Parris Island, South Carolina | |
|---|---|
District | |
 1882 U.S. Coast Survey Map of Beaufort River, showing the island (at left) designated "Paris I." | |
 Location of Parris Island, South Carolina | |
| Coordinates:32°19′44″N80°41′41″W / 32.32889°N 80.69472°W /32.32889; -80.69472 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | South Carolina |
| County | Beaufort |
| Area | |
• Total | 19.6 sq mi (51 km2) |
| • Land | 12.2 sq mi (32 km2) |
| • Water | 7.4 sq mi (19 km2) |
| Population (2000) | |
• Total | 4,841 |
| • Density | 397/sq mi (153/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes | 29902, 29905 |
| Area codes | 843, 854 |
| FIPS code | 45-54850[1] |
Parris Island is a district of the city ofPort Royal, South Carolina on an island of the same name. It became part of the city with the annexation of theMarine Corps Recruit Depot Parris Island on October 11, 2002. For statistical purposes, the United States Census Bureau previously defined Parris Island as acensus-designated place (CDP) when it was anunincorporated area ofBeaufort County. The population was 4,841 at the2000 census. As defined by theU.S. Census Bureau, Parris Island is included within the Beaufort Urban Cluster and the largerHilton Head Island–BeaufortMicropolitan Statistical Area.[2]
Parris Island was first colonized by Europeans in 1562, when members of a French expedition led byJean Ribaut temporarily settled on the island. This was the first semi-permanent European settlement in what are now considered the United States. Four years later, a town namedSanta Elena was founded here by Spanish ConquistadorPedro Menéndez de Avilés. It was the capital ofLa Florida from 1566 to 1587, during which time Spanish explorers sailed from Santa Elena to explore the Tennessee Valley and Chesapeake Bay. An expedition also traveled overland into the interior to western North Carolina and points west.
After coming under English control, the island was granted to Robert Daniell in 1706 and became known as Port Royal Island. It later came into the hands of Colonel Alexander Parris, sometimes spelled "Paris," PublicTreasurer of South Carolina. After his death in 1736, it gradually became known as Parris Island (and the namePort Royal Island was applied to a different one to the north).[3][4][5]
Parris Island was captured by theUnion Army in 1861 during theAmerican Civil War. It became a coaling station during the war. After the war, through the efforts of African American CongressmanRobert Smalls, it continued as a coaling station for theUnited States Navy and became known as the Port Royal Naval Station. The neighboringPort Royal Sound is the deepest natural harbor on the Atlantic coast of the United States south of New York.[citation needed] The island was purchased outright in 1883. In the early 1890s, adry dock was constructed at the naval station. The dry dock was completed in 1895. The construction of theCharleston Naval Shipyard in 1901 resulted in the closing of the Port Royal Naval Station in 1903.[6]
In 1915, Parris Island became the Marine Corps Recruit Depot. In the early years of the Marine Corps presence it was referred to as Paris Island.[7]
TheCharlesfort-Santa Elena Site andParris Island Drydock and Commanding Generals House are listed on theNational Register of Historic Places.[8]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the CDP had a total area of 19.6 square miles (51 km2), of which 12.2 square miles (32 km2) of it is land and 7.4 square miles (19 km2) of it (37.96%) is water.
As of thecensus[1] of 2000, there were 4,841 people, 318 households, and 297 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 398.0 inhabitants per square mile (153.7/km2). There were 358 housing units at an average density of 29.4 per square mile (11.4/km2). The racial makeup of the CDP was 69.14%White, 17.35%African American, 0.83%Native American, 1.76%Asian, 0.12%Pacific Islander, 7.13% fromother races, and 3.68% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 13.16% of the population.
There were 318 households, out of which 72.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 87.7% were married couples living together, 4.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 6.3% were non-families. 4.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and none had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 3.31 and the average family size was 3.40.
In the CDP, the population was spread out, with 10.6% under the age of 18, 72.4% from 18 to 24, 15.7% from 25 to 44, and 1.2% from 45 to 64. The median age was 20 years. For every 100 females, there were 303.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 339.3 males.
The median income for a household in the CDP was $46,335, and the median income for a family was $45,750. Males had a median income of $17,428 versus $16,359 for females. Theper capita income for the CDP was $11,216. About 7.6% of families and 6.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 4.1% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Parris Island was the setting for the first third ofStanley Kubrick's1987war filmFull Metal Jacket, as well as the scene of several flashbacks in the TV seriesRevolution.[9][10] It is also mentioned in the opening lines of the song "Goodnight Saigon" byBilly Joel.
In 1994, Parris Island is also named in Season 2 episode 4 (Sleepless) ofThe X-Files - as a location of interest.
The 2025Netflix seriesBoots is set at Parris Island.
Municipalities and communities ofBeaufort County, South Carolina,United States | ||
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| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
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