HomeSouth CarolinaHorry County
Horry County, South Carolina: commercial real estate data.
Horry County, South Carolina had an estimated 413,391 residents on July 1, 2024, up 17.8 percent since the 2020 census base of 351,038, across 1,134 square miles. County output reached $22.77 bn in 2024, 10,550 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 308 7(a) approvals worth $193.2 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Horry County
How many people live in Horry County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024383,016
- Households158,779
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$66,880
- Median age48.7
- Median gross rent$1,255 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$287,700
- Home value to household income4.3 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income22.5 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher27.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree9.6 percent
- Adults 25 and over288,090
- Population under 1864,964
- Share under 1817.0 percent
- Population 65 and over100,979
- Share 65 and over26.4 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64217,073
- Civilian labor force173,843
- Unemployment rate4.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over54.7 percent
- Rank by population among South Carolina counties4th of 46
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included195th of 3,222
Horry County is the 4th largest of 46 South Carolina counties by population. A median home costs 4.3 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents 65 and over outnumber those under 18, at 26.4 percent against 17.0 percent, which points demand at health care, services and single story product rather than schools.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Horry County
Is Horry County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024413,391
- Census 2020 base population351,038
- Population change since the 2020 census base17.76 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 202415,017
- Births, 20243,286
- Deaths, 20244,695
- Natural change, 2024-1,409
- Net domestic migration, 202414,565
- Net international migration, 20241,746
- Total net migration, 202416,311
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 202461,477
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents31st of 3,144
The county has grown 17.76 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Horry County
Where are people moving to Horry County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving15,877
- People arriving, from those returns27,856
- Tax returns filed by households leaving8,844
- Net household movement7,033
- Adjusted gross income arriving$1.37 bn
- Net adjusted gross income movement$850.0 m
- Average income of an arriving household$86,199
- Average income of a leaving household$58,639
- Largest single originGeorgetown County (505 households)
- Largest single destinationGeorgetown County (472 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Georgetown County | 505 | 918 | $36.5 m |
| Suffolk County | 352 | 631 | $40.5 m |
| Mecklenburg County | 251 | 405 | $23.3 m |
| Brunswick County | 248 | 417 | $18.2 m |
| Nassau County | 200 | 356 | $19.9 m |
| Wake County | 190 | 341 | $17.9 m |
| Orange County | 179 | 327 | $17.3 m |
| Florence County | 167 | 288 | $10.8 m |
Households arriving report $27,560 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Georgetown County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Horry County
What is the Horry County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$22.77 bn
- County GDP, 2023$21.23 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.3 percent
- GDP change over five years55.0 percent
- Rank by GDP among the South Carolina areas BEA publishes5th of 46
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes240th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$59,461
Output grew 7.3 percent in the latest year and 55.0 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Horry County
Employment by industry in Horry County
- Covered employment, annual average144,489
- Establishments reporting12,484
- Average annual pay$48,046
- Average weekly wage$924
- Accommodation and food services, employment31,021
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$28,114
- Retail trade, employment26,179
- Retail trade, average annual pay$35,857
- Health care and social assistance, employment15,351
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$64,370
- Construction, employment9,218
- Construction, average annual pay$63,874
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment8,525
- Arts, entertainment and recreation, employment5,282
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Accommodation and food services | 31,021 | 1,432 | $28,114 |
| Retail trade | 26,179 | 1,808 | $35,857 |
| Health care and social assistance | 15,351 | 1,136 | $64,370 |
| Construction | 9,218 | 1,305 | $63,874 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 8,525 | 816 | $46,421 |
| Arts, entertainment and recreation | 5,282 | 280 | $27,072 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 4,932 | 1,527 | $75,859 |
| Real estate and rental and leasing | 4,286 | 946 | $48,870 |
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 31,021 jobs, 21.5 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Horry County
How many businesses are in Horry County?
