Saint Helena Island ZIP Codes — Beaufort County, SC

There is one unique ZIP code in Saint Helena Island, South Carolina and it is 29920. Area code: 843.

ZIP codes

97.62

sq mi land

45.26

sq mi water

843

area code

Saint Helena Island, SC ZIP code map

About Saint Helena Island, SC

Saint Helena Island is a charming community located in South Carolina, within Beaufort County. This picturesque island is known for its rich history and vibrant Gullah culture, which is deeply rooted in the region's African heritage. Visitors and residents alike enjoy the island's natural beauty and tranquil atmosphere, making it a unique destination in the Lowcountry.

Location & geography

Saint Helena Island is situated in the southeastern part of South Carolina, positioned between Hilton Head Island and Beaufort, with Beaufort approximately 15 miles to the northeast. The island encompasses a total land area of 97.62 square miles and is surrounded by water, with 45.26 square miles designated as water area. The terrain is characterized by marshlands, rivers, and natural landscapes, providing a scenic environment for outdoor activities.

Community & economy

The character of Saint Helena Island is a blend of traditional Southern charm and rich cultural heritage, with a strong sense of community among its residents. The economy is primarily driven by tourism, which highlights the island's historical sites and beautiful landscapes, along with fishing and agriculture. Daily life on the island is relaxed and offers a slower pace, with opportunities for experiencing the local culture through festivals and events.

Transportation

Transportation on Saint Helena Island is primarily accessible via local roads, with SC Highway 21 being a significant route connecting the island to the mainland and neighboring areas. The nearest major airport is Hilton Head Island Airport, located about 25 miles away, providing both domestic and limited international flights. There are no extensive public transit options available, so local commuting often relies on personal vehicles.

History

Saint Helena Island has a rich history, with settlement dating back to the early 18th century when rice plantation agriculture became prominent. Key industries on the island have traditionally included farming, fishing, and tourism, with notable events such as the preservation of Gullah culture and language taking center stage in the community. The island has seen efforts to maintain its historical landmarks and natural beauty, making it a significant cultural heritage site.

Did you know?

One surprising fact about Saint Helena Island is its association with the Gullah culture, which has influenced the region's music, art, and cuisine. Additionally, the island is home to some of the last remaining portions of the original coastal landscape that existed prior to European settlement.

ZIP codes for Saint Helena Island, SC (1)

ZIP code	City	County	Map
29920	Saint Helena Island	Beaufort	View map

Demographics & statistics

10,482

Population

54.4

Median age

$69,025

Median household income

$39,335

Per capita income

$288,500

Median home value

$979

Median monthly rent

88.2%

Home ownership

18.3%

Poverty rate

1.1%

Unemployment

6,536

Housing units

32.5%

Bachelor's or higher

Age distribution

Male Female

325

Under 5

302

181

5–9

168

299

10–14

278

202

15–19

189

342

20–24

319

424

25–34

396

307

35–44

286

698

45–54

650

436

55–59

407

529

60–64

493

1,171

65–74

1,091

398

75–84

371

114

85+

106

← Male

Female →

Age summary

Group	Count	%
Under 18	1,816	17.3%
18 and over	8,666	82.7%
65 and over	3,251	31.0%
Median age	54.4 years

Race & ethnicity

Black or African American 44.8%

White 41.1%

Hispanic or Latino 5.3%

Other race 4.7%

Two or more races 3.7%

Asian 0.4%

Group	Count	%
Black or African American	4,960	44.8%
White	4,548	41.1%
Hispanic or Latino	592	5.3%
Other race	526	4.7%
Two or more races	406	3.7%
Asian	42	0.4%

Household income

Under $10k 4.0%

$10k–$15k 8.2%

$15k–$25k 6.6%

$25k–$35k 4.1%

$35k–$50k 10.8%

$50k–$75k 20.4%

$75k–$100k 15.9%

$100k–$150k 15.3%

$150k–$200k 5.8%

$200k+ 9.0%

Range	% of households
Under $10k	4.0%
$10k–$15k	8.2%
$15k–$25k	6.6%
$25k–$35k	4.1%
$35k–$50k	10.8%
$50k–$75k	20.4%
$75k–$100k	15.9%
$100k–$150k	15.3%
$150k–$200k	5.8%
$200k+	9.0%
Median income	$69,025

Housing

Home values

Under $50k 12.0%

$50k–$100k 7.4%

$100k–$150k 14.4%

$150k–$200k 4.4%

$200k–$300k 14.0%

$300k–$500k 24.6%

$500k–$1M 18.7%

$1M+ 4.6%

Housing overview

Metric	Value
Median home value	$288,500
Median rent / month	$979
Owner occupied	88.2%
Renter occupied	11.8%
Vacant	38.6%
Single-family detached	57.2%
Large apartment buildings	1.4%
Mobile homes	34.2%
Median rooms	6.0
Avg household size (owned)	2.29

Year built

Era	%
2020 or later	0.4%
2010–2019	8.6%
2000–2009	25.4%
1990–1999	29.6%
1980–1989	19.4%
1970–1979	12.1%
1960–1969	1.6%
1950–1959	1.9%
1940–1949	0.9%
1939 or earlier	0.1%

