Pawleys Island

Both names are in use. The Town of Pawleys Island, incorporated in 1985, covers the barrier island. The Town's own plan refers separately to the unincorporated Pawleys Island community, where Georgetown County is the local government.

The Town runs its own police and building department. Georgetown County Water and Sewer District provides water and sewer, Midway Fire Rescue provides fire protection from mainland stations, and private companies collect solid waste.

The island has nine public beach access points, including the largest free public beach access lot in Georgetown County at the south end on Springs Avenue. Parking in public accesses is not allowed between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m.

The National Register calls Pawleys one of South Carolina's earliest summer beach settlements. The historic district, listed in 1972, includes summer houses built for plantation families, the Pawleys Island Chapel, and docks and boardwalks with open summer houses.

The Town participates in FEMA's Community Rating System and reports a Class 5 rating, which it says gives a 25 percent discount on local flood insurance premiums. That applies within town limits, so check the flood designation for each address.

Georgetown County School District serves the island and the surrounding mainland; the Town's plan notes that public schools are on the mainland. Students register for the school they are zoned for by residence.