CensusEasy
CITY · 2020 ACS

Surfside Beach

South Carolina · 4,155 residents · 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 $58,832. Population has declined 6% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $276,800. With a median age of 57.5, the population is older than the US median of 38.8.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 57.5
US median: 38.8
More educated
37% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
4,155
−6%since 2000
from 4,425 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
2,133 / sq mi
−6%since 2000
from 2,272 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
57.5
+29%since 2000
from 44.5 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
4K4K4K5K5K1990201020202024Surfside Beach
20244K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,832
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $40,612 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$35,177
+44%since 2000
from $24,445 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
31.4%
+13.7 ptssince 2009
from 17.7% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
8.8%
+1.4 ptssince 2000
from 7.5% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Information14.9%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade8%
US avg: 6.7%
Other services7.3%
US avg: 6.6%
Retail trade5.1%
US avg: 10%
Finance & insurance4.6%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical4.6%
US avg: 4.7%
Public administration3.5%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
Transportation & warehousing0%
US avg: 2.5%
Education & health services0%
US avg: 0.8%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$276,800
+24%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $148,200 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,091
+12%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $651 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
70.6%
+8.8 ptssince 2000
from 61.8% in 2000
29.4% rent
Afford Score
4.7
+29%since 2000
from 3.6 in 2000
1990 – 2024
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)
2020
White, non-Hispanic92%(3,822)
Black1.1%(46)
Hispanic / Latino2.3%(96)
Asian0.5%(21)
Other4.1%(171)
Diversity Score19%(789)
Diversity Score
19
+179%since 2000
from 7 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
36.5%
+9.0 ptssince 2000
from 27.5% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
94.7%
+3.9 ptssince 2000
from 90.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
13.1%
+3.3 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
20.3 min
+57%since 2000
from 12.9 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
76.4%
−7.0 ptssince 2009
from 83.3% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
3.6%
+2.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.1% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
10.9%
−13.0 ptssince 2011
from 23.8% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
50.1%
−10.1 ptssince 2011
from 60.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
39.7%
−29.9 ptssince 2009
from 69.6% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
52.1%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.8% in 2009
Female
47.9%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.2% in 2009
Foreign born
2.1%
−1.4 ptssince 2009
from 3.4% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
11.5%
−70.9 ptssince 2013
from 82.4% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Surfside Beach to nearby cities

SURFSIDE BEACH VS
Garden City
Income$47,249−20%
Home value$217,400−21%
Population11,591+164%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SURFSIDE BEACH VS
Socastee
Income$62,257+6%
Home value$234,200−15%
Population23,796+442%
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SURFSIDE BEACH VS
Murrells Inlet
Income$77,438+32%
Home value$366,000+32%
Population10,044+129%
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SURFSIDE BEACH VS
Myrtle Beach
Income$60,394+3%
Home value$388,800+40%
Population40,937+832%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Surfside Beach, South Carolina?

Surfside Beach, South Carolina has about 4,155 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

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

The typical household in Surfside Beach, South Carolina earns about $58,832 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 $276,800, and the typical rent is about $1,091 a month.

How educated are people in Surfside Beach, South Carolina?

About 36.5% 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 8.8% 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 310 residents, a change of about 8 percent over that period.

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

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