Hilton Head Island, South Carolina
| Hilton Head Island | ||
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| Town | ||
Harbour Town Marina in Sea Pines Resort with the Harbour Town Lighthouse
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| Nickname(s): Hilton Head and HHI | ||
 Location of Hilton Head Island in Beaufort County and South Carolina |
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 Hilton Head Island
Hilton Head Island
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| Coordinates: 32°10′44″N 80°44′35″W / 32.17889°N 80.74306°WCoordinates: 32°10′44″N 80°44′35″W / 32.17889°N 80.74306°W | ||
| Country | United States | |
| State | South Carolina | |
| County | Beaufort | |
| Incorporated (town) | 1983 | |
| Government | ||
| • Mayor | David Bennett | |
| • Town manager | Steve Riley | |
| • Fire chief | Brad Tadlock – Appointed June 20, 2014 | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 69.2 sq mi (179.1 km2) | |
| • Land | 41.4 sq mi (107.1 km2) | |
| • Water | 27.8 sq mi (71.9 km2) 40.17% | |
| Elevation | 10 ft (3 m) | |
| Population (2010) | ||
| • Total | 37,099 | |
| • Density | 897/sq mi (346.3/km2) | |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) | |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) | |
| ZIP code | 29925, 29926, 29928 | |
| Area code(s) | 843 | |
| FIPS code | 45-34045 | |
| GNIS feature ID | 1246002 | |
| Website | www |
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Hilton Head Island, sometimes referred to as simply Hilton Head, is a Lowcountry resort town located on an island of the same name in Beaufort County, South Carolina, United States. It is 20 miles (32 km) northeast of Savannah, Georgia, and 95 miles (153 km) southwest of Charleston. The island is named after Captain William Hilton, who in 1663 identified a headland near the entrance to Port Royal Sound, which he named "Hilton's Head" after himself. The island features 12 miles (19 km) of beachfront on the Atlantic Ocean and is a popular vacation destination. In 2004, an estimated 2.25 million visitors pumped more than $1.5 billion into the local economy. The year-round population was 37,099 at the 2010 census, although during the peak of summer vacation season the population can swell to 150,000. Over the past decade, the island's population growth rate was 32%. Hilton Head Island is a primary city within the Hilton Head Island-Bluffton-Beaufort metropolitan area.
The island has a rich history that started with seasonal occupation by Native Americans thousands of years ago, and continued with European exploration and the Sea Island Cotton trade. It became an important base of operations for the Union blockade of the Southern ports during the Civil War. Once the island fell to Union troops, hundreds of ex-slaves flocked to Hilton Head, which is still home to many "native islanders", many of whom are descendants of freed slaves known as the Gullah (or Geechee) who have managed to hold on to much of their ethnic and cultural identity.
The Town of Hilton Head Island incorporated as a municipality in 1983 and is well known for its eco-friendly development. The town's Natural Resources Division enforces the Land Management Ordinance which minimizes the impact of development and governs the style of buildings and how they are situated amongst existing trees. As a result, Hilton Head Island enjoys an unusual amount of tree cover relative to the amount of development. Approximately 70% of the island, including most of the tourist areas, is located inside gated communities. However, the town maintains several public beach access points, including one for the exclusive use of town residents, who have approved several multimillion-dollar land-buying bond referendums to control commercial growth.
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