Little River, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Little River, South Carolina had a total population of 11,771, the 56th largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $65,786, which is 5% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 12.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Little River Quick Facts
How Little River Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 10,457 | 11,771 | +12.6% |
| Median household income | $64,590 | $65,786 | +1.9% |
| Median home value | $267,800 | $305,800 | +14.2% |
How Little River Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Little River Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Horry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Myrtle Beach | 38,371 | $60,394 | 19.0% | $388,800 |
| Conway | 27,263 | $56,650 | 21.0% | $260,900 |
| Carolina Forest | 26,263 | $74,436 | 13.0% | $336,800 |
| Socastee | 23,796 | $62,257 | 12.6% | $234,200 |
| North Myrtle Beach | 19,855 | $72,722 | 7.4% | $416,900 |
| Red Hill | 15,920 | $68,250 | 19.1% | $249,500 |
| Garden City | 11,591 | $47,249 | 17.7% | $217,400 |
| Forestbrook | 7,479 | $81,286 | 6.8% | $335,800 |
| Surfside Beach | 4,270 | $70,106 | 16.8% | $450,100 |
| Homewood | 2,708 | $64,659 | 21.4% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Little River
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Bank | 11,314 | $68,004 | $189,000 | 19.3% | 11.5% |
| Fountain Inn | 12,020 | $73,585 | $275,300 | 33.5% | 7.7% |
| Oak Grove | 12,256 | $74,554 | $210,300 | 32.6% | 12.6% |
| Irmo | 11,813 | $80,489 | $203,400 | 39.2% | 9.2% |
| Boiling Springs | 12,936 | $72,068 | $244,400 | 26.5% | 9.9% |
Population Overview
Little River is a small city located in South Carolina, within Horry County. The total population is 11,771. It ranks as the 56th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Little River is 61.4 years. This is 53% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 10.3% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 17.4% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Little River is $65,786. This is 5% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 19% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 12.7%. This is 10% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $305,800. Housing costs are 18% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x. 76.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 7% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Little River is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.3% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.4%. The Black or African American population (6.4%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
25.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% lower than the state rate of 32.1%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 92.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Little River, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Little River, South Carolina?
Little River, South Carolina has a population of 11,771 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Little River, SC?
The median household income in Little River is $65,786, which is 19% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Little River, SC?
The poverty rate in Little River is 12.7%. This means approximately 1,493 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Little River, South Carolina?
Little River's population is 83.3% White, 6.4% Black, 4.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Little River, SC?
The median home value in Little River is $305,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.6x.
How educated is Little River, South Carolina?
25.8% of adults (25+) in Little River hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.