Quintessential Southern town becomes new hotspot
This comes as no surprise to locals, as Bluffton's population has more than doubled over the past 15 years. Since 2010, the number of Bluffton residents has grown by 120 percent, Bluffton Public Information Officer Debbie Szpanka told Daily Mail. Census data shows an even greater growth rate. With 12,530 residents in 2010 and 36,146 in July 2024 - an increase of roughly 188 percent.
'People are drawn to the strong sense of community, the chance to slow down, and the everyday access to nature, culture, award-winning culinary scene, and local businesses - all within a short drive from home,' Szpanka wrote. 'Bluffton has that unique "sense of place." It's where neighbors still wave to each other and where historic structures - and the stories behind them - are celebrated.' Bluffton realtors Joan Kelly (pictured) and Desiree Dulski, both originally from the Northeast, said most of their clients come from out of state and are looking for a change of pace.
'Quite honestly, the folks who are originally from the area are definitely outnumbered,' Kelly explained to Daily Mail. Bluffton is situated on the bank of the stunning May River and is just a 30-minute drive from Hilton Head's white sand beaches. 'You're really centrally located,' Kelly said, adding that Beaufort and Savannah, Georgia, are both less than an hour away as well.
Over the past several years, both Kelly and Dulski (pictured) said their clientele consists of people mainly from the Northeast and Midwest, specifically Ohio. And while moving rates have been 'evening out' since the COVID real estate boom, according to Dulski, it is certainly a hot spot nonetheless. 'So, the nickname is the Lowcountry, and it lives up to the name,' Dulski said, explaining why those sick of chilly weather or a hectic city life flock to Bluffton. 'It's just kind of like a small town, slower pace of life - imagine, life on the river.'
The 15-mile long May River - arguably the town's main draw - runs through Bluffton and is a popular site for fishing and boating. 'Many residents say they feel more connected to life by being surrounded by natural beauty,' Szpanka said. 'It never gets old to gaze at the May River, watch the tide roll in, or see dolphins playing just offshore.'
'World famous oysters' are also sourced from the gorgeous river's waters, according to Bluffton's official website . During low tide, outdoors lovers are known to take boats to the May River Sandbar - a hidden gem adored by locals about a mile from Bluffton's Brighton Beach coast. Bluffton's delightful downtown, also known as Old Town Bluffton, features art galleries, award-winning restaurants and boutiques.
Original buildings and structures fill the area, maintaining its historical integrity. For example, The Church of the Cross was built before the civil war. Dulski moved to Bluffton from Pittsburg, Pennsylvania about 10 years ago - one of the best decisions she said she ever made. 'I feel in love with it right away and never looked back,' she said. 'It's very family oriented, so many young families - I will say that population seems to be growing.'
Kelly added retirees have always been fond of Bluffton as well, as there are several large communities catered to that demographic available. 'Their obviously attracted to the weather and lower taxes, not from everywhere, but if you're coming from places like Connecticut or New Jersey, certainly lower taxes than those folks are used to paying,' she explained. New Jersey, for example, has one of the highest property tax rates in America, with residents paying an average rate of 2.23 percent.
This is a significantly greater burden than in South Carolina - a state known for its low property taxes - where the average rate is 0.53 percent, according to SmartAsset. The average home price in Bluffton is $508,307 and the median income is $105,463, which is higher than the $80,610 national average, according to census data.
The Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort Metropolitan Statistical Area has a low an unemployment rate of 3.3 percent as of April, while the national rate is 4.2 percent. 'I would just say you have to come experience it for yourself,' Dulski said when asked what she would tell someone considering moving to Bluffton. Despite its booming population, the small town - the so called 'Bluffton state of mind,' Kelly said - remains.
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