The 10 Best Small Towns In South Carolina For 2026


The best small towns in South Carolina are Sullivan’s Island and Isle Of Palms for 2026 based on Saturday Night Science.

By: Chris Kolmar | About HomeSnacks
Last Updated: April 18, 2026

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 2026

  1. Sullivan’s Island
  2. Isle of Palms
  3. India Hook
  4. Northlake
  5. Newport
  6. Seabrook Island
  7. Elgin
  8. Folly Beach
  9. Shell Point
  10. Pine Ridge
  11. Elgin
  12. Springdale
  13. Kiawah Island
  14. Surfside Beach
  15. Riverview

Best Small Towns To Live In South Carolina Map

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:

The 15 Best Small Towns In South Carolina For 2026

1. Sullivan’s Island

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,087
Median Income: $192,813 (2nd Best)
Median Home Value: $2,348,135 (1st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.5%

2. Isle Of Palms

Overall SnackAbility

9.5
/10

Population: 4,362
Median Income: $156,979 (3rd Best)
Median Home Value: $1,616,637 (3rd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.3%

3. India Hook

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 3,960
Median Income: $106,667 (9th Best)
Median Home Value: $408,927 (13th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.7%

4. Northlake

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 4,390
Median Income: $89,635 (15th Best)
Median Home Value: $326,038 (22nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.6%

5. Newport

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 4,121
Median Income: $110,417 (8th Best)
Median Home Value: $401,530 (14th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

6. Seabrook Island

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,204
Median Income: $127,500 (6th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,006,060 (5th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 0.0%

7. Elgin

Overall SnackAbility

4
/10

Population: 2,360
Median Income: $77,994 (22nd Best)
Median Home Value: $295,685 (31st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.0%

8. Folly Beach

Folly Beach, SC

Source: Wikipedia User Bms4880 at en.wikipedia | GFDL
Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 1,267
Median Income: $102,279 (10th Best)
Median Home Value: $1,033,882 (4th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 2.1%

9. Shell Point

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 1,439
Median Income: $81,630 (19th Best)
Median Home Value: $344,353 (20th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 6.4%

10. Pine Ridge

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,596
Median Income: $95,000 (13th Best)
Median Home Value: $262,460 (45th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%

11. Elgin

Overall SnackAbility

6
/10

Population: 2,080
Median Income: $91,667 (14th Best)
Median Home Value: $295,685 (31st Best)
Unemployment Rate: 7.3%

12. Springdale

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 2,742
Median Income: $77,722 (23rd Best)
Median Home Value: $272,186 (39th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 5.9%

13. Kiawah Island

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,326
Median Income: $213,594 (1st Best)
Median Home Value: $2,097,986 (2nd Best)
Unemployment Rate: 1.8%

14. Surfside Beach

Overall SnackAbility

7
/10

Population: 4,270
Median Income: $70,106 (28th Best)
Median Home Value: $352,699 (17th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 8.6%

15. Riverview

Overall SnackAbility

5
/10

Population: 2,121
Median Income: $135,782 (4th Best)
Median Home Value: $537,722 (9th Best)
Unemployment Rate: 13.3%

Best States In America

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 2020-2024 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 – 146 to be exact.

We then ranked each place in each category with scores from 1 to 146, 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 eleventh 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, India Hook, Northlake, Newport, Seabrook Island, Elgin, Folly Beach, Shell Point, and Pine Ridge.

If you’re curious, here are the worst small towns in South Carolina:

  1. Buffalo
  2. Winnsboro Mills
  3. Estill

For more South Carolina reading, check out:

