Myrtle Beach is home to 38,371 people in South Carolina. Since 2000 the city has risen by half, up 15,612 people. At a median age of 47.3, this is an older place than the country as a whole. The average commute runs 18 minutes. There are 1,639 people per square mile. 19.0% of locals live below the federal poverty line.
At a glance
Lower income
median household income $60,394, below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 47.3
US median: 38.9
Average education
34% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 106%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Myrtle Beach
What changed most since 1990
Median age31.2 → 47.3(+16.1 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Homes owned by their occupants46.7% → 60.5%(+13.8 pts)US over the same years: +0.9 pts
Poverty rate11.7% → 19.0%(+7.3 pts)US over the same years: −0.8 pts
Myrtle Beach's population equals 10% of Horry County's. Its number of households without a car equals 20% of the county's. Its number of foreign-born residents equals 16% 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)17.2%(406)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)24.7%(584)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era50.8%(1,202)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.4%(104)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0%(0)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 2,364 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
Myrtle Beach, decade by decade
Myrtle Beach 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
24,848
$59,687
$232,807
21.4%
35.3
2000
22,759
$64,665
$188,906
22.9%
44.3
2010
27,109
$54,190
$246,571
25.0%
62.8
2020
35,682
$52,576
$287,496
30.4%
64.9
2024
38,371
$60,394
$388,800
33.5%
66.0
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 Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has about 38,371 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
The typical household in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina earns about $60,394 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Myrtle Beach, South Carolina expensive?
In Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $388,800, and the typical rent is about $1,261 a month.
How educated are people in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
About 33.5% of adults age 25 and over in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina?
About 19.0% of people in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.
Has Myrtle Beach, South Carolina grown since 1990?
Yes, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 13,523 residents, a change of about 54 percent over that period.
