Murrells Inlet, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Murrells Inlet, South Carolina had a total population of 10,044, the 63rd largest community in South Carolina, with a median household income of $77,438, which is 12% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 7.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.0%.
Murrells Inlet Quick Facts
How Murrells Inlet 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 | 10,087 | 10,044 | -0.4% |
| Median household income | $75,438 | $77,438 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $355,800 | $366,000 | +2.9% |
How Murrells Inlet 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+)
Murrells Inlet Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Georgetown County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Litchfield Beach | 9,044 | $76,351 | 8.5% | $459,000 |
| Georgetown | 8,565 | $56,981 | 21.9% | $168,100 |
| Andrews | 3,485 | $57,247 | 27.2% | $116,400 |
| DeBordieu Colony | 627 | $170,750 | 2.7% | $1,247,400 |
| Dunbar | 577 | $91,058 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Pawleys Island | 170 | $122,500 | 21.8% | $1,694,400 |
Cities Similar to Murrells Inlet
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Forest Acres | 10,530 | $78,306 | $279,300 | 62.0% | 8.2% |
| Lugoff | 9,786 | $69,485 | $223,900 | 29.7% | 8.1% |
| Hardeeville | 10,871 | $78,365 | $488,900 | 42.6% | 11.8% |
| Litchfield Beach | 9,044 | $76,351 | $459,000 | 52.7% | 8.5% |
| Powdersville | 10,771 | $84,910 | $334,900 | 36.5% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Murrells Inlet is a small city located in South Carolina, within Georgetown County. The total population is 10,044. It ranks as the 63rd most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Murrells Inlet is 60.4 years. This is 50% higher than the state median of 40.2 years. Only 11.4% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.2% 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 is $77,438. This is 12% higher than the state median of $69,324. It is also 4% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 7.3%. This is 48% lower than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 2.0%. This is 59% lower than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $366,000. Housing costs are 41% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x. 86.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 20% higher than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Murrells Inlet is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.7% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 7.9%. The Black or African American population (5.6%) is well below the state average of 24.6%. The Asian population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
42.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% higher 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 96.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Murrells Inlet, 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.
Free data download: Get all South Carolina city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina?
Murrells Inlet, South Carolina has a population of 10,044 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Murrells Inlet, SC?
The median household income in Murrells Inlet is $77,438, which is 4% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Murrells Inlet, SC?
The poverty rate in Murrells Inlet is 7.3%. This means approximately 737 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Murrells Inlet, South Carolina?
Murrells Inlet's population is 83.7% White, 5.6% Black, 7.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.6% Asian.
What is the median home value in Murrells Inlet, SC?
The median home value in Murrells Inlet is $366,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.7x.
How educated is Murrells Inlet, South Carolina?
42.1% of adults (25+) in Murrells Inlet hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 13.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.