Townapedia
Awendaw, South Carolina, US17 at Awendaw Creek
Awendaw, South Carolina, US17 at Awendaw Creek · Ammodramus, CC0
Sewee Shell Ring E 1
Sewee Shell Ring E 1 · Ammodramus, CC0

Awendaw, South Carolina

Awendaw is a town of 1,772 people in Charleston County, South Carolina, founded in 1992.

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Population1,772 +28.0% since 2019
Elevation20 ft 6 m
Founded1992
Land area16.4 sq mi
ZIP code29429
Nearest airportCharleston International Airport (CHS) 23 mi

Why visit Awendaw

Townapedia lists 3 museums and landmarks and 1 park or trail in and around town.

Highlights include Sewee Mound and Sewee Shell Ring.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 91°F; January lows average 36°F.

About Awendaw

Awendaw is a small fishing town in Charleston County, South Carolina, United States. As of the 2020 census, Awendaw had a population of 1,399. Awendaw is part of the Charleston, South Carolina metropolitan area.

From the Wikipedia article Awendaw, South Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Museums and landmarks3

Sewee Mound

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 3.3 mi

Archaeological site in South Carolina, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Sewee Shell Ring

Monument and historic site · 3.3 mi

Prehistoric oyster shell mound

Open in Google Maps

Sewee Shell Mound

Monument and historic site · 3.4 mi

Prehistoric clam shell mound

Open in Google Maps

Parks, trails and playgrounds1

Trailhead Sewee Shell Mound Interpretive Trail

Hiking and trails · 3.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

Churches and places of worship4

Mount Nebo A.M.E Church

Church · African Methodist Episcopal · 2.0 mi

5600 US 17, Awendaw

Open in Google Maps · +1-843-928-3280

Ocean Grove United Methodist Church

Church · United Methodist · 1.9 mi

6517 US 17, Awendaw

Open in Google Maps · +1-843-928-3100

Sewee Bay Baptist Church

Church · Southern Baptist · 1.1 mi

6194 US 17, Awendaw

Open in Google Maps · +1-843-928-3542

Sewee Church

Church · 3.5 mi

Open in Google Maps

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Schools, colleges and libraries2

Awendaw School

School · 1.6 mi

Open in Google Maps

Porcher Elementary School

School · 2.4 mi

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History

Awendaw was named by the Sewee tribe. Awendaw is thought to mean "Red Clay". It is also home to an oyster shell mound created by the Sewee tribe. It is the northernmost shell ring in a group that stretches south to the tip of Florida. Most of the mound is still intact. The rest of it was destroyed to construct roads and homes for the citizens of Awendaw. Awendaw was settled in 1696 as Wappetaw by settlers from Salem, Massachusetts, who had left after the Salem Witch Trials. The town was heavily damaged by Hurricane Hugo in September 1989, but did not receive as significant damage in 2004 when Hurricane Gaston made landfall in the region. In 1992, the town of Awendaw was first incorporated and elected Willam H. Alston as the first mayor. Alston served as mayor until 2009.

The Sewee Mound was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1970.

From the History section of Awendaw, South Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Map of Awendaw

10 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

40°60°80°January: 3.5 in of rainFebruary: 3.6 in of rainMarch: 3.7 in of rainApril: 3.5 in of rainMay: 3.6 in of rainJune: 5.3 in of rainJuly: 6.0 in of rainAugust: 7.2 in of rainSeptember: 6.7 in of rainOctober: 5.4 in of rainNovember: 3.2 in of rainDecember: 4.0 in of rainJanuary: 60°FFebruary: 62°FMarch: 68°FApril: 76°FMay: 83°FJune: 88°FJuly: 91°FAugust: 89°FSeptember: 86°FOctober: 78°FNovember: 70°FDecember: 62°FJanuary: 36°FFebruary: 38°FMarch: 44°FApril: 52°FMay: 62°FJune: 69°FJuly: 73°FAugust: 72°FSeptember: 67°FOctober: 56°FNovember: 46°FDecember: 40°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRain
Jan60°F36°F3.5 in
Feb62°F38°F3.6 in
Mar68°F44°F3.7 in
Apr76°F52°F3.5 in
May83°F62°F3.6 in
Jun88°F69°F5.3 in
Jul91°F73°F6.0 in
Aug89°F72°F7.2 in
Sep86°F67°F6.7 in
Oct78°F56°F5.4 in
Nov70°F46°F3.2 in
Dec62°F40°F4.0 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Mcclellanville (13 mi away), rain and snow from Mcclellanville 0.2 Ese, NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$77,010median household income
$399,200median home value
54.5median age
43.4%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
93.7%of homes are owner-occupied
31.4 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1810%18 to 3415%35 to 6446%65 and over29%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Charleston County has had 23 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for hurricanes.

  • 2026-01-23: Severe Winter Storm (Winter Storm)
  • 2024-09-26: Hurricane Helene (Tropical Storm)
  • 2024-08-05: Hurricane Debby (Tropical Storm)
  • 2023-08-31: Hurricane Idalia (Hurricane)
  • 2022-11-21: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)
  • 2022-09-29: Hurricane Ian (Hurricane)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Charleston International Airport (CHS) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 23 miles away.

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.