Murrells Inlet CDP, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Murrells Inlet CDP is a small city located in South Carolina. The total population is 10,087. It ranks as the 62nd most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Murrells Inlet CDP is 60.4 years. This is 51% higher than the state median of 40.1 years. Only 10.5% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.9% 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 Murrells Inlet CDP is $75,438. This is 13% higher than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 4% lower. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 55% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 2.7%. This is 45% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $355,800. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 84.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 18% higher than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Murrells Inlet CDP is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 8.9%. The Black or African American population (7.6%) is well below the state average of 25.1%.

Education

42.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 34% higher than the state rate of 31.5%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.6%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Murrells Inlet CDP, South Carolina is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against South Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 475 Census-designated places in South Carolina. For official data, visit data.census.gov.