 9,000 new residents over 55 moved to Hilton Head. Every other age segment decreased in size.

The 65 and over segment increased 80%, accounting for 6,500 new residents during that time. It’s consistent with Beaufort County, which grew by 175% in the older segment.

Notably, residents under 18 are decreasing, accounting for Beaufort County schools losing 400 students from 2012 to 2022. The most students were lost below second grade.

Hilton Head is rich with Gullah Geechee history, but the percentage of African Americans on the island has decreased by 400 residents from 2000 to 2020. It moves the total percentage down from 8% to 6%.

This doesn’t mean that the segment of white islanders is getting larger. Islanders who identify as white decreased from 85% of the population in 2000 to 79% in 2020.

Increases come partially from residents who identify as “other” or as “two or more races,” which increased from 6% to 13% during the same time.

Hilton Head’s Hispanic community is growing faster than any other population on the island, mirroring regional and national trends. Islanders who identify as Hispanic or Latino rose by 28.2% between 2000 and 2020 from 3,934 to 5,045.

The Beaufort County School District has the third-largest Hispanic student population in South Carolina, and Hispanic students make up almost half of the public school population. The district has the third largest Hispanic student population in South Carolina, with about 7,000 students concentrated mostly on Hilton Head and in Bluffton. Only Greenville and Horry counties’ school systems educate more of these students.

About one in every three students is multilingual and developing fluency in English at Hilton Head Island Middle and High Schools. Less than 33% of those students were language proficient in 2020, falling at least 11 percentage points behind their South Carolinian peers.

A little under 12% of Hilton Head residents were born outside the the United States, with 66% of this group migrating from Latin America. Europeans represent 18% of the total foreign-born population.

Do you represent any of these trends? Reach out to reporter Mary Dimitrov at [email protected]. This article is one in a series of explorations of the demographic changes happening in the Beaufort County area. Other installments are coming soon.

This story was originally published February 20, 2024, 9:02 AM.

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Lovers of luxury and wellness, get ready: Six Senses is headed to the Lowcountry.

Set to open in 2026, the Six Senses South Carolina Islands will consist of a sprawling 460-acre property spanning Hilton Head Island, Daufuskie Island and Bay Point Island and will include a resort, one of the brand's celebrated spas and even residential offerings.

Once open, guests will start their Six Senses journey on Hilton Head Island at a "welcome hub" with a restaurant and a shopping outlet, according to a statement from IHG, before being whisked off to the resort or residences on a hybrid yacht or electric water boat.

On Daufuskie Island, visitors will find guest rooms, suites and cottages along the beach, plus an all-day restaurant, a "specialty eatery and bar," a beach club, a pool grill and various programming available throughout a visit.

For folks wanting more space to spread out, a few two- to five-bedroom guest residences will be available to book.

Daufuskie Island will also be home to a Six Senses Spa and the brand's integrative wellness program, which includes activities like yoga and meditation, as well as visiting wellness practitioners with various specialties. Much of Six Senses focuses on personalization and, as IHG shared, an "approach that fuses scientific advances with ancient wisdom worth remembering."

But it won't all be mindfulness. Guests can also enjoy some adventure on Daufuskie Island with water sports, sailing and fishing, as well as some local culture with studios highlighting local artists.

Outside the resort itself, guests can take advantage of a round of golf or even equine therapy at an integrated farm and golf course located on the island, which happens to be the southernmost inhabited sea island in South Carolina.

On Bay Point Island, branded residential villas will be available. These villas will be hurricane-resilient and modular and will feature eco-friendly designs and systems, including renewable energy, reverse-osmosis water supplies and helical piling that limits soil disruption. According to IHG, a limited number of these villas will be available for sale in 2024.

The residential units highlight the entire resort's focus on sustainability, which is designed to help protect the area and reduce its overall environmental footprint.

There's still much to learn about the upcoming resort, which is planned in partnership between IHG, Whitestone and Redrock Portfolio, Inc. What remains to be seen is whether it will open as the first Six Senses in the U.S., as properties in Hudson Valley, New York, and Napa Valley, California, are also in the pipeline.

The property also solidifies what Jolyon Bulley, IHG's CEO of the Americas, told TPG earlier this year about IHG's plans to launch Six Senses in the U.S. in "leisure resort" areas before potentially moving into "selected urban areas."

You might remember that an urban Six Senses was originally planned for New York City, but that project was scrapped in 2022.

