Traffic data shows South Carolina up 1% amid national decline in July 2024

Hilton Head Island's Town Council meeting on April 16, 2025, revealed important insights into local traffic trends and their implications for the community. A key highlight was the presentation of traffic data from the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT), which included real-time counts from Jenkins, Iowa. This data showed daily traffic patterns for 2024, indicating a 1.3% decrease in average daily traffic compared to 2023.

The report detailed that days with traffic exceeding 10% of the annual average were marked in yellow, with even higher thresholds highlighted in orange and red. This visual representation underscores the fluctuations in traffic, particularly during peak visitor seasons. Notably, the highest traffic volumes were recorded during the summer months, aligning with the island's tourism patterns.

In a broader context, the Federal Highway Administration's report indicated a national traffic increase of 1.2% in July 2024 compared to the previous year. However, the South Atlantic region experienced a slight decline of 0.6%, while South Carolina stood out with a 1% increase in traffic, contrasting with neighboring states.

These findings are crucial for local planning and infrastructure development, as they provide a clearer picture of traffic demands throughout the year. The council's focus on these statistics highlights the importance of adapting to changing traffic patterns to ensure the safety and accessibility of Hilton Head Island for both residents and visitors. Moving forward, the council will likely consider these insights in future transportation planning and community development initiatives.