Bluffton had 36,807 residents on July 1, 2025, the Census Bureau estimates, up 32.8% since the 2020 census and nearly triple its 2010 count.
Last checked Oct. 12, 2026. Every figure on this page comes from the U.S. Census Bureau and is linked to its source. Updated when the bureau publishes new figures.
The Town of Bluffton had an estimated 36,807 residents on July 1, 2025, according to the Census Bureau’s Vintage 2025 city and town population estimates. That is up 32.8% from the 2020 census count of 27,716, and almost three times the 12,530 people counted in 2010. Bluffton holds about 18% of Beaufort County’s 204,433 estimated residents. The bureau’s QuickFacts page for Bluffton gathers the headline numbers.
Where the numbers come from
- Population counts: the 2010 census and 2020 census
- Yearly estimates: Vintage 2025 estimates, for July 1 of each year
- Age, income, housing: American Community Survey 2020-2024, five-year profile
- Census Bureau help line: 1-800-923-8282
These figures cover the incorporated Town of Bluffton only. Many homes with a Bluffton mailing address are in unincorporated Beaufort County and are not counted here.
Growth since 2010
| Year | Bluffton | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | 12,530 | 2010 census |
| 2020 | 27,716 | 2020 census |
| 2021 | 31,710 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2022 | 34,405 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2023 | 35,341 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2024 | 36,372 | Estimate, July 1 |
| 2025 | 36,807 | Estimate, July 1 |
Growth has slowed since the early 2020s. Bluffton added about 3,400 people in the year to July 2021 and about 2,700 in the year to July 2022, but 435 in the year to July 2025, a 1.2% rise. Beaufort County grew 0.7% that year, to 204,433.
Compared with the neighbors and the county
| Place | 2010 census | 2020 census | 2025 estimate | Change since 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bluffton | 12,530 | 27,716 | 36,807 | +32.8% |
| Hilton Head Island, about 11 miles east | 37,099 | 37,661 | 38,196 | +1.4% |
| Hardeeville, about 9 miles west | 2,952 | 7,473 | 16,459 | +120.2% |
| Beaufort County | 162,233 | 187,117 | 204,433 | +9.3% |
Hilton Head Island’s population has barely moved since 2010, while Bluffton nearly tripled. At the 2025 estimates, Bluffton is 1,389 people smaller than Hilton Head. Hardeeville, which sits mostly in Jasper County, has grown fastest of the three since 2020.
Who lives here
From the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey, 2020-2024 five-year estimates:
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County | South Carolina |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.7 | 48.1 | 40.2 |
| Under 18 | 22.7% | 17.4% | 21.4% |
| 65 and older | 24.6% | 28.4% | 18.9% |
| Households | 12,987 | 82,333 | 2,117,989 |
| Average household size | 2.54 | 2.28 | 2.44 |
| Median household income | $111,281 | $86,573 | $69,324 |
| People below the poverty line | 4.3% | 9.6% | 14.1% |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher, 25 and older | 51.9% | 46.0% | 32.1% |
Bluffton is younger than the county as a whole, with a larger share of children, and its typical household earns about $25,000 a year more than the county’s.
Housing
| Measure | Bluffton | Beaufort County |
|---|---|---|
| Housing units | 13,882 | 103,177 |
| Owner-occupied homes | 83.4% | 75.9% |
| Median value, owner-occupied home | $492,100 | $455,600 |
| Median gross rent | $2,256 | $1,653 |
The survey’s home values are what owners report, averaged over 2020 to 2024. For current market values, see our home prices guide.
What this means for you
- Bluffton is a town of about 37,000 and still growing, though more slowly than in 2021 and 2022.
- Many Bluffton addresses are outside town limits; town figures leave them out.
Related: history and landmarks, moving to Bluffton and schools.
Frequently asked questions
What is the population of Bluffton, South Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates the Town of Bluffton had 36,807 residents on July 1, 2025. The 2020 census counted 27,716.
How fast is Bluffton growing?
Bluffton more than doubled between the 2010 and 2020 censuses, from 12,530 to 27,716, up 121%. It added 435 people from 2024 to 2025, up 1.2%, faster than Beaufort County’s 0.7%.
Is Bluffton bigger than Hilton Head Island?
Not yet. In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimates, Hilton Head Island had 38,196 residents and Bluffton 36,807. In 2010 Hilton Head had nearly three times Bluffton’s population.
What is the median household income in Bluffton?
$111,281 in the Census Bureau’s 2020-2024 American Community Survey, compared with $86,573 for Beaufort County and $69,324 for South Carolina.
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