Myrtle Beach, South Carolina facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Myrtle Beach
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Myrtle Beach shoreline
Atlantic Coast Line Depot
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| Motto(s):
"First in Service"
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 Myrtle Beach
Location in South Carolina
Myrtle Beach
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | ||
| State | South Carolina | ||
| County | Horry | ||
| Incorporated (town) | March 12, 1938 | ||
| Incorporated (city) | 1957 | ||
| Named for | The wax myrtle, an abundant local shrub | ||
| Government | |||
| • Type | Mayor–Council | ||
| Area | |||
| • Total | 23.69 sq mi (61.36 km2) | ||
| • Land | 23.42 sq mi (60.65 km2) | ||
| • Water | 0.27 sq mi (0.71 km2) 1.14% | ||
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 35,682 | ||
| • Estimate
(2023)
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39,697 | ||
| • Rank | 13th in South Carolina | ||
| • Density | 1,523.76/sq mi (588.32/km2) | ||
| • Urban | 298,954 (US: 135th) | ||
| • Urban density | 1,365.5/sq mi (527.2/km2) | ||
| • Metro | 397,478 (US: 139th) | ||
| Time zone | UTC−05:00 (EST) | ||
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−04:00 (EDT) | ||
| ZIP Codes |
29572, 29575, 29577, 29578, 29579, 29586, 29587, 29588
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| Area code(s) | 843, 854 | ||
| FIPS code | 45-49075 | ||
| GNIS feature ID | 1249770 | ||
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Myrtle Beach is a popular resort city located on the East Coast of the United States in Horry County, South Carolina. It sits in the middle of a long, beautiful stretch of beach called the "Grand Strand", which is about 60 miles (97 km) long. In 2020, about 35,682 people lived there, making it the 13th largest city in South Carolina.
Myrtle Beach is a major tourist spot in the United States. It has a warm, subtropical climate, miles of sandy beaches, many golf courses, and over 1,800 restaurants. More than 20 million visitors come to Myrtle Beach every year, making it one of the most visited places in the country.
The area was once home to the Waccamaw people. Later, a family named Whither settled here. The community was first called "New Town" or "Withers." Then, a man named Franklin Burroughs had a dream to turn it into a resort. His sons built a railroad to the beach and opened the first inn. Burroughs's wife later named the new community Myrtle Beach after the local wax-myrtle shrubs.
The Myrtle Beach area is growing very fast. In 2023, about 397,478 people lived in the wider metropolitan area. This means over 104,000 people moved there in just eight years!
Contents
History of Myrtle Beach
Early Days and Native Americans
Before Europeans arrived, the Long Bay area was home to the Waccamaw tribe. They used the river for travel and fished along the coast. Evidence of their visits, like burial sites and shell mounds, can still be found on Waties Island.
The first European settlers came in the late 1700s. They tried to grow crops like indigo and tobacco, but the sandy soil wasn't very good for farming. The area stayed mostly empty for a long time.
Naming the City
The Burroughs and Collins Company bought a lot of land in 1881. The growing community was first called "New Town." In 1899, the company built the Conway & Seashore Railroad to move timber. Soon, their workers started taking train rides to the beach for fun, becoming the first tourists!
Franklin Burroughs wanted to make New Town a famous tourist spot. He passed away in 1897, but his sons continued his dream. They finished the railroad and opened the Seaside Inn in 1901.
Around 1900, a contest was held to name the area. Burroughs's wife suggested "Myrtle Beach" because of the many wax myrtle shrubs growing there. The post office changed its name, and the town officially became "Myrtle Beach." It became a town in 1938 and a city in 1957.
Modern Developments
In 1937, the Myrtle Beach Municipal Airport was built. It became a military base during World War II and later reopened for commercial flights in 1976. Today, it's called Myrtle Beach International Airport. In 1940, King's Highway was paved, making it easier to get to Myrtle Beach.
Many historic places in Myrtle Beach are listed on the National Register of Historic Places. These include the Myrtle Heights-Oak Park Historic District and the Myrtle Beach Atlantic Coast Line Railroad Station. The Gay Dolphin Gift Cove, built in 1946, is a famous shop on the Myrtle Beach Boardwalk. It claims to be the "nation's largest gift shop."
Geography and Climate
Myrtle Beach is separated from the rest of the United States by the Intracoastal Waterway since 1936. This means the city grew mostly along the coast. The area across the waterway used to be mostly rural, but it has grown a lot recently.