Either way, the upcoming push of Six Senses from sea to shining sea is a big win for IHG loyalists, though only time will tell what kind of price tag comes with the resort experience.

Featured image by IHG HOTELS AND RESORTS

Editorial disclaimer: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airline or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

One might argue that it's the quality of the beach that makes a place the best beach town of them all, but Hilton Head Island proves something even more true: It's the richness of the town that wins the day, and in this case, the hearts of its 40,000 locals. Let's not dismiss Hilton Head's superb beach bona fides, however. Tucked snugly against the water-riven coast of South Carolina, the foot-shaped island exposes 12 miles of broad, tawny sands to the Atlantic Ocean's rolling swells. Outside of its beach appeal, the sparkling eco-community (with a serious nod to golf) that real estate developer Charles Fraser carved out amid the island's dense pine stands in 1956 has matured into a collection of gated neighborhoods surrounded by live oaks, magnolias, and palmettos; linked by neon-free boulevards bordered by bike paths; and boasting clusters of markets, bars, boutiques, and more than 250 restaurants. Keep reading for the 15 best things to do in Hilton Head, South Carolina.

Arts & Culture

Hilton Head is home to one of the great American cultures, Gullah, which evolved from the beliefs and practices of Africans enslaved on (and later liberated from) Hilton Head's indigo and Sea Island cotton plantations. In fact, the island is home to Historic Mitchelville Freedom Park, site of the first self-governing village of liberated enslaved people—then called "freedmen"—in the nation. Set beneath arching oaks on Port Royal Sound, Mitchelville is now a center for touring and education and is emblematic of a welcome surge in Gullah-focused tours, festivals, and cuisine as well as an increased awareness for the 2.67 million visitors who cross the bridge onto Hilton Head Island every year.

exploremitchelville.org; 40 Harriet Tubman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926; 843-255-7301

For a town of only 40,000 to boast its own symphony is no small feat. With more than four decades of performances under its belt. the Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra concerts are a must do for music lovers. Series performances are held on Sundays and Mondays throughout the year at First Presbyterian Church, but you can catch more casual performances by going to a free Symphony Under the Stars show at Colony Park when the weather is fair.

hhso.org; 7 Lagoon Road, Suite 100, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-842-2055

This regional art center does it all. Located in the heart of Hilton Head, the center produces its own theater series, in addition to welcoming musicians, performers, vocalists, and comics from across the country. Stop in to see a play like "Fences" or "Chicago" during their runs. Fans of the visual arts can also check out the center's Walter Greer Gallery, which is operated in partnership with the Art League of Hilton Head and features the work of more than 150 local artists.

artshhi.com; 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-686-3945

Hilton Head is home to one of the coolest jazz clubs on the East Coast. For an elegant evening out and a one-of-a-kind experience, make reservations for The Jazz Corner. The jazz supper club has been swaying to the rhythm since 1999 and still hosts two shows a night, seven days a week—all without missing a beat.

thejazzcorner.com; 1000 William Hilton Parkway C-1, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-842-8620

Natural Attractions

All 12 miles of Hilton Head Island are public beaches that feel both expansive and inclusive (several access points include mats for wheelchairs). And with an average air and water temperature of around 70 degrees, that's about as pitch perfect as beach life gets.

In town and along the beach, there are enough outdoor activities on offer to keep you staying and playing all day long and into the night. They'll certainly tempt you to put off turning in until way past sunset. Stroll the sidewalks to catch glimpses of blue skies and bluer waters, but the better way to see it all is by biking along the sands to see the sights. There are several outfitters where you can snag a set of wheels in town, but few have the longevity and service of Hilton Head Bicycle Company, which has been in business for more than 30 years.

hiltonheadbicycle.com; 112 Arrow Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-686-6888

The fishing enthusiasts in your party can cast a line from the beach or book a chartered boat to take the fun to the deep blue. Popular shoreside spots include Jarvis Creek Park, the Charles C. Haigh Jr. Fishing Pier, and lagoons at Palmetto Dunes or The Sea Pines Resort. When you're ready to delve into deeper waters, book a fishing charter to from companies like Drifter Excursions or Shelter Cove Harbour & Marina, which will ferry you to the best spots to catch everything from king mackerel to giant tarpon.

