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Harbor Island

Harbor Island

Neighborhood in Beaufort, South Carolina

Beaufort County 29920

$766,740 Average Value
$380 Average Price per Sq Ft
35 Homes 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 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.
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.
You can find large homes with plenty of bedrooms within Harbor Island.
The homes within Harbor Island are full of coastal colors.
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.

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.
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.
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.

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 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.
You can enjoy the ice cream shop while you shop at Barefoot Bubba's in Harbor Island.
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Ryan Horton
Written By
Ryan Horton
Marc Smith
Photography Contributed By
Marc Smith
Houston Knight
Video By
Houston Knight

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
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 Ethan James, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Hilton Head

77 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Harbor Island US
Homicide 1 4
Sexual Assault 1 4
Assault with Weapon 1 4
Robbery 1 4
Burglary 1 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 1 4
Larceny 1 4
Crime Score 1 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Harbor Island Demographics and Home Trends

Housing Trends

Median List Price
$438,000
Median Sale Price
$436,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$750,000
Median Townhouse Sale Price
$715,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$424,900
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
43
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
5%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$380

Neighborhood Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
290
Number of Homes for Sale
35
Median Year Built
1985
Months of Supply
9.80
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,589
Below the national average
1,933
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,742
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,086
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
749
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
4,356

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Ethan James, 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.

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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.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Harbor Island
Ethan James
Charter One Realty
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