Myrtle Beach, South Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina had a total population of 38,371, the 13th largest city in South Carolina, with a median household income of $60,394, which is 13% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 19.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Myrtle Beach Quick Facts
How Myrtle Beach 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 | 37,214 | 38,371 | +3.1% |
| Median household income | $53,679 | $60,394 | +12.5% |
| Median home value | $347,700 | $388,800 | +11.8% |
How Myrtle Beach 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
Moderate diversity with one or two groups making up the majority.
State average: 55 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Myrtle Beach Rankings in South Carolina
Explore South Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Horry County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
| Little River | 11,771 | $65,786 | 12.7% | $305,800 |
| 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 Myrtle Beach
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Florence | 40,408 | $56,143 | $211,400 | 30.4% | 18.9% |
| Spartanburg | 38,910 | $51,964 | $203,700 | 32.6% | 23.8% |
| Sumter | 43,053 | $55,592 | $199,100 | 28.7% | 16.7% |
| Greer | 41,536 | $82,626 | $288,700 | 41.4% | 10.1% |
| Hilton Head Island | 37,911 | $94,657 | $687,400 | 56.1% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Myrtle Beach is a mid-sized community located in South Carolina, within Horry County. The total population is 38,371. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 474 Census-designated places in South Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Myrtle Beach is 47.3 years. This is 18% higher than the state median of 40.2 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Myrtle Beach is $60,394. This is 13% lower than the state median of $69,324. It is also 25% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 19.0%. This is 35% higher than the state poverty rate of 14.1%. The unemployment rate is 5.4%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $388,800. Housing costs are 50% higher than the state median of $259,000. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.4x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 60.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 16% lower than the state average of 71.9%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Myrtle Beach is White (non-Hispanic), making up 65.6% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 14.7%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (13.2% vs 7.4%).
Education
33.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 4% 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 92.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Myrtle Beach, 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 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has a population of 38,371 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The median household income in Myrtle Beach is $60,394, which is 25% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The poverty rate in Myrtle Beach is 19.0%. This means approximately 7,263 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Myrtle Beach's population is 65.6% White, 14.7% Black, 13.2% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Myrtle Beach, SC?
The median home value in Myrtle Beach is $388,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.4x.
How educated is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
33.5% of adults (25+) in Myrtle Beach hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.