Best Small Towns In South Carolina

Rank City Population Median Income Median Home Value Unemployment Rate
1 Sullivan’s Island, SC 2,087 $192,813 1.5%
2 Isle Of Palms, SC 4,362 $156,979 1.3%
3 India Hook, SC 3,960 $106,667 0.7%
4 Northlake, SC 4,390 $89,635 1.6%
5 Newport, SC 4,121 $110,417 0.0%
6 Seabrook Island, SC 2,204 $127,500 0.0%
7 Elgin, SC 2,360 $77,994 1.0%
8 Folly Beach, SC 1,267 $102,279 2.1%
9 Shell Point, SC 1,439 $81,630 6.4%
10 Pine Ridge, SC 2,596 $95,000 3.2%
11 Elgin, SC 2,080 $91,667 7.3%
12 Springdale, SC 2,742 $77,722 5.9%
13 Kiawah Island, SC 2,326 $213,594 1.8%
14 Surfside Beach, SC 4,270 $70,106 8.6%
15 Riverview, SC 2,121 $135,782 13.3%
16 Inman, SC 3,166 $63,599 3.5%
17 Edisto Beach, SC 1,092 $85,521 5.8%
18 Chapin, SC 1,394 $79,922 2.6%
19 Pendleton, SC 3,594 $61,901 2.5%
20 Reidville, SC 2,194 $120,700 4.9%
21 Prosperity, SC 1,318 $62,958 4.0%
22 Meggett, SC 1,307 $97,865 2.0%
23 Stateburg, SC 2,027 $66,481 7.3%
24 Lesslie, SC 3,077 $100,618 5.6%
25 North Hartsville, SC 3,304 $59,744 2.4%
26 Murphys Estates, SC 1,064 $89,531 0.0%
27 Roebuck, SC 2,902 $51,204 1.6%
28 Woodruff, SC 4,538 $70,959 4.8%
29 Oakland, SC 1,060 $68,778 6.7%
30 Golden Grove, SC 2,913 $72,565 1.6%
31 Due West, SC 1,177 $53,603 22.6%
32 Cane Savannah, SC 1,551 $131,705 11.8%
33 Bonneau Beach, SC 1,516 $60,865 0.0%
34 Ridgeville, SC 1,740 $55,637 2.7%
35 Landrum, SC 2,620 $44,238 2.7%
36 Pickens, SC 3,155 $55,000 1.3%
37 Mayo, SC 2,305 $64,050 0.7%
38 Wellford, SC 3,515 $57,338 0.4%
39 Kershaw, SC 2,259 $68,693 1.6%
40 Ravenel, SC 2,615 $82,738 0.0%
41 Ninety Six, SC 2,521 $55,417 7.2%
42 Awendaw, SC 1,772 $77,010 8.9%
43 Liberty, SC 3,350 $42,206 2.1%
44 Aynor, SC 1,112 $73,984 3.0%
45 Arial, SC 1,919 $54,286 0.0%
46 Duncan, SC 4,310 $52,500 5.4%
47 Warrenville, SC 1,042 $53,418 4.1%
48 St. George, SC 2,154 $33,125 0.6%
49 South Congaree, SC 2,075 $59,539 5.6%
50 St. Matthews, SC 1,645 $51,310 8.1%
51 Westminster, SC 2,521 $40,946 3.9%
52 Lake Secession, SC 1,268 $51,875 5.0%
53 Dunean, SC 3,668 $48,553 9.7%
54 Williamston, SC 4,170 $64,389 7.9%
55 Winnsboro, SC 3,322 $37,434 7.7%
56 Manning, SC 3,863 $28,569 7.2%
57 Cottageville, SC 1,196 $80,938 2.8%
58 West Pelzer, SC 1,320 $53,750 9.8%
59 Burne, SC 3,135 $50,347 6.4%
60 Bishopville, SC 2,910 $39,276 3.1%
61 Cowpens, SC 1,840 $39,094 1.9%
62 Batesburg-Leesville, SC 4,941 $49,646 3.5%
63 Arcadia, SC 3,426 $55,218 7.9%
64 Belton, SC 4,458 $49,107 7.0%
65 New Ellenton, SC 2,837 $58,476 9.1%
66 Wagener, SC 1,193 $48,621 8.0%
67 Jonesville, SC 1,118 $40,625 1.2%
68 Varnville, SC 2,571 $55,714 14.5%
69 St. Stephen, SC 1,462 $65,370 6.1%
70 Fairforest, SC 1,727 $52,468 0.0%
71 Gloverville, SC 2,505 $52,197 8.3%
72 Lakewood, SC 3,544 $56,500 7.8%
73 Irwin, SC 1,919 $55,885 10.7%
74 Pelzer, SC 1,722 $58,134 5.7%
75 Pacolet, SC 2,419 $42,359 3.7%
76 Jackson, SC 1,870 $39,634 3.2%
77 Mccormick, SC 2,506 $41,111 1.7%
78 Latta, SC 1,455 $47,985 13.4%
79 Abbeville, SC 4,872 $40,575 7.5%
80 Johnsonville, SC 1,251 $44,830 9.1%
81 Springdale, SC 2,198 $41,398 2.8%
82 Fort Lawn, SC 1,388 $60,288 10.9%
83 South Sumter, SC 1,626 $46,406 11.4%
84 Holly Hill, SC 1,218 $34,135 3.4%
85 Santee, SC 1,076 $46,667 2.2%
86 Andrews, SC 3,485 $57,247 1.3%
87 Langley, SC 1,310 $53,646 10.5%
88 Calhoun Falls, SC 2,049 $38,715 2.5%
89 Lincolnville, SC 1,064 $40,417 3.7%
90 Cheraw, SC 4,960 $26,689 11.8%
91 Utica, SC 1,339 $55,179 12.2%
92 Catawba, SC 1,071 $59,632 13.8%
93 Chesterfield, SC 1,465 $44,526 10.0%
94 Lamar, SC 1,196 $38,864 5.3%
95 Saluda, SC 3,055 $42,506 3.7%
96 Clearwater, SC 3,319 $51,731 11.5%
97 Joanna, SC 1,306 $49,141 1.4%
98 Edisto, SC 1,801 $46,788 0.2%
99 Barnwell, SC 4,613 $52,006 13.8%
100 Pageland, SC 2,489 $42,679 6.2%
About Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn or his website.

 Best Small Towns, Rankings