You’ve seen these lists before. Best places to live in South Carolina. Best sururbs in South Carolina. Best counties in South Carolina.
Etc., etc., etc.
But they all focus on major cities and towns in the Palmetto State, and no one pays attention to the little guy.
Well, that’s all about to change as we put together a list of the superb small towns in South Carolina based on numbers–not opinions or hearsay.
We’ll dive right into our methodology in the next section, but first, we thought you might want to know which places in South Carolina ranked the best based on Saturday Night Science.
Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Summary | Table
The 15 Best Small Towns To Live In South Carolina For 2025
- Sullivan’s Island
- Isle of Palms
- Northlake
- India Hook
- Seabrook Island
- Newport
- Elgin
- Surfside Beach
- Shell Point
- Springdale
- Stateburg
- Riverview
- Reidville
- Kiawah Island
- Pendleton
What’s the best small town in South Carolina? Sullivan’s Island is the best small town in South Carolina based on the most recent Census data. If you live in one of these small towns like Sullivan’s Island, chances are, you’re not surprised. After all, you know how great you have it.
But for the rest of you–keep reading, and we’ll get to just why these small towns made our list.
For more reading on the Palmetto State check out:
- Best Places To Live In South Carolina
- Cheapest Places To Live In South Carolina
- Most Dangerous Cities In South Carolina
The 15 Best Small Towns In South Carolina For 2025
1. Sullivan’s Island
/10
Population: 2,127
Median Income: $179,614 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $2,000,001 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.7%
2. Isle Of Palms
/10
Population: 4,350
Median Income: $148,029 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,192,200 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%
3. Northlake
/10
Population: 3,848
Median Income: $79,531 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $241,700 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.4%
4. India Hook
/10
Population: 3,794
Median Income: $94,505 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $311,400 (11th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.1%
5. Seabrook Island
/10
Population: 2,107
Median Income: $124,519 (5th Best)
Median Home Value: $899,600 (4th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.6%
6. Newport
/10
Population: 4,142
Median Income: $107,143 (7th Best)
Median Home Value: $310,300 (12th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.4%
7. Elgin
/10
Population: 2,176
Median Income: $84,219 (12th Best)
Median Home Value: $204,300 (25th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.0%
8. Surfside Beach
/10
Population: 4,217
Median Income: $74,202 (16th Best)
Median Home Value: $412,100 (7th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%
9. Shell Point
/10
Population: 2,005
Median Income: $65,840 (26th Best)
Median Home Value: $233,600 (18th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
10. Springdale
/10
Population: 2,727
Median Income: $70,852 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $195,100 (30th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.0%
11. Stateburg
/10
Population: 1,859
Median Income: $71,781 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $220,700 (21st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
12. Riverview
/10
Population: 2,215
Median Income: $131,158 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $484,800 (6th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 13.9%
13. Reidville
/10
Population: 1,955
Median Income: $117,692 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $326,200 (10th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 4.9%
14. Kiawah Island
/10
Population: 2,196
Median Income: $236,607 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $1,723,200 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.1%
15. Pendleton
/10
Population: 3,542
Median Income: $60,517 (31st Best)
Median Home Value: $236,900 (16th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.7%
Methodology: How We Determined The Coolest Towns In South Carolina
We threw a lot of criteria at this report to get the best, most complete results of the best small towns in South Carolina possible.
Using the most recent data from the Census’s 2019-2023 American Community Survey, the Bureau of Labor Statistics, and Saturday Night Science, this is the criteria we used:
- Population Density (Higher is better)
- Lowest Unemployment Rates
- Housing costs (Higher is better. More demand.)
- Adjusted Median Income (Higher is better)
- Highly Educated Adults (Higher is better)
- Insurance Rates (Higher is better)
- Commute Times (Lower is better)
We looked at places with populations lower than 5,000 people and greater than 1,000, of which there were many – 136 to be exact.
We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 136, averaged them out, and the lowest scores went to our Best Small Towns in South Carolina. Top of that list — Sullivan’s Island.
This is our tenth time ranking the best small places to live in South Carolina.
Summary: Science Can Tackle Any Issue, Even Small Ones
We said it once, and we’ll say it again — this list: it’s just science. We did the research, crunched the numbers, and it turns out these 15 small towns in South Carolina are the best in which to live.
And who can argue with that?
The best small towns in South Carolina are Sullivan’s Island, Isle of Palms, Northlake, India Hook, Seabrook Island, Newport, Elgin, Surfside Beach, Shell Point, and Springdale.
