Folly Beach, SC Demographics
A map of Folly Beach's Population by Race
Folly Beach, South Carolina has an estimated population of 1,267, a dramatic decrease from the 2,078 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 96.3% White, 2.3% Multiracial, 1.4% Native American/Other, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Asian, and 0.0% Hispanic. This demographic dot map shows the population of Folly Beach, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.
Folly Beach has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably less diverse than South Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Folly Beach, that probability was 11.7% in 2020 and 7.2% in the most recent ACS estimates.
Folly Beach is ranked the 245th most populous place in South Carolina, out of 475 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Folly Beach was ranked the 184th most populous place in the 2020 Census.
Folly Beach's White Population
1,220 residents of Folly Beach, or 96.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Folly Beach is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Folly Beach ranks 15th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.
Since the 2020 Census, Folly Beach's White population has declined by an estimated 37.5%. White residents' share of Folly Beach's population has increased from 93.9% to 96.3%.
Folly Beach is more White than neighboring James Island (81.3% White), Charleston (71.7% White), and Mount Pleasant (89.5% White). Folly Beach is less White than neighboring Kiawah Island (98.2% White), and Sullivan's Island (96.5% White).
Folly Beach's Black Population
0 residents of Folly Beach, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Folly Beach is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Folly Beach ranks 453rd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.
Since the 2020 Census, Folly Beach's Black population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Black residents' share of Folly Beach's population has decreased from 0.8% to 0.0%.
Folly Beach is less Black than neighboring James Island (12.7% Black), Kiawah Island (0.3% Black), Charleston (15.8% Black), Sullivan's Island (0.4% Black), and Mount Pleasant (2.7% Black).
Folly Beach's Asian Population
0 residents of Folly Beach, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Folly Beach is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Folly Beach ranks 266th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.
Since the 2020 Census, Folly Beach's Asian population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Asian residents' share of Folly Beach's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.0%.
Folly Beach is less Asian than neighboring James Island (0.6% Asian), Kiawah Island (1% Asian), Charleston (1.9% Asian), and Mount Pleasant (1.6% Asian).
Folly Beach's Hispanic Population
0 residents of Folly Beach, or 0.0% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Folly Beach is lower than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Folly Beach ranks 398th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.
Since the 2020 Census, Folly Beach's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 100.0%. Hispanic residents' share of Folly Beach's population has decreased from 1.3% to 0.0%.
Folly Beach is less Hispanic than neighboring James Island (2.1% Hispanic), Kiawah Island (0.2% Hispanic), Charleston (6.1% Hispanic), Sullivan's Island (2.6% Hispanic), and Mount Pleasant (2.8% Hispanic).
Folly Beach's Native American/Other Population
18 residents of Folly Beach, or 1.4% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Folly Beach is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Folly Beach ranks 324th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.
Since the 2020 Census, Folly Beach's Native American/Other population has grown by an estimated 80.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Folly Beach's population has increased from 0.5% to 1.4%.
Folly Beach is more Native American/Other than neighboring James Island (0.1% Native American/Other), Kiawah Island (0% Native American/Other), Charleston (0.6% Native American/Other), Sullivan's Island (0% Native American/Other), and Mount Pleasant (0.4% Native American/Other).
Folly Beach's Multiracial Population
29 residents of Folly Beach, or 2.3% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Folly Beach is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Folly Beach ranks 284th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.
Since the 2020 Census, Folly Beach's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 55.4%. Multiracial residents' share of Folly Beach's population has decreased from 3.1% to 2.3%.
Folly Beach is more Multiracial than neighboring Kiawah Island (0.3% Multiracial), and Sullivan's Island (0.5% Multiracial). Folly Beach is less Multiracial than neighboring James Island (3.1% Multiracial), Charleston (4% Multiracial), and Mount Pleasant (3% Multiracial).
Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.