RANK #869 / 996 · POP 356,578 · SC
PROJECTED GROWTH: -1.2%
Horry County, South Carolina, known for its "Grand Strand" coastline, is home to Myrtle Beach, a major tourist destination. Located in the northeastern corner of the state, about 90 miles north of Charleston, the county offers a mix of bustling coastal areas and more rural inland communities like Conway, the county seat. Commuting within the county primarily relies on personal vehicles, though Coast RTA provides bus services across Horry and Georgetown counties. The Waccamaw River, along with various parks such as Vereen Memorial Gardens and the Horry County Bike & Run Park, provides opportunities for outdoor recreation amidst diverse landscapes of beaches, forests, and swamps.
Life in Horry County attracts a mix of young professionals and retirees, drawn by a cost of living that is lower than the national average. The public school system, Horry County Schools, is one of the largest in South Carolina and is highly rated. The economy, historically driven by tourism and agriculture, is diversifying with growth in sectors like manufacturing, healthcare, and technology. Recent developments include investments in data centers and industrial parks, aiming to create higher-paying jobs and expand the economic base beyond its traditional strengths.
Above national median (4.7x)
Prices declining
Moderate climate & terrain
Housing is fairly valued at 4.8x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Horry County Schools Capital Projects (Penny Sales Tax)
Horry County Schools
|
$600M | Operating |
|
DC BLOX Cable Landing Station and Data Center Campus Expansion (MYR2)
DC BLOX
|
$200M | Under Construction |
|
Landrace Holdings Solar Farm
Landrace Holdings, LLC
|
$55M | Operating |
|
Palmetto Coast Industrial Park
Edgewater Ventures
|
$50M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Horry County has a Boom Town Index score of 13/100, ranking #869 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +2.4% and a median household income of $59,880, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.
The median home value in Horry County is $235,000 with median rent at $1,128/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2548, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +3.4% year-over-year. Job growth: +2.4%. Home values changed -2.5% in the past 12 months.