Myrtle Beach, SC area boasts many wonderful communities, each with its own charm and character.  The following is a brief introduction to each of the surrounding Myrtle Beach, SC area communities.

Myrtle Beach:

Myrtle Beach is the most well-known city along the Grand Strand, boasting over 25,000 permanent residents and hosting millions of visitors each year.  Myrtle Beach, named after the wax myrtle, a shrub that grows throughout the area, was incorporated as a town in 1938 and became a city in 1957.  According to the 2000 Census, Myrtle Beach is the 13th fastest growing metropolitan area in the U.S.  Myrtle Beach is filled with many exciting entertainment venues, family beaches and high-rise hotels right on the Atlantic Ocean.

North Myrtle Beach:

In 1968, four small beach towns - Windy Hill Beach, Crescent Beach, Ocean Drive Beach and Cherry Grove Beach - joined forces to create what is known today as North Myrtle Beach, a town located on the northern end of the Grand Strand.  North Myrtle Beach is now home to over 12,000 permanent residents; with many others calling North Myrtle Beach home during vacations and weekend trips throughout the year.  North Myrtle Beach is the birthplace of the Shag, the official South Carolina State Dance. 

Little River:

Little River is an unincorporated small fishing village just north of Myrtle Beach that is known for its fresh seafood, fishing charters and annual blue crab festival.  Little River was once a haven for pirates and shipwreck survivors who needed to make ship repairs and rest.  In 1828, Little River was one of only two known towns in Horry County, the other town being Conwayborough (later shortened to Conway, as it is known today).  Little River is also known for their Las-Vegas-style casino gambling boats that go out to international waters where patrons can enjoy gambling, seafood buffets, drinks and live entertainment.  Local charter boats are in abundance that takes boaters on short party-boat fishing trips to all-day fishing trips in the deep waters of the Gulf Stream.  Little River’s population is approximately 4,000 and growing.

Murrells Inlet: 

The quaint fishing village of Murrells Inlet is hailed as the "Seafood Capital of South Carolina," and prides itself on the natural beauty of the marshes that surround the area.  With a population of approximately 5,519, Murrells Inlet is an active community with many yearly festivals and events that show off the area’s rich history.  Murrells Inlet’s reputation for savory cuisine began long ago when many of the steamboats' cooks settled in Murrells Inlet and opened their own restaurants.  A marshwalk and creekside park encourages residents and visitors to stop and enjoy the view and the abundant fresh seafood.  The median age of residents is 47; and 17.6% of the households have children 18 or younger.  The median family income is $47,194.

Surfside Beach:

Surfside Beach is located on 2 miles of pristine beach, just miles south of Myrtle Beach.  Surfside Beach is all about family fun.  Surfside Beach features great restaurants with every imaginable cuisine, a fantastic fishing pier, a water park and a live theater with tribute artists singing songs from artists such as Elvis, Marilyn Monroe and Garth Brooks.  There are many seaside, 2nd and 3rd row condos with ocean views that allow for easy beach access.  Surfside Beach is reminiscent of what Myrtle Beach was like in the 80’s and 90’s, featuring wooden two and three story stilted beach homes and cottages without the high rises interrupting the beautiful ocean views.  The median age of residents is 44; and 17.8% of the households have children 18 or younger.  The median family income is $49,847.

Pawleys Island:

Pawleys Island is one of the earliest resort towns in South Carolina and has a population of just 138.  Pawleys Island is a barrier island less than 4 miles long, separated from the mainland by a beautiful salt marsh accessible by two short causeways.  Remaining in the historic district are 12 residences which date from the late 1700's to the mid 1800's, boasting antebellum homes.  Known for its laid-back lifestyle, including crabbing in adjacent creeks, fishing, and relaxing on the area’s famous rope hammocks and unspoiled beach; this is a perfect place for young retirees who are ready to enjoy a long, active, social retirement.  The median age of residents is 55 years, while median family income is $97,125.  Less than 10% of Pawleys Island's households include children 18 years old or younger.

Litchfield:

Litchfield has a population of approximately 3,800.  Once known as Magnolia Beach, Litchfield is located on what is called the Waccamaw Neck.  Litchfield draws both retirees and families to its quiet, relaxed and upscale neighborhood atmosphere.  Features of this unincorporated community include lower-density housing, beautiful landscaping, country clubs, and planned undeveloped natural areas and preserved marshlands.  Home to the historic Litchfield Plantation, which began its roots in the 1700’s and later turned into South Carolina’s first canning factory in the early 1900’s.  Also beautiful, the Litchfield Country Club features a pristine golf course full of southern charm, designed by Willard Bird.  The median age of residents is 36.9 years and the median household income is $46,529.

Garden City Beach:

Garden City is an unincorporated town that has a population of approximately 10,000 people and is considered the South Strand’s hidden treasure.  Garden City boasts marshes and winding creeks that are just a few feet above sea level, where you will find animals such as birds and alligators.  This small ocean village features little neighborhood eateries, taverns, souvenir shops and a bait and tackle store for fishing off the almost 700-foot Garden City Pier.  The pier offers free sightseeing for the family.  The cafe at the pier's end offers lunch and dinner, with cocktails and live music most weekend evenings.  The median age of residents is 54.5 years and the median household income is $37,200.

Carolina Forest:

Carolina Forest is an unincorporated community located between Myrtle Beach and Conway in a township that was planned by International Paper in the late 1990’s.  Commonly known for its good schools and family environment, the Carolina Forest area is a sought-after locale by many families moving to the Grand Strand area.  Once completed, the area will boast 20,000 single and multi-family homesites such as condos and townhomes.  The Carolina Forest Master Plan, the area plan developed cooperatively between International Paper and the Horry County Government, has many exciting new developments which will continue to unfold as the planned community takes shape.

Conway:

Conway is one of the oldest and most historically entrenched towns in South Carolina, with a current population of 11,788 at the 2000 census. Originally named Kingston, the town was created in 1734 and named after Great Britain's King George II.  Francis Marion, also known as the "Swamp Fox", had an encampment near Kingston just across the Waccamaw River during the Revolutionary War.  After the war, the area’s county name was changed to Horry, in honor of General Peter Horry in 1801 and Kingston's name was changed to Conwayborough for General Robert Conway.  In 1883, the General Assembly changed the name to the current name of Conway.  Conway is also home to Coastal Carolina University and Horry-Georgetown Technical College.

Longs:

Longs is a small town located about 14 miles northwest of North Myrtle Beach, at the intersection of SC 9 and SC 905, near the North Carolina border.  The town itself consists of a post office, a gas station, and a few small businesses, however, the area is being developed and will continue to fast grow into a suburb of the Grand Strand.  The location of Longs allows residents to enjoy living close to the beach, while remaining very affordable.  Longs population at the 2000 Census was 8,610 with a mix of married and single citizens and an average household income of $32,388.

Loris:

Loris is a small town that had its beginnings in the late 1800's when the Chadbourn Lumber Company purchased a tract of land on December 7, 1887 from James Patterson for $1. The railroad company built a depot on the land to service their trains and provide transportation for the timber business.  The town is said to be named after either a novel or a favorite dog of the Chadbourn children.  At one time Loris had the largest tobacco market and best cotton market in the state of South Carolina.  By 1890, there were four stores near Todd's Ferry Road, which today is referred to as Main Street, where many local retailers have started new businesses in recent years and each year hosts the Loris Bog-Off.  Loris’ population was 2,079 at the 2000 census.