Myrtle Beach
RANK #759 / 996 NAT · #19 / 24 SC · POP 356,578
1YR FORECAST: -0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +17%
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.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| 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.
At 23/100, Horry County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $59,880 combined with job growth of +2.4% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Horry County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $235,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.25, with rents averaging $1,128/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Horry County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +3.4% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +2.4% clip. Home values shifted -2.5% in the past year.
Not particularly — 1.21% of Horry County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.