Port Royal, South Carolina

Port Royal, South Carolina
—  Town  —
Location of Port Royal, South Carolina
Coordinates:
Country United States
State South Carolina
County Beaufort
Area
 • Total 22 sq mi (57.0 km2)
 • Land 19 sq mi (49.1 km2)
 • Water 3.1 sq mi (7.9 km2)
Elevation 23 ft (7 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 10,678
 • Density 485.2/sq mi (187.3/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 29935
Area code(s) 843
FIPS code 45-58030[1]
GNIS feature ID 1250223[2]
Website www.portroyal.org

Port Royal is a Lowcountry town in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. Largely because of annexation of surrounding areas (including Parris Island), the population of Port Royal rose from 3,950 in 2000 to 10,678 in 2010, a 170% increase.[1] As defined by the U.S. Census Bureau, Port Royal is included within the Beaufort Urban Cluster and the larger Hilton Head IslandBeaufort Micropolitan Statistical Area.

Frenchman Jean Ribault explored the Port Royal Sound waterways and harbours in 1562, and founded the short-lived settlement of Charlesfort there. The area later became the site of a Spanish and still later Scottish colony during the 17th century. In 1863, the Emancipation Proclamation was first read at Christmas under the Proclamation tree in Port Royal. Port Royal hosts the Soft Shell Crab Festival every year in late April during the short soft shell crab season.

The famous hurricane scene from the 1994 film Forrest Gump was filmed in the town's dock area.

Contents

Geography

Port Royal is located at (32.386572, -80.705007)[3].

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.0 square miles (57.0 km2), of which 19.0 square miles (49.1 km2) is land and 3.1 square miles (7.9 km2), or 13.92%, is water.[4]

Port Royal was the site of the Naval Battle of Port Royal during the Civil War. Later during the war, it was the site of the Port Royal Experiment, which included most of the Sea Islands in Union hands.

See also: [2]

Port Royal is also home to Marine Corps Recruit Depot, Parris Island, SC, and Naval Hospital Beaufort.

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,950 people, 1,660 households, and 1,010 families residing in the town. The population density was 1,017.3 people per square mile (393.1/km²). There were 1,792 housing units at an average density of 461.5 per square mile (178.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 64.18% White, 29.16% African American, 0.46% Native American, 1.70% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 1.92% from other races, and 2.48% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 4.28% of the population.

There were 1,660 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 43.6% were married couples living together, 13.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the town the population was spread out with 22.9% under the age of 18, 14.6% from 18 to 24, 34.2% from 25 to 44, 17.3% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 91.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $36,599, and the median income for a family was $40,867. Males had a median income of $26,942 versus $23,671 for females. The per capita income for the town was $18,163. About 7.9% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.0% of those under age 18 and 18.6% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links