$782,189Average Value$292Average Price per Sq Ft3Homes For Sale
A laid back, coastal community surrounded by wildlife
Dozens of loggerhead sea turtles inch up Harbor Island’s private beach each summer to lay their eggs. With its own Sea Turtle Nest Protection Program and strict rules regarding lights on the beach, the Island creates a safe haven for the little hatchlings as they follow the moonlight back to the ocean. Harbor Island is also considered the gateway to Beaufort Barrier Island’s Important Bird Area. Its freshwater lagoons, natural sand bars and dense marshlands become the nesting sites for thousands of wading birds each spring. While most of the Island’s inhabitants are animals, “about 10 to 20 percent are permanent residents,” Christopher Skrip says. The local broker and co-owner of RE/MAX Dream, Skrip, adds, “It’s a lot of second homes, investment properties and family vacation homes that some people will rent out.” “All in all,” he says, “Harbor Island is just a real laid-back, calm place to spend time with your family and get outdoors.”
You can enjoy a meal with a friend at Johnson Creek Tavern near Harbor Island.
You can take the afternoon off and enjoy fishing from the pier in Harbor Island.
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Stilt beach cottages on the coastline
Homes on Harbor Island sit in small residential communities, most stretching out into the inland saltwater marshes. Along the coastline, wooden boardwalks cross over the sea oats and connect stilt cottages to the beach. Most condos and other multi-dwelling units are located "right there in the center of the island," Skrip says. These rentals and the other waterfront homes face northeast, "so your ocean views aren't directly oceanfront, and the waves are much calmer," he says. The marsh-side properties "rarely flood," he says, but storm erosion is slowly narrowing the space between its coastal cottages and the ocean. Besides the rentals, "everything over there is going to require flood insurance," he says. The Harbor Island Home Owners Association requires around $1,000 in annual fees to help cover the landscaping and maintenance costs, plus all the other community amenities. One- to two-bedroom condos start at around $200,000, while single-family homes are listed at around $650,000. The waterfront cottages generally range between $900,000 and $1.75 million. There are also some quarter-acre empty lots starting at $50,000.
You can find large homes with plenty of bedrooms within Harbor Island.
The homes within Harbor Island are full of coastal colors.
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It's a 5-minute walk to the private beach
Residents are just a five-minute walk from Harbor Island's private beach. It extends across 2.5 miles of sugary white sands and sea oats. Locals and vacationers hunt for conch shells on the hook-shaped sandbar and watch pelicans dive for fish. When the tides are low, families can ride bikes to the pool and playground area at the Harbor Island Beach and Racquet Club. Year-round neighbors regularly meet at the fitness center for aerobics classes and head to the clay tennis courts for weekly practices. The brackish Harbor River spills into the inland saltwater creeks, creating one of the best environments for crabbing and shrimping on the Carolina Sea Islands.
Bike to Barefoot Bubba’s for an ice cream
A handful of local restaurants and businesses sit just outside the gates along Sea Island Parkway. Boaters can pull up to Another Slice's small inland dock and order a pizza to-go or sit down with a drink on the outdoor patio. Barefoot Bubba's occupies a neon-colored beach shack a few doors down. It has all kinds of Harbor Island merch, rental kayaks for vacationers and a Hershey's Ice Cream shop. Locals rave about the acai blends at Boujee Bowls. Right next door, Johnson Creek Tavern is a popular hometown bar and grill, serving traditional Southern-style seafood dishes with a marsh-side view. Residents can drive about 13 miles onto the mainland to buy groceries and other essentials at the Walmart Supercenter or Publix.
You can enjoy shopping at Barefoot Bubba's in Harbor Island.
You can enjoy the ice cream shop while you shop at Barefoot Bubba's in Harbor Island.
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It’s a 10- to 15-mile commute to Beaufort County Schools
The Beaufort County School District serves Harbor Island. All the schools are located on the mainland, about 10 to 15 miles away. St. Helena Elementary earns a C on Niche, Lady's Island Middle scores a B and Beaufort High gets a B-minus. Through the high school's choice program, students can explore future careers in Health Sciences and Sports Medicine.
Beaufort High School received an overall grade of B- from niche.
Lady's Island Middle School has received an overall grade of B from Niche.
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Sea Island Parkway links to the mainland
US Highway 21, or Sea Island Parkway, borders the neighborhood's south end and crosses the Harbor Island Bridge, connecting locals to the mainland. The Island's far north location makes it easy for locals to leave in case of a hurricane or access Beaufort Memorial Hospital in about 20 miles. The Hilton Head Island Airport sits about 50 miles south, while Historic Downtown Charleston is about 85 miles north.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Blake Gruel,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Hunting Island State Park
Transit
Airport
Hilton Head
77 min drive
Harbor Island Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Harbor Island, Beaufort sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 70 days. The median sale price for homes in Harbor Island, Beaufort over the last 12 months is $613,536, up 136% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Welcome to your dream beach getaway! This exceptional 2-bedroom, 2.5-bath condo offers breathtaking views and a tasteful modern coastal style. With meticulous updates, this unit is a perfect blend of sophistication and comfort. Master suite is a tranquil oasis w/ panoramic views of the coastline, comfortable king-sized bed, en-suite bathroom. This beach condo comes fully furnished, allowing you
Welcome to Pelican Perch, a tranquil, beachfront retreat on private Harbor Island. Your beautifully renovated, spacious duplex is located on the quiet Pelican Point cul-de-sac. Enjoy the sunrise with your morning coffee on one of the three back decks, each with unobstructed views of the ocean and dunes. Sit out front for a view of the tidal marsh and flocks of migrating birds searching for their
Find your place in the sun on beautiful Harbor Island! This 2 BR/2 bath villa offers a simpler lifestyle while enjoying 2 1/2 miles of natural beach. The villa has been updated with new hurricane resistant windows & sliding door, exterior siding and composite decking (2025). Interior features granite counters, gray shaker cabinets & stainless Farm Sink in the kitchen; LVP flooring in living area
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Blake Gruel,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
459
Median Age
66
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
7.2%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
54%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$84,091
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$105,934
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.6%
College Graduates
65.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
29.7%
% Population in Labor Force
34.7%
Significantly below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
48''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
92°F
Annual Snowfall
0''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
38/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
11/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
