Kiawah Island, South Carolina
Kiawah Island is a town of 2,326 people in Charleston County, South Carolina.
Why visit Kiawah Island
Townapedia lists 2 museums and landmarks, 5 parks and trails, 2 places to eat, 1 place to stay and 1 attraction in and around town.
Highlights include Arnoldus Vander Horst House, The Progressive Club, Kiawah Island Club - River Course and Kiawah Island Golf Resort - The Ocean Course.
July is the warmest month, with average highs of 88°F; January lows average 44°F.
Weather in Kiawah Island
Forecast from the National Weather Service. Full forecast
About Kiawah Island
Kiawah is a sea island, or barrier island, on the Atlantic coast of the United States. Located 25 miles (40 km) southwest of Charleston in Charleston County, South Carolina, it is a seasonal beach and golf community. It is home to the Kiawah Island Golf Resort, with vacation houses and condos, beaches, golf courses, and other resort-like amenities. As of the 2020 census, Kiawah Island's full-time population was 2,013, up from 1,163 at the 2000 census.
From the Wikipedia article Kiawah Island, South Carolina (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Things to do1
Museums and landmarks2
Arnoldus Vander Horst House
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.7 mi
Historic house in South Carolina, United States
The Progressive Club
Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 4.3 mi
Clubhouse in Charleston County, South Carolina
Parks, trails and playgrounds5
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Restaurants and cafes2
History
The Bass Pond Site and Arnoldus Vander Horst House are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Kiawah was named for the Kiawah people, who were led by their head chieftain or cacique. In 1670, the Kiawah cacique led English colonists to settle at Charlestowne Landing.
In 1699, former pirate Captain George Raynor gained possession of Kiawah Island. On November 1, 1701, Raynor sold half of the island to Captain William Davis and left the other half in his will for his granddaughter. The half left to his will was passed through family members until John Stanyarne acquired the property. Stanyarne subsequently purchased the remaining half of the island from the family of Captain Davis.
The island was primarily used for cattle farming prior to the Civil War. Stanyarne built an estate that was valued highly, falling into a category of value that only 19% of the properties of South Carolina qualified for. In his will he left the southwestern portion of the island to his granddaughter Mary Gibbs, and the northeastern portion to his granddaughter Elizabeth Vanderhorst. Both portions were to be passed down until the third generation, when they would become considered fee simple ownerships. Gibbs died at a young age; it is assumed that her father, Robert Gibbs, maintained her portion of the island.
From the History section of Kiawah Island, South Carolina on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.
Where to stay1
Churches and places of worship1
Schools, colleges and libraries1
Map of Kiawah Island
13 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.
Climate by month
Monthly table
| Month | High | Low | Rain |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 58°F | 44°F | 2.6 in |
| Feb | 60°F | 46°F | 2.6 in |
| Mar | 66°F | 52°F | 3.0 in |
| Apr | 72°F | 60°F | 3.0 in |
| May | 79°F | 68°F | 2.6 in |
| Jun | 84°F | 74°F | 4.8 in |
| Jul | 88°F | 77°F | 5.1 in |
| Aug | 86°F | 76°F | 6.1 in |
| Sep | 83°F | 72°F | 5.2 in |
| Oct | 76°F | 63°F | 4.1 in |
| Nov | 67°F | 53°F | 2.3 in |
| Dec | 61°F | 47°F | 2.9 in |
U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for Charleston City Hcn (14 mi away), NOAA NCEI.
People and cost of living
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, 20 miles away.
- Folly Beach 7 mi northeast, about 11 min by car
- James Island 11 mi northeast, about 18 min by car
- Hollywood 12 mi northwest, about 20 min by car
- Charleston 15 mi north, about 25 min by car
- Mount Pleasant 17 mi northeast, about 28 min by car
- Edisto Beach 17 mi southwest, about 27 min by car
- North Charleston 21 mi north, about 33 min by car
- Hanahan 22 mi north, about 35 min by car
- Isle of Palms 22 mi northeast, about 36 min by car
- Goose Creek 26 mi north, about 42 min by car
Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.
Local news
Headlines from INDB, the NEMICO news database.
Reviews, tips and questions
Loading what members have shared...
Sources and licences
- NCES EDGE (Public domain): public schools
- NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 (Public domain): climate by month
- OpenFEMA (Public domain): disaster declarations
- OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL 1.0): places, airports, map data
- U.S. Census Bureau (Public domain): population, income, housing, education, commute
- Wikidata (CC0 1.0): elevation, founding date, time zone, website, landmarks and historic places
- Wikimedia Commons (see each image): photos
- Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0): overview and history text
Photo credits
- Kiawah Island, OzarksRazorback, CC BY-SA 4.0
- Marsh Island Park, Kiawah Island, SC - panoramio, Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
- Tower, Marsh Island Park, Kiawah Island, SC - panoramio, Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
- View from Tower, Marsh Island Park, Kiawah Island, SC - panoramio, Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
- View from Tower, Marsh Island Park, Kiawah Island, SC - panoramio (1), Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
- Kiawah Island, SC, USA - panoramio - olekinderhook, olekinderhook, CC BY 3.0
- Remains of the progressive club, Cantbeatpie, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Lagoon, Kaiwah Island, SC - panoramio, Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
- Lagoon, Kaiwah Island, SC - panoramio (1), Scott Long, CC BY 3.0
- Sunset at the 18th Hole on the Ocean Course - panoramio, Wallace Parry, CC BY-SA 3.0
- Kiawah, Dec 25th, 2005, Ian Brown, CC BY 2.0
- Arabian Coffeepots - Flickr - igb, Ian Brown from San Franciso, United States, CC BY 2.0
- ISS050-E-52516 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS050-E-52517 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS042-E-267605 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS006-E-45445 - View of Florida, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- ISS042-E-267606 - View of Earth, Earth Science and Remote Sensing Unit , Lyndon B. Johnson Space Center, Public domain
- Atrina rigida 300099980, gwtstl, CC BY 4.0
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