Myrtle Beach is about 67 miles (108 km) southeast of Florence, South Carolina. It's also 94 miles (151 km) northeast of Charleston, South Carolina and 74 miles (119 km) southwest of Wilmington, North Carolina.
The city covers about 23.69 square miles (61.36 km²). Most of this is land, with a small part being water.
Myrtle Beach Neighborhoods
Myrtle Beach has many different neighborhoods, each with its own feel. Some of these include:
- Arcadian Shores
- Benton Park
- Booker T. Washington
- Carver
- Chestnut Hill
- Dogwood
- Dunes Cove
- East Chester
- Fantasy Harbour
- Forest Acres
- Forest Dunes
- Futrell Park
- Grande Dunes
- Green Bay Park
- Harlem
- Highlands
- Hurl Rocks
- Konig
- Market Common
- Myrtlewood
- Myrtle Heights
- Northwood
- Ocean Forest
- Ocean View
- Old Pine Lakes
- Owens
- Pebble Beach
- Pine Lake Estates
- Pine Lakes
- Plantation Point
- Racepath
- Ramsey Acres
- Seagate Village
- Springmaid Beach
- The Dunes
- Washington Park
- Withers Preserve
- Withers Swash
- Yaupon Circle
Myrtle Beach Climate
Myrtle Beach has a humid subtropical climate. This means it has warm, humid summers and mild, short winters. The city gets a lot of sunshine, over 2,800 hours each year!
Summer Weather
Summers are long, hot, and humid. Daytime temperatures are usually between 83°F (28°C) and 91°F (33°C). Nights are warm, around 70°F (21°C). Because it's on the coast, Myrtle Beach isn't quite as hot as places further inland. The ocean water gets very warm in summer, making for pleasant evenings. Thunderstorms are common in the summer, bringing brief but heavy rain.
Winter Weather
Winters are usually mild. Daytime temperatures are between 57°F (14°C) and 61°F (16°C). Nighttime lows are around 36°F (2°C) to 38°F (3°C). It rarely snows in Myrtle Beach, but sometimes a tiny bit of snow falls every few years. The beach season usually runs from late April to late October.
Extreme Temperatures
The hottest temperature ever recorded in Myrtle Beach was 104°F (40°C) in June 1952 and August 1954. The coldest was 9°F (-13°C) in February 1958.
Storms and Hurricanes
While thunderstorms are common, severe ones are rare. Tornadoes are very unusual. Tropical cyclones (like hurricanes) sometimes affect Myrtle Beach, but direct hits from major hurricanes are not common. Hurricane Hugo in 1989 and Hurricane Hazel in 1954 caused the most damage.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1940 | 1,597 | — | |
| 1950 | 3,345 | 109.5% | |
| 1960 | 7,834 | 134.2% | |
| 1970 | 8,536 | 9.0% | |
| 1980 | 18,446 | 116.1% | |
| 1990 | 24,848 | 34.7% | |
| 2000 | 25,759 | 3.7% | |
| 2010 | 27,109 | 5.2% | |
| 2020 | 35,682 | 31.6% | |
| 2023 (est.) | 39,697 | 46.4% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Myrtle Beach is the main city in the larger Myrtle Beach-Conway, SC Combined Statistical Area. This area had an estimated population of 463,209 people in 2023.
Who Lives in Myrtle Beach?
According to the 2020 census, there were 35,682 people living in Myrtle Beach.
- About 67% of the people were White (non-Hispanic).
- About 13% were Black or African American (non-Hispanic).
- About 2.3% were Asian.
- About 11.9% were Hispanic or Latino.
The median age in Myrtle Beach is about 37 years old. This means half the people are younger than 37 and half are older.
How People Earn Money
The average income for a household in Myrtle Beach was about $50,173. For families, it was about $43,900.
Economy and Tourism
Myrtle Beach's economy is mostly about tourism. There are many hotels, motels, resorts, restaurants, and shops to serve visitors.
Myrtle Beach as a Tourist Hotspot
The Grand Strand welcomes over 20 million visitors each year. Many people come from other countries, like Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom.
Myrtle Beach has tons of fun things to do. You can enjoy the beaches, play golf, visit amusement parks, or explore the aquarium. There are also live shows, dinner theaters, nightclubs, and souvenir shops. The city has about 425 hotels and over 80 golf courses.
