Laurel Bay, SC Demographics

A map of Laurel Bay's Population by Race

Laurel Bay, South Carolina has an estimated population of 5,882, a large increase from the 5,082 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 45.2% White, 38.4% Black, 13.8% Hispanic, 2.1% Multiracial, 0.3% Asian, and 0.2% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Laurel Bay, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Laurel Bay has become less racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more 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 Laurel Bay, that probability was 65.1% in 2020 and 62.9% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Laurel Bay is ranked the 95th 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). Laurel Bay was ranked the 102nd most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Laurel Bay's White Population

2,658 residents of Laurel Bay, or 45.2% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Laurel Bay is significantly lower than in South Carolina overall, where 61.9% of the population is White. Laurel Bay ranks 294th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel Bay's White population has grown by an estimated 2.5%. White residents' share of Laurel Bay's population has decreased from 51.0% to 45.2%.

Laurel Bay is more White than neighboring Lobeco (0% White). Laurel Bay is less White than neighboring Burton (49.6% White), Beaufort (62.6% White), Seabrook (49.8% White), and Shell Point (84.2% White).

Laurel Bay's Black Population

2,259 residents of Laurel Bay, or 38.4% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Laurel Bay is considerably higher than in South Carolina overall, where 24.6% of the population is Black. Laurel Bay ranks 238th statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel Bay's Black population has grown by an estimated 88.1%. Black residents' share of Laurel Bay's population has increased from 23.6% to 38.4%.

Laurel Bay is more Black than neighboring Burton (37.8% Black), Beaufort (26% Black), and Shell Point (9.4% Black). Laurel Bay is less Black than neighboring Seabrook (44.8% Black), and Lobeco (100% Black).

Laurel Bay's Asian Population

18 residents of Laurel Bay, or 0.3% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Laurel Bay is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 1.7% of the population is Asian. Laurel Bay ranks 91st statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel Bay's Asian population has declined by an estimated 78.6%. Asian residents' share of Laurel Bay's population has decreased from 1.7% to 0.3%.

Laurel Bay is more Asian than neighboring Seabrook (0% Asian), Shell Point (0% Asian), and Lobeco (0% Asian). Laurel Bay is less Asian than neighboring Burton (3.4% Asian), and Beaufort (0.9% Asian).

Laurel Bay's Hispanic Population

814 residents of Laurel Bay, or 13.8% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Laurel Bay is higher than in South Carolina overall, where 7.4% of the population is Hispanic. Laurel Bay ranks 22nd statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel Bay's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 5.6%. Hispanic residents' share of Laurel Bay's population has decreased from 17.0% to 13.8%.

Laurel Bay is more Hispanic than neighboring Burton (3.4% Hispanic), Beaufort (7.4% Hispanic), Seabrook (0% Hispanic), Shell Point (4.2% Hispanic), and Lobeco (0% Hispanic).

Laurel Bay's Native American/Other Population

9 residents of Laurel Bay, or 0.2% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Laurel Bay is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Laurel Bay ranks 78th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel Bay's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 84.7%. Native American/Other residents' share of Laurel Bay's population has decreased from 1.2% to 0.2%.

Laurel Bay is more Native American/Other than neighboring Burton (0.1% Native American/Other), Seabrook (0% Native American/Other), Shell Point (0% Native American/Other), and Lobeco (0% Native American/Other). Laurel Bay is less Native American/Other than neighboring Beaufort (0.4% Native American/Other).

Laurel Bay's Multiracial Population

124 residents of Laurel Bay, or 2.1% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Laurel Bay is comparable to the share in South Carolina overall, where 3.7% of the population is Multiracial. Laurel Bay ranks 46th statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 475 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Laurel Bay's Multiracial population has declined by an estimated 56.2%. Multiracial residents' share of Laurel Bay's population has decreased from 5.6% to 2.1%.

Laurel Bay is more Multiracial than neighboring Lobeco (0% Multiracial). Laurel Bay is less Multiracial than neighboring Burton (5.7% Multiracial), Beaufort (2.8% Multiracial), Seabrook (5.4% Multiracial), and Shell Point (2.2% 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.