Edisto Beach was originally settled by the Edistow Indians, but was rediscovered by the Spanish in the late 16th century.

This industry, fueled by rich land owners and the people they enslaved, prospered until the Civil War.

Although Union soldiers invaded Edisto and Johns Island, Confederate forces were able to retain control of Charleston until 1865, very late in the war.

Initial development was begun in the early 20th century and planned by the island's owner, John McConkey.

In those days, access to the island could be gained only at low tide by driving or riding across the marsh on beds of oyster shells.

It has since become a vacation destination, with a section of the island purchased by Wyndham Resorts in 2006 from Fairfield that included a restaurant and golf course.

For instance, during the 2013 federal congressional special election, Edisto voted for Republican Mark Sanford by a forty-point margin (69%-29%) over challenging Democrat Elizabeth Colbert Busch.

SC 174 leads north across the rest of Edisto Island 24 miles (39 km) to U.S. Route 17 at Osborn.

The estimated number of residents in the labor force was 286 or 49.1% (16 and older), and the mean travel time to work was 29.7 minutes.