Pawleys Island, South Carolina

Pawleys Island, South Carolina
Town
Location of Pawleys Island inSouth Carolina Location of Pawleys Island in South Carolina
Coordinates:
Country	United States
State	South Carolina
County	Georgetown
Area
• Total	1.0 sq mi (2.6 km2)
• Land	0.7 sq mi (1.8 km2)
• Water	0.3 sq mi (0.8 km2)
Elevation	3 ft (1 m)
Population (2010)
• Total	103
• Density	148/sq mi (57.2/km2)
Time zone	EST (UTC-5)
• Summer (DST)	EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code	29585
Area code(s)	843
FIPS code	45-55015
GNIS feature ID	1231638
Website	www.townofpawleysisland.com

File:Shabby 2398.JPG

An "arrogantly shabby" surviving home from pre-Hurricane Hugo (1989) days.

Pawleys Island is a town in Georgetown County, South Carolina, United States, and the Atlantic coast barrier island on which the town sits. The population was 103 at the 2010 census, down from 138 at the 2000 census. The post office address also includes an unincorporated area on the mainland adjacent to the island, which includes a commercial district along the Ocean Highway (US Route 17) and a residential area between the highway and the Waccamaw River. The island is on the southern end of The Grand Strand and is one of the oldest resort areas of the US East Coast. The town of Pawleys Island, though, is only on the island. The island lies off the Waccamaw Neck, a long, narrow peninsula between the ocean and the river. The island is connected to the mainland by two bridges, the North Causeway and the South Causeway.

History

The earliest known inhabitants of the area were Waccamaw and Winyah Native Americans. They called the area "Chicora", meaning "the land", and the term is frequently used by locals.

The breezy island quickly became a refuge from the mosquitoes that were notable during the summer. With African slaves that were brought to the area came malaria, so those of means would move to summer cottages on the island to avoid the mosquito-vectored malaria and other sicknesses.The town's namesake George Pawley owned the island during the colonial era, and sold portions of it to other planters who wanted to escape malaria.

In 1791, two years after he was elected president, George Washington toured the Grand Strand. He passed right down The King's Highway in the unincorporated portion off Pawleys Island to visit the Alstons, wealthy planters who owned several plantations in the area. Rice fields occupied the Waccamaw River side of the neck.

The Grand Strand began to develop into a major tourist area during the early 20th century, but Pawleys was among the last areas to be heavily developed. Cypress sided cottages on the island gave the community one of its monikers: arrogantly shabby. With the coming of Hurricane Hugo in 1989, some of these cottages were swept away and have since been replaced by more "shabbier" homes, but there is a ban on commercial or industrial buildings on the island with the exception of a '70s condominium complex and a few inns which were grandfathered in. However, some of the oldest, most classic homes have stayed, such as Beachaven (north end of the island), owned by William Brigham Jr.and Louise Erhard, and the PCJ Weston House, which is now the Pelican Inn.

File:Pawleys town hall 2450.JPG

Pawleys Island, South Carolina Town Hall

The town government was incorporated in 1985. Although less secluded and more upscale than it was only a decade ago, Pawleys Island still retains a quaintness and a relaxed pace which makes it a rare island along the U.S. east coast. The water temperature is comfortable from May to October, and there is abundant fishing, crabbing, shrimping, and birdwatching most months of the year.

All Saints' Episcopal Church, Waccamaw, Cedar Grove Plantation Chapel, and Pawleys Island Historic District are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Geography

File:Pawleys garden 1 2449.JPG

Some of the island homes are notable for their flower gardens

The Town of Pawleys Island is located just off U.S. Route 17, about 10 miles (16 km) east of Georgetown. The island itself, located at , is a little over three miles (5 km) long and about a quarter of a mile wide. To the east-southeast lies the Atlantic Ocean. The island is a sandy barrier, with some dunes on the northern end up to about 15 feet (5 m) high. The southern end is very low. Behind the island is a tidal creek/marsh.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 1.0 square miles (2.6 km²), of which, 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it is land and 0.3 square miles (0.8 km²) of it (29.29%) is water.

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1990	176		—
2000	138		−21.6%
2010	103		−25.4%
Est. 2014	105		1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census of 2000, there were 138 people, 81 households, and 43 families residing in the town. The population density was 196.9 people per square mile (76.1/km²). There were 521 housing units at an average density of 743.3 per square mile (287.4/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 92.03% White, 7.25% African American, and 0.72% from two or more races.

There were 81 households out of which 9.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.6% were married couples living together, 1.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.9% were non-families. 45.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 17.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.70 and the average family size was 2.30.

In the town the population was spread out with 8.0% under the age of 18, 15.9% from 25 to 44, 50.7% from 45 to 64, and 25.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 55 years. For every 100 females there were 76.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.9 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $51,964, and the median income for a family was $97,125. Males had a median income of $28,750 versus $27,500 for females. The per capita income for the town was $48,183. There were none of the families and 1.5% of the population living below the poverty line, including no under eighteens and none of those over 64.

See also

• The Gray Man (Ghost)

External links

• Waccamaw High School
• "Shadows Along the Waccamaw"
• "Palmetto Cheese"
• "Lowcountry Preparatory School"