Little River is a city of 11,771 people in South Carolina. At a median age of 61.4, this is an older place than the country as a whole. Since 2000 the city has risen by half, up 4,744 people. Owners hold 77% of the housing stock. 26% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. 7% of people here were born outside the United States.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $65,786, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 61.4
US median: 38.9
Less educated
26% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 42%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Little River
What changed most since 1990
Population3,682 → 11,771(+220%)US over the same years: +35%
Median age39.8 → 61.4(+21.6 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Adults with a bachelor's degree20.5% → 25.8%(+5.4 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Little River's population equals 3.1% of Horry County's. Its number of households without a car equals 2.2% of the county's. Its number of residents 65 and older equals 4.9% of the county's.
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)12.5%(163)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)17.3%(226)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era59.9%(781)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War1.7%(22)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II1.8%(24)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 1,303 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Little River, decade by decade
Little River population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
3,682
$68,894
$213,846
20.5%
30.0
2000
7,027
$73,644
$214,955
21.4%
21.2
2010
8,960
$66,327
$290,447
22.7%
28.1
2020
11,711
$64,112
$213,682
21.0%
35.5
2024
11,771
$65,786
$305,800
25.8%
37.2
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Little River, South Carolina?
Little River, South Carolina has about 11,771 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Little River, South Carolina?
The typical household in Little River, South Carolina earns about $65,786 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Little River, South Carolina expensive?
In Little River, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $305,800, and the typical rent is about $1,528 a month.
How educated are people in Little River, South Carolina?
About 25.8% of adults age 25 and over in Little River, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Little River, South Carolina?
About 12.7% of people in Little River, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Little River, South Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Little River, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 8,089 residents, a change of about 220 percent over that period.
