Horry
South Carolina

What stands out

What stands out about Horry County: natural-hazard risk is among the riskiest in America (99 of 100), population growth is in the top 2% of American counties (+3.7% a year), and the property tax rate is in the bottom 3% of American counties (0.35%). Within South Carolina it ranks 2nd of 46 counties for natural-hazard risk.

Where you are

You live in Horry County, South Carolina. 356,578 people live here with you. The population grew 3.7% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +15,061).

South Carolina has a two-bracket income tax with a top rate of 5.21% for 2026, does not tax Social Security, and exempts up to $10,000 of retirement income per person. Owner-occupied homes are assessed at 4% instead of 6%, which keeps property taxes among the lowest in the country. Charleston, Greenville and the coastal counties have drawn heavy in-migration; hurricane exposure runs the length of the coast.

Money

The typical household here brings in $59,880 a year, lower than 52% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $48,046. Unemployment runs 3.9%, higher than 67% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home; for the rest the average commute is 21 minutes each way.

South Carolina takes 3.6% of that median income in state income tax, about $2,154 a year.

Home

The median home costs $319K, pricier than 73% of American counties, about 3.3 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,079 a month. Property tax is 0.35% of home value, roughly $813 a year on that median home, lower than 97% of American counties. 75% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.9 per 1,000 residents, higher than 50% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 35 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 75.3 years, shorter than 56% of American counties. There are 988 active physicians in the county, about 27.7 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 3.0 of 5 stars. 14.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.18 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 79% of American counties. 92% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 39 points. 66% of eligible voters turned out. Under South Carolina law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is banned with narrow exceptions, and marijuana is medical only.

Weather and risk

The year averages 64°F, highs near 75 and lows near 53, warmer than 80% of American counties. About 49 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 99 out of 100, riskier than almost every county in America; the county has had 34 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 281 Mbps down, faster than 89% of American counties. There are 7 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 1.6 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 3 breweries, 8 museums.