Isle of Palms

Isle of Palms is a small coastal city in Charleston County, South Carolina. It has two neighborhoods and is the 88th largest community in the state. The community is located on a narrow strip of land along the beach and the Atlantic Ocean. The northeastern tip of the island is home to the Wild Dunes private, master-planned community. The town has a mayor/council form of municipal government. It is a nautical community, historic and blessed with beautiful ocean views and a plethora of waterfront activities and amenities. The community offers a unique commuting option for those not wanting to drive, there is a streetcar service. However, many daily commuters in the community still drive themselves. Over 69% of all adults in the community have four-year degrees or more, which is more than three times the national education average in U.S. communities. It is a somewhat diverse community and common ancestries in the area include Irish, German, Italian and Scottish. English remains the primary language in the city, followed by Spanish and Polish.

Before European settlement, the area was inhabited by members of the Sewee tribe. However, after settlers arrived the number of natives in the area decreased. During the late 1800s the island became a popular vacation spot. Visitors traveled to the islands shores by ferry to enjoy picnics on the beach and other pleasures. A fifty-room hotel was built in 1905 and in 1912, a beach pavilion and amusement park opened. After WWII, a large scale residential development was built to create low cost housing for veterans and their families. In 1989, most of the island was caught in the storm surge of Hurricane Hugo and had to rebuild from damage the hurricane left behind.

The city spans 5.4 square miles, 4.4 square miles of land area and 1.0 square mile of water. It is predominantly a white-collar community. Over 15% of the workforce works from home via telecommuting, home-based businesses and freelance work. The population of Isle of Palms in 2016, was estimated at about 4,935, the estimated median household income was $95,405 and the per capita income was $70,085. In the same year, the estimated median house or condo value was $879,617, the mean price on all housing units was $384,845 and the median gross rent was $1,777.

It is a predominantly residential community with a wonderful laid-back beachy vibe, peaceful streets and good schools. Public education for the children of the community is provided by the schools of the Charleston County School District. The city features a sizable commercial district, which provides a variety of shopping, dining and entertainment options. The city real estate does include a number of vacation rental properties. This means that in the off season it is a much quieter community where your best neighbors are the trees that give you shade. Homes for sale come in a variety of sizes and styles. Other real estate options include rental and lease properties in various forms like apartments, condominiums and more.

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