James Island, SC Demographics

A map of James Island's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	9,921	9,689	81.3%	83.4%
Black	1,544	1,058	12.7%	9.1%
Multiracial	381	425	3.1%	3.7%
Hispanic	258	311	2.1%	2.7%
Asian	79	75	0.6%	0.6%
Native American/Other	15	63	0.1%	0.5%

James Island, South Carolina has an estimated population of 12,198, an increase from the 11,621 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 81.3% White, 12.7% Black, 3.1% Multiracial, 2.1% Hispanic, 0.6% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of James Island, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

James Island has become more 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 James Island, that probability was 29.4% in 2020 and 32.1% in the most recent ACS estimates.

James Island is ranked the 53rd 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). James Island was ranked the 53rd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

James Island's White Population

9,921 residents of James Island, or 81.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in James Island is significantly higher than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. James Island ranks 76th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, James Island's White population has grown by an estimated 2.4%. White residents' share of James Island's population has decreased from 83.4% to 81.3%.

James Island is more White than neighboring Charleston (71.7% White). James Island is less White than neighboring Folly Beach (96.3% White), Sullivan's Island (96.5% White), Mount Pleasant (89.5% White), and Kiawah Island (98.2% White).

James Island's Black Population

1,544 residents of James Island, or 12.7% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in James Island is considerably lower than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. James Island ranks 368th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, James Island's Black population has grown by an estimated 45.9%. Black residents' share of James Island's population has increased from 9.1% to 12.7%.

James Island is more Black than neighboring Folly Beach (0% Black), Sullivan's Island (0.4% Black), Mount Pleasant (2.7% Black), and Kiawah Island (0.3% Black). James Island is less Black than neighboring Charleston (15.8% Black).

James Island's Asian Population

79 residents of James Island, or 0.6% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in James Island is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. James Island ranks 203rd statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, James Island's Asian population has grown by an estimated 5.3%. Asian residents' share of James Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

James Island is more Asian than neighboring Folly Beach (0% Asian), and Sullivan's Island (0% Asian). James Island is less Asian than neighboring Charleston (1.9% Asian), Mount Pleasant (1.6% Asian), and Kiawah Island (1% Asian).

James Island's Hispanic Population

258 residents of James Island, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in James Island is lower than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. James Island ranks 285th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, James Island's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 17.0%. Hispanic residents' share of James Island's population has decreased from 2.7% to 2.1%.

James Island is more Hispanic than neighboring Folly Beach (0% Hispanic), and Kiawah Island (0.2% Hispanic). James Island is less Hispanic than neighboring Charleston (6.1% Hispanic), Sullivan's Island (2.6% Hispanic), and Mount Pleasant (2.8% Hispanic).

James Island's Native American/Other Population

15 residents of James Island, or 0.1% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in James Island is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. James Island ranks 301st statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, James Island's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 76.2%. Native American/Other residents' share of James Island's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.1%.

James Island is more Native American/Other than neighboring Sullivan's Island (0% Native American/Other), and Kiawah Island (0% Native American/Other). James Island is less Native American/Other than neighboring Folly Beach (1.4% Native American/Other), Charleston (0.6% Native American/Other), and Mount Pleasant (0.4% Native American/Other).

James Island's Multiracial Population

381 residents of James Island, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in James Island is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. James Island ranks 213th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, James Island's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 10.4%. Multiracial residents' share of James Island's population has decreased from 3.7% to 3.1%.

James Island is more Multiracial than neighboring Folly Beach (2.3% Multiracial), Sullivan's Island (0.5% Multiracial), Mount Pleasant (3% Multiracial), and Kiawah Island (0.3% Multiracial). James Island is less Multiracial than neighboring Charleston (4% 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.