Myrtle Beach city, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Myrtle Beach city is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina. The total population is 37,214. It ranks as the 14th most populous out of 475 cities and towns in South Carolina.

Age Demographics

The median age in Myrtle Beach city is 47.0 years. This is 17% higher than the state median of 40.1 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Myrtle Beach city is $53,679. This is 20% lower than the state median of $66,818. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 32% lower. The poverty rate stands at 16.9%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.2%. The unemployment rate is 4.3%. This is 13% lower than the state rate of 5.0%. The median home value is $347,700. Housing costs are 47% higher than the state median of $236,700. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.5x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 61.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 71.4%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Myrtle Beach city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 67.7% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (12.6% vs 7.1%).

Education

34.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 8% 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 91.5%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Myrtle Beach city, 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.