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CITY

Surfside Beach

South Carolina · 4,392 residents (2025 est.) · 1.948 sq mi
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The short version

Surfside Beach has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $70,106. Population has declined 4% since 2000. Median home value has roughly tripled since 2000, reaching $450,100. With a median age of 55.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.9.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 55.5
US median: 38.9
More educated
39% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 67%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,270
−4%since 2000
from 4,425 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,192 / sq mi
−4%since 2000
from 2,272 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
55.5
+25%since 2000
from 44.5 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:4,392 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Surfside Beach
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$70,106
−5%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,612 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$40,980
+68%since 2000
from $24,445 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
45.5%
+27.8 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
16.8%
+9.3 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.422
+26%since 2010
from 0.335 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Information12.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Other services10.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Retail trade9.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Finance & insurance4%
US avg: 5.9%
Public administration3.2%
US avg: 4.8%
Wholesale trade2.2%
US avg: 6.9%
Arts, entertainment, food2.1%
US avg: 1.9%
Education & health services2.1%
US avg: 0.9%
Professional, scientific, technical1.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Transportation & warehousing0.5%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.2%
US avg: 1.6%
Manufacturing0.2%
US avg: 0.4%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$450,100
+67%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $148,200 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,274
+7%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $651 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
67.5%
+5.7 ptssince 2000
from 61.8% in 2000
32.5% rent
Vacancy rate
52.2%
+7.1 ptssince 2009
from 45.1% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
20.6%
−10.4 ptssince 2009
from 31.0% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
48.0%
+6.8 ptssince 2009
from 41.2% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
6.4
+76%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
55
RELATED:See current rent listings in Surfside Beach on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic95.8%(4,241)
Black0.9%(42)
Hispanic / Latino1.4%(63)
Asian0.4%(16)
Other0%
Diversity Score6.8%(301)
2024
White, non-Hispanic92.3%(3,941)
Black1.5%(64)
Hispanic / Latino0.6%(24)
Asian0.6%(24)
Other5.1%(217)
Diversity Score18.2%(775)
Diversity Score
18
+167%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
39.5%
+12.0 ptssince 2000
from 27.5% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
96.6%
+5.9 ptssince 2000
from 90.8% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
17.3%
+7.5 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.2 min
+56%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
71.1%
−12.3 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
7.7%
−0.2 ptssince 2009
from 7.9% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
0.0%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.0% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
12.7%
+6.5 ptssince 2009
from 6.2% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
0.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 0.5% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.8%
−1.2 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
2.5%
+1.4 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
8.6%
−15.3 ptssince 2011
from 23.8% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
47.4%
−12.7 ptssince 2011
from 60.2% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
11.4%
−6.4 ptssince 2009
from 17.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
36.0%
−33.7 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
50.7%
+0.8 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
49.3%
−0.8 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
1.2%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
10.5%
−38.5 ptssince 2009
from 49.0% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
19.3%
+4.4 ptssince 2012
from 14.9% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
10.4%
−72.0 ptssince 2013
from 82.4% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
89.0%
+6.8 ptssince 2017
from 82.2% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
98.2%
+6.4 ptssince 2016
from 91.8% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
0.4%
−6.0 ptssince 2016
from 6.5% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Surfside Beach to nearby cities

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Income$47,249−33%
Home value$217,400−52%
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SURFSIDE BEACH VS
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SURFSIDE BEACH VS
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Income$77,438+10%
Home value$366,000−19%
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SURFSIDE BEACH VS
Myrtle Beach
Income$60,394−14%
Home value$388,800−14%
Population40,937+832%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Surfside Beach, South Carolina?

Surfside Beach, South Carolina has about 4,270 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Surfside Beach, South Carolina?

The typical household in Surfside Beach, South Carolina earns about $70,106 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Surfside Beach, South Carolina expensive?

In Surfside Beach, South Carolina, the median home is worth about $450,100, and the typical rent is about $1,274 a month.

How educated are people in Surfside Beach, South Carolina?

About 39.5% of adults age 25 and over in Surfside Beach, South Carolina hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Surfside Beach, South Carolina?

About 16.8% of people in Surfside Beach, South Carolina live below the federal poverty line.

Has Surfside Beach, South Carolina grown since 1990?

Yes, Surfside Beach, South Carolina has grown since 1990. The population has added about 425 residents, a change of about 11 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →

Surfside Beach, South Carolina: demographics, income & housing data · CensusEasy