Pawleys Island Real Estate
The Grand Strand's most storied coast - five miles of beach, the inland marsh, and the live oaks that have outlasted everyone who tried to develop them away.
Data refreshed from the MLS. Last update: August 20, 2026.
Pawleys Island has been a summer destination since the 1700s, and homeownership here carries a different rhythm than anywhere else on the Grand Strand. Where Myrtle Beach is built for energy and North Myrtle for golf, Pawleys is built for stillness - and the locals call the look "arrogantly shabby" as a compliment.
This page walks through the current market, the communities you'll see come up in your search, the schools, and the questions buyers always ask. Numbers come from the live MLS feed - current, not last year's.
What it's like to live in Pawleys Island
Pawleys is a slim barrier island connected to the mainland by two causeways, sitting in Georgetown County roughly 70 miles north of Charleston and 30 miles south of Myrtle Beach. Locally, "Pawleys" refers to a broader stretch - from Litchfield Beach north to the south end of Murrells Inlet.
The beach itself is roughly 3.5 miles long, with public access points and no commercial development on the strand. No high-rises, no boardwalk. The inland creek (the marsh side) is some of the best fishing, kayaking, and crabbing in the state, and creek-front properties carry their own premium category. Golf is the regional sport - Caledonia, True Blue, Heritage, Pawleys Plantation, The Reserve, and Founders Club are all within a 10-minute drive. MYR airport is ~30 minutes north.
Live Pawleys Island listings
See all 338 →Recently sold in Pawleys Island
Last 6 months, real comps, not estimates. Useful market context for what Pawleys Island homes are actually selling for.
Communities + subdivisions in Pawleys Island
Gated, members-only beach club, Pete Dye golf, ocean + creek access. Starts in the high $700s, reaches past $5M oceanfront.
Gated community along the Waccamaw River, anchored by Heritage Club golf course.
Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course at the center, with some of the most photographed marsh-front lots in SC.
A few miles north - gated, oceanfront, mostly condos and patio homes, private beach access.
Luxury enclave on the Waccamaw side - large lots, Tom Jackson golf, riverfront marina.
Established neighborhood between Hwy 17 and the Waccamaw. Mostly no HOA, popular with year-round residents.
Gated golf community west of 17. Newer construction; lower entry than DeBordieu.
Gated, golf-adjacent, wooded lots, family-built homes from the 1990s on.
Schools
School assignments depend on the specific street address. I can pull the exact assignment for any property you're considering.
- Waccamaw ElementaryElementary
- Waccamaw IntermediateIntermediate
- Waccamaw MiddleMiddle
- Waccamaw HighHigh
Pawleys Island FAQ
Median sale price for single-family homes over the last 12 months sits around the mid-range. The number swings significantly by community - DeBordieu medians are well into the millions, while inland Pawleys is closer to mid-six-figures. Ask for a price report on the specific community you're considering.
Depends on the community. DeBordieu Colony is among the highest (full club + 24-hour gate + beach club). Pawleys Plantation, Litchfield by the Sea, and The Reserve are mid-tier. Hagley Estates and most sections of Pawleys Island proper have no HOA at all.
Some communities allow it, some don't. The island itself and Litchfield by the Sea are vacation-rental-friendly. DeBordieu, Pawleys Plantation, and The Reserve generally restrict short-term rentals. Always confirm with the specific covenants before assuming.
Pawleys is in a coastal flood zone; oceanfront or marsh-front properties require flood insurance through NFIP (or private equivalent). Premiums vary by zone (X, AE, VE) and elevation certificate. Inland Pawleys (west of Hwy 17) is often outside the special flood hazard area. The cost gap between an oceanfront condo and an inland single-family can be $5,000–$15,000/year in insurance alone.
Georgetown County has two classifications: 4% (primary residence) and 6% (second home or investment). Most out-of-state Pawleys buyers pay 6%. Expect total tax on a $700K non-primary home in the $3,500–$5,500/year range.
Myrtle Beach International (MYR) is about 30 minutes north on Hwy 17. Charleston International (CHS) is about 90 minutes south.
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