Why tiny rural enclave has seen rapid influx of wealthy white homeowners – and what locals think of it

A small, rural county in South Carolina has seen a surge in its white population in recent years, with no county in the U.S. matching its explosive growth.

Jasper County, tucked into the southeastern corner of the state, has seen its share of white residents rise as more retirees move to the area in search of warmer weather and lower taxes.

The growing white population can therefore largely be attributed to people reaching retirement age who have migrated to that region.

One of the positive effects of this influx of retirees is the increase in the number of 55+ communities, such as Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head.

The migration of retirees is a disturbing trend that started several decades ago in Hilton Head and eventually ended up in Jasper County, which lies between Savannah and Beaufort County.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, Jasper County had the fastest growth of any county in South Carolina and was the ninth fastest growing county in the country.

Most of that growth has occurred in the cities of Ridgeland and Hardeeville the Post and Courier.

Today, Ridgeland’s population is roughly seven times what it was in 1990, while Ridgeland, with fewer than 4,000 residents, expects its population to exceed 40,000 in two decades.

When the 2020 census was conducted, Jasper County was already overwhelmingly white, 44 percent, compared to its black population of 40 percent. Hispanics accounted for nearly the remainder of the total.

Jasper County, tucked in the southeastern corner of the state, has seen its share of white residents rise as more retirees move to the area in search of warmer weather and lower taxes

One result of this influx of retirees is the proliferation of 55+ communities in the region, such as Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head

Another draw for retirees is the Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head, a sprawling 55-plus community spanning more than 2,700 acres in southern Jasper County

But according to recently released census estimates, the white population will have increased even further by 2023.

The data showed that the number of white residents had increased, making them 48 percent of the population.

Although the number of black residents did not really change, their percentage was diluted by the increase in the white population.

The black share of the population plummeted to 32 percent.

One Black Jasper County resident was little surprised by the area’s changing racial makeup.

The growing white population can largely be attributed to people of retirement age who have migrated to South Carolina

Reginald White, whose family owns property in the Cherry Hill neighborhood, said the post and courier that ‘the area’s rapidly growing white population and slowly shrinking black population were no surprise.’

He explained that much of the region’s economic lifeblood comes from the hospitality industry, which is located in neighboring Beaufort County.

Mr White revealed that many young black people leave the area in the hope of finding better-paying jobs further afield. He said he has seen this happen in his own family.

“To find those higher-paying jobs, a lot of people are leaving the area,” White noted.

He continued, “I think the economic situation in Jasper County is causing a lot of young people to leave in search of better career opportunities.”

In 2023, Jasper County Administrator Andrew Fulghum said the county’s explosive growth came from an influx of retirees

In 2023, Jasper County Administrator Andrew Fulghum told the Courierthat the region’s explosive growth was driven by an influx of retirees.

The county offers many benefits to the potential new resident, including a growing housing supply, average housing costs that are approximately $150,000 cheaper than Beaufort County, and quick freeway access.

The latest census data appears to confirm Fulghum’s claim. In 2020, 28 percent of Jasper County residents were over the age of 59. Just three years later, it is now 34 percent.

Another draw for retirees is the Latitude Margaritaville Hilton Head, a huge community of more than 55 people spanning more than 2,700 acres in southern Jasper County.