Harbor Island, South Carolina
Introduction '''Harbor Island''' is a small residential island located 14 miles (22 km) east of Beaufort, South Carolina. It is one of the Carolina Sea Islands. The swing drawbridge has been replaced by a fixed high level bridge, Harbor River Bridge, that connects the island to Saint Helena Island towards the west. A small causeway crossing Johnson Creek connects Harbor Island with Hunting Island towards the south.The majority of the island is tidal marsh, though approximately  of upland acreage exist on the northeastern portions of the island.The residential portion of the island was listed as a census-designated place in the 2020 census with a population of 209.
History SCDOT replacing bridge near Harbor Island, South Carolina.The island was uninhabited and used primarily as hunting grounds until the 1930s, when U.S. Highway 21 was constructed to connect Saint Helena Island with Hunting Island.Development on Harbor Island remained scarce until The Fripp Company (developers of nearby Fripp Island) purchased the majority of land on the island and developed a gated residential and resort community. Small scale commercial development exists along U.S. 21.In November 2018, the South Carolina Environmental Law Project filed a lawsuit on behalf of the Harbor Island Owners Association asking the Beaufort County Circuit Court to order the State to remove seven houses that through rapid erosion have ended up in the water on the beach below the mean high water mark. The state was released from the action in 2018 leaving the homeowners and the Association as parties to the suit.In 2019, the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) started a project to replace the Harbor River Bridge with completion expected by 2022.
Nature Harbor Island is a certified Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation.===Birds===Harbor Island is part of the Beaufort Barrier Islands Important Bird Area.===Sea Turtles===Harbor Island has a Sea Turtle Nest Protection Program that is permitted by the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources and is run by volunteers.
Demographics The residential portion of the island was listed as a census-designated place in 2020.Per the 2020 census, the population was 209.===2020 census===+'''Harbor Island CDP, South Carolina – Demographic Profile''' (''NH = Non-Hispanic'')''Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race. ''Race / EthnicityPop 2020% 2020White alone (NH)18387.56%Black or African American alone (NH)62.87%Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH)00.00%Asian alone (NH)00.00%Pacific Islander alone (NH)20.96%Some Other Race alone (NH)41.91%Mixed Race/Multi-Racial (NH)104.78%Hispanic or Latino (any race)41.91%'''Total''''''209''''''100.00%'''
References
External links *  Harbor Island Owners Association*  Harbor Island's Sea Turtle Nesting Program*  Beaufort Barrier Islands Important Bird Area*  Community Wildlife Habitat by the National Wildlife Federation