Drifter Excursions: hiltonheadboattours.com; 86 Helmsman Way, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Shelter Cove: sheltercovehiltonhead.com; 1 Shelter Cove Ln, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-548-0532

With 26 championship courses sprinkled throughout the island, Hilton Head is a golfer's paradise. You can play a course designed by some of the greats, including Robert Trent Jones, Jack Nicklaus, and Pete Dye, but what's truly special about golfing on Hilton Head Island are the gorgeous landscapes to be admired everywhere you turn. Just a ride on a golf cart is a real treat for the senses.

For the most adventurous vacationers in the bunch, there are endless opportunities for outdoor adventure on the water. Take your pick from kayaking, paddle boarding, surfing, sailing, jet skiing, and parasailing. The world—or should we say the island—is your oyster!

Food & Drink

First-time visitors are sure to fall in love with Andrew Carmines' local oysters at Hudson's Seafood House on the Docks. The waterfront spot overlooking the Port Royal Sound uses one of two remaining Hilton Head Island fishing fleets to bring in fresh catch daily. And they've been doing things the same way for more than 50 years. You can't go wrong if you order the day's special—it was likely plucked from the ocean that very morning.

hudsonsonthedocks.com; 1 Hudson Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29926; 843-681-2772

Enjoy tasty French bistro staples like escargots de bourgogne (served with garlic herb butter sauce and crispy leeks), perfectly cooked cassoulet, and two kinds of moules-frites at Chez Georges. The wine list is impeccable, as well. Catch the aperitif hour from 4:30 p.m. to 6 p.m. Sunday through Friday, when adult beverages are two dollars off and there’s a small plates menu offered. The restaurant also uses this time to host ticketed wine tastings complete with paired cheese plates.

chezgeorgeshhi.com; 37 New Orleans Road, Sute J, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928

Find the best croissants this side of the Atlantic at transplanted Parisian Philippe Feret's Hilton Head Social Bakery. In addition to classic French pastries like Kouign-Amann, mango peach turnovers, and almond brioche, the cozy cafe also overs 18 varieties of fruit tarts, plus more specialty desserts and a savory menu featuring dishes like quiche and jambon-beurre, a traditional French ham and cheese sandwich on a baguette. With a new second location on the island, it's easier than ever to get your fix.

hiltonheadsocialbakery.com; 17 Harborside Lane, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-715-3349

1018 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head, SC 29928; 843-715-2598

Billed as an “American bistro with Southern soul,” Lucky Rooster has an exceptional menu that changes often based on seasonality and what chefs can find fresh. Expect refined comfort food like deviled eggs topped with smoked salmon, bacon, tomato, and parsley or scallops and shrimp finished in a cognac cream sauce and served with Charleston red risotto.

luckyroosterhhi.com; 841 William Hilton Pkwy Unit A, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-715-3215

This lively cafe near Coligny Beach will put you on island time in a matter of minutes. All you need is one of their signature daiquiris, a basket of fried shrimp, and a shady spot under a tiki umbrella listening to live music.

frostyfrog.com; 1 North Forest Beach Drive, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 843-686-3764

Town Treasures

The red-and-white striped landmark has become the calling card for this very special island since it was erected more than five decades ago. Located on the Yacht Basin in Harbour Town, $7 will earn you admission to climb to the top of the lighthouse, as well as see the attached museum where you can find out more about the lighthouse, Hilton Head's history, and see a special Coast Guard exhibit.

harbourtownlighthouse.com; 149 Lighthouse Road, Hilton Head Island, SC 29928; 866-305-9814

After you've climbed to the top of the lighthouse, spend some time strolling through the town below to peruse the 20 locally owned shops, boutiques, and specialty stores located in Harbour Town. From Hilton Head souvenirs to handmade gifts and sweet treats, there's something for everyone in this charming corner of the island.

The National Weather Service issued a tornado watch for Beaufort and Jasper counties Wednesday morning that is expected to lift at 1 p.m.

A tornado watch means tornadoes are possible in and near the watch area, according to the NWS. The service added that the watch area is large, covering multiple counties or states.

If the service later issues a tornado warning, that means a twister has been sighted or shown on weather radar, meaning there is imminent danger to life and property. Local forecast offices issue warnings, which generally are in small areas — about the size of a city or small county.

Severe weather that swept across the nation Monday and Tuesday pummeled states with flooding, heavy mountain snow and destructive hail, and brought threats of tornadoes.

On Wednesday, the Lowcountry could see widespread showers and thunderstorms before a cold front moves into the area, the service’s Charleston Office said. During the storms, wind gusts could whip as high as 60 mph, leading to tree and power line damage.

