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Daufuskie Island

Daufuskie Island

Neighborhood in Bluffton, South Carolina

Beaufort County 29915

$1,013,124 Average Value
$342 Average Price per Sq Ft
42 Homes For Sale

A tight-knit island community only accessible by boat

Daufuskie Island is unlike any other part of Beaufort County. It floats just across from Hilton Head Island, between the Calibogue Sound, Intracoastal Waterway and the Atlantic Ocean. Since bridges don’t connect the two islands, locals must take the ferry or use their own boats to buy groceries or work on the mainland. Though it’s a bit of a commute, islanders like Andrew Mason “appreciate the privacy” of their Lowcountry home. Owner of Daufuskie Properties Realty LLC and longtime resident, Mason says, “I think the vast majority of people here are looking for a quieter place, away from it all.” Most of the 450 residents use golf carts to get around the island’s sandy dirt roads and “most everything revolves around the outdoors,” he adds. “In essence, this is where people go to become part of a real community and to basically enjoy a simpler, more straightforward way of life.”

Hunt for star fish on the 3-mile public beach

On Daufuskie Island, “everything revolves around the outdoors,” Mason says. “The beach and the ocean are a huge deal around here.” Comprising almost the entire east coast, the 3-mile stretch of sand is a popular place for locals to hunt for conch shells, sand dollars and starfish. “It’s never crowded so you get a lot of peace and serenity just walkin’ along the shore,” Mason adds. Residents can explore the ocean by kayak or head across the island to paddle board through saltwater creeks. While surfside fishing is quite common, the western waterways make for some of the best shrimping and crabbing grounds in the Lowcountry. In 2021, Mason says, “the whole island came together and built a playground for the kids.” Adults can enjoy their very own playground at the Haig Point Club, which boasts a championship-level golf course, equestrian stables and pickleball courts.

Expensive waterfront homes and less expensive, older bungalows

According to Mason, Daufuskie Island’s housing market is “really diverse.” “We have expensive waterfront homes with boat docks,” while further inland, “There’s relatively inexpensive homes where you can grow your own vegetables and such.” The gated Haig Point community features the island’s most expensive vernacular estates along with colorful beach cottages and some cape cod townhomes, too. These residents have access to a long list of amenities, including a championship-level golf course, on-site restaurants and private community beach access. Listings for waterfront properties typically start at $1.25 million, while the other Haig Point homes can range anywhere from $400,000 for a two-bedroom townhome to $900,000 for a single-family home. Throughout the rest of Daufuskie Island, there’s one- to three-bedroom bungalows starting around $200,000 and similar-sized beachfront condos for $500,000 to $600,000. Whether it’s a quarter acre wooded lot or a one and a half acre oceanfront lot, buyers have plenty of room to build their dream homes. These listings can range anywhere from $15,000 or a $500,000.

Everyone comes in for the community Thanksgiving picnic

Mason says the whole island comes together for a community dinner each year on the Sunday before Thanksgiving. “Everyone on the island is welcome to come and bring their own dish; we have islanders who’ll roast a big pig and cook turkeys while others will bring the sides.” He says the event is so big that “a lot of people who own vacation homes here will actually come into town specifically for the big dinner.”

Buy award-winning pieces from The Iron Fish Gallery & Studio

D’Fuskies is a local general store with just about anything – from homemade pizzas to everyday groceries and household items, too. Award-winning local artist, Chase Allen sells his nautical-themed iron sculptures out of a historic home he’s named The Iron Fish Gallery & Studio. Locals and vacationers spend summer evenings grubbing on fresh seafood and watching the sunset from the dock at Daufuskie Crab Co. More local shops and popular restaurants are just a short ferry ride away on Hilton Head Island.

Middle and High schoolers ride the ferry to class

Daufuskie Island sits within the Beaufort County School District. The island’s only public school is Daufuskie Island Elementary. After fifth grade, students ride the ferry to Hilton Head Island Middle, which scores an overall B on Niche. Hilton Head Island High receives an A-minus and offers the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme.

30-minute ferry ride to Hilton Head Island

Locals have a thirty-minute commute to Hilton Head Island via the Daufuskie Island Ferry, which runs four times daily. Mason says Haig Point residents “finance their own 24-hour private ferry system.” Residents can also hop on a water taxi or take their own boats across the water. Back on Daufuskie Island, Mason says “residents may have trucks, cars and several golf carts to get around.”

Ryan Horton
Written By
Ryan Horton
Justin Stapp
Photography Contributed By
Justin Stapp
Dan Mack
Video By
Dan Mack

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Schools

Source:
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Transit

Airport

Hilton Head

198 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Daufuskie 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

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$705,000
Median Single Family Price
$874,000
Median Townhouse Price
$462,500
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$350,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$342
Number of Homes for Sale
42
Last 12 months Home Sales
64
Months of Supply
7.90
Median List Price
$849,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
7%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
416
Median Year Built
1998
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,444
Above the national average
1,936
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,966
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,468
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
25,047

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

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Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
1,395
Median Age
62
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
11.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
43%
Above the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$137,240
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$149,525

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
100%
College Graduates
78.7%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
22.3%
% Population in Labor Force
51.3%
Below the national average
65.1%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
47''
Average Winter Low Temperature
40°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
0''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

26 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

1 / 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
Daufuskie Island