The Myrtle Beach Boardwalk opened in 2010. It's been called one of the best boardwalks in the U.S. The Myrtle Beach SkyWheel, a huge observation wheel, opened in 2011. It gives amazing views of the Atlantic Ocean. Myrtle Beach State Park, created in 1935, is a great place for camping, swimming, and fishing.
The Myrtle Beach Convention Center is a big place that hosts many events, meetings, and conferences.
Fun Events All Year Round
Myrtle Beach hosts many special events:
- Canadian-American Days (Can-Am Days): Every March, thousands of Canadian tourists come for a week of special events.
- Coastal Uncorked: A food and wine festival held in late spring.
- Sun Fun Festival: Held early each June.
- Senior Week: In late June, many high school graduates come to celebrate.
- Carolina Country Music Fest (CCMF): A big outdoor country music festival in June.
The Myrtle Beach International Airport connects the city to many places across the U.S. and Canada. U.S. Route 17 is the main road for people traveling by car.
Shopping in Myrtle Beach
Myrtle Beach has many places to shop, from large malls to outdoor complexes:
- Barefoot Landing: An outdoor shopping area with stores and attractions like the House of Blues and the Alabama Theatre.
- Broadway at the Beach: The largest entertainment complex in South Carolina, with shops, restaurants, and attractions around Lake Broadway.
- Coastal Grand Mall: A large indoor mall with many stores, a movie theater, and a food court.
- The Market Common: A modern shopping and living area built on the site of the old Myrtle Beach Air Force Base.
- Myrtle Beach Mall: Another large mall with anchor stores, a movie theater, and specialty shops.
- Tanger Outlets: Two locations for outlet shopping, where you can find great deals.
Sports and Recreation
Golf Capital of the World
Myrtle Beach is often called the "Golf Capital of the World." It has about 100 golf courses and many miniature golf courses. Millions of rounds of golf are played here every year. Most of the golf courses are open to the public. Even famous golfer Tiger Woods called Myrtle Beach "the mecca of golf."
Running Events
Myrtle Beach hosts the Bi-Lo Myrtle Beach Marathon every February. It includes a 5K race, a half marathon, and a full marathon. Thousands of runners participate each year.
Local Sports Teams
Myrtle Beach is home to the Myrtle Beach Pelicans, a minor league baseball team. They play in the Carolina League and are connected to the Chicago Cubs.
Pelicans Ballpark is where the Pelicans play. It opened in 1999 and is also the finish line for the Myrtle Beach Marathon. The ballpark hosts college baseball tournaments too.
NASCAR Racing
NASCAR races used to be held at Myrtle Beach Speedway. This was a half-mile oval track where drivers competed for state and continental championships.
Education in Myrtle Beach
Public Schools
Myrtle Beach is part of the Horry County Schools district. This is the third largest school district in South Carolina, teaching about 40,000 students.
Private and Charter Schools
There are also several private and charter schools in or near Myrtle Beach:
- Bridgewater Academy (K–8)
- Coastal Leadership Academy (9–12)
- Calvary Christian School (PK–12)
- Chabad Academy (PK–7)
- Christian Academy of Myrtle Beach (K–12)
- Holy Trinity Catholic School (PK–5)
- Myrtle Beach Seventh-Day Adventist Christian School (K–8)
- North Myrtle Beach Christian School (PK–12)
- Risen Christ Christian Academy (PK–12)
- St. Andrew Catholic School (K–8)
- St. Elizabeth Ann Seton Catholic High School (6–12)
- St. Michael Catholic School (K–8)
- Valorous Academy (PK–12)
Colleges and Universities
For higher education, Myrtle Beach has:
- Golf Academy of America
- Palmetto School of Career Development – Myrtle Beach campus
- Horry-Georgetown Technical College – Myrtle Beach campus
- Webster University – Myrtle Beach campus
Media and News
Television Stations
Myrtle Beach shares a TV market with Florence, South Carolina. Here are some of the main TV stations:
| Channel | Callsign | Affiliation | Branding | Subchannels | Owner | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (Virtual) | Channel | Programming | ||||
| 13.1 | WBTW (licensed to Florence, South Carolina) | CBS | WBTW News 13 | 13.2 13.3 13.4 |
MyNetworkTV Ion Television Ion Mystery |
Nexstar Media Group |
| 15.1 | WPDE-TV (licensed to Florence, South Carolina) | ABC | ABC 15 | 15.2 15.3 15.4 |
The CW Comet TV Weather on The 15's |
Sinclair Broadcast Group |
| 21.1 | WWMB (licensed to Florence, South Carolina) | Dabl | WWMB | 21.2 21.3 21.4 |
TBD The Nest Charge! |
Howard Stirk Holdings, but operated by Sinclair Broadcast Group via Shared Service Agreement |
| 23.1 | WHMC (licensed to Conway, South Carolina) | South Carolina Educational Television | WHMC | 23.2 23.3. 23.4 |
SC Channel ETV World ETV Kids |
South Carolina Educational Television Commission |
| 31.1 | WUNU (licensed to Wilmington, North Carolina) | PBS North Carolina | WNEU | 31.2 31.3 31.4 |
Rootle Explorer NC Channel |
University of North Carolina |
| 32.1 | WMBF-TV (licensed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) | NBC | WMBF News | 32.2 32.3 32.4 32.5 32.6 32.7 |
Bounce TV Circle Country Laff Grit Quest Defy TV |
Gray Television |
| 43.1 | WFXB (licensed to Myrtle Beach, South Carolina) | FOX | WFXB FOX TV | 43.2 43.3 43.4 43.5 43.6 43.7 43.8 |
QVC Over The Air Start TV MeTV Heroes & Icons True Crime Network Cozi TV Story Television |
Bahakel Communications |
Radio Stations
Myrtle Beach has many radio stations playing different types of music and talk shows.