As of 8 a.m. Wednesday, there were no customers in Beaufort and Jasper counties without power, according to PowerOutages.us.

“While the storms will bring downpours with them, the flooding risk is minimal, because the rain won’t be long-lasting,” said Frank Strait, the state’s severe weather liaison.

Outside of thunderstorms, breezy conditions will blow through Beaufort and Jasper counties, with wind gusts up to 30 mph. Hail of 1/4 inch is possible.

According to the NWS Charleston Office’s map, the Lowcountry is at a “slight risk” for its severe weather predictions, meaning scattered and severe thunderstorms are possible but will be short-lived and isolated.

Risk for severe weather should end by early afternoon as activity pushes offshore, the service said Wednesday morning. Strait said behind the storms, the rest of Wednesday and Thursday will remain blustery, but the winds should not be high enough to cause damage.

“However, this is enough to blow around loose items in your yard, so get that stuff stowed ... before the storms hit and keep them secure until the winds settle down on Friday,” Strait said. “Also, motorists should be ready for annoying crosswinds on both days.”

During a watch, the NWS encourages people to discuss emergency plans, check supplies and a safe room. Below is a list of needed supplies.

During a warning, the NWS says to take action. For safety, move to an interior room on the lowest floor in a sturdy building. Do not go near windows. If a person is in a mobile home, inside a vehicle or outside, they should seek the closest shelter and find protection against flying debris.

The South Carolina Ethics Commission has set a hearing date for former Beaufort County Parks and Recreation Director Shannon Loper, who has been accused of using her position to benefit family members and using county equipment to perform work on personal property.

Loper’s hearing will be in Columbia on Oct. 17.

Two separate complaints were filed with the Ethics Commission against Loper, who was fired by Beaufort County in September of last year after over two decades with the county. At the time of her firing, the grounds for her termination were cited as “violated the Beaufort County policy manual,” according to Beaufort County.

One ethics complaint corresponds with four payments to Loper’s sons totaling $6,687 and for contracting with her son to act as a coach for a county-run cheerleader camp. The second complaint alleges Loper used county equipment to perform work on personal property.

A letter from the ethics commission updating the person who filed the complaints against Loper was provided to The Island Packet and Beaufort Gazette.

Neither complaint is related to the nearly $800,000 accessible playground installed at the Port Royal Community Center without proper approval. Loper’s termination came at the heels of county officials discovering the playground, though it was never officially connected to her firing.

Loper, as guest on former County Council Member Mike Covert’s podcast, Beaufort County’s House of Cards, defended the payments made to her sons.

Loper said there were many times when she couldn’t get anyone to officiate sports games. “There were days that I had to call them (her sons) and say ‘I need you,’” she told Covert.

She then specifically addressed her son coaching the cheer camp.

“I don’t know who’s knocking down the doors to do these cheer camps,” she said. “My child was well-qualified. He coaches at another cheer camp in the evening sometimes because he loves kids.”

The playground was installed at the Port Royal Community Center, and the work was completed on July 6. Assistant County Administrator for Development and Recreation Chuck Atkinson brought the issue to the county council’s attention, citing the violation of the procurement approval rules. An invoice submitted to the county for the $799,052 playground equipment is dated May 25, 2023, meaning the purchase was approved at least four months before it was presented to council. The expense associated with the equipment exceeded the $200,000 threshold needed for council approval by nearly four fold.

When the council did review the playground on Sept. 25, months after the equipment was installed, the purchase was approved in an 8-2 vote. Two weeks later, Loper was terminated by Interim Administrator John Robinson.

In January, Loper was hired to serve as parks and recreation director for the city of Rincon. She is serving on an interim basis until the ethics complaints have been resolved, according to Rincon City Manager Jonathan Lynn.

Lynn had previously indicated that the results of the two ethics investigations could have an impact on whether or not Loper gets the job permanently.

“During Ms. Loper’s interview process, she openly disclosed to the City that certain issues were pending resolution with the State of South Carolina,” Lynn said in an email. “The City will withhold further comments at this time to uphold the integrity of the process and await its conclusion.”

Beaufort County recently filled its parks and recreation director vacancy with Eric Brown, who previously worked for the City of Hollywood, Florida, and Dania Beach, Florida, in their parks departments.

Loper did not respond to phone calls or text messages asking for comment.