If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in South Carolina:
- Buffalo
- Estill
- Blackville
For more South Carolina reading, check out:
- Best Places To Raise A Family In South Carolina
- Safest Places In South Carolina
- Worst Places To Live In South Carolina
Best Small Towns In South Carolina
| Rank | City | Population | Median Income | Median Home Value | Unemployment Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sullivan’s Island, SC | 2,127 | $179,614 | 1.7% | |
| 2 | Isle Of Palms, SC | 4,350 | $148,029 | 1.5% | |
| 3 | Northlake, SC | 3,848 | $79,531 | 2.4% | |
| 4 | India Hook, SC | 3,794 | $94,505 | 4.1% | |
| 5 | Seabrook Island, SC | 2,107 | $124,519 | 0.6% | |
| 6 | Newport, SC | 4,142 | $107,143 | 0.4% | |
| 7 | Elgin, SC | 2,176 | $84,219 | 5.0% | |
| 8 | Surfside Beach, SC | 4,217 | $74,202 | 7.3% | |
| 9 | Shell Point, SC | 2,005 | $65,840 | 4.9% | |
| 10 | Springdale, SC | 2,727 | $70,852 | 4.0% | |
| 11 | Stateburg, SC | 1,859 | $71,781 | 5.8% | |
| 12 | Riverview, SC | 2,215 | $131,158 | 13.9% | |
| 13 | Reidville, SC | 1,955 | $117,692 | 4.9% | |
| 14 | Kiawah Island, SC | 2,196 | $236,607 | 3.1% | |
| 15 | Pendleton, SC | 3,542 | $60,517 | 2.7% | |
| 16 | Woodruff, SC | 4,337 | $64,292 | 3.4% | |
| 17 | Pine Ridge, SC | 2,709 | $74,861 | 6.5% | |
| 18 | Chapin, SC | 1,410 | $77,632 | 2.7% | |
| 19 | Elgin, SC | 2,258 | $74,167 | 3.6% | |
| 20 | Inman, SC | 3,085 | $55,156 | 2.9% | |
| 21 | Roebuck, SC | 3,468 | $51,111 | 1.0% | |
| 22 | Meggett, SC | 1,274 | $96,032 | 2.4% | |
| 23 | Murphys Estates, SC | 1,187 | $90,357 | 0.0% | |
| 24 | Due West, SC | 1,185 | $52,059 | 19.4% | |
| 25 | Golden Grove, SC | 3,084 | $71,694 | 0.4% | |
| 26 | Bonneau Beach, SC | 1,543 | $57,561 | 0.0% | |
| 27 | Wellford, SC | 3,432 | $55,871 | 3.8% | |
| 28 | Lesslie, SC | 3,202 | $86,500 | 5.3% | |
| 29 | Landrum, SC | 2,564 | $41,161 | 3.7% | |
| 30 | Aynor, SC | 1,077 | $70,972 | 2.6% | |
| 31 | Ravenel, SC | 2,594 | $72,365 | 0.0% | |
| 32 | Dunean, SC | 3,716 | $50,382 | 8.6% | |
| 33 | St. Matthews, SC | 1,626 | $55,351 | 8.1% | |
| 34 | Jackson, SC | 1,782 | $37,067 | 2.4% | |
| 35 | Ridgeville, SC | 1,591 | $56,134 | 5.0% | |
| 36 | Pickens, SC | 3,386 | $58,534 | 1.0% | |
| 37 | Arial, SC | 2,024 | $50,132 | 0.0% | |
| 38 | Ninety Six, SC | 2,635 | $53,438 | 5.7% | |
| 39 | Duncan, SC | 4,175 | $51,596 | 3.3% | |
| 40 | New Ellenton, SC | 2,604 | $60,625 | 7.8% | |
| 41 | Awendaw, SC | 1,574 | $70,781 | 11.1% | |
| 42 | Bishopville, SC | 2,958 | $44,015 | 2.1% | |
| 43 | Kershaw, SC | 2,220 | $58,077 | 2.7% | |
| 44 | Pelion, SC | 1,147 | $61,250 | 2.3% | |
| 45 | Prosperity, SC | 1,198 | $58,276 | 5.2% | |
| 46 | North Hartsville, SC | 3,217 | $59,990 | 4.0% | |
