County · South Carolina
Horry County, South Carolina
Horry County, South Carolina. Horry County had 427,551 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 21.8% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). It holds 20 places (8 cities, villages and boroughs and 12 census-designated) and 78 census tracts. GEOID 45051.
Horry County is the county of the Myrtle Beach-Conway-North Myrtle Beach, SC metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
427,551
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 351,029 · ACS 2020-2024: 383,016
Median household income
$66,880
±$1,763 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $69,324
Median home value
$287,700
±$4,754 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $259,000
Median gross rent
$1,255
±$35 (90% margin)
South Carolina: $1,180
How many people live in Horry County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 351,029 residents in Horry County. The Census Bureau estimates 427,551 for July 1, 2025, up 21.8% since 2020, faster than South Carolina (+8.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 383,016 over 1,133 square miles of land.
| Measure | Horry County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 383,016 | 5,296,225 | +50,844 |
| Households | 158,779±1,593 | 2,117,989 | +27,636 |
| Average household size | 2.37±0.02 | 2.44 | −0.13 |
| Housing units | 217,419±130 | 2,443,039 | +11,497 |
Horry County's population since 2000
From 196,629 in 2000 to 427,551 in 2025: up 117.4%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Horry County?
Horry County holds 20 places: 8 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places) and 12 census-designated places. The largest is Myrtle Beach with 40,937 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Myrtle Beach | 35,682 | $60,394 |
|---|---|---|
| Conway | 24,849 | $56,650 |
| Carolina Forest | 23,342 | $74,436 |
| Socastee | 22,213 | $62,257 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 18,790 | $72,722 |
| Red Hill | 15,906 | $68,250 |
| Little River | 11,711 | $65,786 |
| Garden City | 10,235 | $47,249 |
| Forestbrook | 6,656 | $81,286 |
| Surfside Beach | 4,155 | $70,106 |
| Loris | 2,449 | $36,899 |
| HomewoodGEOID 4534765 | 1,693 | $64,659 |
| Aynor | 974 | $73,984 |
| BucksportGEOID 4510000 | 745 | not published |
| Briarcliffe AcresGEOID 4508830 | 479 | $156,250 |
| FinkleaGEOID 4525405 | 291 | not published |
| Atlantic Beach | 195 | $33,500 |
| Green SeaGEOID 4530760 | 105 | not published |
| Live OakGEOID 4542095 | 93 | not published |
| KetchuptownGEOID 4538110 | 84 | not published |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Horry County?
The median resident of Horry County is 48.7 years old; 17.0% are under 18 and 26.4% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 75.5%, then non-Hispanic Black residents at 11.6%. 6.7% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Horry County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 48.7±0.2 | 40.2 | +2.8 |
| Under 18 years | 17.0%±0.1 pts | 21.4% | – |
| 65 years and over | 26.4%±0.1 pts | 18.9% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 7.3% | 7.4% | +1.3 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 75.5%±0.3 pts | 61.9% | −1.8 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 11.6%±0.2 pts | 24.6% | −1.5 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.3%±0.1 pts | 1.7% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.2%±0.1 pts | 0.2% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.5%±0.3 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 6.7%±0.5 pts | 5.8% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 8.9%±0.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 8.9%±0.4 pts | 8.3% | – |
| With a disability | 18.8%±0.7 pts | 14.6% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 11.7%±0.7 pts | 9.6% | −2.1 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 91.9%±0.5 pts | 90.1% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 27.1%±0.8 pts | 32.1% | +3.5 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 9.6%±0.5 pts | 12.3% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 5.3%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Horry County earn?
Half of Horry County's 158,779 households earn less than $66,880 a year (±$1,763), against $69,324 in South Carolina. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,401 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $4,479 after inflation. 13.2% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Horry County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,880±$1,763 | $69,324 | +$4,479 |
| Mean household income | $87,740±$2,165 | $95,567 | – |
| Per capita income | $38,025±$913 | $39,236 | +$3,317 |
| People below the poverty line | 13.2%±0.8 pts | 14.1% | −1.8 pts |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 21.2%±2.6 pts | 19.4% | −5.3 pts |
| Households receiving SNAP | 7.5%±0.7 pts | 10.5% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 92.5%±0.6 pts | 88.8% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Horry County?
Owners occupy 77.3% of Horry County's occupied homes and renters 22.7%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $287,700 by its owner (±$4,754). The median renter pays $1,255 a month including utilities, and 43.7% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Horry County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $287,700±$4,754 | $259,000 | +$64,329 |
| Median gross rent | $1,255±$35 | $1,180 | +$75 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 43.7%±2.4 pts | 42.8% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,446±$23 | $1,529 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 77.3%±1.0 pts | 71.9% | +5.5 pts |
| Housing units | 217,419±130 | 2,443,039 | +11,497 |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 1.2%±0.3 pts | 0.9% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 19.2%±1.7 pts | 8.3% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 53.4%±0.8 pts | 64.5% | – |
| Mobile homes | 12.9%±0.6 pts | 14.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 5.0%±0.4 pts | 3.7% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 3.6% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Horry County building?
Builders took permits for 6,511 new housing units across Horry County in 2025 (6,418 single-family), 15.2 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Horry County get to work?
76.9% of Horry County's workers drive alone and 11.0% work from home. The average trip to work takes 23.1 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 4.9%.
| Measure | Horry County | South Carolina | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 53.4%±0.7 pts | 60.5% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 4.9%±0.5 pts | 4.9% | −1.1 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 76.9%±1.1 pts | 76.3% | – |
| Carpooled | 8.0%±0.7 pts | 8.5% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.5%±0.2 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Walked | 0.8%±0.2 pts | 1.6% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.0%±0.8 pts | 11.5% | +5.6 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 23.1 min±0.5 | 25.6 min | +0.7 min |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Horry County's census tracts?
Horry County is divided into 78 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $23,991 (Tract 506) to $99,844 (Tract 403).
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Horry County compare with South Carolina's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 4th of 46 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 2nd of 46 |
| Residents per square mile | 8th of 46 |
| Median household income | 13th of 46 |
| Median home value | 10th of 46 |
| Median gross rent | 8th of 46 |
| Poverty rate | 36th of 46 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 14th of 46 |
| Median age | 3rd of 46 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Horry County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.