Myrtle Beach Area Population Information
The Grand Strand has seen steady growth in population in the past several decades. This population explosion has been evident in the increase of the number of residential construction starts and infrastructure development.
The Census Bureau completes population updates every two years for Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA). Horry County constitutes an MSA because the population of the area is greater than 100,000. The 2004 census estimates Horry County’s population at 217,608 for the 1,134 square miles of land area. Although Horry County is the largest in land area in South Carolina, its population accounts for approximately five percent of the state’s population.
Horry County Population Figures and Projections
| 1970 |
69,992 |
| 1980 |
101,419 |
| 1990 |
144,053 |
| 2000 |
196,629 |
| 2005 (Projection) |
218,540 |
| 2010 (Projection) |
242,000 |
| 2015 (Projection) |
265,460 |
| Updated April 2006 |
| Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census |
Georgetown County Population Figures and Projections
Georgetown County includes nearly 815 square miles. In 2004 its population was estimated at 59,790. Its population makes up almost 1.5 percent of the state’s total.
| 1970 |
33,500 |
| 1980 |
42,461 |
| 1990 |
46,302 |
| 2000 |
55,797 |
| 2005 (Projection) |
59,950 |
| 2010 (Projection) |
63,520 |
| 2015 (Projection) |
67,090 |
| Updated April 2006 |
| Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census |
Net Migration
According to U.S. Census Bureau statistics released in April 2001, the Myrtle Beach Metropolitan Statistical Area, or Horry County, was the 13th fastest growing area in the nation. In the last decade, the county experienced a 36.5 percent growth in population.
Retirees
Today, over one-fourth of South Carolina’s residents are over 55 years of age. Horry County is No. 1 among the top five regions in the state where retirees are relocating. In a 10-year period, the county’s population of 65 and over grew by 50 percent.
Similarly, in Georgetown County the population of persons 65 and over grew 57 percent in a 10-year period.
Smaller Communities
Gathering population on the smaller communities in the area is a difficult task. Census figures that are shown have been collected from the most recent figures available.
| Communities |
2000 |
2005 |
| Andrews |
3,068 |
3,110 |
| Atlantic Beach |
351 |
373 |
| Aynor |
587 |
587 |
| Briarcliffe Acres |
470 |
507 |
| Bucksport |
1,117 |
1,117 |
| Conway |
11,788 |
13,442 |
| Forestbrook |
3,391 |
3,391 |
| Garden City Beach |
9,357 |
9,357 |
| Georgetown |
8,950 |
8,941 |
| Little River |
7,027 |
7,027 |
| Murrells Inlet |
5,519 |
5,519 |
| Myrtle Beach |
22,759 |
26,5931 |
| North Myrtle Beach |
10,974 |
14,096 |
| Pawleys Island |
138 |
144 |
| Red Hill |
10,509 |
10,509 |
| Socastee |
14,295 |
14,295 |
| Surfside Beach |
4,425 |
4,772 |
| Updated November 2007 |
| Sources: 2005 S.C. Statistical Abstract; U.S. Census Bureau; South Carolina 2001 Labor Market Review; South Carolina State Budget & Control Board |
Resident Demographic Information
Household Demographics
|
Horry
County |
Georgetown
County |
| TOTAL NUMBER OF HOUSEHOLDS |
81,800 |
21,659 |
| Family Households (Families) |
64,515
(67%) |
15,844
(73%) |
| Family Households with own children under 18 years |
21,496
(26%) |
6,547
(30%) |
| Married couple family |
42,027
(51%) |
11,720
(54%) |
| Married couples with own children under 18 years |
14,498
(18%) |
1,809
(8%) |
| Female householder, no husband present |
9,418
(12%) |
3,274
(15%) |
| Female householder with own children under 18 years |
5,431
(7%) |
1,809
(6%) |
| Non-Family Households |
27,285
(33%) |
5,815
(27%) |
| Householder living alone |
21,075
(26%) |
5,040
(23%) |
| Householder 65 years and older |
6,984
(9%) |
2,001
(28%) |
| Average Household Size |
2.37 |
2.55 |
| Average Family Size |
2.84 |
3.01 |
| (According to 2005 Census Data) |
| Source: S.C. Employment Security Commission; Bureau of the Census |
Racial Composition of Horry and Georgetown Counties
| County |
Total Population |
White |
Black |
Asian/
American- Indian |
Other |
Two or more races |
| Georgetown |
55,797 |
33,307 |
21,541 |
207 |
470 |
272 |
| Horry |
196,629 |
159,363 |
30,468 |
2,291 |
2,402 |
2,105 |
| (2005 Census Data) |
Age Composition of Horry and Georgetown Counties
County
Total Population |
Under 5 |
5 -19 |
20 - 64 |
65 or
older |
Median
Age |
Georgetown
55,797 |
3,477 |
11,875 |
32,091 |
8,354 |
32.7 |
Horry
196,629 |
11,298 |
35,707 |
120,154 |
29,470 |
38.3 |
| (2005 Census Data) |
Income Demographics
| County |
Per Capita
Personal Income (2004) |
Median
Family Income (2005) |
| Georgetown |
$28,103 |
$49,100 |
| Horry |
$26,170 |
$51,500 |
Educational Attainment for Persons 25 years and over
| County |
Total |
Less than 9th Grade |
High School (no dip.) |
High School Grad |
Some College |
Two Year Deg. |
Bach. Deg. |
Grad.
/Prof
Deg. |
| Georgetown |
37,340 |
3,407 |
5,837 |
11,293 |
7,169 |
2,155 |
4,967 |
2,512 |
| Horry |
136,551 |
7,642 |
18,101 |
43,963 |
31,748 |
9,533 |
17,484 |
8,080 |
| (2005 Census Data) |
Residential Population Projection
| County |
2000 |
2005 |
2010 |
2015 |
2015 |
2025 |
| Georgetown |
55,797 |
59,950 |
63,520 |
67,090 |
70,660 |
74,240 |
| Horry |
196,629 |
218,540 |
242,000 |
265,460 |
288,920 |
312,380 |
| (2005 Census Preliminary Data) |
If you would like to receive more information about the Myrtle Beach area, please feel free to contact us at (843) 626-7444.
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