- Establishments, all industries10,550
- Employment at those establishments123,792
- Annual payroll$5.20 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents27.5
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Horry County
Building permits in Horry County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 20247,331
- Declared construction value permitted$1.49 bn
- Single family units authorized7,269
- Multifamily units authorized62
- Multifamily share of units0.8 percent
- Average declared value per unit$203,495
- Units authorized per 1,000 households46.2
Single-family homes are 99.2 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Horry County
SBA loans in Horry County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded308
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$193.2 m
- Average 7(a) approval$627,378
- Median 7(a) approval$266,250
- 10th percentile approval$25,000
- 90th percentile approval$1,696,620
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)3,681
- Jobs per approval12.0
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active69
- Distinct industries receiving approvals122
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer19.5 percent
- Loans on real estate terms60
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter224
- Franchise loans62
- Franchise share of approvals20.1 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (22)
- Most active lenderTD Bank, National Association (67)
- 504 approvals recorded41
- 504 gross approval dollars$57.1 m
- Average 504 approval$1,392,951
- Median 504 approval$1,044,000
- Distinct CDCs active6
- 504 jobs per approval18.5
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved13.3
- Most active CDCProvident Business Financial Services, Inc. (21)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$250.3 m
The average approval of $627,378 sits well above the median of $266,250, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 19.5 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Horry County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Horry County
Do SBA loans in Horry County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded63
- Paid in full56
- Charged off7
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans11.1 percent
- Status: Paid in full56
- Status: Exempt from disclosure192
- Status: Cancelled34
- Status: Charged off7
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed19
Of the 63 loans that have reached a final outcome, 11.1 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Horry County
SBA lending by place in Horry County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending14
- Myrtle Beach, approvals176
- Conway, approvals41
- Little River, approvals20
- Murrells Inlet, approvals18
- North Myrtle Beach, approvals18
- Surfside Beach, approvals16
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | 176 | $110,099,100 |
| Conway | 41 | $11,522,900 |
| Little River | 20 | $20,150,000 |
| Murrells Inlet | 18 | $17,001,800 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 18 | $8,972,200 |
| Surfside Beach | 16 | $10,992,800 |
| Loris | 8 | $7,004,400 |
| Surfside | 3 | $3,118,000 |
| 6 other borrower cities | 8 | $4,371,100 |
Myrtle Beach accounts for 176 approvals against 41 in Conway. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Horry County
How large is Horry County?
- Land area1,134 sq mi
- Rank by land area among South Carolina counties1st of 46
- Width, east to west45.8 mi
- Height, north to south50.2 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land338
- Establishments per square mile9.30
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Horry County
Flood risk in Horry County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Horry County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 450104
- Community Rating System class of the county's own communityClass 5
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book9
- Of those, participating in the NFIP9
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 5
- Communities carrying a CRS class4
- Radon levels in Horry County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Horry County (community 450104), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries Community Rating System class 5, a flood insurance premium discount for policies written there. The EPA places Horry County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 5, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Horry County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Horry County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024383,016
- Households158,779
- Average household size2.41
- Median household income$66,880
- Median age48.7
Common questions
Horry County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Horry County, South Carolina?
The Census Bureau estimates 413,391 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 383,016, in 158,779 households, ranking 4th of 46 South Carolina counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Horry County's population growing?
The population has grown 17.76 percent since the 2020 census base of 351,038, to 413,391 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 3,286 births against 4,695 deaths, with net migration of 16,311. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Horry County?
$66,880. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $287,700, which is 4.3 times income, and median gross rent is $1,255 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Horry County?
10,550 establishments, employing 123,792 people with an annual payroll of $5.20 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Horry County?
Accommodation and food services is the largest private sector at 31,021 jobs, 21.5 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 144,489 jobs at an average annual pay of $48,046, or $924 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Horry County?
308 7(a) approvals totaling $193.2 m since FY2020, across 69 lenders, with a median approval of $266,250, plus 41 504 approvals worth $57.1 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Horry County get paid back?
Of the 63 loans that have reached a final outcome, 56 were paid in full and 7 charged off, a charge-off rate of 11.1 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Horry County?
7,331 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $1.49 bn. Multifamily was 0.8 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Horry County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Horry County come from?
The largest single origin is Georgetown County, with 505 households. Arriving households report an average income of $86,199 against $58,639 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Horry County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Horry County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Horry County
Cities and places in Horry.
20 Census places lie wholly or partly in Horry County. All 20 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | city | 38,371 | 176 | Wholly in this county |
| Conway | city | 27,263 | 41 | Wholly in this county |
| Carolina Forest | CDP | 26,263 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Socastee | CDP | 23,796 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| North Myrtle Beach | city | 19,855 | 18 | Wholly in this county |
| Red Hill | CDP | 15,920 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Little River | CDP | 11,771 | 20 | Wholly in this county |
| Garden City | CDP | 11,591 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Forestbrook | CDP | 7,479 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Surfside Beach | town | 4,270 | 16 | Wholly in this county |
| Homewood | CDP | 2,708 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Loris | city | 2,645 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Aynor | town | 1,112 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bucksport | CDP | 747 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Briarcliffe Acres | town | 448 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Finklea | CDP | 340 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Atlantic Beach | town | 237 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| Green Sea | CDP | 71 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Ketchuptown | CDP | 45 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Live Oak | CDP | 22 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 28 of the county's 308 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Horry County, the largest being Murrells Inlet (18), Surfside (3), Longs (2). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.