Bluffton, South Carolina

== History == === Colonial era (1670–1776) === During the 17th and the 18th centuries, the area comprising southern Beaufort County was known as Granville County of St.

In 1715, the Yamasee War broke out, and after several years of fighting, the Yamasee migrated to Florida, opening the "Indian Lands" to European settlement.

In 1718, the Lords Proprietors carved the area into several new baronies, including the Devil's Elbow Barony that contained the future town of Bluffton.

Following the departure of the Yamasee people, colonists began building plantations in the Bluffton area in 1728.

These plantations were destroyed by the British under General Prévost in 1779.

=== Antebellum era (1785–1861) === The town of Bluffton was eventually built on two adjoining parcels in the Devil's Elbow Barony purchased by Benjamin Walls and James Kirk.

The community was originally known as "Kirk's Landing" or "Kirk's Bluff" as shown in Mill's Atlas of 1825.

After the Tariff of 1842, Bluffton became a hotbed of separatist sentiment, which in turn led to a protest against federal taxes called the Bluffton Movement in 1844.

The first South Carolina secession movement began under what is now known as the Secession Oak tree, led by Robert Barnwell Rhett on July 31, 1844.

In 1852, the town was officially incorporated by an act of the South Carolina General Assembly and comprised approximately one square mile.

The iconic Church of the Cross was designed by architect Edward Brickell White to seat up to 600 parishioners at a cost of $5,000, and construction began in 1854.

On July 17, 1857, the first services were held at the Church of the Cross.

=== Civil War and postbellum era (1861–1945) === After a Union victory at the Battle of Port Royal on November 7, 1861, Confederate Brigadier-General Thomas F.

During the Civil War, two thirds of the town was destroyed by fire during the Union's Bluffton Expedition on June 4, 1863.

Hurricanes are a major threat to the area during the summer and early fall but there has not been a major hurricane event in Bluffton since the Category 3 Sea Islands Hurricane ...

Bluffton is home to South Carolina's last full-time oyster shucking business, Bluffton Oyster Co, which first opened in 1899 at the end of Wharf Street on the banks of the May R...

=== Contemporary era (1945–present) === Bluffton remained a commercial center until Coastal Highway (US 17) and the bridge at Port Wentworth over the Savannah River were complet...

=== Annual events === Bluffton Village Festival – Also known as "Mayfest", the Bluffton Village Festival is an annual event that started in the spring of 1978.

The highest temperature recorded was 107 °F (42 °C), in 1986, and the lowest temperature recorded was 4 °F (−16 °C) on January 21, 1985.

In 1994, Jenkins Island was added.

In 1996, Bluffton was designated a National Historic District with 46 contributing buildings and two contributing sites.

In 1998, the Heyward House opened to the public by the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society.

In 1999, the Heyward House was part of the Save America's Treasures program.

The Heyward House became the town's welcome center in 2000, and the Old Town Bluffton historic district was established through zoning regulations and architectural standards.

In 2005, Bluffton was recognized as a Preserve America Community, a federal program that encourages community efforts to preserve the nation's cultural and historical assets.

A Guide to Historic Bluffton, 2007.

Estimated household income for 2009 was $53,386, the estimated median house value was $237,868, median gross rent was $1,179.

=== 2010 census === At the 2010 census, there were 12,530 people, 4,417 households, and 3,323 families residing in the town, on a land area of 51.3 square miles (133 km2).

News & World Report and Condé Nast Traveler Gold List World's Best Places to Stay, January 2011.

By 2012, many of these developments remained only partially complete due to the Great Recession.

In 2014, the MSA had an estimated year-round population of 203,022.

== Demographics == === 2020 census === As of the 2020 census, there were 27,716 people, 7,560 households, and 5,402 families residing in the town.