James Island House Prices 2024

Single Family Homes : Median Price: $655,000. Range : $400,000- $4M

Pros of James Island

• The drive from James Island to Downtown has views to the Charleston peninsula. If that’s your morning commute, you’ll be happy to drive to work.
• Its waterfront homes are less expensive other areas.
• If you’re a boater, you’ll like James Island.
• Folly Beach is right next door. Folly is weird and fun.

Cons of James Island

• Traffic can be heavy on summer weekends with beach traffic.
• James Island is a more vintage part of Charleston. You may drive through some more rundown areas to get to your very nice neighborhood.

James Island Residents Say

Here are ten comments on Reddit from people live in James Island.

1. "Living on James Island is laid-back and down-to-earth. It’s close enough to Charleston for convenience but has its own island vibe."
2. "The beaches here are awesome. Perfect for surfing, chilling, or just soaking up the sun. It’s a beach lover’s paradise."
3. "Traffic can be a pain, especially during rush hour, but you figure out the back roads pretty quick."
4. "The community vibe is strong. People are friendly and there’s a real sense of neighborhood."
5. "Housing prices have been going up, though. It’s getting pricier to buy or rent, but the location is worth it."
6. "There’s a good mix of older homes and newer developments. Something for everyone."
7. "You’ve got all the essentials nearby—stores, restaurants, and parks. It’s pretty convenient."
8. "Outdoor activities are big here. Lots of parks, trails, and waterways to explore."
9. "It’s quieter here compared to downtown Charleston, which is nice if you prefer a more relaxed pace."
10. "Overall, James Island is a cool spot if you’re into beaches, community vibes, and easy living near Charleston."

Where is James Island ?

James Island location is hard to beat. It's is surrounded by the Ashley & Stono Rivers, Charleston Harbor & Folly Beach. If you like water, you'll like James Island.

The JI Connector will have downtown in a few minutes. While Folly Beach is close by. Many people never leave JI & Folly.

The population of James Island is 12,000.

What is James Island Like?

According to the real locals (who’ve been here for generations), James Island is one of the areas that still maintains a feel of how Charleston used to be before all of us newcomers ruined it. It’s not as planned and manicured as some others areas of town, but you’ll drive down the road and have Spanish moss hanging over your car as you drive. There’s a very local feel here and there are plenty of old timer James Island folks who wouldn’t live anywhere else.

James Island has a great location, you can be downtown quickly, in ten minutes and you can be on Folly Beach in a few minutes too.

It’s an island so there’s waterfront homes here and at lower prices than other areas. No shortage of boat ramps either. Boaters will be happy on James Island.

Other areas that are similarly close to downtown like older Mt Pleasant, Hampton Park downtown & Avondale in West Ashley all became very hip and saw their prices increase a few years ago, but James Island is catching up now. There is a lot more development and high quality neighborhoods being built.

I’m a big fan of James Island. I’d suggest sticking to the areas around Harborview Road and Fort Johnson Road. I like that area and think it’s an easier commute since Folly Road can get backed up at busy times.

It has plenty of older neighborhoods, so if you like the feel of a brick ranch, there’s plenty of those around.

Who Lives in James Island?

Long time Charlestonians. People who want bigger lots. Boaters. Golfers. People who want to be close to the beach. Medical workers who want to be close to downtown.

Is there good food & drink in James Island ?

In keeping with the local feel of the area, there’s no shortage of local bars & restaurants to keep you fed. If you want higher end cuisine, you’ll go downtown. The short drive to Folly Beach is another option.

James Island Shopping

James Island doesn’t have any big shopping centers, it has all the supermarkets you’d want, a Lowes & Walmart, but you have to leave the island for some of the bigger stores. Plenty of nice funky local stores though.

Park & Recreation

James Island County Park has camping, RVs, lakes, water park, dog park, kayaking and festivals. There’s enough youth soccer fields on James Island to host the World Cup. My favorite park on James Island is Sunrise Park. It has a tiny beach, fishing pier and views over to Downtown Charleston. The Country Club of Charleston is one of the most exclusive courses in the area. Or just go to the Muni golf course for $20!

Beaches Close to James Island

Folly Beach : This is your local beach, as little as five minutes away from James Island but watch out for traffic on Folly Road during the Summer. Go early or late to avoid the worst of it. During the rest of the year or midweek the traffic moves. The surf beach of Charleston.

Kiawah Beachwalker Park : If you want a change of scenery from Folly, Kiawah Beachwalker is 35 minutes away, so a longer drive but traffic should be smoother and it’s a nice drive out there through Johns Island and Wadmalaw.

James Island Area Favorites

Sunrise Park - I’m here most days walking my dog. A hidden gem many locals don't even know about.

James Island County Park - Another one for the dog lovers with a dedicated dog park and swimming area for them.

Terrace Movie Theater. The only independent movie theater in Charleston

How Far Is James Island From

Airport: 25 minutes. Downtown: 5-20 minutes. Beach: 5-15 minutes

My Best James Island Neighborhoods

1. Fleming Park |$600k-800k

One morning, I was driving my dog to the James Island County Park when I saw a new construction site. There were no signs, just a portacabin. I stopped in to find out what was being built. 30 minutes later I had a signed contract to buy a house in Fleming Park.

I knew it was an underpriced gem. It’s modern construction, built around a park and only 2 traffic lights to downtown Charleston.

I called every friend and client to tell them about it. Within two weeks, I had sold 13 of the 49 houses. The houses have nearly doubled in value since then.

2. Stiles Point | $750k-$3M

I like this neighborhood because it has a mixture of newer and older construction, mature landscaping, and some waterfront houses. It's off Harborview which is my preferred area if you need to get downtown often. You'll be downtown in ten minutes.

3. Secessionville | $1M-$3M

Waterfront homes with docks. Very quiet and private. It's hidden back there, only the lucky few even know it's there. The only issue here is that houses rarely come up for sale, but when they do, buy one.

4. Riverland Terrace | $500k-$3M

Beautiful old neighborhood with big trees and a classic Lowcountry feel. There's a range of houses in here and don't let the modest front of some of them deceive you. There's magazine worthy houses in Riverland Terrace.

5. Country Club | $750k-$4M

A high end, but understated mid-century golf community that is one traffic light from the James Island Connector. Golf carts rule, the wealthy who prefer the laid back ambience of James Island to Mt Pleasant live here. Good size lots too.

6. Wampler Drive | $1M-$4M

My single favorite road in James Island. The waterfront homes here look directly across to the Charleston peninsula. It comes at a price, but you won't regret it when you're looking at those Gorgeous sunsets looking at the most beautiful downtown in the whole country. James Island Yacht Club is on Wampler for easy water access and social life.

7. Seaside Plantation | $600k- $1.5M

Closer to Folly for the beach lovers. The old trees & their Spanish moss in this neighborhood remind you where you live. Some lots are bigger here.

Areas Similar to James Island

West Ashley & Johns Island. These three areas have a lot of similarities. People generally look in all three.