Beaufort, SC located in Beaufort County was chartered in 1711 as part of the original Carolina colony. The original settlement of Beaufort can be found in the downtown historic district whose 304 acres of beautiful antebellum construction have been designated by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as a historic district. Its flourishing cultural scene makes Beaufort one of the best small towns for arts in the country. Beaufort is a center for the Gullah culture and language, and nearby St. Helena Island is considered one of the last strongholds of the Gullah people.

Beaufort is located on Port Royal Island in the heart of the Sea Islands and the Lowcountry. Beaufort has a substantial Marine Corps presence with MCRD Parris Island and MCAS Beaufort as well as the Naval Hospital. The city of Beaufort comprises about 25 square miles of marshy estuary, and the area enjoys a semi-tropical climate with average annual daytime and ocean temperatures around 70 degrees with a growing season of 293 days. This small waterfront town offers a quiet peaceful lifestyle where neighbors are friendly with a strong sense of community.