| 47 | Johnsonville, SC | 1,037 | $47,891 | 1.9% | |
| 48 | Lake Secession, SC | 1,209 | $46,933 | 7.1% | |
| 49 | Lamar, SC | 1,446 | $44,000 | 2.1% | |
| 50 | Westminster, SC | 2,244 | $38,393 | 6.8% | |
| 51 | Williamston, SC | 4,116 | $62,500 | 5.3% | |
| 52 | Cowpens, SC | 2,031 | $37,168 | 1.9% | |
| 53 | Mcbee, SC | 1,000 | $59,500 | 7.3% | |
| 54 | Batesburg-Leesville, SC | 4,935 | $53,102 | 2.6% | |
| 55 | Mayo, SC | 1,963 | $47,384 | 2.3% | |
| 56 | South Congaree, SC | 1,918 | $58,726 | 2.6% | |
| 57 | West Pelzer, SC | 1,276 | $53,125 | 10.0% | |
| 58 | Honea Path, SC | 3,734 | $56,304 | 7.6% | |
| 59 | Chesterfield, SC | 1,497 | $48,167 | 8.6% | |
| 60 | Joanna, SC | 1,375 | $42,169 | 1.8% | |
| 61 | St. George, SC | 1,935 | $31,950 | 0.8% | |
| 62 | Gloverville, SC | 2,418 | $51,691 | 3.8% | |
| 63 | Pacolet, SC | 2,164 | $46,120 | 3.8% | |
| 64 | Burne, SC | 3,090 | $38,371 | 6.6% | |
| 65 | Liberty, SC | 3,337 | $42,077 | 6.1% | |
| 66 | Springdale, SC | 2,422 | $42,708 | 2.7% | |
| 67 | Hampton, SC | 2,691 | $45,809 | 14.2% | |
| 68 | Fort Lawn, SC | 1,144 | $54,141 | 9.3% | |
| 69 | Manning, SC | 3,843 | $27,597 | 11.4% | |
| 70 | Pelzer, SC | 1,570 | $54,886 | 8.5% | |
| 71 | Winnsboro, SC | 3,332 | $35,649 | 9.1% | |
| 72 | Varnville, SC | 2,433 | $52,800 | 9.9% | |
| 73 | Cottageville, SC | 1,154 | $68,750 | 3.6% | |
| 74 | Belton, SC | 4,405 | $48,164 | 7.2% | |
| 75 | Gadsden, SC | 1,131 | $54,464 | 8.9% | |
| 76 | Fairforest, SC | 1,711 | $60,199 | 10.0% | |
| 77 | Clearwater, SC | 3,124 | $50,669 | 8.6% | |
| 78 | Arcadia, SC | 2,724 | $37,574 | 4.6% | |
| 79 | Latta, SC | 1,301 | $45,500 | 10.9% | |
| 80 | Andrews, SC | 2,558 | $53,611 | 2.2% | |
| 81 | Santee, SC | 1,179 | $36,856 | 2.0% | |
| 82 | Ridgeland, SC | 3,756 | $71,023 | 3.6% | |
| 83 | St. Stephen, SC | 1,460 | $59,688 | 5.7% | |
| 84 | Catawba, SC | 1,225 | $55,385 | 11.4% | |
| 85 | Mccormick, SC | 2,681 | $40,269 | 3.5% | |
| 86 | Loris, SC | 2,570 | $36,158 | 2.1% | |
| 87 | Lakewood, SC | 3,154 | $49,255 | 8.2% | |
| 88 | Dalzell, SC | 2,949 | $52,723 | 13.2% | |
| 89 | Holly Hill, SC | 1,415 | $34,792 | 5.1% | |
| 90 | South Sumter, SC | 1,808 | $42,708 | 8.7% | |
| 91 | Edgefield, SC | 3,977 | $37,500 | 15.8% | |
| 92 | Langley, SC | 1,718 | $50,750 | 5.8% | |
| 93 | Williston, SC | 2,884 | $35,968 | 4.4% | |
| 94 | Saluda, SC | 3,095 | $40,567 | 2.6% | |
| 95 | Cherryvale, SC | 3,136 | $41,563 | 23.2% | |
| 96 | Kingstree, SC | 3,161 | $28,776 | 6.9% | |
| 97 | Abbeville, SC | 4,863 | $38,983 | 4.2% | |
| 98 | Gaston, SC | 2,026 | $59,500 | 1.7% | |
| 99 | Pageland, SC | 2,476 | $40,236 | 8.3% | |
| 100 | Slater-Marietta, SC | 1,934 | $42,857 | 5.4% |