Bedrooms

Size	% of units
No bedroom (studio)	1.3%
1 bedroom	3.4%
2 bedrooms	20.5%
3 bedrooms	51.9%
4 bedrooms	18.6%
5+ bedrooms	4.3%

Vehicles per household

Vehicles	% of households
No vehicle	4.6%
1 vehicle	34.3%
2 vehicles	45.9%
3 or more	15.1%

Heating fuel

Fuel type	%
Utility gas	1.8%
Electricity	90.6%
Propane / LP gas	6.7%
Fuel oil	0.4%
Wood	0.3%
Solar	0.2%
No fuel used	0.1%

Households & families

Household type	Count	%
Married-couple family	2,143	49.6%
Cohabiting couple	191	4.4%
Male householder, no spouse	927	21.4%
Female householder, no spouse	1,062	24.6%
Households with children under 18	846	19.6%
Households with seniors (65+)	2,373	54.9%
Average household size	2.36

Marital status

Status	Male	Female
Never married	36.2%	21.9%
Married	48.4%	55.2%
Separated	1.9%	2.1%
Widowed	5.3%	13.7%
Divorced	8.3%	7.0%

Education

Less than 9th grade 3.7%

Some HS, no diploma 8.0%

HS graduate 30.9%

Some college, no degree 19.4%

Associate's degree 5.5%

Bachelor's degree 14.7%

Graduate / professional 17.8%

Metric	%
HS diploma or higher	88.3%
Bachelor's or higher	32.5%

School enrollment (ages 3–17)

Type	Count	%
Nursery / preschool	449	25.2%
Kindergarten	129	7.2%
Elementary school	652	36.6%
High school	317	17.8%
College / grad school	234	13.1%

Employment

Industry of employment

Education & healthcare 21.5%

Professional & management 12.6%

Manufacturing 11.2%

Construction 10.7%

Other services 9.6%

Retail trade 9.1%

Arts, food & hospitality 9.1%

Agriculture & mining 5.0%

Finance & real estate 3.6%

Transportation & utilities 3.0%

Information 2.0%

Public administration 1.8%

Wholesale trade 0.7%

Occupation

Category	%
Management, business & arts	32.9%
Service	15.8%
Sales & office	16.7%
Natural resources & construction	14.6%
Production & transportation	20.0%

Employment type

Type	%
Private sector	82.2%
Government	12.2%
Self-employed	5.5%
Unpaid family workers	0.1%

Commute

Method	%
Drive alone	78.9%
Carpool	11.8%
Public transit	0.4%
Walk	0.9%
Other means	0.6%
Avg commute (minutes)	32.3

Poverty

All people 18.3%

Under 18 years 41.5%

18 and over 13.4%

Married-couple families 7.5%

Female-led households 26.5%

Income support

Source	% of households
Social Security	59.7%
Retirement income	47.8%
Supplemental Security	7.1%
Cash public assistance	2.3%
Food stamps / SNAP	9.9%

Health indicators

Condition	%
High blood pressure	48.2%
High cholesterol	41.5%
Heart disease	8.8%
Stroke	5.0%
Asthma	10.3%
Arthritis	34.6%
Kidney disease	4.2%
Pulmonary disease	8.7%
Cancer	8.3%

Behavior / access	%
Binge drinking	12.5%
No physical activity	27.3%
Less than 7 hrs sleep	37.5%
Fair or poor health	19.7%
Poor mental health	13.3%
Poor physical health	13.2%
No health insurance	18.8%
Visited doctor (checkup)	84.1%
Visited dentist	63.7%
Cholesterol screening	92.4%
Teeth loss	14.2%

Veterans & disability

Veterans	Count	%
Civilian veterans	945	10.9%

Disability	%
Any disability	18.7%
Under 18	0.4%
18–64 years	17.6%
65 and over	30.8%

Health insurance coverage

Type	%
Private insurance	59.0%
Public insurance	51.2%
Uninsured under 19	1.4%

Language & origin

Language spoken at home (age 5+)

Language	Count	%
English only	9,855	94.0%
Spanish	566	5.7%
Other Indo-European	543	5.5%
Asian & Pacific Islander	15	0.2%
Other languages	8	0.1%

Place of birth & citizenship

Origin	Count	%
Native born (US)	9,849	94.0%
Born in same state	9,812	93.6%
Born in different state	5,253	50.1%
Foreign born	37	0.4%
Naturalized citizen	633	6.0%
Not a US citizen	108	17.1%

Ancestry

Ancestry	Count	%
French	916	8.7%
Arab	463	4.4%
Italian	460	4.4%
English	61	0.6%
Dutch	51	0.5%

Ancestry	Count	%
Polish	25	0.2%
German	17	0.2%
Norwegian	14	0.1%
Irish	11	0.1%

Technology access

Metric	% of households
Computer access	41.2%
Internet access	92.8%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2025 estimates.

Frequently asked questions

What ZIP codes does Saint Helena Island, SC have?

Saint Helena Island, SC has one ZIP code: 29920. Each ZIP code serves a distinct delivery area within the city and surrounding region.