Page Contents for Beaufort, South Carolina

Statistics & Facts

Location

Weather & Climate

History & History-related items

City Attractions

Government

Historical Events

Chamber of Commerce.

Community events.

Organizations, Churches, and Sports.

Libraries.

Schools.

Miscellany

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Statistics & Facts

The South Carolina state capital is Columbia.
The population of Beaufort is approximately 12361 (2010).
The approximate number of families is 4,149 (1990), 4883 (2010).
The amount of land area in Beaufort is 22.122 sq. kilometers.
The amount of land area in Beaufort is 18.6 sq. miles.
The amount of surface water is 8.758 sq kilometers.
The distance from Beaufort to Washington DC is 495 miles.
The distance to the South Carolina state capital is 111 miles. (as the crow flies)
Beaufort is positioned 32.42 degrees north of the equator and 80.68 degrees west of the prime meridian.
Beaufort elevation is 11 feet above sea level.
Beaufort median income is $ 36,532 (2000).
The Beaufort median home price is $ 111,600 (2000).
Beaufort average annual rainfall is 49.4 inches per year
Beaufort average temperature is 65 degrees F.

Location

in southeastern South Carolina along Highway 17 between Savannah, Georgia and Charleston, South Carolina. It is located on the island of Port Royal, one of the Sea Islands. Savannah is about 38 miles from Beaufort. Nearby communities include: Port Royal (3.3 miles), Burton (3.4 miles), Shell Point (4.9 miles), Parris Island (7.1 miles), and Hilton Head Island (17.9 miles).
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Climate

temperate to semi-tropical.
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History & History Related Items

Beaufort's history dates back thousands of years with the Archaic Indians. It was first visited by Spanish explorers in 1520. French captain, Jean Ribaut named the area Porte Royall in 1652. Others came and some left but the area continued to grow. The city began it's peak time around 1800 when Sea Island Cotton debuted. Many of the mansions and businesses were built during this time. Port Royal incorporated in 1874, but the town floundered after a hurricane in 1893. The town of Port Royal is now surrounded by the City of Beaufort. The entire Beaufort downtown area is designated as a historic district. More historical inforamtion and a few pictures may be found at this page

Try this page for more history information about Beaufort.
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Attractions

Call 1-800-638-3525 for visitor and relocation information
Hunting Island State Park
16 miles east of Beaufort on US 21. It is a 5,000 acre park located on an island. Features include fishing, picnic areas, cabins, camping and a lighthouse.

Beaufort Museum
713 Craven St
Beaufort, SC 29902
Phone: 843-379-3331 The Beaufort Museum, housed in the 1795 Beaufort Arsenal, has exhibits that tell the story of cotton, rice and indigo creating plantation life, then the wars which changed the character of the area along with that of the country.

John Mark Verdier House
This home was built about 1805 for a wealthy merchant-planter. It has been restored by the Historic Beaufort Foundation. (843) 379-6335 801 Bay St.

There are over 60 small islands that are designated as the Sea Islands. The main ones are connected by bridge, but some are accessable only by boat. Learn more about the Sea Islands at this site.

Beaufort and Port Royal are home to three military bases, and more than 17,000 active duty military members and their families live and work in the area. In Port Royal, the U.S. Marine Corps Recruit Depot at Parris Island. The Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Beaufort is home to Marine Aircraft Group-31, one of the world's largest aircraft groups. The Naval Hospital meets the medical needs of the area's Marines and sailors, their families, and the many military retirees here.
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Beaufort City Government

City Of Beaufort
302 Carteret St
Beaufort, SC 29902-5526
City Phone: 843-525-7000
City Manager Phone: 843-525-7070

Beaufort Historical Events

1924, 25 December
First Motorized firetruck in Beaufort,South Carolina - 1924 American LaFrance firetruck arrived on Christmas day 1924.

Beaufort Chamber

Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce
1106 Carteret Street
P.O. Box 910
Beaufort, SC 29901
Phone: 843-986-5400
Email
Fax: (843) 986-5405

Beaufort Community Events

Every May
Gullah Festival
Held during Memorial Day weekend, this festival celebrates the African American heritage with folkways and foods, enjoyable and educational for all.

Every October
The Shrimp Festival
This event includes a Popcorn Shrimp Run, golf tournament, a 5K Run/Walk and a celebration of the shrimping industry. Lots of food, arts and crafts, and the annual blessing of the fleet are among the features of this festival. Great entertainment is always planned.

Every year in the Fall
Fall Festival of Houses & History is an annual highlight of the Historic Beaufort Foundation when tours of various historic homes are offered along with accompanying entertainment.

Every November
Heritage Days offers an annual observance of the African American heritage so carefully preserved at Penn Center, a designated national historic landmark on St. Helena Island. Craft demonstrations, museum tours, gospel singing, storytelling, art exhibits and much more are an exhilirating and educational mix.

Beaufort Organizations

Greater Beaufort Chamber of Commerce
1106 Carteret Street
P.O. Box 910
Beaufort, SC 29901
Phone: 843-986-5400
Email
Fax: (843) 986-5405

Beaufort Libraries

Beaufort County Library
311 Scott St
Beaufort, SC 29902-5556
Phone: 843-525-4000

Beaufort Schools

Beaufort County School District
1300 King St
Beaufort, SC 29901
Phone: 843-322-2300
Fax: 843-322-2371

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HIGHER EDUCATION

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University of South Carolina/Beaufort
Main campus in Columbia. Beaufort

Miscellany

The population of Beaufort was:
1990 - 9,576
2000 - 12,950