Newspapers
The Sun News is the largest daily newspaper in the Grand Strand area. It has been around since the 1930s. The Myrtle Beach Herald is a weekly newspaper that also publishes Visit! for tourists. In 2020, The Post and Courier from Charleston also started a bureau in Myrtle Beach.
Transportation and Infrastructure
Healthcare Services
Grand Strand Medical Center (GSMC) is a large hospital in Myrtle Beach. It has 369 beds and is a Level 1 Adult Trauma Center. This means it can handle the most serious injuries. GSMC is known for its heart and stroke treatment programs. It's also a teaching hospital, helping to train new doctors.
Getting Around Myrtle Beach
Air Travel
Myrtle Beach International Airport is the main airport for the area. It's owned by the county and is about 3 miles (5 km) southwest of downtown Myrtle Beach. It used to be a military air force base. A new terminal for smaller planes opened in 2010.
Train Services
The Waccamaw Coast Line Railroad is a short train line that runs from Conway to Myrtle Beach. It mostly carries freight (goods). The line was first opened in 1900. There are efforts to keep the railroad running and improve it.
Roads and Highways
Myrtle Beach has several important roads and highways:
US 17
US 17 Bus.
US 501
SC 31- Farrow Parkway
- Grissom Parkway
- Harrelson Boulevard
- Ocean Boulevard
New roads have been built to help with traffic, especially during tourist season. There are also plans for two interstate highways, Interstate 73 and Interstate 74, to serve Myrtle Beach in the future.
Public Transportation
Myrtle Beach has public transportation services provided by Coast RTA and the Pee Dee Regional Transportation Authority.
Famous People from Myrtle Beach
Many interesting people have connections to Myrtle Beach:
- Sigmund Abeles, an American artist.
- Meher Baba, a spiritual teacher who lived near Myrtle Beach.
- Steve Bailey, a talented bass player.
- Madison Iseman, an actress.
- Robert H. Brooks, who founded the Hooters of America restaurants.
- Dusty Button, a ballet dancer.
- Shane Carruth, a filmmaker.
- Brandon Frye, a former NFL football player.
- Everett Golson, a CFL quarterback.
- Anthony James, an actor.
- Dustin Johnson, a famous PGA Tour golfer.
- Ewa Laurance, a professional billiards player.
- Elliot Levine, a keyboardist.
- Clint Newton, a rugby league player.
- Nancy O'Dell, a television personality.
- Hunter Renfrow, an NFL wide receiver.
- Brian Rutenberg, an American painter.
- Ramon Sessions, an NBA basketball player.
- Kelly Wearstler, an interior designer.
Sister Cities
Myrtle Beach has sister cities around the world. These are cities that partner together to promote cultural ties and understanding.
Burlington, Ontario, Canada
Keighley, West Yorkshire, United Kingdom
Pinamar, Argentina
Killarney, County Kerry, Ireland
Tiberias, Israel
Images for kids
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Splashes Oceanfront Water Park
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Family Kingdom Amusement Park opened in 1966
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Hotels and tourists along the Myrtle Beach shoreline (July 2014)
See also
In Spanish: Myrtle Beach para niños
